Memorial Day

It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given us
Freedom of the Press.

It's the soldier, not the poet, who has given us
Freedom of Speech.

It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
Freedom to Demonstrate.

It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the
Right to a Fair Trial.

It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and
whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who gives the protestor the right to burn the flag.

THANK YOU to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice!!

 

Happy New Year!

Today marks the night when, one year ago, we were rubbing my unbelievably big pregnant belly and reading Harry Potter to our unborn baby girl. We were rubbing my belly, asking her to be healthy and to stay in there until she was ready. We rang in 2010 with a kiss and drifted off to sleep.

Today is one of those days where I look back at the incredible year I've had. I look back and realize that we've come such a long way and can't help but be proud of us. We welcomed a baby girl into the world. We've watched her grow and discover how to roll over, to sit, stand, and even walk along furniture. We've begun parenting and are learning as we go, but I am proud of us still.

I'd like to work on a few things this year though. Here is a little list of what I want to accomplish, kind of like a little Bucket List. I don't think I need to do everything this year, it's more of an ongoing list, but a list nonetheless. I got the idea from a fun blog I read, The Honey B Blog.

Getting to a Comfortable Weight
I've been dealing with my weight since I was little. I mean, I can look back to my 4th grade class picture and remember what people said when they saw the picture. I don't want to be a skinny minny, and in no way do I want to be a size 0, but I do need to lose weight. I really just want to be able to shop at Target in the regular sizes. I am JUST into the plus sizes, so hopefully this is a goal I can accomplish relatively quickly.

Become More Active
One way I can accomplish the weight goal is to become more active. I really like walking and going for bike rides, and I really love to go swimming! The thing is, I need to find a trailer for Adelle (for my bike), get really great shoes I only use for exercise, and I need to find a place I can swim. I really like to join LifeTime or the Y because they offer child care while we work out, but it's so expensive. I've also signed up for a Wii Fitness Group online who will support each other and offer assistance.

De-Clutter
Brian and I live in a townhouse. We don't have a lot of space as it is, and with a child, the space has been shrinking quite a bit due to all of the toys and outgrown clothes. I still have papers from when I was in high school and the first few years of college. Why do I still have these?! Then I have a whole lot of stamping/scrapbooking things I can get rid of because I haven't used them. We also have some small appliances we aren't using... having a garage sale sounds great, but maybe Craig's List or eBay would be better. Any suggestions/ideas?

Save More Money
We are working on our savings account and want to make sure we have enough in there in case something happens. I think it's self explanatory.

Cut Down Debt
This will work in conjunction with saving more money. We don't have a ton, but we don't want to let it run our lives. We want to make sure we stay on top of it, ya know?!

Finish My Masters
I started my masters the year I met Brian. I have yet to finish it due to finances, but I want to finish. It was fun learning all of those new things and to be finished would be so fantastic!!

Take a Trip to Maine
Brian and I wanted to take a cue from my parents and go on a second honeymoon to Maine. Mom and Dad RAVED about the lobster and the scenery when they went. Well, Brian really loves both of those things, as do I. We wouldn't go for a long time, but long enough to get our fill of lobster, hiking, nature pictures, and the LL Bean Outlet!

Scrap/Sew More
I love scrapping! I love making cards and working on albums. I have loved working on my sewing projects too! I want to set aside one day a week to work on those things. I am not sure if that will work with a one year old, but I can hope.

Baby #2
'Nuff said! We aren't pregnant but are thinking about trying again sometime next year. Who knows?!

I hope you have a wonderful new year! I hope it's filled with happiness, laughter, health and love! Stay safe this year and be well!!

Merry Christmas!!

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with laughter, love and warmth. Merry Christmas everyone!!

The Best Santa Picture - EVER!!

EVER!!

Christmas - Round 1

My Grandparents, Marilyn and Mac, were very much in love. They had a BEAUTIFUL and romantic love story too! Well, that love story resulted in 8 children, my Mom is one of the 8. The love story was instilled in their kids, so those 8 ended up having children of their own, which is why I am 1 of 22 grandchildren. The grandchildren range in age from close to 40 to 21 (I think) and some of us have children of our own! Adelle is 1 of 21 great-grand children.

Needless to say, we all can't fit into one person's house, so we get together at a dining hall (kind of) each year a couple of weeks before Christmas. That way, everyone can have their own traditions and we still have this one - getting together and seeing everyone.

It was a blast! Angie and Dale organized it this year, Brian and I get to organize it next year, and we had a lot of fun! It was Adelle's first time being around everyone and she did such a great job!! The only thing we didn't like was not being able to put Adelle down for a nap. There wasn't a place, so Brian went out to drive around with her. It worked out, but that is something to think about for next years' planning....

Anyway, here are some pictures from the event!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a day for giving thanks and I think I will do just that.

I am thankful for:
Brian - he is loving, smart, funny, and handsome. I love the way he brings Adelle in to wake me up on the weekends. I love the way he kisses me before he leaves in the morning and when we go to sleep at night. He is a wonderful husband and a wonderful Dad too!! I am so very blessed to have him in my life.

Adelle - I really, truly didn't know how much love I could have until she arrived. I thought I'd felt it all when I met/married Brian, but then I saw her and felt an overwhelming sense of joy/love/protection/pride that I had never felt before.

Angie and Maria - my sisters are my best friends! I can tell them anything, show them anything, ask them anything and know they will be honest with me. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. Thank you for looking after me Tub and Bin!

My Parents - have shown me unending support through all of my schooling (even now). They have encouraged me, held my hand, and made sacrifices for me (and us) and there is nothing I could do to express how much I am thankful for them!

My In-Laws - have shown me that while I knew I loved my husband from the moment we met/talked/emailed/texted, the love I feel for them came right along from the moment I met them too! They are knowledgeable, caring, supportive, and wonderful! Thank you all for what you have taught me, and what you will continue to teach me!!

My friends, my job, a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and clothes on our backs.

Thank you to all of the men and women in our armed forces who fight to protect us. Thank you to all of those soldiers who can't be at home for Thanksgiving. You sacrifice the most!! Thank you!!

Thank you for those of you who read my ramblings and look at our pictures. There are probably only a few of you (and I know who you are) but it's nice to know people care!!

So as Brian and I prepare for another Thanksgiving Feast tomorrow (with my side), remember those in your life who love you. Remember those YOU love and have loved.

Wordless Wednesday: Halloween

4th of July

Our 4th of July was rather uneventful. We started the day at Bruce and Sharon's for brunch. Sharon made a really yummy quiche along with super sticky caramel rolls. I want that recipe... though I think I would make/eat them all the time!! :)

In the afternoon, we went to visit my parents. We ate some delicious food (I have the recipes) and had some fun making Adelle laugh.

Thank you to all of the soldiers for ensuring our freedom!

Father's Day Part 2

Yesterday was Brian's first Father's Day. He was very sweet and got up early with Adelle and let me sleep in - this was NOT my intention! Once everyone was up, we played for a bit, ate, played on the Wii with Auntie Maria, then went to Nonna and Papi's house for dinner.


Adelle has been fussier than usual lately, and we aren't sure why. We sometimes think she's teething, but I have thought she has been doing that for ages now, so I don't know what is going on. I do know that she has her fingers in her mouth all of the time, she drools like mad, and has been fussy for the past few days. There is no sign of teeth anywhere! UGH!


Anyway, while we were there Adelle had her first experience with diet Coke! I think she likes it! She was also able to sit with Papi on his chair. She has been sitting for longer periods of time now!! YAY! We got home about 7:30 and Addie got to sleep around 8:15. A little later than normal, but not too bad!


I hope it was a good Father's Day because that is what Brian deserves!

Father's Day Part 1

To celebrate Father's Day with both families, we decided to celebrate with Nana and Papa on Saturday! We had lots of fun while we were there and Adelle got to ride in the pink car! She was so happy!! Here are some pictures:

Memorial Day

Both Brian and I are family people. We love our families, we value our families, and we support our families. We are also unending supporters of our brave men and women who fight, have fought, and will fight for our country. THEY gave us the freedoms we cherish today.

We passed the Leavenworth National Cemetery while on a drive to help Adelle sleep when we were in Kansas. She ended up sleeping for two hours while we visited the beautiful grounds of the cemetery and also passed by, I think, 4 penitentiaries. The cemetery was beautiful - rolling hills, each headstone decorated with a flag (that is how it SHOULD be), beautiful monuments and buildings, as well as neat sayings throughout the grounds. While we didn't visit Leavenworth National Cemetery ON Memorial Day, it was still powerful. Here are some pictures.





On our way out we saw the sign at the VA out in Leavenworth and we really enjoyed what they said, take a look:





On Memorial Day, we met up with Nana Dottie and Papi at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. There, we visited the graves of my grandparents: Gram and Grandpa Volpe, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Gamboni. We miss you and will love you always!




Take another look at the Heritage Flight from the Duluth Air Show a couple of years ago. It brings tears to our eyes every time we watch it (or listen to the clip) because if it wasn't for the soldiers, who knows what life would be like today!