Once again, life has seemed to get super crazy all at once...I know the saying is true, that when it rains it pours! Thankfully, even though it has been pouring these days (both figuratively and literally) not all of it has been negative stuff. Some of the many happenings in our life have been amazing and fun, and some have really stunk, but such is life.
We are currently in the midst of buying our first home. We found an adorable old farmhouse in a small town in southern CT. It has a good amount of land for the area and a big barn. We love it. The down side is that it is a short sale, which means that even though the sellers have accepted our offer, we have to wait now for the bank to accept it as well...this could take forever. We are just praying that if this is the house for us that we will hear sooner rather than later. This whole process has been fun, but frustrating and patience testing!
Tim's sister, Li, graduated from Nursing School, and we got to spend a weekend with her celebrating! We are so proud of her! :) we spent the weekend doing Crossfit, spending time with Sarah, having a party, going to graduation, having a Hine picnic, and going to Riches!
My BFFs hubby turned 30 last weekend, and we celebrated in Northampton,MA. Nora threw Joe a surprise beer tasting party. It was an absolute blast to hang out with everyone and sample some new brews...Coconut Brown Beer anyone? We also got to spend the morning of the party with the Hersels, which was wonderful because we haven't gotten to hang out with them in ages!
I'm also in the midst of applying for jobs for next year, and I'm trying not to stress, but I am. We shall see what happens!
My family could also once again use some prayers. This has been weighing heavily on me as I go through day to day life, and I know I just need to stop worrying. Thank you God for all the wonderful people in my life tHat have been there for us!
I just want to end this jumbled post by saying how much I love my hubby. Tim you are truly the best!
Pictures of everything to come!
Friday, May 25, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
A little inspiration
Love this!
Mark 10:27
Jesus was blunt: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it."
Friday, April 20, 2012
Welcome to Miami
My dad and I took a vacation to Fort Lauderdale/Miami,Florida to visit my Grammy (dad's mom) and our other family. It was such a fun trip - great to spend time with my dad, see places he used to go a lot, and see my Grammy. I had a wonderful time, and really hope that I can go again with him sometime!
On Monday, we flew down to Fort Lauderdale, had lunch at a little Greek place, checked in to the hotel, had some free happy hour cocktails, and then headed over to Miami to see Grammy, Auntie Linda, and Drex. We spent a few hours catching up with our family and relaxing. It had been many years since I had seen all of them, and even more years since I had been to the house, so it was really awesome to be able to do that. I also got to meet their bird, Rusty, who is awesome and has a HUGE vocabulary, and sings Take Me Out to the Ballgame - awesome. Then Dad and I had dinner at the hotel restaurant, and went to sleep.
On Tuesday, we woke up earlyish to catch the free hotel breakfast (always about the food with me! haha) then drove to the indoor flea market to see if there were any good deals, as the weather was a bit cloudy. It started to get nice out, so we headed back to the hotel to go to the pool and relax and read. It was beautiful out, although a little hot. We took shelter in the shade for lunch, then I did a quick run and we got ready to head back to Miami. This time I brought our wedding photos to show Grammy, as well as our pictures from CO. It was fun, but a little sad because Grammy's memory isn't quite what it used to be. Auntie Margaret and Uncle Milford came over for dinner, and brought over some delicious homemade sauce & meatballs and lasagna. It was fun to spend time with everyone!
On Wednesday, we got up early again for breakfast, got ready and headed out to Hollywood Beach. The beach is beautiful and has a really nice boardwalk for walking, biking, and running. It also has lots of restaurants and shops. We decided to rent some lounge chairs and just relaxed on the beach. It was such a gorgeous day, and the breeze made it so comfortable to sit out for hours! I didn't go in the ocean, b/c the tides were crazy and there was warnings of "dangerous marine life", but I did stick my toes in! We then headed to South Beach in Miami, and had the most gigantic Mojitos I have ever had in my life! Lunch was delicious, and I had such an awesome time sitting and chatting with my dad for a while. We then walked around a bit, and then headed to my Grammy's house again. At Grammy's I got to see a friend that I used to play with when I was a kid, and it was fun to catch up with her 20 years later! It was sad to say goodbye to Grammy, because I'm not sure when I will see her again, but this trip made me realize how much I miss that sweet lady - so hopefully it won't be long! After we headed back to the hotel, and had dinner at this amazing Irish pub across the street. I swear, everyone in the place was actually from Ireland, and the food was delicious!
On Thursday, we got up and had breakfast and relaxed by the pool for a bit before we got ready to leave. We then took a drive to Fort Lauderdale beach, and then had a quick bite at the German place my dad had been eyeing all week. Then it was off to the airport to head home.
It was really a wonderful trip - I was so happy to see my Grammy and family in Florida, and also get to hang out with my dad. I learned a lot about his childhood, and other parts of my family's life that I didn't know before. I loved it :) It was a great way to spend my spring break!
On Monday, we flew down to Fort Lauderdale, had lunch at a little Greek place, checked in to the hotel, had some free happy hour cocktails, and then headed over to Miami to see Grammy, Auntie Linda, and Drex. We spent a few hours catching up with our family and relaxing. It had been many years since I had seen all of them, and even more years since I had been to the house, so it was really awesome to be able to do that. I also got to meet their bird, Rusty, who is awesome and has a HUGE vocabulary, and sings Take Me Out to the Ballgame - awesome. Then Dad and I had dinner at the hotel restaurant, and went to sleep.
On Tuesday, we woke up earlyish to catch the free hotel breakfast (always about the food with me! haha) then drove to the indoor flea market to see if there were any good deals, as the weather was a bit cloudy. It started to get nice out, so we headed back to the hotel to go to the pool and relax and read. It was beautiful out, although a little hot. We took shelter in the shade for lunch, then I did a quick run and we got ready to head back to Miami. This time I brought our wedding photos to show Grammy, as well as our pictures from CO. It was fun, but a little sad because Grammy's memory isn't quite what it used to be. Auntie Margaret and Uncle Milford came over for dinner, and brought over some delicious homemade sauce & meatballs and lasagna. It was fun to spend time with everyone!
On Wednesday, we got up early again for breakfast, got ready and headed out to Hollywood Beach. The beach is beautiful and has a really nice boardwalk for walking, biking, and running. It also has lots of restaurants and shops. We decided to rent some lounge chairs and just relaxed on the beach. It was such a gorgeous day, and the breeze made it so comfortable to sit out for hours! I didn't go in the ocean, b/c the tides were crazy and there was warnings of "dangerous marine life", but I did stick my toes in! We then headed to South Beach in Miami, and had the most gigantic Mojitos I have ever had in my life! Lunch was delicious, and I had such an awesome time sitting and chatting with my dad for a while. We then walked around a bit, and then headed to my Grammy's house again. At Grammy's I got to see a friend that I used to play with when I was a kid, and it was fun to catch up with her 20 years later! It was sad to say goodbye to Grammy, because I'm not sure when I will see her again, but this trip made me realize how much I miss that sweet lady - so hopefully it won't be long! After we headed back to the hotel, and had dinner at this amazing Irish pub across the street. I swear, everyone in the place was actually from Ireland, and the food was delicious!
On Thursday, we got up and had breakfast and relaxed by the pool for a bit before we got ready to leave. We then took a drive to Fort Lauderdale beach, and then had a quick bite at the German place my dad had been eyeing all week. Then it was off to the airport to head home.
It was really a wonderful trip - I was so happy to see my Grammy and family in Florida, and also get to hang out with my dad. I learned a lot about his childhood, and other parts of my family's life that I didn't know before. I loved it :) It was a great way to spend my spring break!
Grammy's house in Miami
Grammy and I
Auntie Margaret and Uncle Milford
Auntie Linda and Grammy
Hollywood Beach
Dad and Mojitos
Me and Mojitos
Me in South Beach
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Shan's Bridal Shower & Easter
This past Easter weekend, we had my cousin in law's bridal shower, and we celebrated Easter at my cousin's house in West Hartford.
Shan's shower was lots of fun, with tons of great food! I spent the morning making Pizzagaina (Italian Easter Pie),and then spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the shower. It is always fun to celebrate someone getting married :)
On Easter, we woke up a little late and had breakfast in downtown New Canaan. After getting ready, we took the scenic route to West Hartford since it was such a beautiful day. We spend the day eating tons of awesome food, hanging out with family, and watching the kids with their Easter egg hunt. I always love spending time with my fam, and it was a lot of fun as usual!
He is Risen INDEED!
Or, as one of my fav songs says - "My Gods not dead He's surely alive!"
Shan's shower was lots of fun, with tons of great food! I spent the morning making Pizzagaina (Italian Easter Pie),and then spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the shower. It is always fun to celebrate someone getting married :)
Pizzagaina
Li, Shan, Me
me and the ridiculously heavy pizzagaina
G and her toad on Easter
Me and Tim - Easter Sunday
Family relaxing outside on a beautiful Easter
He is Risen INDEED!
Or, as one of my fav songs says - "My Gods not dead He's surely alive!"
Celebrating Miss Emma Louise
Alex, Me, Nora (ps, Alex just had a baby, doesn't she look AMAZING?!)
Lobsta Mac&Cheese
The ladies and the Chef
A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to get together with a bunch of ladies from high school to celebrate our friend Emma's upcoming wedding. We started the day off with a lunchtime bridal shower at High Field in Middlebury, where we sipped O'Bellinis (it was St. Patty's Day), and ate delicious food and marveled at the amazing decorations. Emma's mom and sister did an amazing job putting together the shower, every single detail was well thought out!After the shower, we drove to Cranston, RI, where Emma's sister lives. We had a feast cooked for us by a high school friend of ours, Chris, that was nothing short of amazing! We had lobster mac and cheese, beef tenderloin, and creme brulee, yum! Then we hit the town in a limo for more celebrating. It was such a fun night, and I'm so lucky to be a part of such a fun group of ladies :)
A few randoms to end the post:
*I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy -AMAZING!!! I can't wait to see the movie now - although I may wait until it comes out on video, b/c I refuse to pay 14 dollars to see a movie!
*We booked our flight to Colorado for Colleen&Rod's wedding - we can't wait to go "back home"!!!
*I'm going to Miami with my dad next week to visit my Grammy, I'm so excited!
*We have been diligently looking for houses - please pray we find something soon! :)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Grandma Ida (or Edith, as she brazenly called herself)
This past week, on 3/22, my grandmother passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's. I used to take my Poppy to visit her before he passed away almost three years ago. We would watch the old time variety shows with her, as she loved her music so very much.
Both Poppy and Grandma Edith taught me to be proud of my Italian heritage. She made the very best Italian cookies, and I leaned how to make the Christmas soup from him. I will always remember the times I had with them.
Yesterday, my cousin Courtney gave the most amazing, beautiful eulogy of Grandma Edith's life. It was a very special way to honor her memory.
This was her obituary:
http://www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1430213&fh_id=12319
On the way home from the funeral I heard this song and it made me feel a little better...
Praise You In This Storm lyrics, by Casting Crowns
Songwriters: Hall, Mark; Herms, Bernie;
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, Amen and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on if I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as You mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
Both Poppy and Grandma Edith taught me to be proud of my Italian heritage. She made the very best Italian cookies, and I leaned how to make the Christmas soup from him. I will always remember the times I had with them.
Yesterday, my cousin Courtney gave the most amazing, beautiful eulogy of Grandma Edith's life. It was a very special way to honor her memory.
This was her obituary:
http://www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1430213&fh_id=12319
On the way home from the funeral I heard this song and it made me feel a little better...
Praise You In This Storm lyrics, by Casting Crowns
Songwriters: Hall, Mark; Herms, Bernie;
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, Amen and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on if I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as You mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away
And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
Friday, March 16, 2012
Books!
I've always been a book worm...and I'll pretty much read anything. Tim has gotten frustrated with me more than once for ignoring him to read a cereal box. That being said, I haven't read any new books lately and have been interested in reading a few. I need some recommendations from you all! Here are a few books that have caught my eye lately...
1) The Hunger Games triology - I have heard they are awesome and would love to read them all!
2) Bloom by Kelly Hampton - it is a book about this woman's life after she has a daughter born with Downs Syndrome. I read her blog, and you should too, she is amazing! It is called Enjoying the Small Things.
3) Wednesdays were Pretty Normal: A Boy, Cancer, and God by Michael Kelley - looks like a good book about faith.
What do you all think?
After this weekend I should have a few fun catch up posts - we are celebrating Miss Emma and her upcoming wedding! Can't wait to see all the ladies and celebrate on St. Patty's Day!
1) The Hunger Games triology - I have heard they are awesome and would love to read them all!
2) Bloom by Kelly Hampton - it is a book about this woman's life after she has a daughter born with Downs Syndrome. I read her blog, and you should too, she is amazing! It is called Enjoying the Small Things.
3) Wednesdays were Pretty Normal: A Boy, Cancer, and God by Michael Kelley - looks like a good book about faith.
What do you all think?
After this weekend I should have a few fun catch up posts - we are celebrating Miss Emma and her upcoming wedding! Can't wait to see all the ladies and celebrate on St. Patty's Day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)