Favorite Candy

This time of the year inspired my favorite list today. Favorite Candy. I know it is hard to pick one, so we will do a top 3 list...

Yum!

Rationing Food

Pottery Barn Kids had a sing-a-long, so I dressed the kids up in their costumes, loaded them up and we went to the mall. At first Luca didn't know what to think. He just wanted to play with the toys and run around, but then the music started and got his attention. Luca LOVES music. He sings all the time. The greatest thing is when I get him in the car, and he is upset and whiney about something, but the second I start playing worship music, he starts singing with his sweet little voice and sometimes even raises his hands to our Lord. So cute. Kids have such tender hearts. Oh, that we would all have the heart attitudes of our little children.

Luca was Superman and it was a fight to get him into his costume!  He doesn't quite understand the concept and doesn't really know who Superman is. I wrestled him into his costume, took him flying around the house and even showed him photos of Superman on the internet. He finally made peace with it and probably forgot he had it on!  Nora was in her ladybug costume...so precious. A perfect fit for her!

A little note about Hailey. If you have seen her, you know that she is very thin. Not a bit of fat on her bones. You wouldn't be able to tell by looking at her, but I am seriously considering rationing her food around here!  She is eating me out of house and home!  I go to Trader Joe's once every 2 weeks and I have a specific amount of my budget alloted for Trader Joe's spending. I usually get the household snacks there. It is inexpensive and much better than regular grocery store brands. Anyhow, I am thinking one box of Joe Joe's cookies should last us the 2 weeks. Luca has had about 3, I have had about 3 and Hailey has had the rest with the exception of the 8 that were left in the box!  It hasn't even been a week!  Anyone else have any suggestions for making food last a little longer when a teenager is eating???

Get Out The Coats!

I love this weather!  It was so nice and chilly today. We actually had to dress the kids and ourselves in warm clothes for the walk we went on. Then we came back to the house and grilled steaks outside. We had steak and asparagus, out on the grill and baked potatoes. That was a meal with minimal clean up!  Delicious!

Nora has graduated from her baby tub, which she filled from head to toe, to the big tub. She loves it because she has more room to kick and splash around.

I want to talk a little bit about God's provision. He has NEVER failed me in this area. My needs have always been met, many times miraculously. I am not saying He has not either said "no" to some of my wants or that I have not had to wait for certain desires...but my needs, He has always provided for. I remember when Alessandro was in real estate. We were really struggling. Our income was definitely below poverty level because I had just had Luca and was not working. Somehow, during that time in our lives, we paid off more debt than we ever had before. That, my friends, is a miracle!  I serve a Mighty God whom without, I would have no purpose. All human beings are worshipers. The question is simply, who or what will you worship?

The Future is Bright!

Today, I got a glimpse of my future...Nora was in her activity center and Luca was standing beside her playing as well. Out of nowhere, they both started laughing!  It was so great!  Soon, they will play and entertain one another. It was the cutest thing ever to hear both of their fantastic laughs at the same time. I love being a mom.

This afternoon I had to take Hailey to the orthodontist for a retainer check all the way in Scottsdale, so we loaded everybody up in the car and off we went. I was a little worried about how I was going to entertain Luca for who knows how long, but the orthodontists office took care of that for me!  There was a play area with stairs, a slide, a fish tank and a jail! Luca had a blast! 

We decided that since we were out in that direction so late in the day that Alessandro would just meet us at our favorite pizza place, Ray's Pizza, since it was on his way home from work. This way, we got a night out as a family and we both avoided terrible traffic!

Of a Political Nature...

I was sent an e-mail that was stating a quote by Abraham Lincoln and was compelled to forward it. I have become prey to forwarding e-mails that had no validity, so I always check them out before I forward them. I googled "Abraham Lincoln quotes" and came across this website: http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln78.html

There is a list of quotes and sources are all referenced. There was also an e-mail at the end of the page for questions. I didn't see the quote that was sent to me on this e-mail, so I e-mailed it to the man running this site and asked him if it was, in fact, an authentic Lincoln quote. He responded within hours and said that it was not.

As I read through the quotes that were authentic Lincoln quotes, I came across this one and thought I would post it.
"Property is the fruit of labor...property is desirable...is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume VII, "Reply to New York Workingmen's Democratic Republican Association" (March 21, 1864), pp. 259-260.

Proverbs 13:11 "Wealth [gained by] dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase."

Crime Prevention Day

Today was the Crime Prevention Event that Hailey has been working on. We took Luca and Nora down there where they had a bouncy along with several visitors.

A K-9 Police officer along with his dog stopped by and the fire department as well.

The above picture is Luca and our friend (and in several more years, our babysitter), Isabella with the Chandler Fire Department Firemen.

They also had one very impressive unit come by. This is the serious stuff, completely bullet proof vehicle. I think it was a rescue unit of some sort. Luca is standing on top of it being lifted by Alessandro through the opening in the roof.

The kids had a good time and Hailey did a great job. I have to make mention of the article that was published in yesterday's paper, the Chandler Republic. Hailey was interviewed on the phone and the reporter asked her several questions and then said to her, "ou just don't sound like a teenager, you sound so mature". Well, that prompted Hailey to bring it down a couple of notches (I have NO IDEA why) and rather than continue on the "mature" path, she decided to act how people perceive teens to be. She said, "It would really suck if my car got broken into". This was the only statement that the reporter thought to put into the article! Let's just say that when I read that on the full page with Hailey's picture on it, my jaw dropped! That is NOT an accurate representation of Hailey. She was so embarrassed when she saw it and even more so when several of her friends told her they saw the article. She said to me, "Out of all of the intelligent things I said, that is what she put in the paper?" We talked about it and the lesson learned for her was not to be so easily influenced, to be who she is regardless of what others may think. In my opinion, the comment made by the reporter was a compliment to Hailey.

Here is the link if you are interested in reading it for yourself. The photograph they used of her was only in the paper version, not online.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2009/10/22/20091022cr-blockwatch1023.html#

Our day ended with pumpkin carving and roasting of the seeds.

Great Tradition!

FAVORITE FRIDAYS!

Todays theme is Favorite Books
My top three...at least right now, are:

• Captivating
• Redeeming Love
• Shepharding A Child's Heart

Each book made my top list for different reasons...as a woman, Captivating ministered to me in so many ways. If you are a woman, single or married, this book helps you to understand yourself as a woman. Great book.

Redeeming Love, I have no words. Based on the book of Hosea.

Shepharding A Child's Heart has helped me as a parent in each stage of discipline for my children. I don't just want "well-behaved" kids, I want kids who, when no one is looking, will make Godly decisions because it is their own heart's conviction. "Well-behaved" kids might turn into self-serving adults and I think this book teaches how to train the heart of a child and not just the actions for fear of getting caught.

I look forward to hearing from you on your favorite books!

An Excellent Source of Happiness

Today was Alessandro's day off, so a majority of it was spent running around town getting things done together, with children in tote. Before Luca and Nora were born, I told myself that my children were not going to be eating in my car because I knew that it would mean a very messy car! I must have had selective memory from when Hailey was little because it is impossible not to feed your children in the car if you do any amount of driving.

We had a long drive back from Paradise Valley and Luca was already expressing his unhappiness. It is not that he was hungry because he spent the morning at my sister Keturah's house eating whoppers and chips! Once the sound of unhappiness began to come from his lips, the closest drive thru was none other than McDonald's. We got him some "chicken" nuggets and we were on our merry way. He was very happy.

I studied the empty nugget box and read the tag-line on it..."An Excellent Source of Happiness"  Really?

I am thinking that they had to come up with something because they can't really say "an excellent source of protein or vitamins and minerals", right?

I realize it may seem that all Luca eats is junk, but he doesn't. Those are the things I blog about because it is funny and much more entertaining. I promise you, Luca eats lots of fruit, eggs, tomatos, etc. I guess I need to include some of those pictures so that you believe me!

I AM SO PROUD OF HAILEY

Here is a sneak peak at what Hailey is up to these days. Along with school, work, family, friends and church, check out page 9 of this link titled "Neighbors G.A.I.N. friends in Sienna Park".
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1hfxl/SanTanSun101709Issue/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.santansun.com%2Fsantan_home.htm

Individual Attention

Every child needs one on one time with each parent. This is something we feel very strongly about and we strive to accomplish in our family, not always with success. You can imagine the challenges we face in having such a wide age range of children. It is difficult to hold a teenagers schedule when middle of the night feedings and toddler hours are still in effect. It is just another one of the sacrifices we make as parents. I do enjoy, immensely, my time with Hailey, my time with Luca and my time with Nora (even though it is usually interrupting my sleep). On Saturday, when Alessandro was home, Luca spent a good portion of the morning with him outside pulling weeds and running errands with him. It made such a difference in Luca's attitude that day. He craves that personal attention from his daddy. He loves his time with me too, but he is with me 24/7. He feels extra special and very cool when he gets to hang out with his dad. He was walking around here, arms back, chest out, just proud as punch!
 Tonight, now that the little ones are in bed, I will finish this post, spend a few minutes with Alessandro on the porch and then watch a girly movie with Hailey, just the two of us. It really makes a difference in the relationships we form with our kids. I may be completely exhausted, but I am also completely fulfilled in knowing that my children's needs are being met to the best of my ability and by the grace of God. How much more does God, my Creator, find satisfaction in meeting His children's needs?

The Ultimate Guilt Trip

Last night, after the pumpkin patch, we went to Culver's for their famous Butter Burgers and Concretes. The food here is far better in quality than McDonald's and our family eats there for less money! If you haven't tried it, you should! Its only downfall is that it is not closer to our house. Alessandro and I are sitting there with Luca and Nora (Hailey didn't want to go to the pumpkin patch, so she missed out on Culver's too) and we are chowing down on some really great burgers, fries, soft drinks and ice cream when another family sits in the booth next to us. I look up and notice that it is Wendy, the instructor for the Body Pump class that I used to take and that Alessandro now takes at Fitness Works. What was she eating you wonder? A Salad. Yup!  The ultimate guilt trip!

http://www.culvers.com/

Pumpkin Patch

Why is is 100 degrees again?????  I don't want to hear the global warming theory from anybody because there are some places that had their coldest winter last year and there are also plenty of studies out there to disprove that theory. No, it is not global warming, but why????

I went to the chiropractor today and I just have to say that I absolutely love the clinic I receive my treatment from. I get my adjustment and use a machine called Spine Force, but the best part of it all is the therapeutic massage I get each and every time I go in, which right now is 3 times a week. I have a spondylothesis, grade 1. If you have a spondylothesis, then you want the one I have, very treatable. I am so thankful because the pain I experience in my back on a daily basis is very debilitating especially when you have two small children and laying on the couch with pillows propping you every which way is not an option! I am slowly but surely making progress on my rehabilitation and will be back to running again very soon.

We had a great day with Daddy home!  I love his days off!  We went to the Mother Nature's Farm Pumkin Patch and Luca had a blast! 

There was pumpkin decorating, a hay maze, a jump and bounce, a hayride, animals, barrels to crawl through and lots and lots of dirt!

Nora mostly hung out in the stroller while Luca played.

Luca and Alessandro went through the hay maze and when they came out the exit, Luca was proud as punch!

It was a great day, but did I mention that it was soooo hot!  We wanted to wait until the weather got cooler, but the next couple of weekends are booked.
One thing I want to share about the hay ride and pumpkin patch...we sat on metal benches on the trailor rather than hay. There was not much hay on the hay ride and you couldn't get to the hay that was on there because it was beneath some metal bars. I was expecting the hay ride to take us out to the pumpkin fields to pick our pumpkin. We actually didn't see any pumpkins on the hay ride. We just rode around a dirt road. Just a couple of observations. It really made no difference to Luca, he had a "sick" time (as Hailey would say it).

                                                                                               

When Luca first laid his eyes and hands on the pumpkins, he started throwing them as if they were one of his balls!

Luca was really enjoying himself on the tractor. He looked at Nora as if she was invading his territory!

Relax or Work?

Today Nancy suggested that we have our Bible Study outside since the weather has been so nice. We had a picnic out by the play ground area. Luca and Kaitlyn had a great time and were very happy not to be couped up inside. This may become a habit of ours until the weather gets unpleasant again. Nancy's mother-in-law was in town so she joined us. It was so nice getting to know her.

I wasn't feeling well this afternoon, so rather than getting things done while my kids were napping, I sat on the couch and watched Marley & Me. I never do that, although it sure was nice. Wow!  That was a tear jerker. Luca woke up before it ended and watched the remaining 45 minutes with me. As I am sobbing on the couch, he is just looking at me probably thinking "What's she so upset about? Who said 'no' to her?". Tears running down my cheeks, I look over at him and can't help but laugh through the tears... Anyhow, dog lover or not, that was a good movie.

Nutella

My husband grew up on Nutella. His mom used to put it between two pieces of bread and make sandwiches for the kids. For him it is a childhood pastime that he wishes to pass on to his children. Believe it or not, I actually never heard of it until I met Alessandro and now, I am addicted!

We eat it with bananas, apples, ice cream, croissants and this morning Alessandro made Nutella Crepes!  They were amazing! He loves to cook on his days off and believe me, I let him!

Just a quick note about Hailey and the "growing up" process she is experiencing...usually every other Tuesday night Alessandro and I go to a marriage enrichment class taught by our friend Frank Seekins. Frank is a Hebrew scholar. He and his wife, Sally are exceptional and have been such a blessing in our lives. Anyhow, back to Hailey. My sister, Keturah watches the kids for us and Hailey loves to go hang out with her. This week, Hailey had to work. She was so disappointed!  I felt so bad for her, but it won't be the first time that a job or other commitment will get in the way of fun! If you are human, you have had this experience!

Nora had her 4 month check up today. Yes, she is actually 5 months, but I just couldn't get her in before now. Life has been so busy! She is in the 90th percentile for height and weight and 50th percentile for head circumference. She actually weights more than Luca did at his 6 month appointment!  Go girl!

A Future and a Hope

Today I was inspired by one of my favorite musicians, Bebo Norman. He reminds me of the Jack Johnson of the Christian music arena. I specifically want to talk about the album "Ten Thousand Days", although he has several that I love. This is simply a "feel good" album and I like the lighthearted tempos of the music. Yet, if you listen closely to the words, you can see the depth of what he is sharing from his heart. You can sample or purchase his music at http://www.bebonorman.com/themusic1.htm.

I have found that my days are much better, with fewer meltdown from Luca, when I get him outside for a good chunk of time. We went on a walk today and stopped at the playground. It is the happiest place on earth to Luca!!!

I got word today of a local teenage girl who committed suicide a few days ago. I was deeply saddened to hear of the news. I didn't know her, but just the thought of a young person feeling so desperate and so miserable, living without any hope of happiness, fullness of life or peace, just absolutely breaks my heart. The God I serve wants so much more for each one of His children. He loves each and every one of us and doesn't expect perfection from us. He only longs to know us, as we were created to know Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Church at Home???

Church was very interesting today...I wish I could say it was the message, and then again maybe it was, but for me it was walking the hallways with my sweet Nora.

I had to wake her from her nap to get to church in the first place, then once we were there, she was so discontented that I missed church altogether anyway!  Now that Hailey can drive herself, I may have to skip it until it doesn't completely disrupt my baby's day anymore. I am feeling a little saddened not to be there every week, but also very content that I have come to terms with this season in my life. I guess it will be me on the couch with a cup of coffee and either Brian Houston or Joel Osteen. Both very inspirational to me!

Today I made my green chile enchiladas for Nicole and her family. I have mentioned her before. She just had her 3rd baby and he is so cute!  For those of you who find yourself praying for miracle labor and delivery experiences, this girl has them! She actually likes the labor and delivery process. I have to admit I am with her on that. She opts out of chemical pain control and has natural births with very little pushing!

When I had Hailey, I was so young that I just did what everybody told me to do without really having any opinion of my own. I got the works, IV medication, the epidural, the episiotomy, and I pushed for 2 hours on top of all that!  Having gone into the labor and delivery nursing field, I was priviledged to be a part of so many amazing births as well as some I wish I didn't have memory of. When I got pregnant with Luca, my desires were pretty much formed. Alessandro and I took a Bradley class and I became one of those patients I used to dread having!  It used to be that as an L&D RN, you were not trained to labor patients naturally. You were trained to push the epidural. It always made me nervous to have a patient without an epidural because I was not as in control of the situation as I liked to be. Well, after having witnessed  Bradley patients and others who had opted for a natural childbirth, I came to the conclusion that they seemed to recover much more quickly and all around have a better experience with fewer complications. I set out to accomplish a drug free childbirth with both Luca and Nora. My goals were accomplished and as exhilarating an experience as it was, I am glad I won't be doing it again! I have many stories about each one of the deliveries, but I will wait to share those at another posting.

Just about every night before Luca goes to bed, Alessandro plays a little game with him called "I'm Gonna Get You!" When he "gets" him, he gets "the claw". Every single time I witness this I laugh!  Laughing is so good for the soul!

Today is overcast, nice. I think the weather has finally given in to the change in season. Alessandro and I sat outside last night sipping on a couple of  homemade iced coffees and just enjoyed one another's company. We talked about our dreams, our fears, our present and our future. It reminded me of all of the times when we were first married that we would sit on our porch, eat dessert and talk. That is what we did. We didn't have any extra money to go out, nor did we have cable television. In our south Scottsdale home, which we sold 2 years ago, even with rabbit ears the picture was snow unless you had cable. We didn't have small children at the time, so we had more "down" time. It was probably the best thing for our marriage. Lots of time to just be together without any distractions. Now, we do have cable and believe me, there are times when I wish we didn't...then there are times when I feel I couldn't live without my DVR!
Tonight was Alessandro's day off so we spent the day together as a family. The day was finished off with a steak dinner (thank you Coupon Sense!) and homemade chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

I have been told that my cookies beat Paradise Bakery, but I am not so sure because Paradise is making a lot of money off of their recipe and I spend money to make mine!

In Honor of My Husband

Today is going to be entirely devoted to my husband, Alessandro. Thirty-four years ago today his parents, Rosario and Rosemary Alu were blessed with their 4th son.

We met 5 years ago and his character has proven to be that of integrity, loyalty and Godliness. He is an amazing father and I knew that before having Luca or Nora by the way he treated Hailey. He inherited Hailey at age 12 and if you don't know what a 12 year old girl is like and you want to, just ask me! He has always given her his best and loves her as his own. As a matter of fact, he won't let anyone call her his "step daughter". She is his daughter in all respects but biological. Alessandro is a family man through and through.

As a husband, he exceeds all of my dreams and expectations. He is attentive, loving, a great provider and he always has such a positive attitude and brings light into any room he walks into. He is intelligent, funny and determined.

I love him and am so thankful that he is the person I will spend the rest of my life with.

Alessandro's Birthday Celebration

Today we celebrated Alessandro's birthday. His actual birthday is tomorrow, but he has to work all day and then teach Financial Peace University at night. So, today we celebrated with our family. Hailey was here too, but I was not given permission to take any pictures of her because she has been sick. I took her to the doctor today and my suspicions were confirmed...strep.

 It was pizza for dinner, a walk around the neighborhood...

and Cold Stone Cupcakes to celebrate with!

Alessandro was floored when he opened his gift. He has been wanting this for a long time!

A very special celebration for us!  I think God had a great idea when he thought of creating my husband!