In the Path of the Storm

Valentine’s Day in our household was pretty uneventful this year. Actually, it’s always a non event for us. Dominic and I might go out to dinner or exchange a card but we’ve never really gotten caught up in all the hype. Dominic has been really sick for the past two weeks but managed to buy Giana and I a little bear, candy and a card. Sweet. We bought him Advil Cold and Sinus and cough drops. He really appreciated his gift this year.

Our house hunting has been put on hold while we deal with our Georgia home. Our neighborhood was hit by a terrible hail storm/tornado this past Wednesday night. I’m so thankful that my friends are all okay because I understand it was a pretty frightening experience. My friend, Kristi and brother in law, David checked on our house for us and made sure it was secure. After we replace the four broken windows, roof, siding and gutters the house will be back in working order! I’ve seen pictures of our home but it’s been difficult to be so far away and out of control of the situation. The house is not yet rented. We need to have the damage repaired before we can lease it out. I understand most people prefer a working roof and windows. :) Giana and I will be making a trip to Georgia soon. On a better note, I am looking forward to seeing family and friends…and some warmer weather!

Facebook is a great networking tool and I’ve been able to meet up with several friends from high school. It has been great catching up with everyone and sharing our lives from the past 17 (YIKES!) years. Giana and I went to visit my friend, Erin this week. She lives on Lake Erie (literally!) and we had a great time visiting and spending time with our kids. It was cold! I look forward to going back in the summer and hanging out on their boat. I don’t know how she lives there in the winter!

This coming weekend is my Mom and sister’s birthday. First let me say how happy I am to celebrate Julie’s 40th birthday this coming Friday. (Jul, don’t kill me for mentioning your age!) Julie was diagnosed with thyroid cancer two years ago and she is doing great! We love you…happy birthday!

Now, for my Mom’s birthday…Dominic’s sister is coming to town and we are going to see Disney on Ice with Giana. Yes, it’s my Mom’s birthday but life around here revolves around Giana. We’re all excited about Disney though! Well, maybe not Dominic so much! :) I’m trying to convince everyone to go ice skating over the weekend but no one seems to be up for it. None of them have ever been ice skating. I find that so hard to believe when they all grew up in Cleveland. I even contacted the ice rink to make sure they have Giana’s shoe/skate size…and they do! Maybe she and I will tackle that on our own. Party poopers! I am looking forward to the great Italian restaurant we are taking my mom to on Saturday night. YUM! Maybe I’m just hungry right now because Lent started today and I can’t eat in between meals. Who made that rule anyway? On a cute and final note, while at church today, Giana made a coloring page while sitting in the pew and wanted to “leave it for Jesus.” Our little girl is so precious…most of the time!

House Hunting

I never thought finding a home would be so difficult…especially in this market! Two offers on two different homes fell though so we continue to look. We are still living with my mom while we search for a house. God bless her. She has been great. Her one bedroom condo is perfect for well, one…not four! And to make things worse, we are down the one bedroom because of a roof leak. This brings me to the snow and ice. I was so excited to have snow again after living in Georgia for so long. Be careful what you wish for. My wish now is for spring, lots of sun and fun days at the park!

We kicked off the New Year celebrating Dominic’s birthday on January 2nd. His job has been great. He has been so busy but he is enjoying it. We’re so thankful for his job security and pray for those in need during these trying times.

I enrolled Giana in gymnastics class once a week and she LOVES it. I’m happy to report she can do a somersault on her own. A perfect 10 if I do say so myself! We bought her a goldfish who we lovingly call “Dorothy.” Original, I know. After 7 days, we found Dorothy doing the back stroke. Giana thought she was sleeping so during her nap time, I ran to the store and purchased Dorothy #2. She’s been with us now for nearly 3 weeks and thriving. We shall see…thank goodness goldfish are only 49 cents!

We have been home now for two months and have enjoyed catching up with family and friends. Maybe by my next post we’ll have a place to call home.

Twenty Things To Remember

I saw this in an email...

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.
3. As a child of God, prayer is kinda like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day -- it's like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still just as dead.
16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay.
18. Its all right to sit on your 'pity pot' every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out it's neck.
20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.

Snow Days!

It's snowing today and I'm loving it! I missed it when we lived in Georgia and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to enjoy the snow again! Giana has seen and played in snow before but this is the first time she will remember it. She had so much fun but wouldn't wear her mittens so we didn't stay out too long. She'll quickly learn that mittens are her friend in this cold weather! We may just have to build a snowman after her nap. FUN!

Christmas 2008

Oh the joy of seeing Christmas through Giana's eyes...what a wonderful gift!

We're Home!

The movers came last Friday and loaded the truck! Giana wasn't quite sure what to think and kept telling them that they were making a mess. Dominic's sister flew to Atlanta Friday evening to help me keep Giana occupied on the car ride to Ohio. We stopped in Tennessee and spent the night and finished the drive on Saturday. We picked Dominic up in Columbus, saw his beautiful hotel and hopped back in the car to finish the 2 hour ride to Cleveland to drop his sister off. We spent Saturday night in Cleveland with his parents and then Dominic and I drove back to Columbus on Sunday morning so that we could meet the movers at our storage unit to unload our belongings. It was a crazy 2 days and needless to say I was pretty sick of being in the car! The plan was to leave Giana with Grandma and Grandpa for a few days so that I could get us settled in Columbus. I was going to pick her up on Wednesday but the weather was bad (snow and ice - I love Ohio!) and Thursday wasn't much better so we are going to pick her up on Saturday evening now. With all of that being said, I have NEVER been away from Giana a day in her life and I am missing her terribly. The first couple days were nice but it's been hard since yesterday and I really want to go get her. We are going house hunting on Saturday otherwise I would be going to pick her up today! We've been staying in the Presidential Suite at Dominic's hotel and it is nice! I could get used to this life really easily! Dominic is enjoying his new job and I am thrilled to be home. Although we are missing Giana, it has been a nice week to spend with Dominic, Christmas shop, catch up with my best friend Erin and look for a house. All of these things are easier to do without a 2 year old but we can't wait to get Giana back tomorrow! It looks like it's going to be a white Christmas for us and I am so happy about that! Snow at Christmas time is one of the things I've missed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanksgiving Week 2008

Our last Thanksgiving in Georgia was a fun holiday! We had family in town and managed to squeeze in several fun activities. On Wednesday we went to the Aquarium and Giana loved it! She wanted to reach through the glass and touch all of the fish. It was so cute to see her and she kept talking about all of the "Nemo's and Dorothy's." Too cute. Thursday was Thanksgiving day and the weather was beautiful. My sister and her family came from South Carolina and the kids enjoyed playing outside. My father in law cooked the turkey, well, he actually cooked everything and it was all so good. Maybe one of these years I will learn how to cook a turkey...or maybe not. Friday was a fun day of shopping and we topped it off with dinner at Nikko's Restaurant to celebrate my father in laws retirement. This was Giana's first experience with a hibachi grill. Initially, the noise and smoke bothered her but she adjusted quickly and had a good time.

We took the Vitale's to the airport on Saturday and quickly turned our focus to our move to Ohio. There is a lot to do between now and December 13th. Fortunately, Dominic's company is packing us...I'm thankful for that and so many others things. God has been good to us.

This time of year is so much fun. Enjoy the upcoming holidays!