Finally, a day for golf!

It was only the driving range but it was nice to get out for a while!

Taking tips from Daddy.

She's really trying here. Our local rec center has a golf program for 3 year olds. Next year... Perhaps the LPGA Tour is in her future?

Ahhh, there's my guy. I need to recommend sunscreen because I think the collar being up is out of style...but it sure does block the sun off your neck!

Easter 2009

Giana waiting patiently for the easter egg hunt to begin.

Giana and Daddy scoping out the grass before the easter egg hunt.

Giana loved the easter egg hunt and really LOVED the candy. I'm usually behind the camera but for those of you looking for a picture of me...here you go!

Coloring easter eggs and the bunny cake Giana and I made.

Daddy and Giana before mass. (It was early...Dominic was a little tired here.)

Giana and Mom-Mom

While we were at church, Easter Bunny hid a basket of candy!

Easter Bunny also left Rody the Horse for Giana.

Our Life in March 2009

I had high hopes of posting more often but it appears it’s been about 5 weeks since I’ve updated my blog. Dominic told me told me I should stay home for a day and see what it’s like. We’re on the go so much that, as funny as it sounds coming from a stay at home mom, I just haven’t had time! I would like to free up our “schedule” a little in the coming months but it looks like April and May are pretty packed, too. We shall see…

Giana got her FIRST haircut a few weeks ago. She was exactly 2 and a half…her hair grows so slow and it’s SO curly. Looks like she’s going to take after her mommy here. She did really well…the cartoons and the lollipop may have helped!

Dominic and I decided to take Giana to my Dad’s grave. It was a beautiful spring day. Honestly, it was the first time we had ever been to his grave, too. My Dad died over five years ago and I hate to admit this. We have lived so far away and our trips home were always short and busy. I’ve never felt like he was there but Dominic convinced me to visit his final resting place. It was much more difficult than I thought it would be but I’m so glad we went. Giana is much too young to understand. She knows Grandpa through home videos and pictures and we will continue to keep his memory alive. On a lighter note, I had my camera on hand, as always…never to miss a photo opportunity and took a picture of Giana jumping from one grave stone to the next. So sweet and innocent.

The house repairs on our home in Georgia were moving along so Giana and I headed south. The first leg of our trip was to South Carolina to see my sister and her family. My Mom was in SC visiting when we arrived. I was a little nervous driving by myself with a two year old but we did just fine…except for the stretch through northern VA when Giana got car sick and threw up. That was lovely. (When Giana was 8 months old, I drove from Atlanta to Ohio. My car broke down in the TN Mountains - middle of NO WHERE and it was a frightening experience. It all turned out fine but I get a little nervous now while on road trips by myself.) I visited with my sister and her family for a couple days and left Giana with them while I drove onto Atlanta to make sure the house repairs were taken care of. I had a great time in Atlanta visiting friends and I’m happy to report that the repairs on the house are complete. YAY! The new roof, siding and windows look great. We are thrilled to have this behind us. Now let’s hope there are no more storms! I drove back to SC, picked up Giana, my Mom and our cat and we came back home. My sister was watching Wuzzie the cat for us until we got settled in Ohio. G is so excited to have her back!

I can’t officially say we are “settled” here yet. Still no house. Who knew it would be this hard? Between my trip to Georgia, Dominic’s business trip to California and Easter, we’ve put the house search on hold until the end of April.

We had our first swim of the season a few days ago. While it was in my Mom’s indoor, neighborhood pool, it was still the first swim of the year! It gave me hope that summer is right around the corner, right? I’ve learned to be careful what I ask for because I asked for snow and I got it. I was in Solon just a few days ago at Dominic’s parents and it snowed. It’s April…enough already!

Easter bunny arrived at a local mall and we decided to go for a visit. Giana was so brave! She agreed to sit next to him on the bench and the pictures are priceless. I told her that she would get candy and that’s all it took! I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we have.

As I’ve already mentioned, April and May are shaping up to be busy months for us. We are looking forward to Easter, a trip to Maryland in early May for my niece’s confirmation and possibly a trip to Vegas with Dominic in late May! Gotta love Vegas and we are looking forward to a trip with just the two of us! Happy Easter!

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!