November Miscellaneous

In my efforts to try and catch up a bit on this here blog, I came across some pictures that I thought were worth saving and journaling about.  Posterity needs to see this stuff.  

This was during our "the fridge is a white board" phase.  Graham particularly enjoyed the idea.  

Found this gem from Lucy when I came to the computer one evening in December.  

"Look, Mom!  I don't have a neck!"

Graham's class put on a program in the fall.  It was a square dance and poetry extravaganza of some sort.  

This is the only picture I got from Thanksgiving.  We spent it at the Jarvis' house.  There were a lot of pies.  

This last shot is from Stake Conference in Catania.  The missionaries translated the meeting for us through headphones.  That's our friend, Andy Jarvis, behind us.  

Fall Soccer Season

Once upon a time, a nice lady got a super nice camera for Christmas.  Said lady then always forgot to bring said camera to any sporting events or performances that her children were involved in.  

She did, however, remember to bring it to her son's last practice of the season.  

I was able to help coach Graham's team this past season.  There was some yelling and some frustration, but I believe that Graham and I came out of the season stronger and happier people.  ;)

When Phil asked me to help him out, I wasn't sure.  I've coached Graham's team before and I felt like I spent the whole time frustrated, but I had a great time!  I'm gonna chalk it up to my older and wiser way of thinking.  The kids on the team were a lot of fun!  I spent a good part of practices laughing and smiling while I enjoyed helping kids improve in a sport I still love.  

Our last practice was just a parents versus kids game followed by pizza and soda.  Good times!  

Our number one fan:  Sully Wully Wullikins.  

I absolutely LOVE this picture.  Be sure to look for Benny and Graham in this one.  Crazy cats.

The ordinary.

I want to try something new with this here blog.  I plan to keep posting pictures from events and trips and all that jazz, but I've decided to do something new.  While I think it's important and fun to read about birthdays and see what the kids dressed up as for Halloween, I think it would be more fun for us to read about day to day life. Years from now I will want to know more about what we did during the normal, regular days.  Not just what we did on our trip to Naples.  So, I'm going to try to post once a week about the regular.  The kiddos are at such crazy, fun ages and our house is always buzzing.  I know there will come a time, sooner than later, when I will want to remember what filled our days.  Here it goes:

Right now, as I type, Graham and Benny are playing on the iPad on the couch.  They played all afternoon with friends outside and now, they are in their jammies, hoping I'll forget about them and not send them to bed.

Lucy, Sullivan, and Jason are at the emergency room at the hospital.  No....don't worry.  We're regulars there.  Lucy hurt her thumb during her flag football practice yesterday.  It's a little swollen and bruised.  I took her earlier to my neighbor who is an ER doctor and he said he would probably take her in for an x-ray.  The problem with this scenario is that this is our 4th visit with Lucy to the ER since we've lived here.  It seems whenever she gets hurt, she is not satisfied with our sympathy.  The girl needs to know if it's broken and she hopes for a brace, crutches, or something to prove she's severely injured.  I'll keep you posted on that account.

You may be wondering why Sullivan is with Jason and Lucy at the hospital.  Sullivan, Sullivan, Sullivan.  The poor guy is teething and has been teething for over a month now.  The kid is a bear!  Sooo grouchy 80% of the time.  When he screams his velociraptor screech, you can see his swollen gums.  There are at least five teeth trying to emerge and it's just so pitiful.  By the end of the day, my Sully-meter is full to the brim and Jason helps me out.  So, being the wonderful husband and father he is, he took him with them.

We had a quick Family Home Evening before they left on gratitude.  We talked about the ten lepers story and then cut out a bunch of hearts so we could "heart attack" our branch president, Matt Fomby.  His birthday was yesterday, so we thought we'd brighten his week.  Graham, Benny, and I rode our bikes over to their house and taped up their cards and the hearts to their door.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  We'll be having dinner with the Jarvis' family and most of the members of our LDS branch here in Sigonella.  They have a large home up in Motta, so we can all fit.  I made two Kentucky nut pies to take.  J and I will work on our other meal assignments tomorrow before the big feast.

Well, Graham and Benny were playing and it just turned ugly.  Apparently, Graham sat on Benny's hand?  Who knows.  But, I guess that's my cue.....

P.S.  Update:  Lucy fractured her thumb.  Mom of the year award goes to:  Maggie!

A moment.

I had a moment this week that I want to remember.  It’s times like this that I wish I were better at writing.  I wish I could express myself better and more poetically.  But alas, even that last sentence I typed took me way too long and I deleted it three times before moving on.  I can’t even express myself when trying to explain how I wish I could express myself.  Oh well.  The moment was profound, and I want to remember it years from now when all my kiddos are grown. 

It was just a regular Thursday morning.  Organized chaos as I try to get Lucy and Graham out the door to school while juggling Sully and Benny’s needs along the way.  Breakfast is in full swing as I try and make lunches and not forget to pack the snack for Graham and food for Lucy to have after school before swim practice.  “Do you need your flute today?”  “Make sure to wear your spirit shirt, Graham.”  “Benny, please stop singing.  Graham has asked you three times.”  “Will someone give Sullivan some more Honeycomb?”  I think to myself, “I don’t have time to write their little lunch note from Mom today….don’t worry about it.  No, just hurry and do it.” 

So, craziness, but all is well and we’re on target for the bus.  Graham is getting his jacket and backpack on and Benny is preparing for the short walk to the bus stop.  (This includes choosing at least three “guys” to come with us and sporting his flag football jersey that he got from practice the night before.)  I call for the kids to come kneel down for prayer in the small entryway to the house.  Jason leaves early for work, so it’s just me and the kiddos.  I kneel down on the rug with a screaming Sullivan on my lap (he wants to go outside) and call again for the kids.  Lucy yells in her best preteen voice, “I’m COMING! Geeze!” as she stomps her way down the stairs. Graham is standing up trying to zip up his jacket, so I lean over and zip it for him while trying to comfort Sullivan.  Benny is trying to get his little feet into flip flops while telling me all about how he’s going to ride his bike and asking me if I could carry his toys because he won’t be able to hold them.  I assure him that I can and that I need him to sit down.  All the while, Sully is still screaming and Lucy has joined us on the rug.  It was then that “the moment came”.  It was short, maybe only 5 seconds.  I looked around as Graham resituated his backpack on his shoulders and Ben got his shoes on and Lucy positioned her headband and Sullivan fussed.  This was craziness!  We have a tiny little house with four not so tiny personalities.  Someday they won’t need me to zip their coats and brush their hair and make their lunches.  They won’t need more Honeycomb (at least from me) and they won’t be in my little house kneeling on our little rug getting ready for prayer.  I asked Lucy to say it, and just took in the moment.  I would normally get really sad and sentimental in moments like that (like I am right now as I type this), but the emotion was different.  It was gratitude and happiness.  Someday, they will grow up and not need me for all the little things, but right then and in that moment I was so grateful that they are mine in my little house and on my little rug. 

Grandpa!

We were thrilled to have Grandpa come visit us this fall!  The main event was Graham's baptism, but we made sure to show him Sicily while he was here.  

We made our way to Caltigirone.  One of our favorite spots.  Dad bought a couple things to take back to Mom.  Benny and I have been there many times, but it never, ever gets old.  I love seeing all the tiles and all the different shops.  I love finding new places to eat.  

Elephant square or Piazza Duomo is another favorite. 

We couldn't let him leave without seeing the sights in Siracusa

Love Ortygia.   I LOVE this picture of Dad and Benny in Ortygia.  I can't decide which filter I like better.  I wanna frame this one for my house.  What do you think?

One of the last days he was here we made our way to Acicastello.  Jason and I have done a few runs past the castle in the background, but I've never stopped and enjoyed the view for very long.  

I got this last picture after Graham's baptism up in Taormina.  I love the big wide ocean in the background.  We are truly blessed to get to live in this beautiful part of the world for a while.  It's just so hard to say goodbye when family and friends leave.  When Dad left it was no different.  We absolutely loved having him here with us and getting to show him are favorite sights. 

Halloween 2014

Halloween in Marinai is a lot of fun for the kiddos.  Lots of houses, very close together=LOTS OF CANDY!  

Graham had a last minute costume change.  He was going to be Luke Skywalker again (it was too late to order anything online), but then decided to color his hair and be Steve from Minecraft.  

Benny had MANY costume changes.  He was going to be Batman, Hulk, Wolverine, but then decided on the Pirate Costume we've had for 5 years.  If he's happy, I'm happy!

Lucy dressed up as a dancer with some of her buddies.  

She begged us for weeks to take her to the Catania street market so she could get the hat.  She had seen it on her field trip and had to have it for her costume.  Jason finally took pity on her and they made the trip.  

Alyah, Bailey, and Lucy Goosy

I can't seem to find any pics of Sullivan from Halloween, except this one.  He wore the traditional Bee costume that each of the kids have worn for their second Halloween.  

The crew from Taormina street.  

Graham, Aaron Cranston, Victoria Barnes, Benny, Russell and Sam Melvey

Lucy, Bailey Wilson, Malia Puerto, Harrison Barnes, Holden Brassart, Ellie Brassart and Mason Hockenberry