At the Park

Took the kids to another park near our house. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

All our Love~

Kris

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It's been a while...

Wow! It's been a while since I've posted. It's been a busy couple of weeks, that's for sure.

We had our first visitor in Italy!!! Papa Mike came for a quick visit. The picture below is from dinner on his last night here. The visit was FABULOUS! We are so lucky to be in a place where people actually do want to come visit!

What was also nice was that his visit just happened to coincide with the Ball. He graciously offered to spend the evening with the kiddos so Brian and I could go celebrate. We had a fantastic evening of dinner, dancing and friends. We danced until they "kicked us out" and then headed to a local bar for a VERY small "after party". I was sad that I was away from my 3rd Tracks family, but very thankful for the friends that I have made here.

After Papa Mike, (Nono - "Grandfather in Italian), left we had a few days and then it was off to go Truffle Hunting. Of course, I hear the word truffle and think CHOCOLATE!!! Who would've thought truffles would be mushrooms (funghi). What a WONDERFUL experience!!! Our 3rd generation Trifulau (truffle hunter) and his dog, (Lady) Diana took us into the woods in Piemonte. Here is the website for La Casa del Trifalau: http://www.webalice.it/natale.romagnolo/Visita/Visita_eng.htm

Since Truffle hunting, we have been busy, busy, busy! On Monday, we had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the Consulate for the entire consulate community. Then, on Wednesday we had Thanksgiving lunch with the kids at their school (yes, as a matter of fact, Brian and I DID have 2 lunches) and finally yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with new friends.

I do have to say that I have much to be Thankful for. It's certainly has been an adjustment period, and I do find myself getting a little homesick at times, but I must remind myself that although we are far away from home, we are together as a family. Brian will not be getting deployed and there is always a phone and luckily internet to keep me connected with our friends and family back home. I really missed not being able to shop on Black Friday, but I will have many more opportunities to do that. I am thankful that my family is all together, we are all healthy, and we are making amazing friends here in our new home.

I know I say this every time I post, but I will TRY to be better at posting to this...it's not like I have much to do...LOL!

Halloween and Other Happenings

There were witches and ghosts and goblins everywhere! The Macy household had an Autumn Fairy and a Metal Skull Biker. The street behind our house held trick or treating and the kids came out in full force. It was really neat to see the Italian children enjoying an American tradition. This was only the 2nd year they did this, and from what I understand, it was 100 times bigger than last year. The kids enjoyed crafts and games at the Marine House, and then 8 of us parents took 17 children and a dog, out to venture the trick or treating. Although that sounds like a nice "margin", it was chaos. The shops here are very small an so trying to get all of our kids in and out and then there were other kids, it was kind of interesting. The kids got A LOT of black licorice, which I can't imagine is good. What kid actually likes black licorice? I know a few of the parents weren't to upset about it.

A few of us noticed that Christopher just wasn't himself on Halloween but thought it was just too much for him. Well, the next day guess what...he got his fever, and was sick the rest of the week. I kept him home Mon & Tues, then I sent him to school on Wednesday, but probably shouldn't have. By the time he got home, he was so tired and ornery. He ended up staying home the next two days. He seems to be doing much better.

Kyleigh has been fine. I'm hoping that her little bout with the flu back in April will keep her healthy this time around. I don't usually get the kids flu shots, per their pediatrician. They are pretty healthy, don't have compromised immune systems, and you know what, in my opinion, they are already vaccinated way more than they need to be. Again, that is just my opinion! If they had asthma or other reasons to warrant a flu shot, they would definitely get vaccinated.

Brian has been busy and working LONG hours. I'm sure this next week isn't going to let up either. We have the ball coming up and he has some type of "audit" for work right after that. It's a busy time for him.

I am getting "cabin fever". I can't wait to take a trip out of the center of the city. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful place with lots of trees and parks and I love seeing the fall colors, but there are SO MANY PEOPLE!!! And, seeing the same things over and over, well, it gets kind of repetitious. I can't wait until February, not because of my birthday, because my car will FINALLY be here!!! YAY!!! What a fun birthday present, huh?

We are looking forward to our first visitor this Thursday! Papa Mike will be here soon!!!! Can't wait!

Ft. Hood

I didn't post this originally, it has been sitting in my posts as a "draft"... Instead of deleting it, I am going to post it. It's just my feelings on the tragedy at Ft. Hood.

Well, I woke up to the most disturbing, horrible news anyone could wake up to. And, even though I don't know anyone personally affected by this "tragedy" I find that every time I think about it a lump forms in my throat and tears come to my eyes. The tears are for sadness, anger and pride. Sadness because there were innocent lives lost and many others injured. Anger because this monster was just moved from one location to another instead of being "dealt with". And pride because the people that died and were injured are heroes! They were people who either already have gone to war and were returning or were preparing to deploy. These were people who made it possible for this Monster to do what he did. To be able to be in the U.S. Army. We should NOT have to worry about terrorists on our own soil on our own bases here in the UNITED STATES!

In my opinion, the Monster should have been dealt with when he received a poor review and was moved from Walter Reed to Ft. Hood. I'd like to know the reasoning behind that. I'd like to know why the lives of the Soldiers at Ft. Hood weren't as important as those at Walter Reed. I'd like to know why, when this monster was investigated 6 months ago because of internet postings, etc., he was not relieved from duty. My heart aches for those that were killed and injured and for the families. To say I'm angry is an understatement. WHY would they even think that it is okay to send someone who has already been "on the radar" overseas? Oh, let me guess, they probably didn't want to ruin his career. Well, now there are 12 careers that will never happen and who knows about the 31 victims. In my opinion, they need to put this Monster in a Military Prison general population, I can guarantee he won't make it out. And you know the sad part, he is probably in a military hospital and these Soldiers are having to take care of him. Isn't that a slap in the face? He just kills and injures their "brothers & sisters" and now they have to care for this Monster. What a joke!

I remember in late 2001/early 2002, my girlfriend who lived on base, lived next door to a woman who said that she felt sorry for Osama & Sadaam. That we (as a nation) deserved 9/11 and that we should wait and see her wrath. Well, needless to say, OF COURSE it was reported and the FBI was soon interviewing everyone. She was forced to move off of base and her husband was forced into leaving the military...immediately. Now, WHY was this not done to this Monster?

Well, I'm done ranting. Am I still angry? You bet! Am I still sad? Of course. Am I still Proud? More than ever! I am proud to be an American!

Ft. Hood~You will be in our thoughts and prayers today and for many days to come. You will heal from this tragedy and the monster responsible will be held accountable. God Bless!