It's Beggining to Look a lot Like Christmas

Buon Natale, mi amicis! Now, I hope none of you go and google that to see if I said it in the proper context. I'm working on my Italian, but I'm still making LOTS of mistakes. Like when it snowed the other day and I said, "Mi non piace navica." I guess I somewhat said I don't like snow, but should have said it in another way so that snow took on something, although I can't remember exactly what that is at the moment.

We have gotten a little bit of snow over the last week, but today, it has finally hit us. We've had about 6-8" so far, and it's still falling. I have to say I am not a particular fan of this snow thing. Living in Oceanside the last 10 years, I've become quite spoiled with 70 degree weather year round. Now, I've gotten slapped in the face by Winter. They are expecting us to have 2 feet by morning! I'm sure not a big fan of the snow. Okay, but to give snow it's credit, the first time I saw the snow falling, I'll have to admit it was a completely magical sight. It was amazingly beautiful and something that I am definitely grateful for experiencing. It was nice when it fell and it melted when it hit the ground. But, once you've seen snow fall once, it really loses it's magic. Especially, when there is 6-8" on the ground and it's still falling.

The kids are out of school for a few weeks, and we are already enjoying our Christmas vacation! We had a great time wrapping Toys for Tots gifts for a local children's hospital. (We're hoping the snow melts enough that the Marines will be able to deliver them.) My poor little guy has strep throat. (Of course he does, because Ky had H1N1 at Easter.) I can't seem to catch a break on the holidays with sick babies. But, we took a trip to a pediatrician and he is on the mend with some antibiotics. It's funny to learn all the different ways they do things here. I walked in with a prescription and they didn't even mark on it or anything. Handed me the bottle (I had to come home and add the water), and I paid her and she handed me the prescription back. I guess if I need more that's a good thing...right?

We are looking forward to having a house full of guests for Christmas Dinner. I am attempting a Turkey & Ham, with all the fixings. Of course, we are going to add a special touch for our Marines and we are making Tamales. I'm not going to guarantee they will be any good, but it's the thought that counts, right?

I always think of things that I should post and share with all of you, but when I sit down to do it...I have no idea what those things were. I am going to have to start carrying a little notebook so I can remember. I will try to make these blogs a little more interesting.

My Baby Girl is 10!

10 years ago today, my life changed forever. My precious baby girl came into my life and nothing has been the same since. I have been so blessed to have her in my life. The saying, "You never know how much love your heart can hold until somebody calls you Mom" never rang more true. I remember when Kyleigh was 2, she would walk around everywhere wearing those silly plastic dress up shoes. I think she had twenty pairs. We would walk through the grocery store and all you could here was the CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! of her walking down the aisles. How annoying everyone probably thought that was. However, I absolutely loved the sound of it. I remember when she first climbed out of her crib, all of a sudden, Brian and I hear knocking on her bedroom door. For the next few nights, we hid out to figure out how in the heck she got out. She could get out of her crib, but couldn't reach the doorknob. That's my daredevil! Then, when she became a big sister. (Big is obviously figuratively speaking since our little guy was 9lbs. 4oz.) She was so good to him. Always cuddling and helping Mommy and Great-Grandma get his diapers and blankets. She sure loved that little guy. Even now, although they have their moments, she is the best "big" sister! I remember when she had her tonsils out in 2004. What a scary time for a mom. I remember them wheeling my baby girl back to surgery. Although it's a common surgery, it's not everyday that someone takes your baby and puts them to "sleep" and you wait in a waiting room. Brian was in school and couldn't be there. Thank goodness my Dad and my Aunt were there. When they finished and called me back she was already waking up. That was the scariest time. She kept yelling that she wanted her Mommy. But, I was right there! I will never forget how scared I was. Then, that same year my baby went to Preschool. Again, my Dad was there to see her off. I sure have been lucky to have him around. We've pretty much breezed through everything else. She is in 4th grade now, we are here in Italy. She has adjusted phenomenally. I am the luckiest Mommy in the world. I am so happy that Kyleigh has always been described by here teachers as the one that "seeks out the other children". If she sees kids playing by themselves, she will try to get them to play with her and her friends. If a "new" kid comes into her class, she will engage with them immediately. She is so helpful (when she wants to be), so loving (when she wants to be), always caring, and forever my baby girl. I am so lucky that she is mine! I can't wait to see what the next 10 years bring. I'm sure it won't be as "fun" as the first 10 years, with her being a teenager and everything, but I am looking forward to every single moment of it. I can't wait to guide her through the next 10 years and see all the amazing things she has in store for her. I LOVE YOU, KYLEIGH MAY! You are my Sunshine!

Ciao, from chilly Milan!

Milan is getting quite chilly. At least for me it is. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times...this California girl misses her flip flop winters! I have never seen so much rain, except maybe in High School when we got rained in at school (on my birthday) and Sheri Lineberry's mom had to pick us up because they wouldn't let any of us leave. The difference is that here it will rain for a day or two, clear up for a day or so and then rain again. When it rains in CA, it rains for DAYS and doesn't give us a break. Oh well, I guess for the first time in my life, I am experiencing all four seasons. The trees are BEAUTIFUL!!! I love the changing colors and love walking through the crunching leaves. It's nice because even though it's cold and wet, there are still people all over. The parks are still full with people just taking a stroll. The parks here are amazingly beautiful. There are dog parks inside the parks and there are families everywhere. I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable here and am attempting to use my Italian more and more. If I could just figure out the verbs I think I could kick some ass. Unfortunately, for me, I can't get the verbs straight, and when I say that, I mean I can't remember how to say them (the meanings). I do find myself saying, "Come se dice" (How do you say?) a million times a day, but it's OK. Most of the people I meet are very helpful and seem to enjoy helping an expat. (I think that's what they call us.) Well, off to take the kids to Oh, Bej! Oh, Bej! I'll tell you all about it when we get back. So, look forward to another post! Two in one day, you are some lucky folks!