Yay for Friends!!!

This edition of Embrace the Camera is going to be dedicated to

FRIENDS!!!

YAY for friends who come to visit in far away lands

Izzy and I on top of the Duomo

YAY for friends who take family vacations with you

Rach and I in Palm Springs

The Juliao's and Us getting ready to Tobaggon 2km downhill
in Austria

YAY for friends who say "See You Soon"

My YAT-YAS girls

I had to post a blog about friends.  What would we do without them?  They've made saying "See you soon" and "Welcome to your *new* home" and "Let's Party" all that much more fun.  I love you all.  Maybe I'll even add some more pics soon.  Even though we are all so far apart, you will always be a part of me.  I love you!

Now, Go...Embrace Your Camera!!!!

Embrace the Camera - Sept. 23

It's my favorite day of the week!  It's time to "Embrace the Camera", We've been busy..busy...busy this week exploring different parts of Italy.  I LOVE having friends visiting and can't wait until I have a moment to blog about it.

On the Metro from (or to) the Gorgonzola Festival

Josephine and I on top of the Duomo

Now, off to get ready for some more exploring!!!

Embrace the Camera - Sept. 16th

I'm back!!!  I didn't participate last week, well, because I really couldn't find a picture.  Then I realized like two days ago, that I never downloaded the pics from our trip to the mountains.  My hubby took this pic of the kids and I.  I thought we were all "posing", otherwise, I would've acted silly too.  Oh well...

Yep, those are my babies in the back playing in the water.

And, here's one of us, because it is a MUST to try Gelato in every.single.Italian city you visit.  I had Streudel, and notice, I'm the only one who is empty handed...

Gelato in the Dolomites!  YUM!

When Buddy and Daddy were on a hike they came across quite of few of these.  Anybody know what they are???

What am I?

And, even though none of us are in this picture either, I just wanted to share a picture of the beauty that is Italy...

Now, will you please go embrace your camera???

9/11

I found this picture doing a google search.  There were so many pictures to choose from.  Some with the towers, some without.  Some with the planes hitting the towers, some of the NYC Skyline after the towers fell.  Pictures of people running, covered in dust...crying.  Pictures of firefighters and police officers coming together...responding.  Pictures of AMERICANS...coming together as ONE.  The reason I chose this picture is because I vividly remember the pictures of the attacks like it was yesterday...only, it wasn't pictures, it was live on television, and they will forever be embedded deep into my memories.

I'll never forget the horror of what was happening.  I was spending the morning like I did every other morning.  Getting ready for work.  My little Sister was in CA with her son.  This was supposed to be a happy week.  My brother-in-law and some of my very best friends were returning from a six month deployment.  They were sitting off the coast of California floating around until it was time to "head home".  This was two days away (I think).  Later that week, we were going to welcome them home. I always had the Today Show on in the background.  The "old" Today Show, with Katie Couric and Matt Lauer.  All of a sudden, they were talking about a plane hitting the World Trade Center.  WHAT?  How is that possible?  What a horrible, horrible accident!  Those were my immediate thoughts.  All of a sudden, the news turned from it being an accident to it being an attack.  Immediately, I ran downstairs and woke up my sister.  My phone started ringing off the hook, I was calling Brian to find out anything (not that he'd know).  I called Amy, my sister in law...or maybe she called me.  I don't know.  I just remember phone calls.  And then watching the Pentagon get hit and then Pennsylvania.  I remember thinking about a childhood friend who I had known became a flight attendant for United.  I remember praying for her and her family, although we hadn't talked in ages.  I remember crying with my Sister, because I was sure they were going to turn my brother-in-laws around and who knew when we'd see him again.  I remember thinking I had to get to work.  I left Ky with her daycare provider and tried to go on with my day.  I was at work for a few hours, talking to colleagues, checking the internet, going to the break room to watch the news.  I really don't think any of us got anything done that day.  I think we were all just trying to find some "normalcy".  Well, my normalcy was about to be rocked to the core. Another girlfriend called me to tell me to get home because the base was about to go on lock down.  All I could think about was my baby girl and I needed her.  She needed me.  I worked from home for the rest of the week.  I watched the news.  I cried.  I felt an enormous sense of pride. I can't begin to tell you how proud I was AM to be an American.

Well, we got to Welcome Home my brother and my friends.  What a joyous day.  But, during that day, there was still a sense of melancholy, because we all knew that at any second they could be called to defend America...they were Marines.

I remember shortly after 9/11, ten days...maybe, my baby brother left for Korea.  He's in the USAF.  I remember standing at Ontario Airport saying Good-Bye "See You Soon".  As he headed up the escalator and I was leaving the airport with my Dad and my sister-in-law and everyone else, I remember just this raw emotion coming over me.  I've never, never, never felt like that.  I don't know if it was the days since 9/11 trying to be strong.  I don't know if it was the fact that my baby brother was leaving...without his family.  Was it because of the unknown?  All I know is that I let out these sobs from deep in my soul.  I can't begin to tell you how much I love my brother and sister.  They have been the constant through EVERYTHING in my life. I can't begin to describe the unconditional love that fills my very soul for them.

Well, we've made it to the nine year anniversary of the attacks.  As a family we have sacrificed so much towards the war on terror.  Brian has deployed, we've missed birthday's, anniversary's, and major holidays in support of our freedom.  I am proud of my husband.  I am proud of my family.  Most of all I am proud that none of us let 9/11 define us and I am proud to say I will Never Forget.

I don't think I have done justice to what I would love to convey.  I wish I had the ability to write with words that can tell a story.  To truly describe my heartfelt emotions.

Where were you on 9/11?  How did you spend the days or weeks after 9/11?  We all have a story and I'd love if you would share yours with me.

In closing, I am going to leave you with a video that I hope you will enjoy.



GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Christopher Michael

Well, since it's raining outside, and I don't feel like "getting out", I thought this would be a perfect day to tell you how my life changed on April 4, 2003.  As pretty much all of you know, Brian was deployed to Iraq when I was 32 weeks pregnant.  I knew our little guy was going to make his appearance without his Daddy around, but we did what we could to prepare.  We picked out a name, Grandma Kim made his "bedding".  Of course we wanted tools, well, because that is Daddy's hobby.  We saved the diaper holder, the curtains, the sheets, the bumper, etc.  In fact, Christopher still uses his blanket.  Anyways, back to the real reason I'm writing.

Brian and I found out I was pregnant when we were in Sacramento for Ben's baptism.  Of course, we told his sister and Scott, but didn't tell anyone else.  Kyleigh, Brian and I went back home to Oceanside and everything was a blur.  I told my Aunt Debbie in August when there was a small emergency at her house.  Probably not the best way to tell somebody, but hey...you gotta do what you gotta do.  In September, we met my Dad, brother, sister-in-law and niece at Disneyland for the day.  On our way we stopped and had a shirt made for Kyleigh that said, "Kyleigh's gonna be a big sister".  Nothing like almost giving my Dad a heart attack at Disneyland.  Anyways, pretty uneventful pregnancy, until the day before he made his entrance.

Luckily, I have the most amazing friends.  With Brian half a world away, there were a few of my friends on stand-by.  Some to take Kyleigh, one to be my coach, one to videotape (yes, we did in fact videotape.  ONLY because Brian was gone.)  Anyways, my sister-in-law, her two boys and Brian's Mom were there to help.  It was quite stressful because we were in such a small house and I was already emotional because Brian wasn't there.  We did A LOT of walking, trying to get my labor going.  I was hoping I would go "early" since Ky was two weeks early, but no such luck.  Anyways, the day before he made his grand entrance, I remember being at Best Buy with my little lady and there was a big yellow circle.  And, Ky, being the active 3 year old she was, decided she wanted to use that has a track.  She ran around and around and around.  I don't know why that bothered me so much, but I remember bursting into tears in the middle of Best Buy and calling my girlfriend Joy (Coffin) to see if Ky can come over there and spend the night.  I just couldn't handle it.  I took her over there, went home and took a nap.  I woke up to Amy, my sister in law, cooking dinner.  I still remember what it was...chicken parmigiana.  It was so good!  Anyways, after I ate, I went back to bed and I woke up at about 5:00am and went to use the bathroom, I yell for Amy (who was asleep on the couch) and she came in and told me I needed to go to the hospital.  I decided I needed to shower first.  She was going to wake up Cathy so she could drive me to the hospital.  We left at about 5:30am and at this point I think I was pretty much in labor.

It seemed like a long drive to the hospital.  I think I felt every.single.bump. in the road.  We  managed to make it into the ER after having to stop a few times in the parking lot to breather through my contractions.  We got in there and I told the Nurse to PLEASE not send me home.  She said she had to check me and then she would tell me, but if she had to guess, I'd be having a baby today.  Well, she checked me and I was at a 5!!!  YEE-HAW!!!!  Let's get this show on the road!!!!

Got to my room at about 6:30 and remember being asked a million and one questions...and, it seemed like they were asked over and over and over again.  Well, at 6:45 my water broke!  Boy, talk about needing to push.  Well, the nurse kept telling me that I couldn't push.  Finally...after a good 10 minute debate...or more like me telling her I had to push, I asked her why I couldn't push.  Her comment, "It's too much paperwork if I have to deliver this baby."  HA!  Talk about a shock.  I looked at my coach and told her I was getting ready to push.  I looked at Brian's mom and asked her if she could deliver the baby and there we went.  We all got "into position" and I started pushing.  The doctor came in, we had a quick talk about what was going on and she put one glove on and draped her scrubs over her with only one arm in and Christopher made his entrance.  I started pushing at 7:00 ish and Christopher was born at 7:02.  I didn't even make it through 2 sets of 10 (those of you who have had a baby know what I mean).  Well, he made his appearance at 9lbs. 4oz.

I love you, Buddy!

P.S.
I will NEVER forget the wonderful 7 weeks that my Grandma was able to come in and spend with my small family while waiting for Brian to come home from Iraq.  I will be forever grateful for all of those memories and the nickname she gave to my little guy that has stuck to this day.  My Grandma was there when Brian came home from Iraq and was able to witness Brian looking at his son and holding him for the first time.  Love you, Grams!

Back to School

Ciao, Tutti!

It's that time of week again:





Although, this is only my third time participating, I'm really enjoying it.  I look forward to Thursdays and what picture(s) I'm going to share.  I find myself during the week making sure I have taken a pic with my babies and me!

So, that brings me to this week!  YAY!!!  These are the infamous "first day of school" pictures.  We are walking out the door to go get on the bus...or so we thought.  Read the previous blog to find out what happened.  Anyways, here you go.  Here are pictures with butterflies in our tummies and the "I can't believe I have a 2nd & 5th grader, I'm not going to cry", thoughts going through my head.

My 2nd & 5th Grader
9/1/2010

Ky & I
9/1/2010

Buddy & I
9/1/2010
(obviously he didn't want his picture taken)

OK, my blogging friends...GO EMBRACE YOUR CAMERA!!!

Sweet September...ALREADY???

WOW!  September is here.  Last year at this time, I didn't think I would ever make it here a year.  And, look at me now...I'm a champ.  Kind of getting a little sad to prepare to leave this place I call home.  But, I know that our next place will become home as well.  Before I know it, this adventure is going to be a distant memory.  Kind of makes me sad to think about it.

On another note... My little ones started school yesterday!  Can you believe it?  I now officially have a 2nd & 5th grader.  OMGoodness!  I can't believe it.  We went to their school on Tuesday to meet their teachers.  WE ARE SO LUCKY!  Christopher's teacher is AWESOME!  She is new to the school this year and is young and I'm sure is going to be perfect for a class of active 7 & 8 year olds!  Kyleigh's teacher has been at the school for a few years.  She is going to be perfect for Kyleigh.  She is exciting and loves art and a lot of her teaching is "project based".  This will be perfect as we all know Ky enjoys being creative.  Funny, but Christopher is always drawing and making "sculptures" out of paper these days.  This from the boy who thought "coloring was for girls", who didn't like to cut, glue and all that jazz.   Their art teacher Miss Jenna has really given them both a love and appreciation of art.

Getting off to school yesterday, was an adventure in itself.  Those of you that are on my Facebook, know what I mean.  To start the year off with a bang, we missed the bus...literally!  I thought it was coming at 8:10am still and well, they changed it to 8:00am.  So, we got there at 8:00am and it was gone.  Yep, no Mother-of-the-Year award for me.  Well, it didn't help that we waited at the bus stop until 8:40am when I finally decided to drive the kids to school.  I was so upset.  Well, the kiddos made it to school only about 30-45 minutes late.  Hey...at least they made it.  If it wasn't the first day of school, they would've stayed home.  Just sayin'...

Pick up was flawless!  Thank Goodness!

Other than that, I have so many blogs going right now in the "draft" version.  I should really get them done.  I also have so many things running around in my mind.  GEEZ!  And, after the last two days, I really wish I would've started a blog that was titled, "Only in Italy".

Yesterday, walking home from the bus stop (after missing the bus), we all watched a lady back out of her parking space and hit a car stopped at a stop light.  They got out of the car, rubbed their bumpers where the scratches and dents were and shook their heads and got back in their cars and drove away.  Really?  But, that's what it's like ALL.THE.TIME.  There will be an accident, the Italians get out of their car, either yell a little bit or shake their heads, then get back in their cars and drive away.  It's the strangest thing.

Today, when I was walking home from the bus stop after dropping off my babies...by the way, we were early for the bust today...I was walking home and their is a lady walking down the street with her white dog and a parrot on her arm.  I mean, just taking a morning stroll.  And, the white dog and big, bright, hot pink lip marks in the middle of it's forehead.  It was a sight to see.  I swear, I wish I had a camera attached to my forehead so I could snap the pictures I see.  It's always interesting.

I started school on Tuesday as well.  UGH!  Back to the grind.  So, it looks like it will be homework and work for me today.  I might need a little nap though, this 6:30 wake up is not agreeing with me.  I am so NOT a morning person.  ;)