Happy New Year!

Hope your 2009 starts off with a bang!

We just rolled home from Mimi and Papa's, where we feasted on a Mimi New Year's extravaganza!  The boys ran right for the party hats and noisemakers, but were soon quelled because the horns made the dog and baby scared.  lol. :)  It's been some time since I had crab legs and *boy* were they tasty--along with a fruit salad, hominy beans, rice, shrimp scampi, spinach cheese dip, and stuffed mushrooms.  Are we loved or what?  Mimi rocked the kitchen! :) 

Now the boys are in bed and GG and I are going to settle in for a movie.  Thank you, dear Lord, for the blessings of 2008.  We trust in your Sovereignty for all to come in 2009!!  Much love to our dear family and friends afar.  We hold you close in our hearts.

God bless you all tonight and stay safe!

On the Phone

We had to make a special phone call today to Daddy at work.

His little T-man was missing him something fierce...

T: "Hi Daddy."

GG: "Hi T."

T: (crying) "Daddy, I'm sad."

GG: "Why are you so sad, T?"

T:  "'cause I wuv you."

Meanwhile, I melted in the background...

 :)

Getting Going

Merry Christmas and Happy Christmastide from Gasperini-Ville!!

I awoke this morning with a feeling of freshness that comes with the start of a new year.  Yes, I know, 2009 is not quite here, but it is close!!  Last night GG and I sat down to "housekeep" at the computer, adjust the budget, and get on the same playing field as far as the weeks to come.  What a blessing it was!!  I recommend it for all married couples, especially those with children!  We will do this from week to week, but last night showed me we would benefit from doing it more often...

The holidays have been a whirlwind and it was time for us to get back to business and work through the kinks of our children's behavior of late.  Namely, our precious T has been continuing to give us grief around bedtime.  We took away his binky two months ago and with it all self-certainty and comfort.  Poor guy!!  Since then, dear GG has become his soother and the only thing he wants at bedtime.  Not even Mommy's love can help!  

Therefore, we are setting out with a new plan--to remove Daddy completely from the bedtime equation.  Tonight Daddy will bathe and dress the boys and Mommy will take over for stories and prayers.  Daddy will conveniently "leave the house" (and hideout in the study), which will *hopefully* bring about less sadness and quicker sleep for the little T.  What a dear, that one!!  But what a pistol! :)  Best thing to note of late, though, is how MUCH of a helper our T is.  He really enjoys pitching in and making things happen--and Mom responds with LOTS of love and encouragement!  I'll do whatever it takes to keep it coming!

Sweet J is also beginning to show his baby tiger stripes, getting up-in-arms in the middle of nursing for any and all lulls!  He has also started to awaken again a couple times a night due to hunger.  Growth spurt anyone?!  You betcha!!  We are starting cereal on his 5 mos. birthday (Jan. 5th) and the day couldn't come any sooner!!  Just last week the little guy enjoyably tried to eat a pickle at lunchtime and was so thrilled with himself.  I'd say he's primed and ready for food! :)

M has been a good boy (with occasional brotherly hitting sprees!) and delights in pleasing Mom and Dad.  Can I get an "amen"?  Hallelujah!  He is surely encouraged by our praises and loves to do anything for accolades!  Surprise, surprise with GG and I as parents!  Most dear is watching his love for his brothers emerge.  He is practically up in J's space ALL the time--kissing, squeezing cheeks.  He also fetches toys and makes the baby giggle.  J lights up when M is around--too cute!  And just last night, GG and I heard him trying to soothe a crying bedtime T saying, "It's okay T.  I know you miss Daddy, but he's downstairs.  You need to stop crying so you won't wake the baby."  We just about melted outside the door hearing such words...  Yes, yes, our big boy is growing up, indeed.  

And how much we dearly love all of them!

Hope you have started off your Monday with a bang!!

Prayers yours is a good one...

Blessed Christmas

Santa's elves at work...

Still some wrapping left to be done and one tricycle to build,

but overall, we're all cozied up and ready for tomorrow.

From our home to yours, the warmest of Christmas wishes!

Hallelujah, our Savior is here!

Last-Minute?

Has anyone procrastinated as much as I have?

Help!! :)

Oh Happy Day!

Oh happy was the day when the first of six children was born to her smitten parents, Frank and Tina.

Oh happy was the day when that same baby had her first baby before Christmas on her birthday, brought to her in a small red stocking.

Oh happy was the day the earth was blessed to know these two wonderful people, my mother-in-law "Mimi" and my husband "GG"!  We are beyond fortunate to have them here with us...

I love you both dearly.

Happy Birthday!!  A big whoop whoop for GG's 30th!!

Let It Snow!

Virginia Style! :)

Last night we headed to a local mall where they have a regular snowfall scheduled each night around the center Christmas tree... While snowmakers blasted, we enjoyed the simulated wintery scene! What lengths we endure to find white stuff "down south"! :) We were almost fooled and all enjoyed the festivity of the evening!

Cheers to the REAL snow most of you are experiencing around the country.  While I loved the 60 degree temps yesterday, there was much of me longing to be back in the wintery midwest!  How we miss our friends and family there--love you all!!

Hugs for a cozy pre-Christmas!!  God bless!

4 Months Already?

Happy almost-Friday, all!  I can't believe how quickly this week has gone...

News to report: Baby J has topped out the charts at his 4-mos doc visit!!  Let's just say, we've got a big one! :)

Length: 26in  (90th percentile)

Weight: 16lbs. 4oz. (~80-90th percentile)

Head circumference: 75th percentile (I can't remember the actual size!)

Cheek girth: 100th percentile, no doubt! :)

His blue eyes are holding steady, his smiles are ever present, and his sleep is lengthening--hallelujah!  We have been blessed, indeed.  What a good boy!  Love you, J!

A New Take on Nativity

I just had to laugh (note the train) and share!  God bless!

Santa Revisited

Good Monday to you all!  Events have gone whizzing past in such a way these days, I feel the need to document more about the past two weeks, just to get everyone up-to-speed on the latest and greatest here in Gasperini-Ville!  As I mentioned in a previous post, we had such a fun time visiting with Santa at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts two Sundays ago.  We all met up after church for coffee and then headed to the museum for the fun to be had...

The best part about it--there were no lines!  Since we boast a Mimi docent (she's the coolest and is always teaching us about art!!), we had special ins at the Santa brunch and celebration.  The Santa there was also really legit and seemed to enjoy cheering children and participating in the magic of Christmas.  

The funny part about it, though, was that GG and I got chastised by the dear man!  Apparently, we were too involved and "encouraging" and didn't allow Santa to do his work.  We found this initially humorous, but later said sadly to one another, "We got yelled at by Santa!" LOL!  Don't worry, Santa, in the future we will try to let you do your thing with little involvement.  :)

T, enjoying the brunch

Could two little boys be more excited?

Initial Santa encounter

Approaching with trepidation

Thanks to the candy cane bribes, M nestled in finally.

Santa gives GG and I a talking to...

And poor J missed Santa due to his nap, but oh well, there are plenty of years to come!

After Santa, we mosied around to various craft rooms where the boys had the opportunity to make mini votive candles and jingle bell stamp stockings.  Too cute!!  Thanks to Mimi and Papa for a fun morning out...  Next update: ND gathering in DC from this past weekend!  Hugs and prayers for an awesome Monday!!

Teary Prayers

I am just beyond mopey this morning for friends of ours, Will and Jessica.  (I've talked about how special they are to us before.)  Will leaves today for a potential 16-mos Iraq tour, serving as the Chaplain for his Army unit.  What an awesome and inspiring call these two have followed!!!  God spoke and they listened, even though it meant tough days like today.  The toughest part (and the one that really pulls at my heartstrings) is seeing Will farewell 3 little ones, Carlee Scott--3, Owen--11mos, and one in utero--a wee babe due in July!  We have all endured deployments in the past, but never with children.  

Lord, shower them with your abundant Grace!  Lift them up and fashion them according to Your Will!!  Use this time of separation for Your Good.

I ask for your sincere prayers for this precious family!  

God bless you and TGIF. 

(I'll get to the photos later...  They don't seem as important right now in light of all of this!)

**Update Sunday 9pm: Will made it safely to Kuwait and the family is holding steady!  He has already been able to text and email, so I am *thrilled* for them and their early communication.  That will go a long way toward helping them through this challenge!!!  Thank you for your prayers.  Blessings!

Sharing--a no go!

Well, as you may have presumed, the post I was planning (which included a cute video of T), never happened because Blogger kept sending an "error" message when I tried to download the footage.  It says it allows AVI (?) video, which is what our new camera takes, but then won't finish processing it.  I'm stumped!!  Any thoughts, computer-savvy readers?  I'm going to go Google the issue and see what I can find.  

Tuckahoe Women's Club Christmas Party kid pics to come tomorrow!

God bless! :)

To-Done

*ornament party--check!

*decorations up--check!

*neighborhood Christmas party--check!

*office Christmas party--check!

*kids' visit with Santa--check!

*obligatory family Christmas card photo--check!

*feast of the Immaculate Conception (alone with all 3 kiddos in Mass!)--double check! :)

We're making our way through our lists!!!  You too?  So glad to hear! :)  

Hope you're staying happy, healthy, and plenty busy during this time of anticipation.

Warm hugs from a somewhat-crazy Gasperini-Ville...

(and yes, that's Santa attempting to hold back my T...  No, not even Santa can do such magic.)

A Dental Documentary

Who doesn't bring trains into the cleaning area?

He's thinking, "Maybe if I charm the hygienist, she'll opt not to clean my teeth?!"

Learning about the different tools...

Look at how big I can open my mouth!

Not quite sure about it all...

No problem!  This dental gig is beyond cool.

TGIF!  Hugs and God bless!!

?

Is it oxymoronic to offer candy as a reward for good behavior at the dentist?

Blessings, :)

Prayers Needed

Beloved friends and family, please join me in prayer...

* for the Yllescas Family, who lost their brave soldier yesterday.  He was fighting an uphill battle recovering from an IED incident in Afghanistan when a blood clot in his brain took him too soon.  They are so dearly on our hearts.  Rob served with a friend of ours from Fort Carson.  He leaves behind a wife and two daughters, along with many friends and family.

* for friends of ours, Quinn and TJ, who just learned their precious babe in utero (~14 weeks gestation) has a potentially life-threatening condition.  Nothing will be certain until birth, but they are currently overwhelmed by statistics and fear, clinging to hope in our Lord.  They would *love* your prayers for each moment they have with their baby.  

Uber Cozy

Cozy scenes such as this...

can really only lead to this...

What a sweetie!  

This post serves several purposes: 1) to capture dear M, who never naps anymore; 2) to show our emerging Christmas decor (the stockings were added yesterday!); 3) to give my world traveling parents a glimpse of a Christmas tree while they cross the Atlantic; and 4) to redeem my ugly (and now deleted) post from yesterday.  My apologies--the sinful side gets the best of me somedays.  Just know nobody's claiming perfection here in Gasperini-Ville. :)  Saved by His Grace and no other...

God bless!!