Travels 'n Such

Graeme, GG, and Pete (deploying Thursday and soon to be in my "prayer requests"!)

While going to and fro is an exciting way to live... I don't think I'm cut out for it as much as I used to be! Travels to and from Virginia and to and from Texas were just about enough to wear this mama out over the past week! Add in house-hunting, finalizing our mortgage, entering into contract, and having the inspection and I'm about plum pooped! lol :)

The Texas wedding was such fun, though my packing was less than appropriate. When I see a forecast of 60-70's during the day, I assume it's warm all the time. Not so much! The wedding was outdoors and was extremely chilly (~40's) for bare legs and arms!! By the time the big event rolled around, though, some of the girls and I had become savvy enough to bring along pants (for under our dresses) and covers (though I did not have a coat!) We made do huddling around kerosene space heaters and drinking hot coffee. In the end, it was such a treat to convene with old friends and see our dear buddy, Graeme, tie the knot with his dreamgirl!

Trip highlights were GG's go at skeet shooting "out on the range" (he hit more than a few!!), my morning with "222W" (a group of wives brought together by a brotherhood of Princeton men. These girls are fabulous!), Hampton Inn continental breakfasts (the biscuits were amazing), Mass and brunch with our nearest and dearest friend Max on Sunday, communing with GG's godfather at the Austin airport, and (of course!) seeing our precious, sleeping babies when we returned. They were so well-cared for!!

My studly man in action!

Low points included the LONG drive back today at 3am sharp! GG and I were able to grab a few hours of sleep before hitting the road to get back for an evening class of his. Oh boy! Praise God for his Sustenance and Provision. Had we not forced the wedding, we would have driven through the midwestern blizzard this past weekend... We viewed the aftermath along 80/90--3 semis were completely overturned and still being hauled out of the snow!

Fortunately, we made it home safely and are now ready to hit the hay! Also, prego update--my belly is beginning to grow! We set the ultrasound for next Tuesday! Keep your eyes peeled for our gender announcement...God bless your week!

Home To-be

While we never like to get too ahead of ourselves here in Gasperini-Ville...
I just had to share a photo of our *hopeful* new digs in Virginia!

We are absolutely over the moon about this place, loving every inch of it!
The home inspection today went really well and we are confidently heading toward closing at April's end!! Pinch us, we're so excited!

I spent my run today imagining growing old in this home, filled to the brim with our family and its daily adventures. It was such a warm train of thought as I pictured bringing home a new baby there, inviting friends and family for visits, celebrating holidays with loved ones... God has surely blessed us to have found such a wonderful place to call "home"! All Glory and Honor to Him! :)

Now it's a matter of finishing off GG's final months of school. Poor guy. With the home in check, he is SO not wanting to hit the books and devote himself to graduating. Isn't decorating and home planning so much more fun? Indeed, yes... Only two more months, my love.

To live up a little more fun, though, before we head back to the Midwest, GG and I fly out tomorrow for a friend's wedding in Texas. This should be a wonderful chance to reunite with many dear Princeton friends and give the boys a chance to truly enjoy time with their grandparents here (and vice versa, I think!) I have a feeling our return Sunday will bring about a great sigh of relief from a burned-out Mimi and Papa! Thank you, M and P, in advance!

Adieu, dear ones. I promise to write as soon as we're back Monday.
Until then, stay blessed and keep shining!

Provision

Amidst all the craziness of house-hunting, we feel so blessed to have found *peace* while visiting this week in Virginia. And when it's all said and done, I do feel that this trip has been especially graced with the Peace That Passes Understanding which can only come from The Man Upstairs. Thanks be to God! :)

We've relished ample family time together in all different combinations--GG and me, GG and the boys, the boys and grandparents, the whole gang, etc.. The neighbors here are wonderful to allow us the use of their swingset, which seems to occupy two little boys with the greatest of forces. As I type, Papa and Daddy read bedtime stories to the kids... There is definitely a peace and calm about the household.

And all this is without mentioning the amazing Providence we've experienced in this house hunt. As of tonight we are in contract for a new home!! WOOHOO! After close to a year of searching, keeping our eyes on the market, deciding where we wanted to "plant", zeroing in on our home favorites... we found one! And can I say that we love it? Right down to the very first step in the front door. This is IT! :)

I can't begin tell you how many small blessings there have been throughout the process... GG and I are just thrilled to have had little stress so far (all right, maybe a little bit more than a little, but not too much! :). We are even planning on having the inspection here before we leave. How incredible too that we really like the people from whom we are buying--a blessing beyond blessings!

Thanks for your journey with us. When we sit back and count our truest blessings, we end up praising God for our family and friends like you.

God bless you and yours tonight. Have a great one on us. :)

Aflurry

Our precious cargo, who were wonderful on the big trip!

Though it was looking questionable on Friday morning as we drove through an Ohio blizzard (almost!)... we're here! And we're abuzz with house-hunting ventures galore. Praise God for the hope of some beautiful homes we've toured already. I hope to write this week with news that we've entered into contract for a great place!! We'll see!

In the meantime, we're still having fun with our wonderful Mimi and Papa. M opened his 3rd birthday trike yesterday--a gleaming red Schwinn with handlebar streamers and a bell! Can you guess who was the most excited boy today upon waking? He was down the stairs in a flash, begging to get outside to ride his new wheels! I'll be sure to post some peddling pics in the coming days.

The weather report for tomorrow through Tuesday is 60-70's and sunny, truly glorious for us, midwestern snowbirds. It's amazing to walk outside and not immediately shiver. Haven't felt that for a few months! :)

Have a glorious weekend, yourselves, okay? You deserve it.

God bless.

A Joyful Weekend

The weekend has come and gone... and we are extremely grateful for such a fun time *squeezed* into a mere 24 hours! What a blessing it was for GG and I to see our dear friends, rejoice in our godson, drink in thoughts and excitement for our next little Gasperini, revel in our friends' children and their growth, enjoy hugs from dear ones we haven't been able to hug for a good while... and just enjoy each other! Such fun. As we journeyed home last night, our hearts were light after a wonderful time in New Jersey (and a little heavy knowing we'd be getting back on the heels of a busy Monday! Oh well, such is life! :)

The little angel before his baptismal debut.

Cutie Gus in his tux at the post-baptism party!

The Princeton gang at the party. What joy to be together!

The trip couldn't have gone any smoother. Thank you for your prayers. One never knows how travels will go! Thank goodness our flights were on-schedule (and even early to arrive Saturday night!) We had no trouble meeting up with Red at the airport and driving back to her new and beautiful home! Seeing her kiddos upon arrival was such a treat--they are the sweetest, most calm kids I know. They were quick to bed after our home tour--LOVED the new place, Red! What a blessing that God has provided them such an amazing home in which to raise and grow their family!! Afterward, Red made us a wonderful dinner, also enjoyed by Red's hubby and two other dear friends, Geoff and Lauren (shown below holding baby Gus!)

We chatted until... oh 11pm or so! before breaking off into the kitchen crew (the ladies) and pontificate-at-the- table club (the gents, who incidentally were very grateful for our service, just to let you know!) How much I enjoyed cleaning up with Lauren and Red, two wonderful Catholic women, who desire to love and serve their families (future ones in Lauren's case--the wedding's in May! :) At some point the whole gang reassembled, talked some more, and then headed to bed after 1am. GG and I were zonked but so happy...

Sunday morning brought with it the joy of bagel feasting, party preparation, baby washing and dressing(!)--too precious, worshiping at aTridentine Mass, and participating in our godson's baptism! Welcome to the Church, dear Augustine! Of the three babies being baptised, baby Gus was hands-down the best-behaved. We were so proud of our little man... :) One of the little ones cried the entire time (poor thing)! lol.

The post-baptism party back at Red's was a ball. The food was wonderful, company excellent, and conversation lively (as usual). How heartwarming it is to be with friends who know us well... and love us exactly how we are. Praise God for the union we have in Christ. There's truly nothing like it. It's as if time has stood still since we were last together. No awkwardness, no small talk... just goodness.

And now here we are, back again in Gasperini-Ville. We awoke this morning to ample hugs from our little M and T-baby. They surely made this mama feel very missed and loved. Unfortunately, M took out his Mommy-and-Daddy-are-gone stress on his pottytraining habits (and my poor parents) while we were away! After a month of very few accidents, he had 4 in one day! Yikes! Thankfully, we seem to be back on track today!! The boys and I had a very quiet morning together followed by a peaceful naptime. Love it.

And don't hold your breath too long... because we're off again in another 4 days! Our VA house-hunting extravaganza trip commences Friday!! Lots of prayers needed there! Dear Lord, help us find a home to bless our growing family...

In the meantime, hope you are well, dear friends, and that your week has gotten off to a brilliant start. I recommend making a list today of all the little, nagging things you need to get done and start CROSSING OFF! Nothing like it. I've been scribbling and crossing all day.

God bless you and be well.

A Precious Event

If you knew someone this cute, you'd want to be there for their baptism too!

Tomorrow GG and I head out to participate in this beautiful little boy's baptism, a glorious event that will unite us as his godparents and send all of us off on the road of his Catholic journey together. Wow! Such a responsibility we have... yet one we take with utmost joy and sincerity!

The baptism will also give us the wonderful excuse of reuniting with many of our Princeton pals, who will be coming in for the festivities! What blessings!! GG and I are pinching ourselves that we'll have two whole airplane flights and one overnight without our beautiful cherubs! While I'd love to parade them around, I think it wise they're staying put. We'll be on the ground there for less than 24 hours!! Too much of a whirlwind for our precious ones. Thanks to Gramz and Pappy for pulling overtime to give us this special time away. We'll be missing those little guys something fierce, though, I tell you!

Can't wait to share precious photos on Monday... We would love your prayers for safe travels.

May God richly bless your Saturday and Sunday! Hugs and baptismal blessings!