Happy 4th!

Gasperini-Ville is taking an western VA holiday siesta...

Cheers to sparklers and glittery fireworks, brats and potato salad, picnic blankets and good times with family! Hope you're enjoying a great one. God bless!

Easter reflection

As promised, here are glimpses of our Easter celebration this past weekend. In addition to these festivities, we also enjoyed a birthday party for our twin, 4-year-old cousins. M was beside himself with excitement to be heading to the b-day celebration on Saturday. What a little boy he's become...

GG and I had the chance to attend Easter Vigil Mass Saturday night thanks to the generous babysitting efforts of my parents (thank you!) All of us headed to my parents' church Sunday to rejoice in the Risen Savior! What a blessed time it was... we are still reveling in it!

Is it really Wednesday already? Boy has this week flown--we must be truly busy! God bless!

Egg dying--family style!

M takes a turn--oh boy!

The finished product--don't they vaguely look impressionistic ala Monet?

In pursuit of more candy!

The sweetest egg hunter, don't you think?

Baby J's Easter gift--Gramz never leaves anyone out!
Can't wait for him to wear this come August!!

Happy Feast of St. Valentine to you!




Why don't you head on over for breakfast?
Wouldn't that be the greatest?
Hope you enjoy a wonderful feast day! God bless and LOVE you!

Christmas Round #2

Well, we made it. Again.

Here to Ohio to celebrate Christmas with my family...

I didn't mention we were driving again because I've worried you all too much with all our recent trips! Thankfully GG and I shared the driving yesterday, which made ALL the difference!No hay problema!!

Today marks a continuing Christmas for the Gasperinis--I think I even heard Gramz telling M last night that Santa was going to visit again! Now we've totally confused him. :)

My sister and her family arrive any minute before we'll share a warm "Christmas" breakfast and gift-opening. If one thing's for certain, craziness will undoubtedly ensue! Praise God for family--the crazier, the better.

Enjoy your crazy families today! God bless.

Our Budding Photographer

One of M's favorite gifts this year was a digital Fisher Price camera--a far cry from my own youth FP camera with roll film and attached flash (incidentally one of the best cameras in our household for a long time!:)

Let's just say the little man has "taken" to his new toy. Initially, he was quite insistent on looking through the front shutter and taking shots (only of his face). After wading through much ridiculous toddler stubbornness, Mom and Dad finally convinced the guy that a real photographer looks through the viewfinder and *lo and behold* the pictures come out showing what you're looking at!! Oh my goodness... What glory for a 2-year-old (and for his parents)!

Now, it's not unusual to see little M running around with a camera to his face. It's really adorable! Here are a few of his first shots, including some of his pics from time at a local farm today. Too cute!

God bless you in this Christmastide.

One of the first eye shots--pretty artistic!

Capturing Daddy being silly

Cow shots

Loves to take pics of Uncle C, taking pics

A donkey, from a 2-year-old's perspective.

Peacock rear shot

The group from afar...

Joy to the World!

What an enjoyable day it was yesterday...

Just reveling in warm time with family was fabulous, but to also add the kids' excitement, wonderful gifts, and beautiful brunch was enough to make it a perfect day. M was Santa's helper, sure to give everyone his appropriate gifts (while simultaneously unwrapping/playing with his own!) T-baby was sweet as pie, drinking in the craziness of the morning and adding his own enthusiasm and delight. What fun to share in the joy of kids during the holidays!

An early nap was enough to hold T-baby over as we headed out to dine at The Jefferson for Christmas brunch. Oh boy--how soon can New Year's resolutions begin??? We indulged trip after trip through the line. Best part of the afternoon--the boys were extremely well-behaved and made the event so fun. They wore their new red sweaters and navy cords, Christmas compliments of Mimi and Papa. Alas, if only the family photo in front of the Jefferson tree would have turned out... But you know how Gasperini-Ville and Christmas shots go. :)

And then the day would have been truly perfect. And does that really happen anyway? Oh and if only I would have brought three diapers to brunch! M went through two, leaving me with *none* for poor, stinky T-babe. Never far from drama in Gasperini-Ville. Thankfully, all were in good spirits and willing to tolerate the "situation"!! lol. ;)

Above all, my morning run yesterday in the wee hours of Christmas revealed to me what I envision to be my future Christmas "perfect." It will be a driveway full of cars, indicating that all have "come home" to be with family for the holiday. It will be a time of warmth and togetherness; laughter and tears (the happy kind). It will be a fireplace-centered, afghan-covered, and pine-scented dream. It will be full of love, encouragement, support, and well-wishes. It will be Christ-filled. It will be perfect (or as close to it as we can get.:)

Cheers to Christmas 2007 and all joyful ones to come.

Merry Christmas from Gasperini-Ville to you.
God bless.

In the spirit...

Nothing says Christmas like a snowy, yummy, candy-clad gingerbread house, built with love. After all the hands that touched this creation, however, I'm not so sure it will be devoured post-holiday. Oh well, at least it looks nice... Blessings and love! :)

Ginger elves

M inspecting the beginning work--more inspired to eat than build.

T, sampling the decorations

Almost done...

COMPLETE--great work, Gasperinis!

Last-minute gift idea?

If only I could bottle the giggles and laughs coming from my boys' mouths...

I would cap them and sell them and be a millionaire. :)

Today we heard wonderful belly giggles coming from T-baby while Mimi tickled him on the way home from lunch. The sweet thing was falling asleep and we were desperately trying to keep him awake. Picture a small, cute baby with eyes closed and sides splitting with the cutest giggles you've ever heard. Priceless.

Now, if I could just find a way to capture and sell it!
God bless you today.
T-8 days...

Gearing Up

Wednesday and Thursday To-do's:
Wed.
-pack mama and boys' clothes
-do remainder of laundry
-visit friend's kittens for our kitten smitten M
-make buckeye candies (let M help with the chocolate dipping)
-cool candies and wrap with Christmas flair
-hot glue advent wreath piece that has already fallen off (so maybe it wasn't so high quality!)
-begin creating meals for GG's time alone next week
-continue cleaning dirty, dirty home
-nag GG to pack what he *thinks* he will need 2 weeks from now
-wrap gifts for Ohio family

Thurs.
-fold and pack remaining clothes
-gather misc. and assundry items for car
-begin placing items in appropriate spots in car
-figure out where the dog will sit (help?!) lol.
-deliver Christmas items to teachers
-finish meals for GG (stuffed shells, enchiladas, ... I'm thinking--whatever happened to mac and cheese? How much we adore our GG!)

Wondering why we're in such a rush? In the capriciousness of this Christmastide, I am sweeping my children into our car and heading out early to VA for the holidays! In doing so, we're leaving our poor, exam-and-paper-laden GG home to battle out the remainder of finals and then fly into VA to meet us!! I am pumped for the trip, but have to admit a little sheepishness when facing our 12+ hour drive Saturday! Whew! My goal is to start early and end early. Your prayers for a safe and well-behaved journey would be awesome. Thank you. (Yes, the snacks and portable DVD player are already packed.)

Alas, bear with me over the coming days...

I'm bound to have my arms elbow-deep in something.

No more than what you all are up to during this busy season.

stop. breathe. pray.

God bless!!

Dear Santa

Dear Santa Clause,

I'm just now beginning to acknowledge your (feigned) existence and I hear that you're the guy I need to ask for particular Christmas wishes. It must be pretty cool to be the one who gets to give everybody what they ask for (I do this to my little brother often.)

My mommy will attest to my constant pleading desires for "James", the Thomas the Tank Engine red engine #5. I love him and he's my very favorite Thomas character. I've even learned the number five faster than all the rest because I love James so... Could you please bring him to me for Christmas (and lead-free please)? You would make me the happiest little (yet well-written :) boy on the planet.

I've been a very good boy this year, with only a few (cough cough) infractions of which to speak. I help my mommy feed the dog every morning and night. I guide my little brother on the straight and narrow (and usually push him in the right direction.) I had my first successful day today in big boy underwear (with James on it, worth mentioning) and only had one accident while playing at the mall (what was my mommy thinking taking me there on my first day in underpants? I claim complete innocence.) Overall, despite my occasional lapses, I think I'm a pretty good kid (and my parents usually agree, also worth mentioning.)

On a side note, my little brother is pretty naughty. You should think twice before granting his Christmas wishes... Today, for example, he poured an entire canister of Comet on his lap (while my mommy was right there!) and made a huge mess. I thought my mommy was going to spring a leak, she was so angry. Definitely think twice about that little boy...

I digress. Please consider my wish, dear Santa Clause, and I would be ever so grateful if you decided to grant it.

Thanks a lot,
M
(way ahead of the curve in letter composition and sentence construction:)

Holiday Sprites

A missing red ball... a disassembled needlepoint ornament... a strewn, metallic "Peace"...
All evidence of one, perhaps, two little ornament sprites, who descend upon my tree daily and play tricks on this mama. For the first time ever, our tree has a new display of ornaments depending on the hour. No matter what I do to try to hide, secure, maintain, etc., down the ornaments come and back they go, usually in a different spot than before.

So I guess you could say we have a rotating Christmas tree. My sprites are just making sure nothing becomes "stale" or expected in this season of Advent. Which is a good lesson for me as well--to renew my heart daily to the wonder of Christ in our midst; to anticipate with wonder (and with less expectation) the joyful event of His birth; to welcome Him at all times and in all different ways into my heart this holiday season.

Happy second Sunday of Advent. Our second purple candle shines tonight... God bless.

In Case You Needed Reminding

Visit here to remind yourself (freak yourself out) of the ample (ridiculously small) amount of time there exists between now and the blessed (crazy) holiday.

*Meanwhile, a wonderfully insightful conversation continues in the posting below. Check it out! I'm definitely motivated! Thank you and God bless.

MISSION: Christmas Card Photo

Failed Miserably. lol.

But some of the outtakes are pretty hysterical.
I'm almost glad things didn't go our way--these extra shots are worth it for the memory books!

I'm tempted to choose one and send it off in the Christmas card with the caption, "Peace on Earth."
No Christmas facades in Gasperini-Ville. haha :)

:) Enjoy and God bless.

Anticipating Advent

Though Advent doesn't officially begin until Sunday, I have already begun my own celebration of the season with a little euphoria...

I can't explain it, yet my heart feels as if it's bursting with joy and overflowing with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! The past couple of days have truly rocked my little world in awesome ways. Thanks be to God!

And I have been desperately waiting for a time like this for awhile... A time of intimate prayer, feeling as if God is nearer than He has been in a long time (though He is always near, whether I recognize it or not); a time of peace and patience, waiting in the knowledge that God's will is perfect and better than anything I have planned; a time of reflection and introspection, looking within and renewing parts of me that have become dormant and lifeless.

It has been euphoric, I tell you, and the season has yet to begin! :)

This Advent, Gasperini-Ville will be starting some new family traditions. I just received the most adorable children's Advent wreath with velcro candles... I ordered it here and was overjoyed to find it was well-made and user-friendly. Now my young cherubs can participate in the "lighting" of the Advent wreath without a fire hazard. Another Hallelujah!! Considering our latest track record, removing real fire from Gasperini-Ville would be a good thing.

Leaving, of course, the fire of Christ and the warmth of the season in our hearts.
Hope your hearts are equally as blessed in this season of anticipation.
Happy pre-Advent and God bless!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks be to God today for His presence in our lives, particularly through the Body of Christ he has given us here on earth.

We are reveling today in:

*the invigoration of a bright and early holiday morning; our children are making sure we appreciate the full extent of the day (5am...) :)

*the peace of family (though not really peaceful with 4 young cherubs running around later this afternoon!)

*the warmth of togetherness (though temperatures promise to plummet, bringing snow!) Our hearts will be warm despite!

*the bliss of food favorites like Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Filling (God's gift to potatoes) and my newly discovered rave pumpkin cookies!

*the rekindling of old family tales and arguments around the Thanksgiving table. Every year the "deer story" resurfaces, causing great debate within the family. It's a rather long story, but in short, my sister hilariously claims to have a hit a deer once in high school. We argue that it was my dad who actually did the deed, causing frontal damage to the family Oldsmobile. We go round and round, laugh hysterically, and ultimately question my sister's memory. Good times. :)

*the hope of being reunited with old friends. My high school 10th reunion is this weekend! Should have some interesting stories to share when it's all said and done... :) Thankfully GG will be along for the ride.

*And finally, I'm thankful for YOU... my dear friends via the blogosphere! Thanks for listening!

Blessings to you this Turkey Day! Eat up and be well.