weekend visit

great fun, awesome laughs, silly games, kid assisted battles, and lots of hugs! we had a great weekend with Damian and Katie... celebrating their new HOME, new BABY news, and lots of excitement! can't wait to visit again with Gabi! thanks for EVERYTHING!!!!

Happy Birthday Sis!

31 years ago I was blessed with an amazing gift... a little sister. Though we have had our ups and downs, I have to say that NOW we have one of the most amazing relationships around. Normally, there isn't a day that goes by when we don't talk (one way or another). We have been lucky to share so many special memories over the years, and can only hope that our bond continues to grow! Happy Birthday Monika! We love you!!!!

princess bed

As we try to get our home ready to sell... we decided to move Will into his own little bed in the office (for the time being) and move Isa into her own twin "princess bed". She was SO cute helping me make the bed and REPEATEDLY said "Oh How Pretty." It was almost a magical moment. Her and Will then proceeded to jump on the bed until it was all un-made =). We think she will go back and forth between the toddler bed and her new bed until we take the crib out completely.

he will be missed

We found out that our Great Uncle Alberto in Peru passed away yesterday.  This is especially sad for my mom, sis and I since we spent many months in their home, and lived with them for a year when we were younger.  He was like our special Grandfather.  He always had a smile on his face, a big hug for us, and the perfect balance with being stern but loving.  He was a great man.  We know he will be another Angel watching over us know.  Please pray for his family as they mourn his loss... however, we know that they find some comfort in knowing he had a great, happy, loved life.

and yes... he was a Browns fan.  He was SO excited when Tobin sent him this sweatshirt.

little artist

This morning's rendition of a snowman on a snow mountain =)

artist: William L Sikora
cost: priceless =)



drawing little families =)...

finding peace

Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

be kind anyway.

If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;

succeed anyway.

If you are honest people may cheat you;

be honest anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the end, it is between you and God;

it was never between you and them anyway.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010.... wow... it's going to be a crazy fun year. It's crazy to think that so many new cousins will be born within the first 1/2 of the year! Our lil growing family is looking forward to new laughs, special times together and making new great memories! There are SO many new adventures in 2010, we could write a book about all of them!

We found out on New Year's Eve that our lil girl Gabriela will join us no later than the 26th of February! We finally decided with our doctor that based on the risks, that if we don't go into labor before 39 weeks, we will have a planned c-section on the 26th. Can that really be ONLY 8 weeks away!

We had great Christmas and it was awesome spending it with family close and far. That really is the fun part. We had such a nice and relaxing time. It was awesome! Today Monika, Arnold, Aidan and Andrew headed back to Florida (after Aidan begged to stay in Ohio). It was so sad to see them go, but we know it won't be too long before we are together again!

We hope everyone has a wonderful 2010, and that every day be more blessed than the previous!