From a Teenager to a Toddler

Our Baby!

2009-08-18T13:35:00.003-04:00

Here are Alli's Freshman Captain cheer pictures! She is so excited about cheering in the high school and is also enjoying coaching the Youth Jacket Cheerleaders as well!

We have another beautiful addition to our family... I had mentioned before that Jeff's sister was pregnant - well, she had a PERFECT 7 lb. 4 oz. baby girl named Makena Elizabeth! We could not be happier for them and just can't wait to meet her!

Don't Forget...

2009-08-13T10:18:00.003-04:00

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~Christopher Robin to Pooh, A. A. Milne

As Mario grows right before my eyes... as I feed him everyday... as he gets stronger... as I hold him and kiss his neck... as I comfort him when he is sick and kiss his boo boos... as I love him everyday since he is home...

I NEVER forget how I loved him from so many miles away... I NEVER forget those who now cannot come HOME and have to live in orphanages because no one can afford to take care of them and the adoptions have stopped. The children are still there....it could be MY son...that NEVER escapes my daily thoughts.

If you are reading this and looking for a way to help, please visit JULIA'S Blog for a great raffle. The Global Orphan Team is a fantastic non-profit that I personally KNOW that the money is going DIRECTLY to help the orphans of Guatemala. If you can give $5, I would really appreciate it.

Please don't forget about them...CLICK HERE

Zoo & more

2009-07-27T14:12:00.009-04:00

Jeff had this past week off, so we decided to just hang out with the kids as much as possible (well, for as long as we can get our 14 year old to slow down). It was a fantastic week of shopping, the zoo, eating out and relaxing. We all had a great time. Jeff even took the kids up to visit his parents and took the kids to the Lake. Since I am so slow at uploading pictures (I know, I know!) , I thought that I would start with the zoo pics!

We picked a great overcast day. It was warm, but not hot - and a weekday! There were not many people at all which made it SO much more enjoyable than last year (which I affectionately call it the "day of hot")! All of the animals were out and playful, and Mario walked the ENTIRE zoo... which, to be honest, sometimes I personally would like a adult sized stroller for. I was impressed by his energy and stamina! These are not in any real order, but I am just happy that they are up in less than a month from the event. There should be an award for summer posting! :-) looking at the lion (which Mo can say now!)
Isn't this a great shot... it was really a good zoo day!

Mo says "Girrrrraffe" now, too!
None of them are as tall as Big Ben (of course, the sign made Jeff roll his non-Steeler-loving eyes!)
This was Mario and Alli's favorite part... all of the elephants were in the elephant house eating! Mario says "Et-ta-tant!" and "Baby Et-Ta-Tant!" when he sees them... he went from equal parts of joy and panic in here... I went from equal parts of "aww how cute" to "that smells SO bad!'

Mo says BUM! lol!

scary!
I guess this sums it up....I usually want to hug her and choke her! lol!

Go Pens (yet another eye roll from the hubbs)

I just love my family!

We did a lot of THIS throughout the day - LOOK.. OVER THERE... do you SEE IT????

Mario sees this pic and says "Daddy - Hats!"

Me and my girlie!

Allison is still as busy as ever but is managing her schedule well. I am not keeping up as well as I would like! lol. Her cheer squad had a bake sale Thursday, Friday and Saturday which they made a great profit. Sunday, she volunteered at the assisted living complex that she has been helping with all summer. They had a festival from 11:30 to 6pm. She really gets a kick out of the residents. Her freshman orientation is the 12th of August... odd... odd that she will be a freshman... odd that in 4 short years, she will be leaving for college... that the next 4 years will I am sure, fly by in a blur of fun....odd that her dad will be her principal... and I will be sitting in the audience at orientation the mother of TWO ready for one to start high school and one not even in kindergarten... what a great life :-) I just need to breathe and take it all in before it goes by so fast...

Mario has now taken to saying LOTS of words in the past week that make me laugh. He says that dad is "mowing"... he now refers to our dog by his full name instead of just Murrs... he now calls him Murry which sounds more like "Moo-wee"...he says "What?" when Alli calls him - with the emphasis on the T at the end...he says "oh MAN!" ...he sings Old Mc Donald "e-i-e-i-oooooooo" with his lips pursed out with the ooooooo....and Itsy Bitsy Spider with adorable arm movements....of course, car, truck, hand... and all kinds of cute words that make me pick him up and kiss his "wittle neck"... this child is the most kissable thing ever.

The Kiddos

2009-07-17T20:55:00.002-04:00

Oh, I just never am on here, but I thought that I would post the few pics I have taken! Here is Mario is all of his glory just singing Old MacDonald...

I just love BOTH of my kids eyes... they are both so unique... Mario's are the deepest brown...
and Alli's are sometime light brown, sometimes light green..she is loving cheerleading and all that summertime has to offer... keeping up with her is a full time job!

Since I have been helping coach the Junior Varisty Squad, Mario has been enjoying A lot of cheering, too! The Varsity Boys' B-Ball coach even sent him a cool shirt...
We hope you are enjoying your summer months as we all know they go by too quickly!

300th Post & 4th Pics!

2009-07-10T19:41:00.010-04:00

It is the 300th Post! When we first started this blog at the beginning of 2007, I thought that it would document bringing Mario home to us. It has become a little family scrapbook for me to put pictures. I am happy there are still a few of you out there reading. It is nice to know that our story and our family is interesting enough to keep you coming back! :-) Even though I don't blog often, I do like to come back and look at how much my own kids have grown!

Our 4th of July was spent with my brother, Jack and his wife Vicki at their house! They had a combined birthday party for their 3 kids, Zach, Josh and Riley who all have summer birthdays! It was a beautiful day, and we had so much fun! Here are a lot of photos of the day (since I ran out and got a new camera card right before the party! :-)

My parents with their grandkiddos! (I took 8 pictures, and this is the best one I got with everyone looking in my general direction.)

Mario did NOT want to go on the swings alone... he loves his Sissy!

Zach and Mo look so serious!

This is my favorite pic... if you see the little Guat legs running, and ALL 4 kids chasing him!
awwwwwww, some Sissy and Riley love

Never a nice pic of Alli... why the face? Teenagers!
I loved this one, too...so sweet!
Riley is so strong! :-)
I love Pap Pap who gives me chippies!
mmmmmm Chippies
Cousin Love

The Rohland Kiddos - Happy Birthday!
JOSH

ZACH

Riley Roo with her personalized back pack... soooo excited to go to school!
Riley with her Holly G Bows! We LOVE Holly's Bows!

ALL of the Bows in her hair... you can have custom bows, too... visit Hollys' site over there

<----------------------------------------

Daddy and his girl

I love the expression on Riley's face! She loves that homemade ice cream cake... mmm, it was wonderful Vicki!
MAKE A WISH!!!!!!!!

Pap and Mario!----------->

me and my boy!

We even got a concert by Zachary... we said his Sax was ZachXY!

My SMILEY Boy!

My sister-in-law is having her shower tomorrow and we hope she enjoys every second of it! We wish we could have been there! :-)))))))

Thank You: Part 2

2009-07-05T10:00:00.004-04:00

Allison (as you have read below) is Freshman Cheer Captain, and she had cheer camp at the end of June. She loved it! My mom & dad wanted to get them a little "welcome" gift, and as freshman, then have no "FHS" cheer gear, soooooo.....

They got them these AWESOME sleeveless shirts! Allison was able to design the logo, and they really turned out great! The girls love them ~ Thanks Mom and Dad!

THANK YOU!

2009-07-04T21:53:00.003-04:00

After getting the comment from my father today (who seriously, I thought did not even read the blog) saying that "since you aren't keeping that blog anymore..."... at that point I knew I better update...

I have LOTS to tell, but the reality of it is, we have just been busy.....summer is busy (I also needed a new camera card and had not been really out and about to get it)! I will do a series of posts over the next few days to update. I need to not worry about my P's and Q's in every post and stress about it... I need to take the attitude that you are here to see the kids, to read what is up with us... you are not her to be critical...so I will just update more and stress less, how about that?

We will start with school ending...Jeff's summer schedule is a bit more flexible (yes, folks, principals DO work in the summer... they do more than discipline kids - lol!). I love him coming home for lunch on occasion and being able to take off to work on some projects!

Speaking of projects: My SUPER in-laws came down a few days, and with Jeff's help, they prepped and put in a sidewalk! It is WONDERFUL. It was a lot of back-breaking work for them (I did pick up a shovel once...then I handed it to Jeff, lol...Mario and I did a lot of playing in the kiddie pool and cheering them on!), but it is SO worth it. We really love how it looks! I call it my runway and have taken to doing my best Tyra Banks impression many an evening. Who knew that a sidewalk could be this much fun. We have yet to break out the sidewalk chalk...since it seriously has rained every blessed day since the concrete set! :-)

We are really grateful for Jeff's parents' expertise and labor with this project. Jeff learned a lot... the main things he learned:
*digging is hard
*his dad has a bit more stamina than him (although Jeff would not like to admit that)
*you DO need those upper level math skills of algebra and geometry
*concrete sets quickly... VERY quickly on hot days
*he is glad he did not chose concrete or ditch digging as a career - hard work!

Here are some pictures of the wonderful finished product... and a BIG THANK YOU to Jeff's folks for all of their help and hard work.. We LOVE the sidewalk:

love.

2009-06-13T11:40:00.001-04:00

Swimming

2009-06-10T10:05:00.013-04:00

Oh, I have been trying and trying to post this week, but blogger is just not cooperating. ugh. We got Mario a little baby pool at Walmart just to "hang out" in the yard...This past weekend was beautiful, so we put it out there, filled it up...and here was his reaction:

"ummm, people, this is NOT bath water temperature... my delicate sensibilities cannot tolerate anything but room temperature please."

"it IS kind of fun to splash in..."

"What... you want me to go IN...no way... now THAT is funny!"

"how about I just put BOTH arms in?"
after Jeff plopped him in ...
"Ummm, I am sitting on the steps, got a problem with that.. I just got my hair done, thank you."

"Now this is the LIFE... see ya, Peeps!"

Congrats to our DRAMA QUEEN!

2009-06-04T10:18:00.005-04:00

Alli's awards ceremony was yesterday at her junior high... and she won the DRAMA AWARD!

Here receiving the award from her play director, Mr. O! Boy, she wishes he could come up to the high school with her! She had the best memories during the 7th and 8th grade plays! She did not know she was getting the award, and she did not know that Jeff (who snuck away from work), Mario and I would be there! We wouldn't miss it for the world!We are so PROUD of how she balances all of her activities (sports, clubs, plays, intramurals, volunteer, etc) and her academics. She is so looking forward to the high school. She will be finished - and officially a FRESHMAN on Friday....my how the time is flying by....

Simple Life...

2009-05-26T10:37:00.007-04:00

We have just been going non-stop as I am sure that All of you have been. Let me sum up quickly:

* Mother's Day was great... the kids/Jeff got me hydrangeas (my favorite flower). Happy LATE Mother's Day to all of you great Mamas and Mamas to Be!
* Alli turned 14! She celebrated by going with her best friend to supper and getting manicures.. and a sleepover. She got an Ipod Touch from us, which when you ask if she likes it, she says, "oh, yes, I am OBSESSED with it. It is AMAZING!" (the 2 bolded words are in constant rotation in her teen vocabulary). I have yet to get a regular Ipod...lol. I bet it would be pretty funny to see me walking the track with my walkman cassette player...I do miss listening to my Poison and Skid Row tapes.
* Alli is volunteering a the local hospital and a nearby assisted living home. She loves both. Her team won their first softball game, and she will run cross country in the fall, so she has started training for that. Cheer camp will come soon enough, and she just cannot wait to get her uniform! :-) Her schedule exhausts me, but she tells me she loves to be busy... me, not so much... I like to be still! lol!
* Jeff is finishing the school year. He loves his job, but the final several weeks leading to graduation are filled with activities and work for him... and excitement for the kids... especially the seniors. He is looking forward to "presiding" over his second graduation ceremony. He has been busy with observations and teacher interviews... and has even started getting ready for next year's schedule. He will be REALLY happy next weekend when the summer work schedule starts, and all of the kids are safely graduated.
* Memorial Day weekend was WONDERFUL. We worked in the yard all week... it is shaping up. Saturday, Jeff's folks came and took Alli to the mall shopping for her birthday. She had a great time. They came back to visit with us here, and of course got a kick out of Mario. They brought him a flag to which he promptly says "Bama"... not sure where he got that?
* Sunday, we went to a picnic at a friends house... they rented one of those bouncy obstacle things... we thought he would LOVE it.. WRONG! He freaked out! He did hug every single child about 100 times...whether they wanted it or not.. I kept telling him "no means no" but he seemed to think that their lips said no and their eyes said yes...lol. He liked when Alli took him on the trampoline! I personally enjoyed talking to big people!
*Monday we spent some time with my parents doing what I love... eating and sitting on their porch! Of course, through ALL of these events, I did not take pictures.. but last evening, Jeff took Mario outside to water, and I took these cuties! He just loves the water! Hope your weekend was as lovely as ours!

such a helper!

Do I HAVE to go inside????

Wordless Wednesday

2009-05-20T14:34:00.001-04:00

CLICK HERE

Favorite? Foto Friday

2009-05-15T13:52:00.004-04:00

This week's Favorite Foto Friday is themed Bloopers... so here are 2 each of the kiddos (and none of me, because we ALL know that I only take perfect, fabulous pictures..yeah, right!). Want to see more? CLICK HERE for Sarah's Blog... and leave her a comment to show her some love!

Why must all teenagers make this face... there are hundreds of pictures in Alli's phone of her and her friends making this and other similar unattractive faces.

I was trying to take a pic of Mario with my dad... yet, he just got stuck in the chair... after I pointed and laughed, I got him out.
Oh, so thankful that the teenager taught the toddler THIS nice face.

If you are in the mood for a GREAT raffle, please visit: http://areyou1in8.blogspot.com/

Even better, grab at "Pray for Trina" button off to the left and, link it to your bloggie! Thanks so much!

1 in 8

2009-05-14T21:51:00.004-04:00

If you haven't sent Trina *pictured with her son, ASA* Love, Prayers, Good thoughts or donated, there is no time like the present. There is a GREAT raffle going on if you just click HERE.

PLEASE grab a button and post it to your blog <---------over there.

PLEASE repost the 1 in 8 entire entry to YOUR blog if you have not done it already.

If you want to read about who you are helping, please click on this link....in Trina's own words.

If they don't move you to help, I can't imagine much will. God Bless my friend while having to deal with so much pain. It certainly makes me think before complaining about little things.

Thank you to those who helped by praying, donating and commenting on the 1 in 8 blog. Please continue to help Trina fight this.

See post Below:

Please help.

2009-05-12T15:17:00.003-04:00

This is my friend, Trina. This is the face of a survivor.

Saying that Trina is going through a rough time is the understatement of the year. Trina has a son, Asa. He is 4 and a half and beautiful. She has a loving husband, Josh. They decided to expand their family, and Trina got pregnant ... then sadly, miscarried. Not discouraged, the ever-upbeat girl decided to try again....and they found out they were expecting again! She was thrilled, but cautious. When pain started in her shoulder, she went directly to the doctor. When brushed off, she persisted only to find out the worst news of her life. After 16 and a half years of being cancer-free she found out that she has cancer again....

in her breast....

in her liver...

Yesterday, the day after Mother's Day, Trina had to terminate her pregnancy. Today, she will endure many tests to see how far the cancer has spread. There is no time for mourning her child. She has to start chemotherapy tomorrow.

These are all things that I cannot, and frankly, don't want to imagine. Trina has been good to me. She is a friend who listens... who is sweet and kind. She will fight this.

I am hoping that any of the readers out there will please visit the following blog:

http://areyou1in8.blogspot.com/

Here you will find a GREAT raffle with opportunities to win great prizes.

More importantly you will find the story of a fighter.

I hope you will donate... either monetarily or through prayer... or buy putting a "Pray for Trina" button on your blog... or donate your facebook status. I hope you will be moved to do something to help.

We have hope. We have faith. We KNOW that Trina will stand up to cancer and FIGHT, but we also know that things are tough, and they could use a hand up.

Would you join us in helping Trina?

Favorite Foto (s) Friday

2009-05-01T17:21:00.003-04:00

Allison had to make a bench in her 9 weeks Tech. Ed. class. She loves the class and likes using all of the machines. She daily comes home with an "I almost chopped my finger off" story though. Kids! My friend teaches the class, and seriously, that must be the most frightening thing to teach. When I taught the scariest thing was a paper cut! :-)

She was able to decorate the bench however she chose... and she chose to make it for her little brother...Mario Patrick...born on St. Patrick's Day...so SWEET!

He uses it every morning and night to brush his teeth at the sink...with his "Bob Bob" toothbrush...is it wrong that he loves Spongebob?

Isn't the clover the cutest...I just about cried when I saw what she chose...until I saw the engraving inside... then I REALLY cried....
I just love that girl. :-)

Want to see more Favorite Foto Friday Pictures? Visit SARAH's BLOG.

Wordless Wednesday from the Park

2009-04-29T14:02:00.005-04:00

RAH RAH RAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-25T17:22:00.003-04:00

Allison looking... did she make the Freshman Cheerleading Squad???????? hmmmm?????

She is #32... SHE MADE CAPTAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are SO PROUD of her! Way to go, Alli! She really wanted this, but not in her WILDEST dreams did she think that she would make CAPTAIN... she was hoping to make it for CO-captain! WOWIE KAZOWIE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a SUPER SHORT video of her "seeing" her #... you will appreciate the shock on her face... she is amazed... and HAPPY! then my camera battery died! lol. Most of her BFFs made it... they are at Chuck E. Cheese's celebrating... funny, huh?

GREAT JOB, ALLI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Foto (s) Friday

2009-04-24T10:14:00.002-04:00

I went a bit off topic considering the FFF theme this week is supposed to be "ME"...don't we all hate photos of ourselves. I thought that you would let me slide this week with these CUTE photos of my little man, Mo! He is a sweet, loud, lovable little man who is in constant motion. I squeeze him and kiss his face off daily. Go see MORE FFFs at SARAH'S BLOG.

*on a side note: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE indulge me and say a BIG BIG BIG prayer for my girl tomorrow morning (around 10-noon). Alli is trying out for the Freshman cheerleading squad...and is trying for CAPTAIN/Co-Capt, too. She has been working and working on the dance/cheer/chant/jumps/splits/tumbling/facials... well, you get the idea! I am proud of her already, and she will be fine if she doesn't make it, but she REEEEEEEEEALLLY really wants to. I will post tomorrow afternoon either way. Pray that if she doesn't make it, that her heart will heal quickly. Frivolous prayer request? Yep. But, don't we all want our kids to be happy? :-) Thanks, friends & family.

Easter Sunday...a leetle beet late!

2009-04-23T14:15:00.004-04:00

Okay, Okay... for you 2 readers out there...not saying I blame ya... I have had no time or motivation to get these up, but seriously, I like to have the pics somewhere, so here is Easter Sunday. The Bunny has always hid my basket in the tub....so going with tradition, he hides our kids in the tub, too. Allison, at nearly 14, SNUCK into our bathroom to see the basket really early in the morning. She wasn't sure if she was too old to get a basket and just wanted to check to be sure. :-)

The kids baskets...

Alli's yellow themed basket...

and Mario's "stuff"

Alli's yellow Roxy bikini

Mario loved Ming Ming... he flies around and sings. I even sewed Mo a little cape to match Ming Ming the other day. He was thrilled but tends to wear it like a toga most of the time...which makes me think ahead to hid college days!

We ended up hanging at my parents house for the afternoon...here we are... and yes, I am dressed like an Easter egg!

Alli and her Pap Pap
and with Nanny (or Nan Nan as Mo calls her)

My dad is always giving him snacks
My parents of COURSE spoiled the kids... Alli got a Coach purse and lots of other things.. they are nutty!

and I just HAD to take a picture of my pineapple upside down cake... I have never made it before, and I just thought that it was so pretty! :-) It was a WONDERFUL Easter!

Easter Saturday

2009-04-18T21:26:00.004-04:00

I guess better late than never is my theme for blogging lately, huh? Well, you all check in for pictures, so I will get right to it....

Easter Saturday, our dear friend Cherrie & her kids came and surprised mine by hiding Easter eggs in our back yard. Boy, was Mario excited! To be honest, Allison was equally excited. They ran around and found all of the eggs... and Alli opened them to see what was in them. That was just the nicest surprise!

Allison would want me to point out that she is dressed for softball practice!

Once they found the eggs, these awesome Easter Baskets were waiting for them!

And this VERY cool digger, which makes noises... Mario LOVES it!

I will post more Easter pics this week. Jeff and Alli had the entire week off, so I was busy. I made all of their appointments for the week off as to avoid it in the summer. The dog even went to the vet! Allison did her two trainings for her volunteer work at the hospital and nursing home. She starts next Monday and is so excited. She tries out for the Freshman cheer squad this Saturday, so check back to see if she made it. She is so nervous, and to be honest, Jeff and I are nervous for her. There are only 11 spots for that squad and MANY more trying out. If you think of it, say a little pray for my girl. I know that she really wants this. :-)

Wordless Wednesday: to make you laugh

2009-04-01T21:05:00.000-04:00

Catch Up Post

2009-03-31T10:41:00.008-04:00

Life is just rolling by, and as many bloggers write: We are just too busy living to blog! This will be a catch up post of the past 2 weeks.

Allison has been participating in a softball skills clinic the past few weekends which the final day will be this coming Sunday. She likes softball, and the clinic was a good way to get her back into the swing of things (pun intended). She will start practice this weekend provided we don't get anymore snow... yes, folks, there WAS snow yesterday...yet, today it is a light jacket day. Only in PA!

Allison had a GREAT part in her school's play. Like last year (click HERE), the school custodian and his wife wrote and directed an original play for the kids. They have been such a wonderful part of Alli's life the past two years, and Alli will surely miss working with them. The play this year was about 2 witches, one sticky sweet/one horrible who accidentally get a spell put on them and they switch personalities. It was called sWITCHed, cleaver, eh? Alli played the sweet witch, then she switched to the mean one... she was mean the majority of the play... and VERY funny. It was really cute to see her playing so rude. She loved being able to be so mean on purpose!

They have 3 performances: one during the day for the students, one Thursday Night and one Friday Night. Jeff's folks, like last year, came to the afternoon performance. Jeff "skipped" a bit of work to join them. She was so excited to have them in the balcony for the performance. They also took time to spend with Mario here before for his birthday, and after to celebrate Alli's play. It is always nice to see Jeff's parents who are so generous with their time for our kids! We had lunch together and cupcakes!

Mario loved having yet another birthday - and cupcakes!

He also liked getting Grandma (Ga Ga) and Grandpa (PaPa) Lesko to do anything he wanted...like push this bike back and forth 200 times by yelling GO! at the top of his lungs!

Look how happy he is! GO!

Grandma just can't get enough kisses from Mario!

CHEEEEESE!!!!!!!!!!!

even when they are "fishy" kisses! Pucker up!

Along with the outfit they sent him in the mail, they brought down this "play station" for Mario... it was a bit drizzly, but that didn't stop him from sliding and sliding...HE LOVES IT!
"come on Pa Pa, AGAIN!"
"Daddy, head first, please!"

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Here is the set of Allison's play... pretty cool!

Grandma and Grandpa were glad to see Alli after the play!
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Thursday, I took Alli down to take some pictures. Jeff drove down with Mario for a bit, but figured that Mario would only make it until about 8pm before he started to get tired... and well, LOUD... so they left after intermission. I am not going to post pics of other kids without parents permission, so here are a few of Alli...

PROUD MAMA!

Alli getting her hair and make up done to look "sweet"

like her character at the beginning ~ Rose. There is a weird glare on this pic, but you get the idea...
And Alli had surprise guests to watch Thursday night...Uncle Jack, Aunt Vicki, Zach, Josh and Riley. Allison was SO happy to see them. I was to give a little shout out to Jack, whose b-day is the 3rd...Zach, Josh and Riley for getting trophies at their Tae Kwon Do tournament this past weekend! WAY TO GO!

Here you will see Alli at the end of the play, with her "not so nice" hair and make up!

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Friday, I went back for the play, and Alli had other special guests, Nanny & Pappy (my mom and dad) and Aunt Joyce (my dad's sister)! She loved having adoring fans each performance. It just meant so much! She got flowers which I mixed together to do my best to make arrangements out of. She was so happy to have them reminding her of the love all week!
It was a great week, but I have to admit, and busy few months...she was glad to rest before softball officially starts! We are looking forward to a very low key couple of weeks with the upcoming spring break! Now if only the weather would cooperate....

Big Boy! (well, bigger.)

2009-03-21T09:08:00.002-04:00

2 year wellness appointment...

26 lbs. 33 1/2 inches tall

of Guatemalan-American Sexiness!

Yeah, Baby!

(said in best Austin Powers imitation)

Favorite Foto Friday: GREEN

2009-03-20T13:40:00.002-04:00

The theme is GREEN this week for Favorite Foto Friday... since our favorite boy was born on the very GREEN day, I thought that I would share his birthday pics. You can check out more GREEN pics on SARAH'S BLOG!

THE CAKE...

We ate supper here, then took the cake and ice cream over to Nanny & Pap Pap's house... here is the cake all lit up wit the Happy Birthday Candles! If you are born on St. Patty's Day, ya get the green icing with shamrocks. It is a must.

My dad and mom with their grandkiddos!

Mario just LOOOOVED the cake....

This picture makes me laugh... he just kept saying MMMMMMM and then throwing his head back.. he REALLY liked the cake! When he ate the ice cream, he kept saying "hot, hot, hot!"...we are working on learning so many new words, so that one was VERY funny!

Nan and Pap love him... they got him too much stuff, but his soon-to-be favorite sand and water table for outside. He will love that!

My family!

Mario loves his Pap Pap! (and thinks he is pretty hot stuff sitting on top of my car!)
pretty girl...

Mario will see Jeff's folks on Wednesday for Alli's play, so we will celebrate a second second birthday then! They sent a package for him to open ON his birthday anyway... as you can see his LOVES mail! lol!
We got him this dump truck...which has been used to haul sippy cups, grapes and the occasional Guatling....
My parents got him this chair, and he thinks that he is tooooo cool sitting in it... he gets his sippy in the cup holder and puts one leg up on the arm... spoiled, much?

Thanks to everyone who sent him cards, gifts, emails, notes on Facebook ... we are really blessed to have him in our lives and also all of you!

Luck of the Guatemalan?

2009-03-17T03:57:00.007-04:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, Mario Patrick!

a few hours old

Age One

AGE TWO!

today...trying to get a picture of a 2 year old it tough, but he is rockin his St. Patty's Day shirt from Aunt Jenny and Uncle D! (oh, and his "happy pants" we like to call them that are very similar to Pap Pap's in the previous post! :-)
He makes THIS face when you tell him to smile.
and gets very bored of me taking pictures

and Alli taught him to do THIS when I get out the camera... big sister's are good for some things... thanks, Sissy!

Happy St. Patty's Day/Mo Patty's Day!

Favorite Foto Friday: THEN

2009-03-13T11:52:00.000-04:00

The theme for this Favorite Foto Friday is THEN. I thought a little blast from the past from when I was little (and one thrown in of my parents) would be fun. I finally got this scanner, so watch out! :-) Check out other FFF pics at Sarah's Blog by CLICKING HERE.

My brother Jack and I....

one of my favorite pics of my mother and I...not sure why I like it so much... I am not even looking at the camera or anything...I just like that it is a bit out of focus, very "man on the street" look... and doesn't my mom look so fashion forward? I love it....

I am sure my dad will just LOVE me for this, but seriously, not sure what he was thinking with the stache AND the pants... and what in the world was I dressed in???? no wonder I look angry...

My family...we never went to the Rockies... why did they do these backgrounds? either that, the split-rail fence or book cases....curse that Olan Mills!
a favorite of my mom and I in their pepto pink bathroom...
and it all started because 2 people fell in LOVE....
I am not sure what year this was... but somewhere between 61 - 67?

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-11T13:49:00.003-04:00

Favorite Foto Friday

2009-03-06T09:28:00.004-05:00

I am such a bad blogger lately, but I am trying to put new pictures of the kids on here at least once a week. It is difficult to get pictures of them. Mario, when the camera comes out, wants to look at what is on the view-finder thing... or is in constant motion and is a blurr. Allison is either out with friends or at an event, so it is hard to pin her down for a pic. Either way, here are a few favorites of my 2 kiddos! To see others Favorite Fotos, go to Sarah's Blog!

Alli loves not having braces and has been very good about wearing her retainers so far. She has one of the leads in her school play, so that has kept her busy lately. She refuses to "run lines" with me. She wants the play to be a surprise to us! She has a softball clinic coming up which will mark the start of the season soon. We need to get the weather consistent....we had a 2 hour delay for COLD last week, yet were in sweatshirts and no coats yesterday. Come on PA!

Our sweet Mario (Mo) has been extra funny lately. Yesterday marked one year since we went o court for his readoption. It is amazing how much a year changes things. He is just the funniest little guy.... always on the go and VERY LOUD! He loves Loves LOVES bathtime. Here he is right after his bath...

I think that he looks like he is doing Yoga here... ohmmmmmmmm.
His favorite activity... JUMPING!
Our sweet little boy!

________________________________________

I do have to give a shout out to HOLLY from http://www.kickassbows.com/ for sending me these beautiful bows for my cousin's baby shower. She really did a superb job. I wish I could wear these and not look silly! :-)

Happy Boy.

2009-02-26T14:30:00.004-05:00

I love this kid. He makes me laugh. It is as simple as that.

usually I get these fuzzy pics because he is in constant motion...

or laughing hysterically

or running recklessly towards me...

or smiling like a crazy man...

pure. joy.

perfect. fit.
all.love.

You can scroll down for more "Mo" posts. Tracey, do you recognize the shirt? I will be changing his clothes 100 times a day to put every single cute thing on him. THANK YOU. and Miss Cherrie... do you recognize the gift with him? He loves Beary!

We are blessed.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-25T09:48:00.000-05:00

Holla!

2009-02-24T20:56:00.005-05:00

Mario has been mimicking things here lately... he makes us laugh on a daily basis. The video below are some things that we laugh and laugh about... and the 13 year old makes him repeat over and over. We have strange senses of humor, so if you don't find it funny, we understand. Please promise to ignore our living room floor as Mario destroys the house daily :-) Holla!

(translation: when you say, "Can I get a What, What?" he replies, "what what!"... he says - I pooped and Holla!)

Fav. Foto Friday! "Fake Out"

2009-02-20T09:03:00.004-05:00

In trying to keep with the theme at SARAH'S BLOG for this week's Favorite Foto Friday, "Fake Out," you would think that I would find some cute fake smiles from Mario.... Nope! The fake smiles I found were of my daughter, Alli....if you have a teenage girl in the house, you too may be aware of the phenomenon that is the "hold the camera out and pose" or the "let's got to the mall and take silly pictures of one another." I raided Alli's pics in her computer file (I know, bad Mama) to share some of the funniest, silliest and cutest Teenage Fake Outs!

The Living Room Couch shot

The Bathroom Mirror shot.

The Bathroom Mirror complete with hand gestures (I am grateful it is a peace sign - lol)

The Silly Hat Store shot
The Shoulder Pad shot (I think that I have a serious shot of me in some shoulder pads long ago...)
The Kanye Glasses with Silly T-shirt that Mom Would never let her buy shot
And of course, my favorite, the silly face that she makes in the majority of the pics. I found many many of her friends making the same face... not sure why, but they all do it! :-)

Thank goodness Alli is a good sport and won't mind that I put these pics up (right, Al, Mama LOOOOOOVES you!).

On another note, if you are looking for some cute gifts for a good cause, check out: http://www.ccthirtyonegifts.blogspot.com/. This fab mama has a Guat Tot, and some super cute stuff... and is giving a percentage of her profits to the Global Orphan Team... what is not to love?

SMILE!

2009-02-19T08:35:00.003-05:00

Here is Alli Before.....with braces....

and

now....

without

braces....

She is SO happy to have the darn things off... and already bugging me to get her teeth whitened! :-) They are very sensitive, but BOY we are happy with them. We have to get her a candied apple this weekend... that was the deal as soon as she got her braces off.

I just keep making her smile at me!

Pennsylvania Winters...

2009-02-18T08:40:00.003-05:00

Alli got her braces off! YAY! I will take new pictures soon to show you. She is so excited, and we are excited for her! In the meantime, I got this forward and laughed...a little slice of living in Pennsylvania:

Dear Diary: Re: Pennsylvania Winters:

Aug. 12 - Moved into our new home in Pennsylvania. It is so beautiful here. The hills and river valleys are so picturesque. I have a beautiful old oak tree in my front yard. Can hardly wait to see the change in the seasons. This is truly God's Country.

Oct. 14 - Pennsylvania is such a gorgeous place to live, one of the real special places on Earth. The leaves are turning a multitude of different colors. I love all of the shades of reds, oranges and yellows, they are so bright. I want to walk through all of the beautiful hills and spot some white tail deer. They are so graceful, certainly they must be the most peaceful creatures on Earth. This must be paradise.

Nov. 11 - Deer season opens this week. I can't imagine why anyone would want to shoot these elegant animals. They are the very symbol of peace and tranquility here in Pennsylvania. I hope it snows soon. I love it here!

Dec.. 2 - It snowed last night. I woke to the usual wonderful sight: everything covered in a beautiful blanket of white. The oak tree is magnificent. It looks like a postcard. We went out and swept the snow from the steps and driveway. The air is so crisp, clean and refreshing. We had a snowball fight. I won, and the snowplow came down the street. He must have gotten too close to the driveway because we had to go out and shovel the end of the driveway again. What a beautiful place. Nature in harmony. I love it here!

Dec.. 12 - More snow last night. I love it! The plow did his cute little trick again. What a rascal. A winter wonderland. I love it here!

Dec. 19 - More snow - couldn't get out of the driveway to get to work in time. I'm exhausted from all of the shoveling. And that snowplow!

Dec. 21 - More of that white crap coming down. I've got blisters on my hands and a kink in my back. I think that the snowplow driver waits around the corner until I'm done shoveling the driveway. Butthole.

Dec . 25 - White Christmas? More freaking' snow. If I ever get my hands on the S.O.B. who drives that snowplow, I swear I'll castrate him. And why don't they use more salt on these roads to melt this crap??

Dec. 28 - It hasn't stopped snowing since Christmas. I have been inside since then, except of course when that SOB "Snowplow Harry" comes by. Can't go anywhere, cars are buried up to the windows. Weather man says to expect another 10 inches. Do you have any idea how many shovelfuls 10 inches is??

Jan. 1 - Happy New Year? The way it's coming down it won't melt until the 4th of July! The snowplow got stuck down the road and the butthead actually had the gall to come and ask to borrow a shovel! I told him I'd broken 6 already this season.

Jan. 4 - Finally got out of the house. We went to the store to get some food and a deer ran out in front of my car and I hit it. It did $3,000 in damage to the car. Those beasts ought to be killed. The hunters should have a longer season if you ask me.

Jan. 27 - Warmed up a little and rained today. The rain turned the snow into ice and the weight of it broke the main limb of the oak tree in the front yard and it went through the roof. I should have cut that old piece of crap and made it into fireplace wood when I had the chance.

Apr 23 - Took my car to the local garage. Would you believe the whole underside of the car is rusted away from all of that salt they dump on the road? Car looks like a bashed up, heap of rusted cow crap.

May 10 - Sold the car, the house, and moved to Florida. I can't imagine why anyone in their freaking' mind would ever want to live in the God forsaken State of Pennsylvania.

We are back!

2009-02-16T10:25:00.004-05:00

After too long, a large electronic store which shall remain nameless which Jeff and I hate with the passion of 10 women scorned fixed my camera - YAY! Things are fine here, short of boring you with the trite "we are so busy" blah blah blah, I will just fill you all in.

The kids are great. Alli is enjoying the play so far...it is practice after school every day of the week, plus intermurals volleyball (she is not playing team volleyball - thank the Lord - it just wasn't her thing) 2 night per week...she also has applied for some volunteer work at the local hospital. As soon as the weather breaks, she will be starting regular 15u softball. There are a few clinics that she will attend, but spring needs to.. well, SPRING so they are able to get outside. In the meantime, so practices her swinging in the basement. She is focused on school so far, but has declared that she is ready for the high school. I will be happy to have both Jeff and Alli in the same building. Not much more you can ask for as a mom, having a strict father AT school with your daughter everyday! :-) Maybe she won't be so thrilled with high school after all! :-)

Here is an updated picture of Alli. She is slowly getting parts of her braces off... another appointment this week. I thought that they all just came off at once, but in this case, no. She hardly complained about having them the entire time. I am so used to them that I am insanely curious to see what they look like under there!

Mario is a nut. He is everywhere. He is funny and sweet most of the time, but man, when he doesn't want to do something, he lets you know it. He went to the grocery store with Jeff and I on Sunday and was over it half way through (even with the free cheese at the deli)... by the time we got to the check out, he was irritated. The bag boy started putting in the bags behind him in the cart... and Mo smacked his arm. I was so embarrassed. The child is nutty sometimes! :-0 His vocabulary is expanding, so we are happy about that. I do think that we are getting a crib tent... anyone have one to recommend? or other suggestions? He hasn't climbed out yet, but he is on the second floor... and I really think that it is a matter of days before he gets that leg over. Here are some pics of bathtime last night. He loves to be in water... makes me look even more forward to summer....

even when this kid is naughty, I just think he is the cutest...I could eat him up!

Other than that, there is not a ton new. I have finally selected a color to paint the powder room... now to just find time to do it. I will take some before and afters although it is not that exciting. I am sewing some pillows for Allison's room....if I can remember how to sew! Projects everywhere and limited time to do them. story of a mom's life, huh?

Well, take care all. I will try to be better about posting now that the camera is working. Check in and let me know that you are still with me when you have time! :-) Thanks for hanging in there,

A little...

2009-02-14T09:14:00.002-05:00

HEART

for you on Valentine's Day!

*going to pick up my camera today! Hopefully more picture posts to follow! :-)

The Station

2009-02-07T14:34:00.004-05:00

*Jeff took Mario with him today to see his parents...it was surprise visit for his mother's birthday. They are only two hours away. Alli had to work on a movie for a school project, so I stayed back with her. With Allison "on location" and Jeff & Mo away, I guess it never occurred to me how quiet the house is. As many times as I say to Jeff that I need a break, when I get one, all I seem to do is miss them. I often find myself saying, "boy, I have a lot to do today/tomorrow/next week." I really should be taking time to enjoy now. This reading spoke to me today... not sure if it will mean anything to you (let me know if it does). In the meantime, I am going to run those errands, so when they get home, I can enjoy them because: The Station will come soon enough.

THE STATION

By Robert J. Hastings

"TUCKED AWAY in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We're traveling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flat lands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination--for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the Station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the Station.

"Yes, when we reach the Station, that will be it!" we promise ourselves. "When we're eighteen. . . win that promotion. . . put the last kid through college. . . buy that 450SL Mercedes-Benz. . . have a nest egg for retirement!"

From that day on we will all live happily ever after. Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no Station in this life, no one earthly place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The Station is an illusion--it constantly outdistances us. Yesterday's a memory, tomorrow's a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday's a fading sunset, tomorrow's a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today. "Relish the moment" is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot oftener. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The Station will come soon enough."

If you haven't visited the blog to my LEFT (scroll down), please click on "Pray for Abby" and pray for ABBY RIGGS. She is a sweet child, and needs healing. Thanks,

Sad.

2009-02-06T14:42:00.003-05:00

From http://www.jointcouncil.org/

February 4, 2009

Joint Council Position Paper

Guatemala: One Year Later

"On January 1, 2008, under significant scrutiny and amidst allegations of corruption, child trafficking and unethical practices, Guatemala implemented the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. Guatemala’s participation in the Convention was applauded by the many governments and NGOs who had insisted on changes to the practices in Guatemala and vigorously supported Guatemala’s participation in the Hague Convention. The implementation was seen by many as the answer to corruption and unethical practices.

Now, 12 months since its implementation, has the Convention truly been the answer? It appears that one year later there are more questions than answers, more needs than funds, and for the children in need of a family, more despair than hope.Since the implementation of the Convention, Guatemala has in fact seen an end to allegations of ongoing corruption in inter-country adoption. Children now have strong protections against child trafficking. Birth families are free from the unethical practices of unscrupulous practitioners. And a Central Authority governing all adoptions has been established in Guatemala.

Over this past year, in addition to these protections, has the Convention’s implementation in Guatemala also served children? Has it enabled children living in institutions to find a family? Unfortunately the manner in which Guatemala implemented the Convention has not resulted in an ethical intercountry adoption system; it has resulted in no intercountry adoption system. The implementation of the Convention has indeed succeeded in adding protections. But it has also failed in its role to serve children. Despite an estimated 6,000 institutionalized children and few domestic adoptions, not one child has found a permanent family through the Convention.

When the Convention was implemented the law stated that the estimated 3,000 adoptions that had been initiated would be completed. One year and countless investigations by the PGN, MP, CNA and Guatemalan courts later, over 1,000 children have yet to have their adoptions completed. Joint Council supports efforts to ensure that each and every adoption is done in the best interest of the children, and recognizes that investigations are a part of that protection. But the cost should not be born by innocent children. Joint Council calls on the Guatemalan government to swiftly bring each pending adoption case to a final resolution and thereby end the deprivations of institutionalization.Protecting children and families from harm is one of the primary roles of the Guatemalan government and their efforts must be recognized and supported. However, much like the scrutiny and attention by the international community exposed the corruption of the prior system, this same community must now refocus their attention to bring to light Guatemala’s ineffective implementation of the Convention and its subsequent impact on institutionalized children and Guatemalan families.

As recently published by Nuestro Diario, a leading Guatemalan newspaper, children are being abandoned to the streets at an alarming rate. With few government institutions to provide care and the closure of many private institutions, some birthmothers are simply leaving their newly born children in trash dumps. Nuestro Diario reports that in Guatemala City alone, 91 children were found abandoned with 70 being new born infants. Twenty abandoned children in Guatemala City were found after they had already perished. What is being done to build a social service system which not only protects children from corruption but also from a tragic death?

The lack of services to children as a result of the poor implementation of the Convention has yet to be addressed by those who supported its premature implementation. With prior knowledge that Guatemala lacked the capacity to properly implement the Convention, why were alternative reforms not considered? Who will assist the Guatemalans in replacing what was the only effective means of finding families for children? Who will help preserve families? Who is building an effective and safe domestic adoption program? Again, one year later there are more questions than answers.The reform of the previous adoption system and the implementation of the Convention required the collective efforts of many governments and NGOs, including the U.S. and European governments. Building an effective child protection system in Guatemala will necessitate another, similar effort. Given the many challenges the Guatemalan government and its children are facing, no one entity can accomplish this task alone. Joint Council calls on the U.S. and European governments along with UNICEF, the NGO community, and The Hague Permanent Bureau to provide the necessary technical and financial assistance needed to appropriately serve the children of Guatemala. After 12 months and little progress it is apparent that only a collaborative effort can create the full range of desired services.The formation of a spectrum of services including Family Preservation, Kinship Care, Domestic Adoption and Intercountry Adoption is desperately needed to ensure that children retain their right to a family and are protected from the detrimental effects of institutionalization, or even an unnecessary death. Joint Council calls on all stakeholders who previously asked for reforms to move with speed in order to provide these much needed services.Some efforts have already begun. UNICEF and the governments of Chile and Brazil have provided limited technical assistance, and USAID is planning two pilot programs focused on family services. These efforts represent a start to services but are clearly not enough. In the past 12 months less than 60 domestic adoptions have been completed. Zero intercountry adoptions have been initiated. And significant family preservation is only in the development stage. When a child protection system results in more children being abandoned and less children finding families, is it not obvious that more needs to be done?

It has been one year since the implementation of the Convention; the children of Guatemala await our answer."

A Gift from the Heart...

2009-02-05T14:47:00.002-05:00

Instead of giving the usual candy and flowers to one another, Jeff and I will be donating to the Global Orphan Team. If you are at a loss of what to do for Valentine's Day... or you need a Valentine, please consider donating, too!

CLICK HERE FOR THEIR SITE

Taken from The Global Orphan Team's Site:

In lieu of chocolate and candy hearts this Valentine’s day, why not donate to a worthy cause and brighten the day of a child?
By making a small donation (tax deductible) to Global Orphan Team beginning immediately through February 14, 2009, you will be sending a Valentine heart to the children of “Project Valentina.” The hearts will include your name and will have “YOU ARE LOVED!” printed on them as well.
At the end of the month, we will update you with pictures of the children who receive your hearts. We hope to do things like this often to reinforce our commitment to our children. We want to be “present” in the orphanages we have chosen to support as much as possible and we think this is a great way to do that. We want our children to feel our love for them consistently, not just when we are able to travel to Guatemala to see them.
For a $25 donation, we will send a “Valentina” heart on your behalf (hearts will be cut from 8×10 paper so you have an idea of the size), and don’t forget, you will receive an update at the end of the month full of pictures of the precious children who enjoyed your Valentines!
Would you help us spread the word? We will accept donations through our website until February 14th for this project as well.
Click on the donate page to submit your donation and help us cover the walls in BIG RED HEARTS!

Please feel free to post a link to your blogs or donate your facebook status for a day and post the link there! :-) I am hoping for our camera to be fixed here soon, so you can get updates of our kids in action!

Thanks,

G'fest & Update

2009-01-30T18:55:00.003-05:00

We are sad that we can't attend this year, but it sure seems like it will be FUN... if you are interested, please feel free to visit G'fest's site for details!

To be honest...if cruise ships didn't freak me out so much, I would be on one RIGHT NOW. I spoke with Jeff's parents who told us that this season their area (2 hours north of us) has had about 125 inches of snow total this winter...We FEEL like we have had that much. We have had 2 cancellations and many delays. It is slowly chipping away at our Easter break and my sanity! I feel like all I am doing is complaining about the snow, but it really has been a LONG winter, and we are only about half way through. I have cabin fever... we really don't leave the house all week. We are supposed to get a slight reprieve this weekend, then lots more on Monday.

The kids are great! Alli's report card was so good... we are proud of her! She completed a batting clinic for softball and learned a lot. She is looking forward to the start of softball season (which means it will be SPRING!)! She made it for the play... not sure which part, she will find out on Tuesday. She loved the play so much last year, so I am happy she made it again (I think that she would have been heart broken if she hadn't).

Mario is a wild man... and funny. He likes to make the dog howl, so he screams at him until he does, then laughs. It is entertaining for the first 10 minutes. :-) He is picking up more words. Allison likes to teach him funny ones...like booger and bum. We are appreciative of the interaction but not so much the word choice. He is such a joy and makes us laugh every day.

Once I get out to get my camera, and things get a bit back to normal, I will post more pictures. I don't have much going on here other than, shovel, snow blow, stay inside, cook laundry, shovel, snow blow, etc.

Still Here

2009-01-25T10:41:00.002-05:00

I know that I have been a baaaaad blogger lately, but my camera is in repair, so no pictures have been taken. Also, there is not a whole lot going on other than colds, snow and mundane things. We are fine, everything is fine... just kind of slow and boring due to being stuck in the house a lot because of WINTER! I swear we will be back on soon! :-)

What did you do this weekend?

2009-01-12T17:03:00.002-05:00

We dug and dug and dug and shoveled and dug.... well, you get the point. We got A LOT of snow here this weekend....as Jeff and I were shoveling, we said the same thing that we say every year at about this time... WHEN ARE WE MOVING SOUTH? :-)

our car

our back yard...

Our driveway and road (at the bottom)

Jeff snow blowing prior to the shoveling and rain and slush...ugh.
up and down the driveway..... what a great hubby!

Christmas with the Leskos

2009-01-10T12:16:00.007-05:00

Our final Christmas celebration was with Jeff's parents. It is SO nice to have the celebrations spread out... it makes them more special, and the kids really appreciate seeing everyone more in small spurts. This year was really wonderful. We all got to spend special time with everyone and enjoyed ourselves a lot. It seriously was one of the best Christmas Holidays I have remembered in a long time.

Having Jeff's parents here is really nice. They are overly generous with their time in the Spring and early summer - especially this year with all of the hours they spent helping us get our driveway finished and the yard done, it is just nice to slow down and visit with them. Of course, they spoil our kids even more, and we love it!

Have I ever mentioned how spoiled I am as a daughter-in-law? Not only are Jeff's parents incredibly helpful with all things yard-related, his mother is the BEST baker. She bakes AMAZING cookies - and the best part, she brings container after container down here for us. I never bake a cookie at Christmas. My theory is that if it doesn't come in a tube, then you certainly don't want ME baking it. I know we are supposed to share the cookies that she bakes, but this year, we ate them... all....not good for our figures but that is what New Year resolutions are for, right? :-)

Mario was very excited to see his "GaGa Lesko and PaPa Lesko" (he was very excited to see more gifts, too!)

Alli is ALWAYS thrilled to get gifts from them... perfect! (if you click on the picture, you may be able to see her nails that are cheetah airbrushed - very cool... she has since had the acrylics removed since softball batting clinics have started!)

Jeff's dad opening his "go phone" (and Mario in the back sneaking a sippy of my water!)
Jeff's mom collects the Lennox that has the Christmas cardinals on it... I did not notice if she had the chip dish... she didn't! YAY!
Our darling shih tzu, Murry. He gets many Christmas gifts, too!

Mario's favorite gift from them was the Dirt Devil sweeper... he plays with that all day...all I hear is "hmmmmmmmm"...lol! It picks up a little, too! Cool!

Jeff got his Erie hometown team shirts... The Bayhawks and more!

hmmmmmmmmm

more Erie stuff
hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
We made a special photo book for The Leskos... I loved making it. I looked at that thing about 100 times before wrapping it. Such GREAT memories from 2008.

It was an unseasonable warm day after Christmas, so we took advantage of running around outside a bit.... and The Leskos had to check their plantings! :-)

Alli out walking the Murrinator

Grandpa and Mo walking on the turn around and waving to the neighbors
picking up sticks...

This is by far my favorite...walking up the driveway, Mo in mid-step... so cute!
Run, PaPa, RUN!

I hope you had as relaxing and wonderful of a holiday as we did in 2008. I will post pictures later tonight of the MASSIVE snowfall we had today. In the meantime, we are going to try to dig our way out! Have a GREAT weekend!

Christmas Day

2009-01-07T19:02:00.003-05:00

What... I wasn't eating anything, Mum Mum.

Pap looking through the book we made for them of pictures of the kids

Christmas early afternoon, we headed with lasagna pans in tow to "hang" at my parents. These 2 pics are all of the salvageable pics I got... by that time, we were tired and lazy! :-) We ended up getting more gifts that day... it is amazing how blessed we are with such a generous family... and I have not yet posted the pics of Jeff's folks' Christmas with us... we are going to have to build an addition on for all of our new things!

*on a current update... Mario went to the doc's today for a vaccination...we weighed him, and he is 26 pounds! YAY! Alli went to the orthodontist yesterday, and she got the center bottom braces off. They are super sore, but they look fantastic! I can't wait to see the tops!

Christmas Morning...

2009-01-05T13:12:00.005-05:00

I know that I am super-late in posting these, but I like to look back at these pictures in the upcoming months... the kids change, and when you are with them everyday, you don't notice... I figure my 5 readers won't mind how late things are, as long as there are pics of the kids!

Christmas morning, we get up and open gifts at our house, then head to my parents' house. Having kids this far apart sure is entertaining. Alli gets the whole "Santa" thing being 13 and all. Mario doesn't understand who Santa is except for the scary man we made him sit on (see a few posts back)...Alli was so grateful. She asked for gift cards... I couldn't "just" give that child gift cards, so of course she was thrilled to get more than she had hoped for. Mario was just excited with the TOYS!

Mario, Murry the shih tzu and Alli's stockings

Mario was just shocked at the gifts....

joy

YAY... BROBEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!kissing Brobee! He got LOTS more toys, but he LOVED Brobee!

Alli loved her digital camera, which was a surprise!

I love this picture... Alli is such a wonderful big sister!

he got a few instruments!

But, we think that this may have been his favorite "gift"... bowls? funny what they like, huh?

Oh, Jeff and I were there, too... I got a new cell phone (mine died)... and finally got this book (Ruthanne).. it was really good! Jeff and the kids got me lots of other things, too!

Jeff got this book...some clothes....

and....

his William Shatner bobble head doll that says Denny Crane when you push it.... the man is easy to please! :-)

It was a very Merry Christmas Morning!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

2009-01-03T20:08:00.010-05:00

Since the Christmas Holiday here is, I am sure, similar to yours, the celebration goes on for days and days... just like when I was little, I am sure my kids don't realize that Christmas is just supposed to last one morning... so I thought that I would FINALLY get our Christmas pictures up...there were just so many photos! It was really a busy and wonderful holiday, so I will break each "event" into a separate blog... Let's start with Christmas Eve... (the pictures are out of order, but who cares... I am too tired to switch them! :-)

Christmas Eve is spent with a very large dinner at my parents' house. My Grandmother Gesko (Gummi to the great grandkids) and my mom's sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Dan come in from Maryland. The kids get SO excited to see them and spend time with them. At our Christmas dinner, we eat a clove of garlic before the meal and a dish called obaganza - I KNOW that I am butchering the spelling, but what it is is dough balls covered in a poppy seed sauce. Both are equally disgusting in my opinion, but it is tradition to bring you luck in the new year. Those crazy Slovaks! :-) On Christmas Eve, we open gifts with my brother Jack's family.

Gummi with her great grandkids. (left to right: Mario, Alli, Josh, Riley & Zach)

My mom and dad, Nanny and Pappy to the grandkids (l to r: Mario, my mom, Alli, Josh, my dad, Riley & Zach)

My brother, Jack's family with Gummi (Josh, Vicki, Riley, Zach, Jack, Gummi)

My mom's sister, Sandy and her hubby Dan

Jeff and I (yes, I am aware that in EVERY picture my bra strap is showing... ahhh!)

sister-in-laws

my niece and I

I got the boys marshmallow shooters which were a big hit!
Mario admiring Riley's Barbie... it sings!

Alli and her Pap

my girl

This one is for Holls... Riley LOVED her Holly G Bow! (you can get them at the link to the LEFT)

my brother, the Grinch!

My mom always hosts such a wonderful Christmas Eve celebration... thanks, Mom!

dad happy with Pitt stuff!

Alli happy with the entire Nightmare on Elm Street set... not to be watched in this house! :-)

Mario opening...

silly

helper

more silly

bring on the grub!

no, seriously, is anyone gonna feed me?

how about some pumpkin pie?

It is always nice to be with family... especially at the holidays.

The star on my parents' tree that has been the same one since we were little... when it is plugged in, it heats up and spins little stars all over the ceiling.. it is cool, even at my age!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T20:18:00.002-05:00

Turn up the volume, and enjoy my New Year favorite by Miss Ella.... Be safe tonight.

Others from my New Year "favs list"... Enjoy!

"This will be our year"... OK Go

"New Year's Resolution" - Otis Redding & Carla Thomas

"Happy New Year" - Camera Obscura

"Bringing in a brand New Year" - BB King

"Happy New Year" - Luna

"In the Midnight Hour" - Wilson Pickett

and certainly: "Auld Lang Syne" - Jimi Hendrix

I hope your 2008 ends and your 2009 starts with LOVE...

Much Love,

Who....

2008-12-29T10:48:00.000-05:00

Me? I didn't eat any whipped cream.

the wonder...

2008-12-28T18:52:00.001-05:00

My Aunt took this picture Christmas Day of Mario staring at the tree, and I love it. I will post more tomorrow, but wanted to get this one up.

Happy Holidays, Bloggers!

2008-12-24T22:00:00.003-05:00

Dear Friends,

Happy Holidays to all of you!

The Lesko Family

Jill, Jeff, Alli and Mo!

* This card was created by my friend, Kim from Little Ladybug Designs. She does custom announcements, invitations, video montages, & more. Please check her out!
http://www.littleladybugdesigns.com

Ho, Ho, Ho!

2008-12-23T10:41:00.007-05:00

Since I know that most of our family and friends come here for the pictures, I figured I would post some miscellaneous pics from the past month....

We tried so desperately to get a photo of Mario and Alli....well, Mario does NOT like to sit for photos... there were tears and for something that should have taken minutes spanned over the course of an evening. Why do they make it so difficult? :-) Most of you should have received Christmas cards yesterday/today, so you will recognize these pics:

Of course, Alli just poses and poses, irritated, yes, but she will just sit there and smile!This one of him was too blurry to use... since he was trying to climb down from the chair! So, we used this one instead...
We finally were able to get both kids looking at the camera with Jeff behind me jumping and screaming like a moron! I have such a great hubby! and a patient daughter...
There were several of Alli reading to Mario, but since we did not send cards last year, I know that everyone wanted to see Mo's face!

Here is our mantle....

and our tree... where all of the bulbs have moved around... can't imagine why...that boy won't keep his hands off of it! Anyone else having that same problem? I seriously wedged the tree in the corner AND put a fence in front of it... and still his little hands go right for that darn thing!

Mario was SO frightened of the Easter Bunny, so we kind of knew that he would want NO parts of Santa...but, we tried anyway... we were trying to get him excited...

It was 10 degrees... and we were going to a plaza near out house that is about a half mile away....
"I can do it MYSELF, Dad!"

"WHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEE"

Buckle up!

ready!

He got these antlers....but, I will make you wait until the end for the Santa pic!

Afterwards, we went to Nanny and Pap Pap's house... Pap Pap had a birthday yesterday! Happy Birthday, Pappy!
Pappy has the largest display of "singing" toys for the kids... Mo is not totally thrilled with them, but Pap sure is! lol!
My mom does a GREAT job decorating for Christmas... here is her mantle...

I just liked this pic of Jeff brushing the hair out of Mo's eyes... he just is smitten with that little boy....

We will leave you with these 2 pics ... one of Allison that I love...I can't wait for Christmas for the kids... we are so blessed...
and of course, the final pic of what Mario thinks of Santa....
He DID end up saying HO, HO, HO to him and high fiving him... as long as Santa did not touch him or the ball that they gave him! :-)

Happy Holidays, ALL!

33

2008-12-18T10:04:00.003-05:00

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

~ ee cummings

Happy 33rd Birthday!

To Jeff: M.S.P.~I.A.T.L.O.

To make you laugh... may you not have an "Ed Rooney" kind of day at work! :-)

'tis the season

2008-12-15T17:46:00.004-05:00

Between Alli sick this past week, Jeff with a sinus infection currently, and Mario with a fever the past 2 days, blogging or taking pictures have not been happening... oops! I will have plenty of Christmas posts throughout the end of the month. Not a whole lot has been happening with us anyway... shopping, wrapping, etc.

In the meantime, if you are looking f0r a last minute gift, why not donate to the Global Orphan Team? Your "special recipient" will receive a lovely card like so:You can find more information by visiting Julia's blog by clicking HERE or by visiting the GOT blog over on the LEFT side... scroll down! Thanks!

Support

2008-12-11T08:49:00.003-05:00

Please click HERE to visit Annie's blog, and comment some support of you can.

She just suffered the great loss of her dog. We love our Murry here so much, and I cannot imagine life without him.

Mo

2008-12-09T12:44:00.000-05:00

Snowflake Oh Eight!

2008-12-05T19:55:00.009-05:00

Allison went to her Junior High's Snowflake dance. She "went" with a guy friend.. although the did not travel together there ~ dates to this are more "theoretical"....lol... they get "formal" pics taken at the dance... dance a few slow songs, that is about it. She was more excited to hang with the girls... well, frankly getting ready is more fun than the actual dance! (I took lots of pics, so feel free to scroll by quickly)

First, it was all about the shoes... Alli is barely 5 foot, so these shoes were funny on her! They were VERY pretty though... I personally would not have allowed this high of a heel, but that is what you get for sending her with her Grandma to shop... she asks and receives! hee hee!

The other big thing was taking her yesterday to get acrylic nails. I have always said no - wait until you are older... but I caved. She has had manicures before, but never a full set! They turned out just the way she wanted....her dress has royal blue, so she did them to match... she has such tiny hands (we will have to measure hers to yours Trina - I hear yours are freakishly small! lol)

She also went to the salon to have her hair done today... she loved it!
There was a knot in the back...to hold up the sides... I am not sure how that lady did that? It was cool!

Here is Alli's dress. When we bought it, it fit perfectly... today, she put it on, and it was too big.... RIGHT before she had to leave... so there I was sewing a tuck in the side. Sheesh... talk about pressure on the seamstress! :-) I thought that she looked cute!

If anyone makes any comments about my crazy hair or looking like Rosie O'Donnol in this pick, I will give you the Stink Eye! I had just sewn a dress for goodness sakes! lol!

Alli and her Daddy... he had to go directly to supervise a Varisty girls' b-ball game after... don't they look sweet?

Alli and her dapper brother!

We stopped in to see Pap Pap at work... he is back to work this week and recovering well from his hip surgery! He is VERY busy filling perscriptions.. it sure seems like everyone is sick right now!

Then we stopped over to see Nanny... Alli just LOVES her grandparents.... they are the best!
Then off to the gazebo to take some pics with her BFF's!

It was freezing, but fun!
Afterwards, it was King's for a late night snack with pretty much everyone who went to the dance! She sure created memories and made me pretty nostalgic of all of the great times I had in school!

Fab

2008-12-03T11:33:00.004-05:00

ANDREA gave me this Super-Fab Award - Thanks, Girl! She is mother to the most fabulous, Madelyn Belle! I don't think that I deserve the "fab" award since I hardly post, but I am not one to turn down an award, so THANKS!

Here are the rules to receiving this award:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous bloggers in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them.

So here it goes... in all of their glory: My Addictions:

1. reading - I love to read... I was not always a "reader," but I sort of grew into it. I read everything, but love books that are fiction, but real fiction... you know, like the characters are like people you know in real life. I don't like cheesy predictable crap, or romantic drivel... cynic, maybe, but that is what I like. I tried some memoirs and liked them... I tried Christian fiction, sorry, can't do it... couldn't get through The Shack, does that make me a bad person? lol.
I am in the middle of reading Wally Lamb's new book, and I can't get enough... I am actually rationing it because I do not want it to go too quickly! I take book suggestions... Ruthanne, I am getting Zippy for Christmas from the hubs! Can't wait!

2. terrible tv - I mean terrible. The Real World - every episode - every season for 20 some YEARS, The Real World Road Rules Challenge, Paris Hilton's New BFF, Charm School, Real Housewives - every season, Top Chef, Project Runway, all of it. I watch some serious garbage, but I like it. Jeff just groans when I have the remote, but really honey, how much Sports Center and O'Reilley Factor can you watch?

3. Lipton Black Iced Tea - Lemon flavored in a bottle - I love it.

4. Altoids - I carry them with me all of the time. Fresh breath is very important. :-)

5. blogs and Facebook - I love staying in contact with people, but miles and families certainly make it tough to stay in touch. Blogs, email and now Facebook make it SO much easier. If you do not yet have an account, get one. I always VOWED that I was too old for it, but I loved that I reconnected with sorority sisters, college buddies, and people from high school that I have not talked to since the 90's!

Now I must tag 5:
Steph - because now that her kids are in public school, she seriously is sitting there eating bon bons, right? lol
Cams - because I know U2 and Bubble Town HAVE to be in her top 5.
Annie - because she is all moved in and needs to do one of these.
Kathleen/Beya - next to my mom, one of the coolest on the planet!
Sissy/Trina - because she drank beer in a church when she came to Pittsburgh because she is cool like that (check out her blog)
oh, and for good measure I throw in the bow-making Queen, Holls, because she makes the most kick ass bows around!

Homecoming Day

2008-11-29T10:58:00.003-05:00

Mario's Homecoming Story:

Last year, Thanksgiving was a whirlwind. It was earlier last year, and the agency called us Thanksgiving Day to tell us to book the plane ticket for the escort to bring Mario home. We could not have been happier calling all of our family and friends to tell them the GREAT NEWS. A Thanksgiving miracle! We booked the flights, were thrilled, only to have that thrill turn into dread when we got home...when we got home from dinner at my mom and dad's, we got a call telling us that there was a problem with the Visa. Our agency director said to cancel the flights, and that she was very sorry. sorry... there were no words for that disappointment. I had waited for what seemed my whole life to see this child, hold him, and they were sorry.

After contacting our congressman, and making about 100 calls and sending about 200 emails, we finally got it figured out...our congressman's office had put some pressure on the Visa office to wire some things and all of the sudden, we were told to book the escort's flight for the 29th. When I say all of the sudden, I mean immediately. Both Jeff and I were guarded, worried that the rug was to be pulled out from under us once again. Would he REALLY be on that plane? We waited until the last minute to call our parents. We even waited until we were on the way to the airport to call Jeff's sister. We were afraid that she would drive all the way from Indiana, only to be met with no nephew at the gate. Who knew if that child was on the plane?

We got to the airport, and the plane was supposed to land at 5:45pm. A wonderful lady got Jeff and I back to the gate. Allison could not join us... I stood there and cried as I had to leave her with my parents at the baggage claim. Briskly, we were rushed back to the gate...Both Jeff and I were sweating by the time we reached the destination. We were a little early, so we walked around a little, only to notice that people started coming through the tunnel! Had we missed her? Where would we find her? We had never met the escort, had no idea what in the world she looked like! Anxiously, one of the final people to get off of the plane was this cute little woman with the sweetest boy in a stroller.... our son. and he was WAVING.... well, he had his hand up. This poor little face, so pale from the travel, was OURS. Jeff and I cried, and finally, I turned to Myana and asked if I could take him out of the stroller. She replied with my favorite words of the day,

"Sure! He is YOURS!"

When we were on our way to baggage claim, we had to take a "tram" to get back. I was holding Mario, and trying not to drop him... I kept saying "Hi!" to him. This lady said, " oh, he is so cute!" to which Jeff replied, "Thanks, we just met him." The people in the tram were asking LOTS of questions, and were SO excited for us! Not as excited as the people waiting for us at the gate! Our parents, Allison, my brother's family... all there to meet the new edition! It was so exciting. The drive home was so funny since we drove so slowly and kept saying, "this is so weird."

The first months were trying due to some health problems Mario had which left us quarantined. The quarantine was wonderful in a way because it gave us all a time to become a family. You can read all about the first month or so in the archives or click below:

November 2007

December 2007

It is amazing what a year can do to change your life. When Mario first came home, we said he was in a "baby coma." The poor thing just laid there silently. His hair was rubbed off all around, and his head was misshapen from the constant laying. Now, the boy is running, chatting, yelling, laughing and playing every single day. He is lovable and always giving "squeezies" and "kissies" to us (and his stuffed animals). He honestly could use a haircut ever 2 weeks, it seriously grows like a muppet! He is joyful. That is what I think of him when I see him:

full of JOY.

This was the best decision that our family could have ever made. It was a huge leap of faith since there are 12 years between our kids, but I honestly feel that even the rough spots have been good for us all. We cannot imagine life without either of our kids.

I look back and see that I wrote on 12/3, "tell me this will get better" as I sat there with an entire sick family and a son getting shuffled from one doctor to another... ALL of you have assured me over the past year that it would get better, and BOY DID IT! I am blessed. Blessed to have my family, and blessed to have "met" all of you wonderful bloggers who have offered me advice, support and humor over the past 2 years!

Thank God for all of our Blessings.

If your would like to make a donation to a cause we support whole-heartedly, please visit the Global Orphan Team at the link to the LEFT (scroll down a bit). You can order from either of the 2 business links as well who BOTH donate to GOT. Just click on their logos by the GOT logo. Lastly, PLEASE take Cameo's challenge and click on this link below to see what she is doing to help with the GOT... see how you can get involved! THANKS!

CAMEO's (red) CHALLENGE

LOVE

2008-11-24T13:47:00.001-05:00

Boy in the Hood

2008-11-20T20:54:00.004-05:00

hee hee... I thought that I would post a few pics of Mario.. lately he's been smiling with his eyes shut every time I pull out a camera... that is if he stays still long enough....

Mama said knock you out... eminem jr.

take a bow...

look at me, mum mum... I am such a good boy...
cheeeeeese
extreme close up
more cheeeeeese

sooo naughty... hope Santa doesn't see this!

She Bangs!

2008-11-19T19:22:00.005-05:00

Other than Christmas shopping, not a whole lot has been going on at our house... I like it that way! I have to admit that Facebook is consuming some of my time... okay, more than I would like to admit...I always said I would never have one and was too old, but now that I have reconnected with SO many old high school friends and sorority sisters, I am thrilled!

My dad is on the mend after his final hip surgery and subsequent infection as a result of said surgery. Other than being on iv medication until mid-December, all seems to be getting back to normal for them! Thank you, again for your thoughts, prayers and kind comments!

Alli is fine... she is in between activities, so she is attending everyone else's activities. The pictures below are of her prior to leaving to attend a hockey game. This child does not let any grass grow under he feet that is for sure.

Mario is a wild man. He is picking up new words every so often... today it was APPLE SAUCE! It is hilarious. He probably thinks that we are SO odd since we keep making him repeat it! He is just so independent and wants to run constantly. I wish I had a smidgen of his energy. His constant movement and irritation when made to stop has caused a lull in picture taking. I have a few that I will post this week, but they are not that cute...or focused really... I should just take lots of him napping! lol!

I thought that I would at least update you with some random pictures. I cut bangs into Alli's hair (at her request, not mine) and thought you would like to see them. She complains when I ask her to have her picture taken... so I just do it until she gives up... you will certainly see the progression here:

get away from me, Mom.

ignoring you....

seriously, I will pretend that you are not even here...
starting to crack a little smile...

Fine, just take the stupid thing!

okay, enough already...

***********************************************

On a different note, a close friend of mine's son was quite ill this past week. I do not want to go into specifics for their privacy, but now that mostly everyone in town knows, I thought it would be okay to at least ask for prayers here for his continued recovery. It is amazing the healing power of prayer, and honestly, I saw it work this week. God took care of that little boy, and for that, I am grateful. I know that she reads my blog and will catch up once she is home in her own bed for the first time in a week... I love you, girl - no mom should have to go through the stress you have in the past week. God must have really given you strength.

********************************************

Lastly, if you scroll below and click on Deanna and Brent's blog, they could use your prayers and well-wishes, too! She explains it best on her blog! Thanks!

Yeah!

2008-11-12T22:34:00.003-05:00

My friends, Deanna and Brent have been waiting FOREVER for a child.... and the news came today that their daughter Auri is

OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click here to comment them some well-wishes!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trauma, Life with the Leskos

2008-11-10T13:35:00.003-05:00

EDIT: Alli's arm is NOT BROKEN...YEAH! Oh, and I am all decorated for Thanksgiving! Whoops...

Seriously, what a week it has been here. I keep asking if life gets easier, but then I realize how much harder others have it, and I try to shut up! lol! Then I continue to complain... lol.

My father is doing better. He got out of the hospital on Saturday. What started out as a small irritation from what he thought was from the staples, then steri-strips turned into a full-blown infection. He was discharged with iv antibiotics which he will need twice a day through a pic line until mid-December. He is not very happy about that, but he is thankful he is out of the hospital. If you don't mind keeping him on your prayer lists a bit longer, that would be great! We need to see him doing the twist again, soon!

Mario has been sick since Halloween with a cold that just won't let up. His poor runny nose has now turned into a raw mess which we are putting antibiotic ointment on. Poor guy seems to get every blessed cold. We hope that today is the final day of it. It certainly has not changed his energy level... he is still tormenting the dog, trying to mow him with the play mower, cover him with the clothes basket and sit on him. Oh, joy! Poor Murry... as soon as I lift Mo out of the crib in the morning, he says, "Maaaasssss!" meaning "Murrs!" Poor, Poor Doggie!

Last, but certainly not least, Alli went ice skating this weekend with friends. She was racing a boy on the hockey team (my girl will NOT be out done!) and let's just say, HE knew how to stop. She crashed into the wall with her arm. We waited to see if it would get better, but ended up getting x-rays this morning. The doctor says she has a severe hematoma, and she will have to be in a sling for a few weeks. We will see what the x-rays show. I took her this morning, and she kept telling me to hurry up, so she could get back to school... whhhaaaat??????? What kids WANTS to go back to school? weird child!

Jeff and I are fine. tired, weary, but fine. We got so much done this weekend, surprisingly. We gave our couch and love seat to a friend's daughter who is in college and moving to her own apartment. We took my parents' couch and love seat since they are getting a new set. Ours was easy to move out. It is small and not too heavy. We had quite a time of it moving my parent's stuff though. It is MUCH larger and heavier. We got the couch stuck in their door and had to have their neighbor to come and help Jeff get it out... then we got it over to our house and could not get it through our sliding glass doors... our front door is wider, but we have the staircase railing right inside the door and a small stoop and 3 steps up to the door, not conducive to moving a couch in...buuuut, the front door was our only option....we got it stuck in OUR FRONT DOOR. At that point, we were hoping that some person would drive by and feel pity on us and stop to help us... no such luck. By this time, it was dark, starting to sprinkle and our language was getting a bit more "sailory." Thank goodness for neighbors, because we asked ours to come and help.

It all looks great, and now we have a story to go along with the furniture... and some pulled muscles where neither of us knew we HAD muscles. We are happy to have everything done, all decorated for Halloween, the patio furniture put away, AC and grill covered... wow, this is the earliest that we have been ready for the snow!

I will "edit" once the x-rays come back on Alli.. pray for NO BROKEN ARM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Thankful Thursday

2008-11-06T18:45:00.003-05:00

Here are the long awaited photos of Mario & Jeff on their way to vote (I went, too, but was taking the pictures, of course!). We are grateful that he is with us for the election. We are grateful that he is a US citizen. We are grateful that our final home study post placement visit was Saturday, and they are OVER... "all done" as Mario would say. He is ours FOREVER! Yeah!"I am so excited, even though I am sick with a cold... where are we going?"
"Coooool! I got a sticker AND an American Flag! I love the USA!"

"What do you mean your guy didn't win, Mum Mum? Oh, well. We support whoever is in office!"
**********************************************************

There are so many things for which to be to be thankful , even with bad things happening. My father is back in the hospital. Right after we all voted, he headed to the doc for a check up after his hip replacement surgery. The doctor did not like how the incision looked and sent him back into the hospital. He is still in there with iv antibiotic. He is feeling okay, vitals are good, but is super-irritated that he has to be in there. They put in a pic line in order to have a quick way to get the 2 iv antibiotics in. They feel that he will have to come home with ivs. His is an unhappy camper, but we are thankful that they caught it in time. My mom is hanging in there and keeping the nurses and docs in line! Keep Mario and Alli's Pap Pap in your prayers this week! His name is Jack! Thanks, All!
** I do want to give props to my hubby who came home from work on Tuesday to hang with Mo, so I could run my dad to the hospital and stay with him a bit. I have the BEST husband who loves my family like I do. He really is a great son to them. I just love him.

Alli is at her Fall dance tonight, but I wanted to give a shout out to her... her report card was AWESOME. I know how hard she worked this year so far, and I know that Jeff and I are SO PROUD of her! Goooo, Alli!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Favorite Foto Friday!

2008-10-31T19:17:00.008-04:00

Mario celebrated his first trick-or-treating in the US last night! We went over to my mom and dad's plan (what we call our housing developments - Jeff thinks that is weird, too!) as we do every year. It is so nice to see all of my old neighbors and for them to see our kids. Alli was of course, hanging out with friends. She had a great time, but raided Mo's candy as soon as we got home! Mario really didn't know what to make of it all, but liked seeing everyone... he also liked the m & ms! The fire truck driving around and beeping its horn was a huge hit, too! The best part was hanging with Nanny and Pappy!

So what you have all been waiting for..... Mario was a........

FROGGIE - ribbit ribbit!

(which is perfect for the favorite foto Friday at Kiss the Frog, huh, Sarah? Click on her name to see more)

This costume made us laugh... he has such big eyes, it was just perfect!

What are you putting in my bucket, Nanny? Fish? YAY!

I love how he looks at my mom!

So, sweet, Mo and Nan Nan!
You better have some candy for me, Pap!
Hanging out in the cold watching the fire truck!
We are so happy Mario is HOME.

We hope that you all had a Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!

Children of the Corn

2008-10-28T19:56:00.003-04:00

This time of year evokes lots of fun childhood memories. I love this time of year for the weather (although we could do without the SNOW flurries right now), football and especially Halloween. I am not much into the costumes for myself, but I love seeing what everyone else picks - I think that it says a lot about a person knowing what they were as a child. It was always the best Room Party at school since you got to dress up in elementary school and walk through all of the classrooms then the cafeteria where all of the parents came in to see the costumes. Oh, the school Halloween Parade! I remember vividly rounding the corner of that cafeteria and looking for my mom and dad!

I loved Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood. All of the neighbors had "their treats" that they were known for. Anne with her gum, the neighbor who gave the full sized candy bars, the lady who gave out sucky apples and even one year some guy giving out little baggies of CHANGE! We still go over and trick or treat at my parents house, and my dad puts on the scary music loudly to try to scare the neighbor kids... even though I think all he does is annoy my mom. We STILL go to all of the neighbors which for some is the only time of year I see them outside of the grocery store or post office. Anne still gives me gum, and although Jeff is a grown man, she sees him as a kid who needs gum, too!

The one tradition that I talked to Jeff about when he first moved here was one he thought I was a bit nuts upon first mention. He makes fun of me about it to this day, but honestly, this time of year brings back the best Halloween memory:

CORNING.

Corning is an act of vandalism. Yes, my favorite memory is an act of vandalism, folks. Innocent, easy to sweep up vandalism. It was the "thing to do" in these parts. This time of year, we would make a pilgrimage to our nearest corn field (which were much more plentiful back in the day) and pick the ears of corn that were "hardened." On most occasions I was "tagging along" with my brother and his friends (5 years older than me) who would really enjoy scaring the crap out of me with the Children of the Corn references. Fighting the urge to pee my pants, I would gather as many ears as I could and take it back to the house to shuck it into old tube socks (some one's mother was sometimes known to shuck that corn, too, shhh). We would then wait for nightfall to all gather together and get our code names. We would then approach some one's house, throw handfuls of corn on the count of 3 which made a loud sound on siding and run like .... well, until the front light flicked on or someone chased us.

Seriously, did we think that ALL of the neighbors didn't know. We did it every year, we weren't quiet in ANY WAY. We were all from the same neighborhood. funny. Our parents knew what we were doing and made sure we dressed warm and were reminded to not get any one's house we "didn't know" or was elderly... so we ended up doing mainly people's houses who were WITH us. dumb. My father knew we were dumb enough to come TRY to do our house, so he would get his "starter pistol" to scare us to death with (shooting it into the air, of course)... couple that with a gorilla mask (thanks for the nightmares, Dad!), and you are talking scared kids!

The secret is out. I am a vandal, but I had the MOST fun doing it! I look back now and realize that the adults in our area were pretty darn smart.... no soaped windows, no egged cars, no toilet papered trees (much) and no flaming bags of dog poo.... only some corn to sweep up in the morning. hmmm.

Jeff still thinks that I am weird.... anyone else do this in their neighborhood? What is your favorite childhood Halloween trick?

FOOTBALL!

2008-10-25T12:37:00.002-04:00

Last night, we got a bundled up to go to the final regular season football game. Jeff and I drive separately since he has to be there, and I have to take Mario home to sleep. It was cold and drizzly, but we made it through the first quarter. Of course the little buggers won... seriously, that adds yet another game to the schedule... oh, wait, that is not nice... what I meant to say is "GOOOO JACKETS!" I mean I want them to do well, but every blessed Fall sports team made it to the playoffs! Sheesh!

Alli is doing well and just likes any opportunity to hang out with her friends. If she is home to long, I tend to hear, "I'm booooooorrrreeeddd." That is the dreaded sentence which typically is followed by my, "I'll find ya somethin to do!" lol. Cheer coaching for her is finished, so she has some free time lately! She has been helping my parents a bit around the house which is nice.

Mario is a wild man. He only stops to sleep. He is very funny lately. He understands most of what we tell him to do (sit down on your bum, let's put your shoes on - he puts up his foot), although he does not always "listen." He will just trot around the room with one toe pointed and the other regular... then he varies that by walking like Godzilla crushing a tiny town. His facial expressions are so goofy lately, too! He is a funny little man!

Well, off to get moving with my rainy gloomy Saturday! Maybe we will make a trip tot he mall - Yay!

Alli and I before the game last night
me and my Mo

Look at that face! I just love it!
Oh, and for all of you Ohio fans, my hubby wants me to "talk smack" about the PSU game tonight.... I don't even really know how to " talk smack" about football...I know nothing about any of that, but he asks about you bloggers mainly about what team you like - (ie. who is that who likes Bama, but lives in Idaho, who has pics of their kids in Ohio State stuff... where are they from?) He "pretends" to not look at all of this blogger stuff, but if it revolves around sports, he is suddenly VERY interested in your lives! lol! So, he is rooting for the Pennsylvania team, of course. That makes my Pitt Alum father's SKIN crawl, so there will be much discussion today between them, I am sure! So, I say, Ohio fans, post some comments to Jeff today... he will "pretend" to read my blog entry, but he will just be trolling for your comments, I am sure! lol! MEN!

Favorite Foto Friday - PUMPKINS!

2008-10-24T12:27:00.006-04:00

Super-Cool Blogger, Sarah (visit her by clicking here), picked the theme PUMPKINS, so here are my 2 little pumpkins.

Jeff has been working some long hours, and even was out of town a few days last week, so we have been doing a lot of "hanging out" here and at Nanny and Pap Pap's house! When Mo wakes in the morning, he looks at me and says, "Nan Nan - Pap Pap!," so of course we HAVE to go! I think those extra "squeezies" and "kissies" have been the best medicine for my dad! He just loves them both, and of course likes to run all around their house looking for things to get into.

Big sister is a BIG help with Mario, and he loves to pick on her! He is in a "please don't make me sit on your lap or I will freak out and scream" phase, so photo shoots are difficult. He is getting used to nutso mom actually chasing him with the camera! What am I going to do for Christmas pics? Advice? I have thought of the real portraits, but it gives me anxiety at the mere mention of it. He won't sit! I then though of trying to just take one here, but you can see by these that I am not so skilled! I am determined to get pictures since he will have been home a year on November 29th. There WILL be pics in Christmas Cards! The first month and a half he was home was a blur. When he came home, he was ill and quarantined, so photos outside of the home were a no-no. He had a terrible rash, so I almost thought it was mean to send those "first pics" out to the family. It WILL happen this year, I swear! Here are some Pumpkins pics to hold everyone over! :-) Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Hey, guys, didja know that my shirt lights up when I move! Nan Nan bought it!"
Mario, not a happy camper being heldrun run run run
artsy shots! lol!

Mo loves his Daddy

2008-10-22T14:10:00.003-04:00

He does, there is no denying it. He loves him. When Jeff walks into a room, his faces lights up, and he squeals... actually squeals with delight. Don't get me wrong, the kid likes me... I feed him, change him, meet the basic needs, but Jeff, well that is an entirely different story. Daddy ROCKS in this house. As soon as Dad gets home, Mario just can't get enough... this boy is the smitten kitten... and although I complain to Jeff that Mo likes him better (pout pout)-

I secretly love it.

"Mum Mum, please quit bothering me and my dad... we are playing here!"

Pure GuatTot JOY!
I love you more.. no I love you more!

"seriously, mum mum, doncha have something to clean?"

"watch me, Dad... I can go FAST!"
(as mum mum has a slight heart attack)

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Speaking of Daddy's, mine is doing WONDERFULLY! We are so grateful for all of the prayers... they certainly worked! He is feeling SO much better and the hip replacement (the second one this year) is healing well! He is getting stronger everyday!

Company!

2008-10-16T16:29:00.005-04:00

If you scroll down, you can see what a fabulous birthday I had only to be made more fabulous by the visit from my Grandma (Gummie as the kids call her) Gesko (yes, my mother's maiden name is Gesko and my married name is Lesko... odd) and my mom's sister, my Aunt Sandy. It was so nice of them to travel all of the way from Maryland (DC area) to be with my mom while my dad was in the hospital. Of course the kids SO enjoyed seeing them!

Mo is in a phase where he HATES to sit still... let alone on anyone's lap... here he is tolerating it with Gummie and Al

Alli loves her Aunt Sandy!

does Mario look tortured in this one or what?

He enjoyed playing the "screaming" game that he plays with Alli with anyone who will entertain him... Gummie was more than happy!
he just screamed and played with Nanny's old cell phone...
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

he puts out his tongue when he concentrates now... he loved Gummie's cane
I LOVE this picture of Alli and Gummie... they both look beautiful!

Who, me, icing... nooooo!

Thanks...

2008-10-16T13:16:00.006-04:00

This past weekend was my 34th birthday! Even with a lot going on in everyone's lives, all of the important people in my life remembered, called, sent cards and gifts! That was so nice of everyone. I now have gift cards & mad $ to do some shopping for myself - hopefully SOON - due to my parents, Jeff's parents, his sister and brother-in-law, my brother and sister in law, my Grandma, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Dan! They all know what I like... the ability to go buy stuff for me and for the house! That is so WONDERFUL and THOUGHTFUL of All of you.

Alli was the most excited for my birthday. I think that once you hit a certain age bracket, birthdays become just another day, but Alli SURE made it the best birthday ever. She was so sweet for about a MONTH prior, she had bought a gift for me and was asking everyday if she could just give it to me early. She used her baby sitting money to buy me something extra special. I made her wait which was such agony for her. She decorated the box in such a sweet way.....

inside I found....

earrings AND a bracelet! Thank you, Alli, I love them!

My extra-special hubby also had these flowers delivered from the family (they came in a bunch, but I did my best arranging them in a vase I had)

close ups....I am having fun playing with this camera... not bad, huh?

(it reminded me of your wedding, Cameo)

My wonderful friends remembered me as well. Penny, my birthday buddy (who shares my birthday!) brought a great candle, perfect for Fall. My BFF Jenn got me a digital picture frame that I think is AWESOME, and Cherrie stopped by to drop off these gorgeous flowers (which my arranging skills did not live up to the beauty of these flowers):

Trina sent me the most talented hand-made card... where do you find the time? It was just beautiful and meant so much. Thanks Aunt Cathy, Aunt Diane and Grandma Rohland for the beautiful cards as well! I just love mail!

All of the cards, gifts, emails, calls and blog-wishes made me feel extra-special. I just wanted to say

THANK YOU,

Pictures to Make Pap Pap Smile & GOT Video

2008-10-15T12:52:00.005-04:00

While Pap was in the hospital, Mario and Alli missed him (and their Nanny) VERY MUCH. Here are some pictures while dad is recovering (he is doing well) to "keep him smiling" at the many faces of Mo....

Thoughtful Mo....

Growling Mo...

Mid-Sentence Mo....

Tell-It-Like-It-Is Mo....

Giggly Mo...

Snorty Mo....

Sweet Mo...

Scaaaaary Mo....

Violent Mo (hitting his Sissy)....

Whatchu Talkin Bout Willis Mo...
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You can find this video on the Global Orphan Team (GOT) Website. You can get to the non-profit site by CLICKING HERE or going to my sidebar on the left. I want you to know that this is not just a "general" site that I chose randomly. It is run by people I have come to know: 2 fabulous woman, Julia and Kerry, who are, with the help of MANY others, doing "good works" for the orphans of Guatemala. PLEASE pass this site along and consider making a donation in lieu of Christmas Gifts... start early, what a GREAT gift for Boss's Day this week? I just think of our little one being there, and we are THANKFUL for him every single day.

HOME!

2008-10-14T14:48:00.002-04:00

My dad was discharged from the hospital today! Yeah! Thank you for all of your prayers and "good vibes" for him the past week! My kids will be so happy to see their Pap Pap!!!!!!!!!!

Dad Update #6 & Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-13T13:25:00.006-04:00

I am going to just start updating you about my dad within the posts with pictures, so those who are here just to get updates on dad, you will have to suffer through the family sappiness first! :-)

Last weekend, we took a trip to the little farm market (Pajer's for the locals). You will have to excuse the fact that Jeff Mo and I were just bumming around... no make up for me, sweatshirts.. the perfect Fall Day! Alli was with friends, so we had to promise that we would not actually DO anything like go on the hayride, buy pumpkins or do the corn maze... thank goodness Mario was not into ANY of those things and just wanted to RUUUUUNNNN.....

Here is a picture of my 2 lil pumpkins!

hmmm... maybe I will go into the maze...

maybe not....

run, run, run, run....

mesmerized, but kind of scared of the big tractor

I want THIS one Mum Mum!

the fam, minus Alli! :-(

The cutest pumpkin in the patch....
run, run, run, run ....
Mo with his best buddy

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Dad is doing well. They are having to adjust his medications a bit, so that his blood pressure stays stable. It was very low again today, and they figure that it was the change in times that the medications have been given. Hopefully, tomorrow morning will prove that theory to be true! He is wanting to come home tomorrow and is anticipating being discharged. I am just hopeful that they figure out this blood pressure issue prior to him being sent home! Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes!

Dad Update #5

2008-10-12T21:04:00.002-04:00

Today was a full day for all of us. My Aunt Sandy and Grandma were able to visit with Jack (my brother), Vicki and kids and had brunch. Grandma was also able to see dad at the hospital for a bit. Jack visited with him, too, and of course mom was bedside throughout the day with Aunt Sandy. He is surrounded by people who care about him through each day which is wonderful! My kids also enjoyed seeing their Aunt Sandy and "Gummie" each day... photos will follow once dad is out of the hospital!

Dad is making progress with some minor set backs. His blood pressure was concerning yesterday while doing PT becoming low and making him light-headed, but that subsided and has not returned. His temperature has been normal today - Yay! He was MUCH stronger today walking, but the pain is still fairly severe compared to the last surgery. I am sure that is frustrating since he HAS something to compare it to, but I am sure he will get stronger each day.

Aunt Sandy and Grandma will be leaving to drive back to DC/Maryland area tomorrow. We will miss them very much and appreciate all of the love and support they have provided!

I will post more tomorrow about how he is progressing to keep the family informed.

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G-fest attendees - I hope that you all have/had safe trips home and cherish each memory. Sorry we missed you... there is always next year! Now, get to posting those pics for me to see! Trisha had some up and I wanted to squeeze each of those kiddos! They are all so precious!

Date Update #4 & G'fest Shout Out!

2008-10-11T10:41:00.002-04:00

Hi, All! Thanks for checking back on my dad and for all of the well-wishes! I do believe that your good thoughts and prayers have certainly helped with my father's steady progress. He is doing quite well! He is managing the pain, although it is much worse with this hip than with the previous surgery. Now that the sheets have been changed to "bleach-free," my dad is "itchy-free." He is ready to be home, which is always a good sign. Please continue to pray for his healing. It has been a long road of pain for him, and it will be so great to see him walking without agony.

*Thanks to my Aunt Joyce (my dad's sister) who sat with my mom at the hospital, stayed overnight at the house and took her back in the morning. I REALLY appreciate it, and I know my mom does, too!

*My Aunt Sandy (my mom's sister) & Gummie (my mom's mom) who drove ALL of the way from Maryland to come stay with mom this weekend. The company and help are wonderful. The kids LOVE seeing you both, too!

Now for you G'fest Party girls! You HAVE to be taking LOTS of pictures and hugging each other extra for me. It is so sad for me not to be there with you all celebrating. I so wish that I could. Start posting those great photos when you can and tell us all every detail. Thanks to all who put this together... I hope to be there next year!

Dad Update #3

2008-10-10T10:12:00.002-04:00

Scroll down for 1 and 2!

Dad is continuing to do well with his recovery. With his previous hip replacement, they found that he was severely allergic to the sheets (they think the bleach) and the antibiotic they used. They switched the antibiotic and pain medicine this time to avoid complications, but forgot the sheets. My poor dad was broken out into a rash from that again! They changed the sheets and gowns, gave him a Benadryl, and he was good to go! He had a fever last night, but that came down as well! He is saying that he is in a bit more pain this time, but PT went well. He was already on his feet and walking this morning! Isn't it amazing what they can do?

Thank you for your continued prayers for my dad and mom! I will update tonight.

*Guatoberfesters: HAVE FUN, Enjoy one another and hug Julia for me... she is a blessing!

Dad Update: #2

2008-10-09T16:47:00.002-04:00

Scroll Down for Update 1...

I just got back from the hospital. Dad is out of recovery and in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU) due to him having a pacemaker/defibrillator - not due to complications. I only saw him for a short time, but he was already joking with the nurses and saying he wanted a ride home. His blood pressure was normal and all seemed fine. The surgery itself went well, so he currently has 2 new hips! I informed him that this is it - no more surgeries since he has run out of hips to replace! lol!

He had yet to use his pain medication (through iv drip), but we are hopeful that he will have no allergic or violent reactions to either the pain meds or antibiotics like the last time. They are aware of the difficulty he had and hopefully will be able to avoid that. Of course, The Jeanerini (my superb mom) will keep a close eye on every single thing they do! :-)

I may update again this evening after I talk with my mom, so keep checking back if you want the stats!

(By the way, I do have to ask myself WHAT in the WORLD was I thinking that I was going to be a nurse when I started college... LORD... there is no way I could do that... I got the heebies from BREATHING the air in that hospital. I SO would have a panic attack if a real-life sick person touched me! lol. Just thought that I would share.)

Dad - Update #1

2008-10-09T14:07:00.002-04:00

Hi, All. Thanks to the family for checking the blog for updates on Dad/Jack/Uncle Jack. I will be posting them throughout the weekend to let you know how he is.

Bloggie friends: thanks for bearing with me for the brief break/change in topic. If you would, pray for his speedy recovery/ send him "good vibes!" Thanks! Oh, and to all who are on their way or already AT Guatoberfest, please take LOTS of pictures and miss me. I REALLY am so sad I cannot be there with you all! Have fun and ENJOY!

Dad was supposed to go into surgery at 9:45am, but of course, he did not actually "go in" until 11:30ish. He got out at about 1:30. The doctor came to talk with my mom to tell her that he did well and would be in recovery for a while. Soooo, so far, so good. Exhaling.

I will post another as soon as I get home from the hospital, so keep checking back and scrolling to make sure you did not miss something. Please call the others who do not have computer access. I will call Grandma in a few minutes and will continue to update her and Grandma Gesko.

Love to you all,

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-08T10:09:00.002-04:00

All of these pictures were taken at the pumpkin patch on Sunday. I will post the rest of the pictures soon!

* If you could, keep my dad and mom in your thoughts/prayers. My dad is having his other hip replaced tomorrow. I will be updating for the family on here for the next few days! Thanks, All!

My Baby Girl (and prayers)

2008-10-07T10:00:00.003-04:00

Alli was my first baby and has brought me much joy in the past 13 years. She has a great sense of humor, although she often doesn't get the joke. She is a "good kid." I thank God for that everyday. She is helpful, responsible and kind. She sometimes prevents me from posting a lot about her (since you must ASK a 13 year old's permission to post her life, lol), but I know she would approve of me gushing compliments! :-) I know she is anxious to get those braces off soon! I just love the close ups of her!

I love my baby girl.

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*Please pray for my friend, Julia as her father died unexpectedly. She has been a great support to me and many others through the adoption process and beyond. She continues to support the orphans of Guatemala by running a non-profit, the Global Orphan Team. Please visit her personal blog and offer prayers, add her to your prayer lists/chains, think positive thoughts about Jules in this time of sorrow. If you are able, please consider making a donation to GOT (by visiting their blog) in her father, James "Red" Jarman's name.

Thank you,

zzzzzzzz.....

2008-10-06T12:32:00.002-04:00

My sleeping prince....

Favorite Foto Friday

2008-10-03T10:46:00.004-04:00

The Favorite Foto Friday theme on SARAH'S BLOG is supposed to be Summertime Fun... I have posted all of those pics, so I am going off topic to show you a bit about what a normal evening is here...

I left Alli and Mo upstairs just for a little while last night, and I came up to find Mario running FAST....

and laughing uncontrollably...

and having a "who can scream the loudest" contest with Sissy....

she starts by staring at him....

Then they scream!

I am sure she will be THRILLED that I posted a pic where you can see her molars!

here is a prettier one, look at those lashes... like bear traps when she blinks!
Mario is all sweaty from the playing!

They really love each other! (I do have to point out that the room when I came up was destroyed... all of the dirty clothes were out of his hamper, every toy was out and every bit of clothing was out of the drawers! It looked like high winds came through there!)

Mario does this goofy look while showing his teeth lately...

and he thinks that if HE blinks hard, then YOU will do it back... as if his blinking makes YOU blink...

can I buy you a drink?

Whasssssupppp?

and I leave you for the weekend with a BIG Mo smile... his second molar poked through today, so he is a big clingy.... I have to admit, I kinda like it, is that wrong?

Alli's last Hurrah!

2008-10-02T09:39:00.007-04:00

This past Saturday, we celebrated Allison's final home game with her youth football (cheer) organization. There was a little graduation ceremony for the 8th graders! We have youth ages 6-13, then the girls can try out for 9th grade cheerleader for the High School. As I had written in previous posts, Alli has been doing this for 7 years, and I had advised the youth group for 6 of those (I did not do it this season). She has really come "out of her shell" through this and had a great time. Coaching this year has been a GREAT experience and helped her confidence. She hopefully will still come back to coach throughout her years in High School. Here are some pictures of the festivities and the special people involved!

Alli with her daddy during the National Anthem... yes, I was taking pics like a true blogger!

Alli and ME! You will have to excuse the hair... it was about 100% humidity! My shirt was a gift from Cherrie (who was busy through the day, so no Cherrie pics :-( & Penny - It says CHEER MOM, and I love it!

Proud Papa of 2 this season! Boy, how we talked and talked about Mo last season while Alli was cheering... waiting and waiting... with such GREAT support from my friends there! They will never know how much is meant to me for all of the ladies to ask everyday about the process. THANK YOU for that!

Here is one of those FABULOUS ladies... Miss Penny! Alli just loves going to Penny's house.... it is so warm and wonderful... I felt "at home" with Penny the day I met her!
Here is Samantha "Simmy" who Alli calls the "cool mom"...hey, I thought that I was the cool mom... lol!

and of course, Miss Beth, who treats Alli like she is her own... this woman knows every cheer, every dance, everything... my chubby butt does NOT, so thank goodness SHE is there for those girls! Miss Beth is pure sunshine!

Look who else came! Grandpa Lesko!

and GRANDMA LESKO! who will be VERY mad when she sees her picture on here, even though she looks gorgeous all of the time!
Mario loves to "honk" people's noses!

look how happy Alli is that they came... THANK YOU for making the drive down!

and of course Mo invited his buddy... Pap Pap! What is that Pap has in his hand?

crackers in one, puffs in the other! And Nanny has some kind of gift bag with her for Alli ALWAYS... are my kids spoiled by their grandparents, or what?

here is the attempt to have Mario "walk" with us to "greet" Alli on the field for the ceremony...

family photo take one...

take 2 (you will see Mo in tears...)

take 3... now screaming, and we are laughing....

Got it! Yeah!

after Al had to go back to coaching...We are PROUD of you, Alli!

Was I bad for Alli's "graduation," Mum Mum?

Here are some signs that the girls wrote notes to her on...
and some we made with pics through the years

It was a GREAT Saturday with family and friends!

Friday Night Lights

2008-10-01T09:56:00.003-04:00

For those of you who don't know my husband well, he really has 3 main interests outside of work: family, politics and FOOTBALL. He watches ANY football game, has played high school and college ball and coaches everything from youth all the way up to varsity. He loves it. Football in Pennsylvania is like religion. Friday nights on home game night, everyone is in town for the game. It was a nice night, so we took Mo to his first official Yellowjacket game!

Do I look fly for the ladies, mum mum?

my men

The band getting ready to march to the field.

Is this IT mom, don't I get to PLAY?

My dad even joined Mario and Jeff for the best seats in the house! Of course, Pap Pap fed him a half a can of Puffs while we were there! He is getting all of the spoiling in before he gets his other hip replaced on 10/9! Then, watch out world - he will be a new man!

Climber!

2008-09-30T09:43:00.003-04:00

This weekend....

Mum Mum, can I climb up here? no? Okay, I will anyway.

Whew, I made it!

See, I am fine, and you can't get mad at me with this cute face!

Have a great week, Bloggers!

Cool Shirt!

2008-09-29T09:46:00.002-04:00

I just love it.... it is from this site that I found on Trisha's Blog.... Pilarina's Etsy Shop!

I have been blogging folks: see below! I have more and more pics to add! YEAH!

Go Jackets!

2008-09-28T20:09:00.002-04:00

Mario's little photo shoot to go on some cheer posters for Alli... pics of that to come... just thought you would like a little Sunday Sugar! Isn't he sweet?

I'M BAAAACKKKKK!

2008-09-27T21:53:00.003-04:00

Hi, All! We are back and running! Sorry for the delay... a few things..

Mario is fine... he had a cold and ear infection, plus teeth coming in and seemed to take forever to get better, poor kid. He is recovered and currently has only the one tooth through in the back... we are waiting on the other one to pop through.

I finally got a new camera! It seriously was weird going without taking pictures... I am making up for it though. I have taken a gazillion pictures and am driving everyone nuts with it! especially the dog, lol. I love the new camera and appreciate it as it was the best early birthday gift from my parents! THANKS SO MUCH!

I also have our computer back! I am getting used to everything being new, so uploading pictures and such has been a little laborious. I am not that computer savvy, so it has taken some time to get used to it! I am making a vow to take more pictures and upload even the mundane more often for all of you out in blogland. It might be boring, but I will try that instead of waiting until I feel like I have "something to say." I have missed you guys and have been keeping up with you, but I know how I hate it when someone hasn't blogged in a while, sooooo I will try to be a better blogger! Oh, you poor people getting to hear about my little life! lol!

Lastly, something that is ridiculous that I said I would never do has SUCKED ME IN... Facebook - eek! I still get confused while using it, is that sad? but I am addictively checking it often... so if you are on, check me out: CLICK HERE TO GO TO MY PROFILE.

Now for the reason that you all all REALLY here... Pictures!

Mario half asleep!

Here are a few of my gorgeous (I know, I am her mom, but I just think she is a beauty... and she is MINE, I am so lucky) teen!

and my handsome little man... look at that sweet sweet face... and I get the pleasure of being his mom!

squinting because he has had "too much flash"

Jeff LOVES to come home to this little guy... and Mario truly is smitten with his Dada! I am so second rate when he is around!

toooo many pictures Maaaaahhhhhmmmmm! (you can see that tooth in the back in this one!)
Hope you all are enjoying your weekend! I also hope I still have a reader or two after my blogcation!