Missing the Kiddos

Well, it's true. I'm missing my 4 oldest kids who have been "away" on vacation to the Midwest for the last (almost) 3 weeks. True, I did get to fly out with them and spend time with Cecelia and Keliah while I was in Omaha, but I'm a bit "kidsick" (i.e. homesick). Antonio and Rocky went to Oklahoma almost right away to stay on the farm with my Aunt and Uncle. They'd already had adventures with horses, fireworks, fishing and a coyote-mauled kitten by the time I flew home. Plus, they got to examine Uncle Rodney's collection of rattles from the snakes he's killed so far this summer. Joy. The girls went to Oklahoma with my parents, my sister and her family a couple days after I left. They got some farm time in and visited all my grandparents that week. Now, the boys are in Lincoln with Nick's parents and his grandma for a fun-filled week. The girls have already managed a sleep-over at Aunt Holly and Uncle Michael's house with Sophia and little Hope. Today, they're having a Fancy Nancy party at Granny's house to be thoroughly girly and frou-frou. Soon, it will be their turn to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's and the boys will finally get to relax at Granny and Papa's house. Although, they've had this summer vacation planned so full, I bet there's not much time allowed for resting. My dad may think that would be a good idea, but if I know my mom she's got lots of interesting possibilities lined up already. Maybe a return trip to the zoo? Movie night? Activity time at the Library?
I just wish they'd write me a letter.

True, I've gotten to talk to all of them on the phone, but a letter is something special. I better write one to them today!

They'll be home in a week and 2 days. My parents are flying with them to have a vacation of their own here in Florida. It's been almost 7 months since they saw Carlo, Luca and Sabina, and I know my mom is dying to teach the word "Granny" to Sabina. I've been trying to tutor her a little. So far, though, all I've gotten out of her is "Yeh-yeh" the name for Grandpa on "Ni Hao, Kai-Lan" on Nick Jr. The bilingual Chinese-American adorably kawaii show is totally addictive and I think my 3 youngest love it as much as lollipops. It's certainly as sugary. (I have not been paid for or asked to mention this show.)

Anyway, as I was saying, I'm missing my big kids a bit. Yesterday, I resorted to Antonio's favorite exclamation: "OH! Dis!" It was slightly nostalgic and made me giggle. I better get on the ball and get the clean sheets on and restore their rooms to temporary tidyness. The next week and 2 days is going to fly by and then we will be restored to normal chaos.

Baby Picture Sundays - The Heat is ON!

This is my Daddy (Papa to the kids) holding Luca at the end of Summer 2006. Luca is just 4 1/2 months old here. We were at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, which is awesome. Definitely the best zoo I've been to. I chose this pic for this week as a slightly belated honor for Father's Day to my dad. Also, at this time in our life, the heat was ON! Not only was it late August in the midwest, which means high heat and humidity, but we were also living with our parents. We had fled Florida out of fear after a job fell through. We headed home to safety, family, the known. We had 6 kids at the time and we were too far along in our life to be living with and depending so completely on family. We discovered during the 4 months we were "home" that God had meant for us to stay in Florida - the new home He had called us to. The job Nick had lined up before we came back to Nebraska got sidelined and he ended up working for them in a very low-paying position. The home we had thought we were a shoo-in for was denied us because of the size of our family. It became an impossible situation. Not only that, but at least once a day, there was some reference to Florida put in our path. It became a lesson in obedience, patience, perseverence. FAITH. Before the end of our 3rd month home, Nick had 2 job offers back in Florida. We moved from Missouri to Florida, to Nebraska, to Florida again in 1 year. God's heat was on us! We were feelin' it! Thank you, Lord for your love, patience, and trials by fire!

Also, thank You for tiny beautiful baby boys to bring joy and light in the darkest times.

Verse for the Day:
Hebrews 5:7-9
"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him."