Home

Rome: Brigid, Me, Patty at Saint Angelo's castle:
Rome: at the Roman Forums:
Michaelangelo: The David {Florence}:
Genoa/Ligurian Sea:
Playing soccer on the beach:

Gaiola {The Italian Alps}:
Me in Cuneo:
Venice:
Lido:

Another shot of Venice:
Dancing in Rome with Gabriel:
Leaving Italy :(


So I am home safe... What an amazing two weeks.

Itinary:
Rome: 15, 16, 17, 18
Florence: 19
Genoa/Nervi: 20, 21
Cuneo/Gaiola: 22, 23, 24
Venice/Lido: 25, 26
Rome: 27
JFK airport/home: 28

847 photos to upload and sort through so no worries, I'll have more up soon!

Italy

Yep... I'll be there- tomorrowish!

See ya in 2 weeks!!!

Ciao

Happy Birthday Faith!

Faith turns 9 on the 15th.

I love this kid. I remember when she didn't like me {she was 1}. She clung to Paula and wouldn't go to anyone else. The more I was around though... the more she warmed up to me. To the point when I volunteered in her class at church {with Paula} and then Paula bailed on being with the kiddos and I was still there... Faith would sit on my lap the ENTIRE time. She wouldn't go to anyone else. Since then... we bonded. So many stories of this child who is growing up!

Once again, I wish that Paula was here to enjoy these moments with her girls. She would be so proud of Faith. She is a sweet, caring, and loving girl and I am so proud to be a part of her life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FAITH!

Happy Birthday Morgan

Morgan turned 11 today!

I remember the first time Paula and I scrapbooked together at a late nighter. Morgan was probably about 2 years old. Every single picture Paula picked up was of Morgan. She was crazy insane over Morgan {what mother isn't crazy about her adorable blonde haired, blue eyed daughter?}. Seriously though.... I was going to have to listen to this all night???

What a long way I have come since that night though. Now I am the one showing pictures of Morgan, telling stories about her and totally crazy about that blonde haired, blue eyed kid! How I wish Paula was the one doing it though... she would be so much better than me! And... I might add, so proud of her loving, caring, beautiful daughter.





Happy Birthday Morgan!

Would you rather....

find your one true love OR find a million dollars? Why?
My answer: Is the true love guaranteed to be your true love or is it like all the other true loves we think we found? Because if it's like all the others... I'm going for the money but requesting more! If it's guaranteed, I still want a back up guarantee that if the true love goes away, I get the money in the end (apparently that would mean he has an awesome life insurance policy!)
Did I put too much thought into this???

PS. I got this from Joey's blog.. thanks Joey!

Leave your answer in the comments section.

I am a....

I took this test today:

Encouraging Visionary

about you: You are a Visionary

Your imagination, self-assuredness, and knowledge of the world combine to make you a VISIONARY.

You have clear notions of how things could be, and the confidence to try to make them that way.

You enjoy having a routine, and prefer comfort and familiarity to risk and adventure.

Not needing others' approval to forge ahead, you are confident in your designs for the future.

Your imagination allows you to envision the world as a better place.

You're better at thinking of the big picture than you are with details, and you can see wonder in abstract things.

Style and appearances are important to you, and you have a good eye for beauty.

You are somewhat rigid in your beliefs, which comes from both confidence and an aversion to change.

You are good at creating works of art in forms with which you're familiar.

You're not one to force your positions on a group, and you tend to be fair in evaluating different options.

You're not afraid to let your emotions guide you, and you're generally considerate of others' feelings as well.

You prefer to have time to plan for things, feeling better with a schedule than with keeping plans up in the air until the last minute.


If you want to be different:

Appreciate the earthly, functional elements of things.

Your clarity of vision sometimes prevents you from being open to new ideas. Try expanding your horizon of experiences, and experimenting with novel ways of doing things.

how you relate to others: You are Encouraging

Your outgoing nature, understanding of others, and directness make you ENCOURAGING.

You want others to do well for themselves, and you generally believe in their abilities.

You often know what's good for people because of your caring nature and your worldview.

When you care about someone, you don't keep it to yourself: you are good at letting people know that you're thinking of them.

Because you trust people, you take violations of that trust very seriously.

You thrive in social situations, and even though you know who you like and who you don't like, you can interact well with many different types of people.

You have a healthy respect for people who have earned what they have, and you strive to be similar to successful others.

You are a loyal friend and a good listener.

If you want to be different:

Sometimes, in the course of being encouraging, you can be a bit judgmental—this can make it more difficult for others to follow your advice.

While you are an expert at getting the most out of the world and taking advantage of many experiences, you might gain some insight by taking the time to be alone, reflect on things, or just observe the goings-on in the world.

Dentist

Remember the days of being young and going to the dentist? Unsure what that man was going to do to you? Oh, I do! I did not like the dentist. I remember when I was about 12 or so I had to go for a cavity and I was terrified. My dentist was not the oh so friendly kid dentist and he prescribed me valium. I remember when I was done and my mom was paying that I reached for the door, missed, and almost passed out. My mom came running for me! {PS. my mother is a Saint!} Yep, I remember that day well... I still don't really care for the dentist!

So why the dentist story? Well, today the girls had a dentist appt with a man who sings to them. They really like him. Morgan went to the dentist years ago and had a bad experience... and let's just keep it at I finally took them to the dentist last May. Needless to say after all these years, Morgan has some cavities and Faith needed her 6 yr molar's sealed and some teeth pulled. So today was the day! Back to the dentist we went.

Now, I had it set up for Faith to have a little bit of valium {I'm wondering if it's bad I was jealous she had some!}. Morgan was going first and Faith would have the "fun" med so it would take effect before she got in the chair. Morgan did great! She went back on her own and came out fine. While she was with the dentist, he found 2 baby teeth to pull out so he did. (eww at gauze). Faith was in the waiting room with me slowly having the valium take effect. We went back to the dentist chair where I stayed. Faith did great! The valium helped, not to mention the laughing gas, and "sleeping medicine" (shots).

Faith is completely done with the work on her teeth. Morgan has to go back to have a couple more cavities filled. But I sure felt for them, especially Faith because I remember my fear of the dentist. We went to Border's after, got books, had lunch (and ice cream). All in all, it was a good day. The girls are doing much better.

Happy dentist Tuesday

Susan G. Komen walk

So today I told the girls the Susan G. Komen walk was coming up... {Oct 12 if anyone is interested}



their reply was "YAY"



We have walked every year since Paula passed away and every year, the girls are not too thrilled to walk 3.1 miles (Morgan enjoyed it last year!). I think they are getting it!



Just thought I'd share!



These pictures are from the walk in 06 {see how much Faith enjoys this event}. I didn't take many pictures last year and apparently do not have any from 04 or 05. I suppose that means I need to start taking more pictures!

Random singing by my father

So as we were driving {slowly} to Valdez, I realized there was NO music in my dad's SUV. He had cd's, great! Eric Clapton, Carley Simon, I don't even remember who else... slow, slow, slow... music. We had a 7 hour drive and no signal for a radio station. I told my dad we needed something a little upbeat.
My father not doubt, put in Dr. Hook and the next thing I know, we are listening to some song I've NEVER heard before and he is singing! My cousins, mom, and I were laughing. I almost peed my pants from laughing so hard. Here is a clip I took of my dad (sorry it's side ways, it will not let me rotate it!). I really wished I would have gotten more on video. Now you'll understand why I have the song The Cover of the Rolling Stone on my playlist!

1st Diamondbacks game (for the girls)

So I had the girls 4th of July weekend. On Sat. we went bowling (see post below) and on Sunday, I took them to their first Diamondbacks game. I'm not sure how much they enjoyed it. They would be bored, then they would get into the chants. I think all in all they had a good time. Apparently, every Sunday is kids day so when we walked through the gates, the girls received a free t-shirt! I love the 3rd photo where they both looked thrilled!

Bowling

I took the girls bowling a couple of weekends ago. We had a blast! They both did really good {even getting a strike or 2}. Of course we had the bumpers and amazing how crappy I still bowled! Here are a few pics.

Did I mention

in 45 days I will be on a plane to here.....

and hopefully sometime while I am there... I will be sailing here (above photo)

Master's program..... I think I decided

on my MBA with a concentration in Global Management. So if I decide to put the program to use, I'll have international business knowledge. Guess what that means? I might have to find myself a career that allows me to travel internationally. Yeah, I do not think I would complain about that one! Anyways, just wanted to let you all know my decision. I am planning to start Nov. 4. {deep breath}

SYTYCD - Chelsie and Mark - Bleeding Love

Love this dance! I actually voted for Chelsie and Mark this past week. I love her... because S. I. C. K. means sick!

White Water Rafting

We went white water rafting in Denali park. I have always wanted to go and even my mom has always wanted to go. We were only on a class 2 & 3 trip and we did not paddle. These photos are from class 3 rapids. Definitely a great first time trip but I would love to try the class 3 & 4 levels next. They had a photographer there to take photos and these are just a few. We had a blast! Amber, me, my mom, Gina are up front.

Trip to Valdez

We drove to Valdez to go halibut fishing. When we got there, we found out that there were going to be 6 ft swells and 25 mph winds out on the ocean come Wed. morning, which is the day we had scheduled our trip. Needless to say that our trip was canceled so the next morning we drove back to Fairbanks. It's about a 7 hour drive {both ways}.

On our way down to Valdez, we stopped a lot to take pictures. Below is just a shot of snow capped mountains. It was a long but beautiful drive.

Glacier that we stopped at. Very cool. We hiked up to the bottom of it.

Horseshoe waterfall.

My dad at a different waterfall

This is the closest we came to fish...

The harbor in Valdez.

Photo's to share

Just thought I'd share some photos....

Gina, Me, My mom, Amber

Chena River {We took the Riverboat ride}

Alaska Bound

Tomorrow I leave for Alaska. My mom is going with me this time and I have 2 cousins who will also be there the same time. It should definitely be interesting. It will be my first time fishing up there too. Can you believe all these years, I have never been fishing while I was there. Anyways, stay tuned for some photos.

By the way... it's in the low 70's. I can't wait to get out of this heat!

Ciao~

Eat, Pray, Love

This is an amazing book. For anyone out there trying to "find themselves". I suggest you read this. And if anyone knows of a place to go to learn mediation, I would love your feedback. This book is a woman's journey to Italy, India, and Indonesia. She is finding herself and I found myself with her in India. How I would love to go to India for a few months to learn the art of meditation and "not harborning unhealthy thoughs anymore".

I also started another blog 20 days ago. 20 days ago, I began a new journey to eat healthy. Not only for my body but for my mind. The blog is not "upbeat". I'm journaling my thoughts and my not so happy thoughts. I want a place that I can feel comfortable dwelling in my own self pity. The one thing I realize is when I am sad or down, I always feel as though I have to reassure everyone I will be ok. Why is this? You all know I will be fine. I know I will be fine. I realized today that I am someone who puts a lot of energy into things. Is that such a bad thing? I don't think so. I am sure this blog is making absolutely no sense to anyone but it's my way of analyzing some things I need to analyze about myself. I put a lot of effort into relationships and I think it's time I start putting more effort into my mind. I turned 36. I realized I am not where I thought I would be when I was 22 and married. This is the life I have and I have spent too many years dwelling on things that "could have been". But I have realized {a lot from reading Eat, Pray, Love} that it is time to put my energy into positive things. Anyways, I am done with the self pity crap. I need to get back to my chicken (I just over cooked my rice!).

I wish you all enough~