Day #3 of Thankfulness

Day #3 of my 30 Days of Thankfulness...today I am thankful for my childrens laughter. It was a rough start to the day, with them bouncing off the wall since well before 7am ;) however, listening to them play and really crack up right now, makes it all worth it! :)

Day #2 of Thankfulness

As I mentioned in my post from yesterday, every year on Facebook I take the month of November and each day my status is dedicated to something I'm thankful for. Since not everyone (even though I think I'm speaking to myself at this point when it comes to blogging, but that's okay! ;)) is my friend on Facebook, I also like to TRY and post those items on here as well. So far, so good, I'm two for two in remembering to post it here! ;)

Day #2 of my 30 Days of Thankfulness...today I am thankful for my husband, Manny (aka Mans! ;)) Although I could spend the next 28 days telling you just how thankful I am for him, I'll spare you all! ;) But for today...He has shown me that no matter what, if you are a victim of circumstance and handed things in life you have no control over and/or "self inflicted" pain/issues you can rise above it...

all and change, REALLY change forever, and never look back! He is the backbone of our family. He is strong when I am weak, an AMAZING father, and the guy who would help out ANYONE in their time of need. I've never met anyone with such a good, kind, gentle soul. If you are suffering, if you are struggling with addiction, if you feel like there just isn't a reason to change and give your life to God, think again! Look at Manny's life as an example of a life well lived! :) From drug addicted felon to father, husband, church Usher, man of God..doesn't get more inspirational than that! No, he/we aren't perfect, but he is my soulmate, and there is truly no one else on this Earth I can imagine spending the rest of my life with! Love you Mans! :)

 

Have a great weekend friends! :)

Halloween 2012

Hurricane Sandy came through Maryland late Monday night and things were a bit "hairy" for several hours, throw in Mia getting the stomach virus and me still having to work full days because it was month end in the mortgage business and unfortunately when a borrower is located in Georgia (for example) they don't want to hear YOU have a Hurricane coming through, they just want their money  (UGH!!) but we survived. We were SO blessed to never lose power and Mia's stomach virus was short-lived! The weather cleared up and the kids were able to go trick or treating last night. They had a blast. Mia was over it after about 10 or so houses, and Manuel and Manny continued on for a bit longer. Fun was had by all! :) I can't believe it's NOVEMBER already, but with November comes my annual "30 Days of Thankfulness" via Facebook status updates. Each day I take the time to really reflect on whats important and post only thankful, grateful items. It really makes you think and realize how much you have. I try to also post those status updates on my blog (I don't have the two connected because pretty much no one I know in real life (other than Manny) knows I blog because I feel if people I "know" were reading it, I wouldn't be quite as forthcoming! :)) but anyway ;) my plan is to post my thankfulness on here too for those that I'm not friends with on Facebook.

Day #1 of my annual 30 Days of Thankfulness...today, I am thankful to/for God! I know it's cliche and people say it all the time but I am TRULY amazed to see what He has done in my life and my families life! Growing up I always knew who God was and always believed, BUT there is a difference in knowing God and KNOWING God. Each day it humbles me to see how great His power really is. Thank you God for giving me this day and all You've done/will do for me!

Okay, so it's 5:56am, I have to get ready for work and shouldn't be blogging! ;) Soooo, for good measure...

Pumpkin Patch 2012

I wouldn't be a true blogger if I didn't post our annual Pumpkin Patch pics! ;)

But first a quick update...life is truly going wonderfully! If you all recall the early-middle part of this year was difficult for our family as we were going through some struggles with Manuel. He was having a REALLY hard time in Kindergarten! (not academically, but emotionally/mentally). There were talks of him having ADHD, meetings at school, so much praying, fears, anxiety, concerns over what his future would be like, etc. I was a wreck! At one point I literally got down on my hands and knees and begged for God to help him/us. It just came out of left field and I was beside myself with worry for my sweet boy. We sought counseling and things seemed to really work themselves out. I'm SO pleased to say that he has done a complete turnaround (and have NO doubt this was a God-thing! :)) and he is doing AWESOME! Because the school system was in the loop last year with everything going on, to stick with protocol and procedure, we had a follow up meeting with the school a few weeks ago....it was me (Manny is on mandatory overtime at work to get a government job completed), the asst principal, the guidance counselor, the school psychiatrist and Manuel's 1st grade teacher. It couldn't have gone better! :) His teacher said she has absolutely NO concerns...he participates, he stays on tasks, he works well with others, he's social, and she overall couldn't be more pleased with how he is doing! :) He even brought home a 92% on one of his first tests!!!! :) What a relief! I pray he continues doing well and that time of trial and tribulation for my sweet boy was just a stage! He has found his "niche" in cubscouts and says he wishes he could go everyday! :) Manny goes with him to EVERY meeting/event (I know some people have a bad perception of the scouts because of a few awful predators! :( but we have no worries, again, because Manny is always there! I love seeing Manuel thrive and him get excited over learning the "motto", handshakes, etc.

Shewwww, that was lengthy, sorry! :) Just a much needed update! :)

Manny, Mia and I are doing great too! :) Working, going to church and preparing to go to Disney on Ice this Saturday (Manuel is coming too, of course! :)) We are all very excited!!!

I hope life is treating you all well!

And for good measure...

 Cousins :)

I remember...

So many sweet angels names went through my head as I lit 3 candles in honor of my nephews, Mateo, Ian and Anthony. They will never be forgotten...along with Cohen, Caroline, Baby M, the Green Beans, and so many others.

Until we see you in Heaven sweet angels...

Pregancy and Infant Loss Rememberance Day (October 15th)

I'm sure you are aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it is also Downs Syndrome Awareness month, but you may not know that October is also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. Honestly, I probably would have never known either until my sister lost all 3 of her precious sons, triplets, Mateo, Ian and Anthony in May 2008. Trying to wrap my brain around losing one child is too much to even fathom...I truly can't even begin to understand an ounce of the pain caused by losing all 3 of children at the same time! :( My heart was (and still is) broken and I'm not the one who carried those sweet boys for 24+ weeks...I can't even imagine how my sister felt/feels. Truly heartbreaking! Praying for all of those families out there who have lost children, especially my sister and her husband, and my blogging friend, Jackie and her family who lost sweet Baby M. I can't imagine your pain, but I pray for peace. No children will ever replace the precious lives you lost, but you will see those sweet babies one day, and what a joyous reunion it will be. It brings a smile to face just thinking about it! :)

Mia, Manuel and Vivienne (my niece) honoring their cousins/her brothers last year,

October 15th 2011 

Two posts in one week!?!??!?

I know I just posted the other day, but we interrupt your regularly scheduled "only posting once a month" ;) to show you the adorableness that is Mia's first day of dance class...

It's not "real" dance class since she is only 2 1/2 years old, and all of the studios around here require you to be 3 for actual ballet, so for now Mia is in "Mommy & Me" dance class and as far as she is concerned it is as real as it comes! ;) Last Thursday was her first class and she LOVED it! She was a tad shy at first (she had fallen asleep on the way there) but once she woke up she really rocked it! :) You would have thought she was auditioning for Broadway! ;)

We had a GREAT weekend! On Saturday my mom, sis, niece, Aunt and Mia walked in the local Alzheimer's walk. It was a beautiful day and felt great doing something for a wonderful cause.

Ohhh, and yes, I got all of my hair chopped off! :) I've been wanting to do it for awhile now, but Lauren (one of my best friends/hairdresser) and I decided to wait until it was officially Fall because humidity+my curls+short hair=NOT CUTE! ;)

 

 Vivienne (the littlest "ATW" Amazing Tumminello Women :))

 My sis, Aunt Lucy, Mom and I :)

Mia and Vivi

 

On a side note (just because I know how people are! ;)) Yes, Manny, Manuel, Mia and I do things together ALL THE TIME but Manuel really dislikes having his picture taken, so that's why the majority of my pics tend just be of Mia! :))

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! :)