Amy & Soner BBQ

On Sunday, Popi and Grammy hosted a BBQ for the Piraino side of the family in honor of Amy and Soner getting married. It was so awesome to see all the cousins! Bella had a great time swimming and playing with all the boys! We missed Auntie Donna, Uncle Mark & Aunt Liz and we missed Chris; he was home with the flu (which I am still praying I do not get!)!

Corinthians 13 for Mothers

Thank you Vanessa...I LOVE THIS...


Corinthians 13 for Mothers

• I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor but if I don't have love, I'm as annoying as a ringing phone.
  
• I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.
  
• Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew.
  
• Love is kind when my teen says, "I hate you!"
  
• It does not envy the neighbors' swimming pool or their brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.
  
• Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.
  
• It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.
  
• Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What have you done today?"
  
• It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.
  
• It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around him/her.
  
• It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17-year-old that he's going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.
  
• Love does not give up hope. It always protects our children's self-esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.
  
• It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot.
  
• It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps and other bodily functions, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleep-overs.
  
• Love never fails. But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s), they will fade away.
  
• Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease. (Please, Lord?)
  
• Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best.
  
• For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don't end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear. (Thank you, God!)
  
• When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores, shelters us and holds us when we need to cry.
  
• And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
  
  

Motto for a Positive Outlook

I found a book that Amy left behind at my Mom and Dad's called, "Think Positive Thoughts Every Day". I think I found it for a reason! I will share them as I go along. Here is one of the first things I read:

Motto for a Positive Outlook

Refuse to be unhappy; be cheerful instead.

Refuse to let your troubles multiply; just take them one by one.

Orangize your time; keep your life simple and exactly the way you want it.

Refuse to complain about things; learn to improve your surroundings and create your world the way you believe it should be.

Refuse to dwell on the mistakes or disappointments that are somtimes a part of life; instead learn how you can make things better.

Be optimistic.

Be energetic and positive about the things you do, and always hope for the best.

Believe in yourself at all times and in all aspects of your life.

Before you know it, those wonderful dreams you have believed in all your life will come true, and your life will be the happy and successful life that it was meant to be.

Man, this new schedule is rough...

Just for fun...

I took these pictures of my little Vincent tonight before and after bath time! I have a new frame for his bedroom that I want to fill up and I think these will be adorable.

First day of Pre-K!

So today was Isabella's big day! Her first day of Pre-K! I think I have mentioned that she is going every day from 9-11:30. So, we made some rules last night...just the usual...you are in bed when Mommy and Daddy tell you, you wake up and eat breakfast right away, take a bath at night...those kinda things! We had these rules in place, but with summer they seemed to go by the waistside (a glimpse into the future!). We explained to her that every day Daddy has to go to work, she also has to go to school...that seemed to help! She went to bed at a decent hour last night and woke up right when I said to this morning. She was so excited! When I dropped her off at school she could care less that I was leaving. When I picked her up, I was standing outside the classroom and I could hear the kids learning the Sign of the Cross and saying the Lord's Prayer. The teacher told them, "You know what? We just talked to God!" My heart melted. It was a touching moment for me. God has given us so many blessings. After they were done, she ran over and gave me a hug and told me all about what she did at school. She said she already loves Ms. Amanda and Ms. Sandra! This is going to be a great year!

Isabella's clothes hanging on her door last night!

Wake up sleepy head!

Kissing Daddy goodbye this morning!

Brusha, Brusha, Brusha!

My Catholic School girl!

All ready for some fun! And below, calling Daddy to tell him about her day!

Everything is bigger in Texas...

Finally, here are our pictures from Texas! We had a great time just hanging out and relaxing. The time went by way too fast. It was the first time we got to see the Ranch (name yet to be determined) that my Mom and Dad own with Aunt Diane. Mom and Dad plan to put a vacation home on the Ranch so we can all stay when we visit. It needs work with 42 acres, but it is going to be gorgeous. It is so peaceful there! Let's see, we did a lot of eating (as usual), some shopping and Bella did so much riding on her Horses that her booty hurt. She has her very own little saddle and pink lead ropes. She truly is our little Cowgirl. We also got to visit with Aunt Elva and Uncle Steve who moved to Texas at the beginning of the year. I loved the area they live in and could actually see myself and the family moving there some day and driving up to the Ranch for weekend relaxing. Enjoy the pictures...It is no surprise I took 122...sorry, they are mostly of Isabella riding!

Growing Up...

Vincent is growing up WAY TOO FAST!!! He is 9 months old, has 7 teeth, pulling himself up on everything, loving baby food, talking up a storm, enjoying his new car seat, and making everyone around him smile with his sweet nature! We love this Lil' Guy!

AXO Wine and Bubbly

Through facebook, I was able to reconnect with my Lil' Sister from Sorority, Sarah. Last night she hosted Wine and Bubbly at her beautiful house. I haven't been to any alumni events, but both Sarah and Melanie asked me to go, so I thought "what the heck". I am so glad I went. It was so much fun to see a bunch of faces and catch up with sisters I haven't seen since I graduated college.

Pre-K Open House

Last night we had Bella's Pre-K Open House. Daddy came home early and we all went to check out her new classroom and meet her teachers. Her classroom is too cute and she had two very sweet teachers, Ms. Amanda and Ms. Sandra. Ms. Sandra said we look familiar and she has seen us around town. Chris said, "Probably at Target!"...So funny! Isabella starts next Tuesday and goes from 9-11:30 every day. Each day they incorporate some Bible study and Wednesdays are share days. There was even a calendar for Mom's who want to come help! I can't wait.