Italian Shinanigans

After reading Laura's current post I thought there are a few things I can tell you about what is happening in Italy. Laura and I were brainstorming about how I could have a better communication experience with Spencer while being half a world away and we came up with something really fun. We wanted something that would be just for him and fun and on-going so we came up with writing a story together. Laura opened a private blog for him and then I started a story and stopped at a point where he then continued on with the story. We have gone back and forth several times and the story is really amusing. It is funny but when you write fiction it really takes on a life of its own. Neither of us have a clue where it is going but the journey is the thing that is fascinating. I am sure if you linked to Laura at the above link she would invite you in to check it out.

Spencer wants to be a writer when he grows up!

This is a great way to communicate with a grandchild and also a great way to get inside their minds and to teach little lessons along the way. I would love to start one with each of the bigger grandkids.

Now for a little tale about Rossie. Laura has been using the book Deceptively Delicious by Seinfeld's wife, Jessica, that I know is familiar to a lot of you. It is a cookbook helping moms get as many veggies and fruits as possible into to their child's diet in a sneaky, fun way.

Well, Ross has always been a very good eater and loves most things but lately he has gotten on a kick. He loves to recommend menus to Laura. See this post. Anyway, he now seems to HATE new recipes.

I think she may have pushed the envelope a little too hard by making one of his favorites, Mac & Cheese with a really yucky new kind of stinky cheese (called cauliflower)! I think I may be with Ross on this one, Lou! So the other night she tried another recipe and Ross threw a bit of a fit about it when he asked her what was for dinner. As it turned out he went to bed without dinner that night because he staged a rather loud and naughty protest on the way to the table. In typical Ross fashion, always thinking, he was obedient by sitting down at the table but not until he had turned his chair completely around with his little back to his food and family. This did not amuse his daddy! I am glad I was not there because it definitely would have amused me! (Don't mess with the Navy!)

This is one funny little guy!
Maybe he'll be a chef when he grows up
or another Seinfeld!

Italy is Just Too Far Away!

Why does Italy have to be nearly 7,000 miles away from home? We are really missing our kids and grandkids stationed there. A year has passed and less than two to go. Somehow...day to day that is not much consolation. Especially since they will probably be some other far away place once that tour is over. We have been spoiled by having them live near us twice in the last ten years.

Lou Lou & Rossie

The problem with Italy is the communications. They are nine hours ahead of us so you have to really plan the times you will talk. Then there is the problem of them having a life and so they are gone a lot when they are awake. The very nerve, huh?

They have cell phones but the problem there is that they aren't always near them or turned on and although their phone has a message center and an Italian lady that asks you to leave a message~Laura and Robert do not have a plan that has message retrieval. I left plenty of messages and wondered why they were never returned before I found out about that little glitch.

The home phone is out of order and the last time that was the case it took over one month to get it fixed. Of course that means their Internet is out too. They don't call home because they have not received a single phone bill in the year they have been in Italy. So they have no clue how much calling home costs and they can't seem to find out. Because they know that everything else is sky high there, they don't want to risk a huge bill coming in unexpectedly for several hundred Euros.

The problem is there are two little boys there that are growing up so fast and I hate their childhood slipping through our fingers thousands of miles away.

Spencie Looking Mischievous

The Day They Left the US and us

Turning 6 in Italy

International Goofy Faces

The other problem is that Laura is one of my very best friends in all of life and I totally am aching to talk with her, be with her, have a mom and daughter day..

Our Beautiful Girl

This separation has been hard because I realized we have no set date for a reunion and is there isn't a target to look forward to..........and I know that it's very hard on her too. Not only do those in the armed forces sacrifice so much, but let us not forget their families as well. Vanessa, I am thinking of you and Jake too, Sweetie!

Have you thanked a military family lately? This freedom we all enjoy is definitely not free. It is bought with a huge price.

Our Robert!

Sometimes I think I will never get use to this empty nest. No actually, I do like the empty nest...just not the distance between their nest and ours.

This missing them is a real problem for me. I know many people would prefer to not say the word "problem" but prefer to call this a "challenge." But as for me, I am calling a spade a spade here...this is a problem and there is no glossing over it. I have said it seven times in this post and don't regret it because that is what it is. Calling it a challenge somehow negates that achy-breaky feeling of loneliness I have today.

And that is my whining session for today!

Intrique In Italy

"ROME (Reuters) - When in Capri, don't wander off the beach in a bikini. If you go to the sea in Eraclea, near Venice, remember that building sandcastles is forbidden. And don't even think about mowing your lawn on the weekend in Forte Dei Marmi.

Emboldened by a nationwide crackdown on crime and a government decree giving them extra law-and-order powers, Italian mayors have issued a string of often bizarre by-laws to enhance "public decorum."

Public displays of affection in a car can earn you a fine of up to 500 euros ($745) in Eboli, feeding pigeons is off-limits in the centre of Lucca while in Novara groups of more than two people are forbidden from lounging around in parks at night.

Italian newspapers have dubbed this year's holiday season "the summer of bans." But this week one town hall was forced to acknowledge things may have gone too far.

Rodrigo Piccoli, 33, called national radio to protest after he was fined 50 euros for lying down in a park in the northern city of Vicenza to read a book. The mayor has since promised to drop the ban."

Sardinia

Laura and Robert and the boys are off to Sardinia for a week. I hope they had a chance to glance at the news before they left. Considering the need for cracking down on crime in Italy I feel they're kinda barking up the wrong trees here. Pretty humorous, don't you think? How about making not picking up the garbage against the law? Or campfire girls on every corner? Or posting signs in public places that say, "Pick Pocketing For Life"? Truth is stranger than fiction as they say! Hey family....absolutely no sandcastle building while on the island...ya hear? And, Robert, no smoochin' on Laura in public, especially in the car! If you must make sure the coast is clear!

Funnies From Italy

A few days ago Laura posted this great piece on Rossie. I plan to have my blog printed at the end of the year and wanted this post included because it is one of my favorites and it is 100% Ross. So here you have it, by my guest blogger and daughter, Miss Laura!

Better Than a Complaint
August 2008

"Last night I tried a new recipe for dinner (it was awesome- blog worthy in every way). Robert and I and Spencer really enjoyed it BUT Ross wasn't terribly impressed. In fact, he started complaining about it. In response Robert said (our favorite thing to say when the kids complain), "Ross, if you want to make a complaint, it must be submitted in writing." After leaving the table Ross found a piece of paper and a pen and wrote the following:

Dinners
1. Caisudyas!!! (quesidillas)
2. Ryfride byns!! (refried beans)
3. Wofls and Pancakes!! (waffles and pancakes)
4. Corn!

Dizerts
1. icecrym (ice cream)
2. fugscls (fudgesicles)

I guess he decided a list of suggestions for dinner and dessert would be better than a complaint. I swear, I love this kid- he is SO funny!"

(Ross starts first grade this month and he already gets phonics pretty well.)

Blogjacked from Laura~Spencer's Creativity!

Trash All Over Naples

For the last 10 months or so I have tried really hard not to mention much about the trash problem we have here in Naples- I figured that 1. talking about it won't make make the problem go away 2. It makes me mad (sad, frustrated, disgusted, etc.) every time I think about it and 3. you simply can not comprehend how bad it is until you have experienced.

However... yesterday on our way to Carney Park we passed a section of road lined with garbage- it was rather stinky so I said to the boys, "Hey guys, can you smell that stinky Naples air?" Spencer said, "Yeah Mom- its gross!" then he starts singing a "song" that he made up about the garbage. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry that he had noticed the problem enough to make up a song about it but I promised him I would blog about it anyway, so here it

Trash, Trash all over Naples,

Trash, Trash all over Naples

On the sidewalks, on the street,

Always under my two feet!

On the mountains, on the cars,

All the way from earth to Mars!

You can find it everywhere

except in garbage cans!

Deacons In Training

What is it about little boys and making weird faces while getting their picture taken? These are photos from Rossie's 6th birthday on July 3rd, in Teverola, Italia, pirated from Laura's post. As she says the two craziest looking faces are Spencer front left and Ross on the right. All of our grandsons are famous for this camera behavior except Owen and I am sure it is coming! You should see some of the crazy ones I have of Connor and Zach as well! The face making for boys seems universal like how all kids open Oreos and lick off the stuff.

They are so cute, trust me!

They just love to make these faces.

We have evidence from places all over Italy.

Whenever I see them I can't help but think~

DEACONS IN TRAINING!

I hope your birthday was awesome, Ross! It sure does look that way. I love the blog your mom does it makes it seem like we are all together..HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU..HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU..HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR ROSSIE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Now 7 then 8...climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and come home! Love to your whole family. We all miss you so much! Thanks for all your prayers for Hazel, Heavenly Father is listening~she is slowly getting better.

Ross ~The Romantic!

Everything is bigger than life with Ross. He is so expressive, so funny and so affectionate and loving. While looking thorough some pictures I ran across this sequence of photos from Burano, Italy to show you how romantic he can be~plus a little dramatic.

The Gathering

Arranging the Bouquet

The Presentation to His Best Girl~Mommy!

While some guys can remain forever clueless in this department, Ross will never be one of them. When asked what he would like to do when he grows up...
His response was "I'd like to just do my Huggy Works!"

Ross totally gets it,
He knows that girls like hugs
And, he is very willing to take it up as his life long work!
The ladies of the future will be standing in line!

I think it is safe to say his Mom, Grandmothers
and Aunties will always be in that line too!

Happy Birthday Robert!

Happy Birthday, Robert! We wish we could see you today and give you a big birthday hug! Your special day is nearly over in Italy but for us it is just beginning. I know Laura and the boys have made the day memorable for you.

Today, have your cake and eat it too!

Here are some photos
from the year in review!

The Uphill Hike to Mt. Vesuvius!

With Your Great Boys in Italy!

Pompeii

Multitasking at Home!

Guy Things!

Favorite Pass Time~Being With Laura!

We love you Robert and wish you the very best of everything in the coming year. You have always been a wonderful son to your parents and to us. Thanks for all the contributions you make to all of us in the family. You are a great example in every way. Thanks for being you! We are all celebrating you today! We hope you are feeling the love!

Happy 33! The Best is Yet to Be!

Spencer's Cookies

I have learned so many lessons in life from our grandchildren. Spencer continues to teach me and I have been thinking a lot about this lately. Spencer was born with food allergies. Not just your everyday type food allergies where you get a scratchy throat or a little runny nose, but he is allergic to peanuts and soy. You cannot begin to realize unless you have been around these two allergies how incredibly difficult they can make your life. For one, peanuts do not cause an allergic reaction in the familiar sense...they are a deadly poison to people that have the problem. I think they should be classified as a poison, period.

Children and adults with severe problems with peanuts can go into anaphylactic shock from just inhaling the dust of a peanut, smelling one or touching something that someone with peanut oil on their hands has previously touched.

Our trip on the train to Utah a few years ago

at Christmas time.
Laura should own stock in Handiwipes.

She cleaned the entire train area
where Spencer would be sitting.

Spencer's seat on the train is covered by a sheet
to protect him from the dirty seats.

It is hard to imagine the trauma this can cause for the parents of children afflicted with this. Every time you leave your own nut free home you are at risk, you can never let your guard down. Think about the ramifications of this...grocery carts, handrails, other kids houses and toys, playgounds, movie theaters, airplanes...the list is endless. You carry an epi-pen every time you leave your house praying you never need it. You never have a day when you can afford to forget to pray for protection and safety.

When you add soy to the mix things get even more complicated. Soy is in almost every product you can buy~check a few labels sometime. Places where you would never suspect..soy is lurking. Spencer has never been able to go to a birthday party and have cake and ice cream with the other kids, have a pizza from a pizza parlor, go trick or treating, eat at a restaurant unless Laura and Robert are completely familiar with every aspect of the products used, kitchen, chef, etc. That has happened so rarely you can count the visits on one hand. Laura and Robert have to bring food with them everywhere they go to keep him safe. You should have seen the food prep that went on when we got ready to travel around Italy for 11 days. We had 6 people for three days and 5 for 8 days. That is 138 meals and 92 snacks that were planned, purchased and assembled before we left. We had to have hotels with kitchens and we all ate this way most of the time to limit the times Spencer would have to sit in a restaurant with his own food.

Amazing parents!

One of their biggest jobs is educating others who don't understand that this is a very serious problem that can be fatal. Another thing you have to do is speak very frankly to your toddler and teach them early that peanuts can kill them. Imagine how hard this is when you just want your little one to have the innocence of that young and tender age and they don't even know what~it can kill you~ really means.

The Lord knew what He was doing when he sent his precious son, Spencer, to Laura and Robert..they have been beyond amazing in caring for him. This affliction is a lot like interest on your debts...it never rests, it never takes a vacation, you can never ignore it. We are so proud of their family! Spencer has been so disciplined in this whole thing~you would not even believe what children are capable of when the need and desire is there. Spencer will be 9 on May 11th. This is what he has taught me.

You must have Faith. Faith in God, faith in yourself and faith in someone other than yourself..in his case his parents, grandparents, and other adults looking out for his best interest.

He knows that the things that seem like restrictions in his life actually are the avenue to his freedom. Why can't I be more like that? When Heavenly Father says no...it is for my good. How does a little boy learn this so young and it takes most of us a life time of struggle?

You Must Be Obedient. Spencer is obedient when his parents say, no you cannot have that, it is not safe. He simply obeys, even when he wants to do otherwise. Why can't I be more like that?

You Must Trust Others. When everyone else has something you want and you alone cannot have it~ you realize that everyone has trials and tribulations and this one is yours to bear...like it or not...you do it. You don't understand why this has happened to you but you believe your parents, you do what they say and you benefit because of it. That is Spencer...why can't I be more like him? When everyone else is having a gelato, you quietly drink a Fanta soda and you find your own joy in that. Whoa, to be like that...!

You Feel God's Love for You Even in Your Afflictions. Spencer loves God and his family and feels their love in return, because of this he is a happy person in spite of his problems. You don't blame God for your issues, you just know that he allows these things in our lives to make us stronger. You realize that only good things come from God and He gives you the strength to cope with the hard things if we will just trust Him and be obedient. Wouldn't we all love to be more like that?

You Teach Others By Your Example. Spencer does this everyday. These are just a few of the reasons we love him so much and his parents who have taught him so well. And his little brother, Ross who has made many sacrifices also to help Spencer.

You Must Be Grateful. When Laura was able to find soy free chocolate chips at about $8.00 a pound from a mail order place..Spencer got his first ever chocolate chip cookies. Now you know why Spencer looks so happy in this photo and why we are so proud and humbled to be his grandparents! You also know why this picture is so important to us. How often we take for granted something so ordinary that can be such a big special deal to someone else. Gratitude is so important in the little things!

God bless you with safety always, Spencer James!
Happy 9th Birthday this Sunday!

Thank You To Our "Italian" Kids

Lunching at the Caserta Reggio

It is hard to thank you guys enough for the wonderful times we had in Italy! Honestly, it was a dream vacation in so many ways. I feel that the experiences there really were life expanding and so enriching. You were the perfect hosts, even down to giving us your room. You were also great tour guides and chefs, and wonderful company, and a great source of comfort for us in unfamiliar surroundings. What set of parents could ask for more?

Italian car sculpture made by the boys!

Although it is always hard to hear where you are going next...it always turns out to be a blessing to us all as long as we make every effort to come to visit. You have been some amazing places but I think this one is best so far. No matter where you are you create a beautiful home for your family and the boys are just amazing. They are having some very spectacular experiences growing up! I am thankful that our Father in Heaven has allowed us all these wonderful family times together, what a blessing!

So thanks for the memories~ we love you all so much! Same time next year?

Much Love, Mom & Dad

The first morning in Teverola~ahhh..to do it all over again!

***For my blog readers, this signifies my last official Italy post. Thank you for hanging in there with me so I could get this journaled while it was still fresh in my mind. Experience has taught me to jump while the iron is hot. Old minds with full hard drives ~ forget quickly.

You will have to read about Pompeii and Napoli when Jim or Laura blog about them as I did not really see them except as a drive through and from a distance. You have all been good friends and a fantastic support during this whole process. Hope it has peaked an interest in going to Italy yourselves!

Ross Boss Apple Sauce

Hi Everyone...Meet Ross! He will be 6 on July 3rd. He is my "Birthday Twin" as he was born the day after my birthday and he is constantly reminding me how soon my birthday is coming up. Lovely news! He gets so excited so I figure I might as well too!

I don't know why it is taking me so long to get all the grandkids introduced to you. Rossie is our 3rd born grandson and belongs to Laura and Robert. Ross is named after my father, Ross, and his middle name is Andrew after Jim's grandfather. However, I think his middle name should be Hilarious!

Ross at 5 the day they left for Italy!

Ross was born in Fairfield , CA and I had the pleasure of attending his birth. I guess I can call it a pleasure since I was not the one on the table, right? We should have known it would be a roller coaster ride with Rossie when the attending physician turned out to be a member of Laura's ward who kept saying, "Don't I know you from somewhere?" She assured him they had never met and was so relieved that the ward boundries were changed right after Ross was born and she never had to see him again in the halls at church! Gads, can you imagine? That is amazing and it wasn't even Utah! Having Laura and Robert living close and such regular contact with the boys really cemented them to our hearts forever. We were so sad when they moved to Mississippi.

Ross at 2 after they had just arrived in Mississippi! Still unpacking!

Rossie has always been a very energetic, happy boy. He loves to be outside and I can remember when he was a baby he always wanted to swing in his swing outside first thing every single day. Spencer was so excited to have a little brother but couldn't understand why Ross couldn't play the minute he came home from the hospital.

Good little buddies!

Since then they have been the best of brothers. Most of the time they play nicely together and have enjoyed so many things together. I love these pictures where they are just cracking up.

Ross enjoys bike riding and has been so good at riding a two wheeler since he was four. He loves to go places with his family do all kinds of fun things. He and Spencer are both great swimmers and even go off the diving board! When Ross was little he really loved ice cream and I think he still does. Maybe it's gelato now?

Is there something on my face?

Chocolate Gelato!

Ross is a real people person. He loves people and has never met a stranger. He is so loving and one of his hugs will make you feel loved for a long long time. Ross loves numbers and has been counting to a thousand since he was 3, he has always found numbers fascinating even as a toddler. Ross loved the chickens they had in Mississippi too. He could run and catch them with little effort. The thing that makes Rossie so hilarious is that he is always saying really funny things. Ross loves videos and Leapster and the math cartridge is the favored one. He is enjoying his time in Italy and can already count way high in Italian. He says Si for yes all the time now when we talk to him on the phone. He loves stuffed animals and he and Spencer have quite the collection. Here is Ross when he was little with Poley the Polar Bear that is staying with us while they are in Italy. I am taking good care of him and yes, I admit I do hug him every once in awhile when thinking of our boys!

Rossie loves to snuggle!

We are all lucky and blessed to have him in our lives forever. He wants Uncle Chris to invent something that would allow Gramma and Grampa to come right through the screen to Italy when we talk on the web cam. That sounds good to us too because we really really miss them since they moved to Italy.

Our Baby is 30! ~ January 30th 2008

Happy Birthday, Laura!

I forgot to send you a card with your package so here is something else instead. We wish you the very best, Honey, for a fabulous new year. You are missed today and every day! I know that Robert and the boys will make your day special. It is not easy to be so far away from your extended family and friends on such a big day. I want to invite everyone who sees this to wish Laura a Happy 30th Birthday right here on the blog! We love you with all of our hearts! Daddy & Mom