Sunday

Yesterday was the Baptism of sweet Matteo.  To be included in this family celebration was an honor and the ceremony was so special and so touching.   

At the end of the service he had the entire two families (we didn't know the other family) come up front and ALL join hands, we prayed the Lord's Prayer (I'm a Protestant - luckily this prayer is the same no matter what).  It was so special and sweet.

Then he blessed us.  

Such an incredible family, I'm lucky to be included.

Made sure we included the WHOLE family in each picture!!

The godparents.

Matteo.  Sweet little man.

New Yorkers know how to throw a party....

Matteo LOVES me. Obviously.   : ( 

Nonno and Matteo.

Two Nonno's love this sweet boy!

Such a spectacular day, I'm exhausted and not sure how I'll make it through today.

Papa

Today is my Daddy's birthday.  He passed away eight years ago and you'd think maybe the day would pass unnoticed....but no, I keep the reminder on EVERY calendar I have.  It pings on my phone, my iPad and my laptop and when it does I smile a little.  My dad wasn't the kind of guy who liked a fuss made of him-on the outside.  On the inside I think he was secretly pleased that he had four daughters and my sweet mother to dote on him and make a total and complete scene over him.  To this day it's probably why I love people in an over-the-top way that I do.

He hated pictures, hated being in them, taking them, standing around while I tried to get the light right, the poses straight and everyone smiling on cue....today I wish I had insisted on more photos.  More time where I didn't care what he wore or that my hair was pulled up in a messy scrunch on the top of my head, more time that I wish that I hadn't waited for the smiles to be perfect or the pose to make me look as thin as possible....just taken as many pictures as I could have of my daddy.

My dad was the kind of dad you'd imagine, he worked hard all his life and fixed things with his own hands, loved my mom more than anything and us girls (his four daughters) were the light of his life-I'll carry that with me always and be thankful for the gift of his life.

Playtime

I can't stop posting pictures yet because everyday with my sister and her kids is too much fun and finding fun things to do when it's not beach weather while living in a beach town can be tricky-luckily there is a brand new, epic playground!!!

This little guy wasn't ready to leave.  He may have been hiding in this slide and it took some coaxing to get him out.

Then this happened.  Sweet sleepy boy.

Focus

On the good in the world.

Family.

Babies.

Thinking about Boston has put a damper on my urge to blog but looking back over the photos from when my sister was here with her four boys and I can't help but feel joy and hope when I look into their sweet faces.  The twins had their fourth birthday while they were here and we celebrated all day long!!

So thankful for their sweet faces full of love, silliness and hope that the future is bright for us all. 

And to Boston and Texas....my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

This Past Week

Was Spring Break and it was filled with a visit from sweet sister Number Three and her husband J. and their four sons!  This is my newest nephew, G. and I am crazy about him.

More soon....