Happy Easter

Happy Easter family and friends. We started our day off with Mass, ate lunch a la Applebees, then came home to crack our cascarones. Which are confetti filled eggs we made earlier this week. Each of the kids got an Easter basket or small gift. Gabriel was so excited to get his basket. As a matter of fact, he just informed me that the Easter Bunny bought his The Tale of Despereaux movie at the Disney Store. {Secretly.... I can't wait for him to get older and read the book}

Well before I post pics I wanted to include a hymn that we sang at Mass today. It really struck me as I sang it. You see the thought of Trent having to deploy to Afghanistan in January has started to weigh heavily on my mind and heart. As I begin to frequently question myself with "How am I going to make it through?" or the unimaginable "What if something happens to him...how could I go on...?" You know the normal worrying every military wife has only that as the reality of it all begins to set in for me at the possibility of this deployment happening I feel as if my gut has been punched . Lately I have the feeling of panic...like oh no this is really going to happen. Well the point of all this is that as I sang I Know That My Redeemer Lives today I had an overwhelming feeling of calmness come over me. In singing that hymn I knew that if I left it all in God's hands everything would be okay.

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

(Text: Samuel Medley, Tune: Duke Street)

1. I know that my Redeemer lives;

What joy the blest assurance gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead;

He lives my everlasting Head!

2. He lives, to bless me with his love;

He lives, to plead for me above;

He lives, my hungry soul to feed;

He lives, to help in time of need.

3. He lives, and grants me daily breath;

He lives, and I shall conquer death;

He lives, my mansion to prepare;

He lives, to bring me safely there.

4. He lives, all glory to his name;

He lives, my Savior, still the same;

What joy the blest assurance gives;

I know that my Redeemer lives!

Time just flies by....

Yep, it's been a while since I last posted. In focusing on my health and fitness I've come to neglect this blog of mine. Now to recap the past month....I've got quite a bit to share. First of all I will show the progress I've made so far with my weight.

Feb. 11th

Now- March 26th I have to say I have consistently weighed between 125-124 lbs. this week until Sunday when I weighed in at 127 lbs. I'm hoping that the increase in weight is due to the fact that I will start my period in a few days and is just water weight. Healthwise I feel better and I am doing a good job at using my PMDD symptom tracker. I say in a month or two I should be able to effectively use the tracker to see any patterns I have. I have already begun to see a pattern in the lack of energy and increase in appetite during the two weeks of the month that my PMDD kicks in. I was also able to prepare myself for the mood swings. I have made the decision to try alternative methods to control my PMDD. This entails using natural remedies, excercise, extra rest, and a better diet. I take Estroven (Soy & Black Cohosh), Evening Primrose, calcium, multivitamins (that include zinc, magnesium, B-12, & B-6), and I include flax seed & eat foods rich in omega 3's. During the two weeks that my PMDD is in effect I stay away from caffeine. Excercise is effective in increasing serotonin levels and relieving daily stress so I work out 5 times a week. One hour or more is dedicated to cardio and the rest of the time I lift weights.

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Homeschooling has been coming along okay. We had to get back into the swing of it after Noah was pulled out. We have our schedule and after tweaking it a couple times it seems to be working for us. This semester we are learning about the human body, The Middle Ages, the basics math, reading, language arts. He is also taking online Spanish, Music, and Art courses which he loves. For socialization he is active in Boy scouts and he starts playing baseball this week through the MWR. He also plays with friends from school.

Working on some math:

Art/Drawing:

Learning about construction:

Gabriel is also learning new things. He has his own preschool program, but I haven't yet pushed him to do any "schoolish" learning. Right now it's all about making learning fun for him and if he feels like using his workbooks...YAY..if not it's no big deal. He's just three anyways.

Here he made pumpkins using playdoh and his cookie cutters. I might teach him about making patterns using these tools. He won't even know he's doing something schoolish, but it'll teach him to recognize patterns. Like red pumpkin, yellow pumpkin, blue pumpkin, red pumpkin, yellow pumpkin, blue pumpkin, etc...Letter and number recognition using cheerios during breakfast.
He wanted to use his workbook here. He is coloring different shapes.
He called me over to show me he found a letter Y in his Cheetos bag. LOL
More coloring
Using his fine motor skills and trying to learn how to tie shoes. He's still too young....but he's trying.
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The weather is getting warm so we have been enjoying the parks here. These are pics from Family Fitness Day at Carney Park.

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We got to see AC Milan play against Napoli last weekend. It was an awesome game and the fans were CRAZY. We actually got to see David Beckham and Ronaldino play in this game. Our seats were great and it was one of the most exciting games I've ever been to. When I say that the fans are crazy I mean like they are fanatics......just look at the fire they started in the stands. Believe me that didn't cause anyone in that section to leave. They just stayed put and continue cheering like nothing....it didn't even phase them one bit.

David Beckham is pictured below:

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Lastly, Noah crossed over and earned his Arrow of Light award. He and Trent spent the weekend at Carney Park, Lesley was away on a retreat in Capua, and my littlest guy and I had the whole house to ourselves for two days. We rented DVD's and enjoyed ourselves.

You Are An ESFJ

The Caregiver You are sympathetic and caring, putting friends and family first. A creature of habit, you prefer routines and have trouble with change. You love being in groups - whether you're helping people or working on a project. You are good at listening, laughing, and bringing out the best in people. In love, you value harmony and mutual understanding. You will apologize or give someone the benefit of the doubt, if it means getting over a fight sooner. At work, you are good at building relationships and connecting with people. You would make a great nurse, social worker, or teacher. How you see yourself: Organized, dependable, co-operative When other people don't get you, they see you as: Opinionated, critical, and know-it-all

What's Your Personality Type?

I'm still here...just busy

Seems as if I've neglected this little blog over the past two weeks. All is well I've just been too lazy to blog since I've been taking care of myself. Healthwise I have made myself a priority and I've been to the gym five times a week since I saw Dr. Yao. My appointment with the nutritionist is on March 2 so I'll heed any dietary advice they suggest and incorporate it into my lifestyle. I eat pretty healthy already, it's my portion sizes that I need to monitor.

For Valentine's Day Trent and I had dinner with the kiddos and then saw a movie on base by ourselves. We watched He's Just Not That into You. I'm so thankful I don't have to deal with the whole dating scene again. LOL The movie was good, but the company was even better. I really enjoy spending time with Trent sans the kids. It's great!! He gave me a sweet love letter this morning.

As for posting my weigh in I'll try to do it by tomorrow. I've just been too tired/lazy to upload the pictures I took onto my computer. Hope all is well for you guys.
Stephanie

Opps I almost forgot...

Happy Birthday Clara!!!

Today is my mother-in-laws birthday. She's 50ish (wink....wink) and still a very young grandma. Being that my hubby is her only child ....my kids are her only grandkids. Clara we wish you very Happy Birthday.

Thoughts....

Just taking a quick break from homeschooling. Noah and I just finished a math lesson and we are reviewing concepts in other subjects this week. I finished setting up our daily schedule. Now I need to organize my lesson plan book. I have the long weekend to finish all of my planning, but Trent pitched the idea of going on a road trip to Bari or Assissi. Ahhh...big decisions....should I stay and work or go and play???? Both destinations are 4 hrs away??? I want to go, but I also know I have work and planning to do. I'll let you know about my decision later.
I did want to discuss two books that are on my nightstand right now. I started reading this first book on our drive back from Germany. Thus far it is a good book filled with priceless information.

The other book at my bedside was recommended by my friend Yesenia. I haven't read it yet, but she had a lot of good stuff to say about it. Not only do I have the book, but my dear sweet hubby bought the book on i tunes and downloaded it to both of our ipods. He's listened to this book already and likes it too. Here is the book:
Then there's this movie. I love the message in this movie. I would recommend it to any married couple.

Well time to hit the books with Noah.

Buh-Bye,

Stephanie

Following through with some goals.....

I didn't make any New Years resolutions this year, but I did set goals. One of my goals was to be more proactive about my health. Yesterday I went to see Dr. Yao for a full physical and to discuss my concerns. We laid out a course of action that we both agreed to. I have a consult appointment with the nutritionist and today I will begin my excercise program which will be adjusted every six weeks. I am also charting my monthly cycle for the next six months to see visually any patterns that exist. I've used this tool in the past and basically it'll just give me a heads up as to when I should expect any physical/ hormonal changes.

In addition to meeting my weight goal, the excercise program will help me manage my condition and tone up. My weight goal is between 110-115lbs. this is what I weighed most of my adult life until I turned 30 and then got pregnant with Gabriel the Great. Since giving birth over three yrs. ago, the lowest I've weighed is 124lbs. For me personally, I feel sluggish and not physically fit or strong at my current weight. My goal isn't to get skinny....I like the curves I do have. I just want be toned, strong, and healthy. Anyhoo....I am posting a weekly weigh in here to keep me on track. Here's my first:

20 lbs. to go!!!

Four years since you've been gone....

I didn't remember this day last year until it had passed. I had a dream about you early this morning and it wasn't until I was fully awake that I realized the date. Four years ago you left this world for a better one. I miss you Grandma...... I'll always remember one of the last conversations I had with you and Grandpa. As we sat , drank coffee, and ate some sweet treats. (grandpa's favorite thing) I spoke of how I missed home and expressed my fears about living so far away. You both told me to see, do, and take advantage of the opportunities that lay ahead of me. You both told me to travel, see the world, and experience life. You told me to LIVE. I hope I've made you proud...I love you.










I miss you both very much.

Umm..Bartender I'll have several shots of tequila!!!

Living with PMDD is a hell I can't begin to describe. I'm in the throes of it as of a week ago. God please fix me!! Only a handful of people have known that I've been trying to function with this shit since being diagnosed with it in 1996. I have dealt with it most of these years without the blue little pills my doctor prescribed to me. Hell is an understatement. I HATE it....I Hate what I experience two weeks out of the month like clock work. I hate what I feel.......I hate everything about it. I hate experiencing this hell. My mood swings are so severe I sometimes don't know what I'm feeling by the minute. All the while doctors/people debate about whether or not it's a real disease!! Yeah....ask my husband and kids if it's real. Better yet ask the 8% of women and their families who suffer and have to deal with it.

Missing home...

Ahh...How many time have I heard "I'd switch places with you in an instant." Yes, I am thankful for the opportunity to live overseas, but sometimes the everyday stuff can be a bit burdening. There are conveniences big and small that I miss back home. Italy, especially the southern parts, compared to other European countries is third world. On top of that the culture is much different and frustrating at times. I love it here, but there are days that I hate it too. I've emailed this video before...it's funny and so true. Most drive horribly, don't believe in giving you personal space, can't form a line, and southern Italy has trash EVERYWHERE.




Things I miss back home in no particular order:
* Poor boy brisket sandwiches....I'd do anything to have one of these!!! Anything LOL
* Target stores
* cheap, clean, and healthy produce
* clean unpolluted water...I have to use bottled water for cooking, brushing my teeth,and cleaning. Thank God the goverment pays for the bottled water...because the cost added up when we had to pay out of pocket.
* fast food restuarants...especially Chick-fil-A
* my family
* authentic Chinese, Thai, and Mexican food
* clean air
* Cracker Barrel.....uummm
I'm getting hungry. LOL