Please read and sign the petition...PLEASE!!!

Hi everyone, I just want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!!! If you haven't noticed, I have a petition box on my blog. My family is trying to get enough signatures to print out and sent to the producers of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I know it is a long shot, but we already filled out the application...our next big thing to do is make a video...any ideas would be great. We really, really need this. I know that I got a comment stating that I should say what we have or are doing for our community because there is nothing on it...well, we have done so much...we donate clothes, food and toys (that haven't been beat up by the kids) to the areas all around us. My husband has done many things for the schools, churches, the Cystic Fibrosis foundation, American Heart Association, and cities around here...signs from fundraisers to centerpieces and tickets...My husband is the kind of guy that makes friends with everyone. He can go anywhere and strike up a conversation with them. Always looking for the good in all, he never is quick to judge anybody. Not only is he a very hard worker, but he spends time with our kids...takes them here or there...while I stay home with the little ones, or the ones that are sick at the time. He even joined the school PTU...now how many dads can you honestly say you know, that actually ENJOYS doing all the school functions that he can! He always has to make sure that the elderly people around us...well actually...most of our neighbors around us, have their yards raked in the fall and their driveway and walkways shoveled in the winter. He makes sure that we give food to the needy, even though sometimes we ARE the needy. We may not have a "cause" to fight in the community, or a state funded grant for a "cause", but we help and care for those around us with what we have to offer.
So if you all would be so kind to pass this petition on to everyone you know and have them sign it, I would be forever grateful to you.
A great big THANK YOU to all of you that have already signed! Thank you all for the nice notes you left with your signature! Love you all!

Now I would like to take this time to publicly thank my family for everything that have done for us. My husbands business has slowed WAY down because of 1)Kenny being in and out of the hospital and 2)the economy...no one has the money for signs and graphics...advertising is the first to be cut from a budget. So this past month has been one that we would much rather not talk about. We have been struggling... and my family helped us out with a Christmas dinner and presents for the kids...Thank you all very, very much! Also, Tony's brother gave him a van, since his died. This is such a bad time for us...I've been so down about it. So sorry if I've been distant lately...it's been a very bad couple of years...Nicks death, Kenny with all his problems, financial, and a few other things...mix it all together, and you get a very stressful emotional mess.
I am so thankful to God that our marriage is a strong one, because through everything, we have each other...like our marriage vows, for richer or poorer, through sickness and health...yep...been there...done that...in 13 short years of marriage! I would not wish any of this...on anybody...and for everyone that has told us that we shouldn't of had so many kids...we wouldn't trade a hug or a smile from any one of our kids!!!! They ARE what life is about. We are proud of all of our kids and will make the best out of what God has given us (and has taken away) I can only hope that when they are grown, they rally around one another like our family has done for us...THANK YOU!
Oh, I am also still getting angel ornaments from people...I love them, thank you for sending us a little happiness.

I can hear at last!

Today is the start of a new Kenny! He has gotten his hearing aids! It is going to be a slow "getting used to them" process because, all he wants to do now is rip those suckers right out of his ears! Soooo....what we are doing is one ear at a time. He seems fine with only one in...doesn't even know it is in, so we will be doing this until he starts to realize that they help him hear and are not just a toy to throw or bite! LOL! For the times that he has had one in his ear, he seems so much more aware of everything. It's like watching a small miracle unfold with him! I cant wait till he can keep them in both ears and starts to really take off, developmentally! He will definitely need them for life, but hey, a small price to pay to hear!

Thank you all for the prayers for Johnnie, they seem to be working. He should be getting out of the hospital tonight...hopefully. He has had a few rounds of antibiotics and he pretty much has to be away from all germs. He has some sort of infection of the bone marrow...or something like that. When I find out more, I will update. :)

We had our "BIG" snow storm last night through today...ummm...started off as snow, turned to rain...If anything, there was lots of slush...I was hoping that the last day of school would not get cancelled because of the ice that we were supposed to get...thank God it was just slush! I'll tell ya what though, the trees looked so pretty with the little ice that did form on the branches...

So now all the kids are off school for 2 whole weeks....I need ideas that will keep them busy...I actually need ideas that will keep me sane!!!

Things I love...

I figured that I have been feeling very down lately, with everything going on in my life, that I would list what I love....so...here goes...
My family
My husband when he hugs me
When my kids smile and are truly happy
Watching Kenny sleep...he sleeps on his tummy...very, very cute!
Trying to change Gina's shirts...she is very ticklish under her arms, and she cracks up every time I try to take something off or put something on her!
Christmas music

My sisters because we all have this bond that is so very special to me...I love you all

My parents because even though they are a million miles away, I can still call them and they can make me feel better...love you guys!

My friends...even though I am not around much or call them...I love them (Denise...yes you!)Snow...when I don't have to go outside

4:00 am-7:00 am...because it is MY time...no kids (after I get one of the babies to sleep)
My church...they have helped us very much these past 2 years.
My kitchen...I still love it after 3 years after I redesigned it...It's my favorite part of my old, small house.
My Angel ornaments
My Foxes that live in my back yard...its so fun watching them play back there.
My garden in the summer
The first warm Spring day
Being able to fit into my clothes that I wore when I was 20...even after 9 pregnancies!
Making jewelry and headpieces....I feel so accomplished when I finish a piece!
Oh...Painting my Christmas village...you know, those unfinished plaster pieces...well, I have a whole village that I painted...LOVE IT!
Harry Connick Jr, his voice AND his looks...(heehee...had to throw him in, sorry Tony, you know I love you more! LOL)
The smell of lilacs
The look of Hydrangeas and roses
New Years Eve...we always have a little party with the kids...just like when I was little! Which brings me to the next one...
Traditions!
My Grandma Chiaverini's Squid in her spaghetti sauce...even though I haven't had it for years!
Artichokes...yummy!
A big feather pillow and warm, soft blanket!
New make-up
and I'll end the list with Obsession perfume...Reminds me of when I first met Tony!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary (but have been together for 19).
What 13 years does to a person and what happens in those 13 years!
In 13 years we:

bought a house
my husband started his own sign business
had 8 living children
had 2 miscarriages
had 1 child die
bought several cars (from a Toyota MR2, to a 4 door sedan to a minivan and finally a 12 passenger) LMBO!!!
seen several close family members and friends pass away
seen many, many family members and friends have children of their own
been on only a few vacations (but that's OK...were saving up for something big!)
and I became a stay at home mom.

Oh and the firsts...let me tell you...all the firsts that we experienced together:
Death of our child (I pray, no one should ever experience this one)
Our kids birthdays
the first day of school for them
redecorating our house/yard
oh my, I can go on and on...

Births...all preterm...out we were expecting again...and again...and again....etc.. including finding out we were expecting twins...

I remember how stunned we were when the tech told us that there were 2 in there!

Not many people approved of us having so many children, but we chose what God has blessed us with, not by what people have scolded us for.

We have been through more than what most couples go through. I am hoping that the worst of it is over though.

So, Tony...Happy Anniversary Honey. I love you more today than I did yesterday, and less than tomorrow! Thank you for weathering the storms that we have been through together...I know things have not come very easy for us, but I love you none-the-less.

Here's to the next 13!

The Signing Snowman

Yes, today was an eye opener for our family. We went to an event that the Regional Infant Hearing Program held. It was for the kids in their program and their families. They read 2 books while the snowman signed...it was so nice. My kids really enjoyed meeting new friends...actually, Tony and I did too. My first instinct was to say that MY child was not like this and we really don't belong...but as I sat and watched all these little babies and kids...I realized..."Oh my gosh, we ARE one of these families, my child DOES need hearing aids....he IS one of those kids that cant hear very well". It was kind of hard to swallow, but as the party went on, I started to feel more relaxed to the idea. It is very strange how, when thrown into a situation, what transpires...my children are all learning signs for everyday simple words...I love it. My 3 year old is one of the ones that LOVES to sign...and she shows off how well she can and all the different words.
This is a picture of Kenny signing "more"...

Here is a picture of them making snowmen out of Graham crackers, marshmallows, pretzels and m&m's....the had tons of fun doing this:And this is the kids posing with Frosty the Snowman (who, by the way, was over-heating in the costume).So afterwards, we went to the cemetery to take Nick's snow cross marker and a Christmas tree...My baby needed a tree! I am going to be adding more, but it was just waaaay to cold out! I have a wreath that I am going to be putting on the cross...and I also am going to be getting some poinsettias to put there too. I feel like I should do more, but I am trying to tell myself that Nick isn't there...he is in Heaven...it's mostly for us..the decorations, the notes that I bury to him..its all for us. Speaking of angels....I would like to share with the whole world, my angel Christmas tree. Most of these angels came from people from around the United States that granted my wish for angel ornaments from wishuponahero.com! I just wanted to have something that would remind me that my angels (Nick & my 2 miscarriage babies) were still with our family...in spirit. These wonderful strangers had a heart and sent them to me, so not only will I remember my angels, I will know that there is loving, kind and caring people in this world every Christmas that I put up this tree. If anyone would like to send me one for this tree or even next years, let me know in a comment and I will get back to you. My goal is to have a huge tree with angels from all over the world...and maybe...even...one day in our dream home ...
yes, we are a little obsessed with this house...its beautiful...just right now...a little out of reach (yes ...God, I am still waiting for that black cloud that is over our family right now to lift and You grant us a miracle...any day now).

So...anyhow....I'll end this post with a picture of our tree and the mantle full of stockings...we filled that up fast! LOL

And...yes....we DO have plug in fake logs! LMBO!!!

updates

Oh, It about time that I start posting again.

Lets see, Kenny is feeling MUCH better. He is actually back to his old self again. He is now crawling on his hand rather than his forearms! It is a very big accomplishment for him. Especially since he has not had PT/OT for a while, because of being in the hospital. He also is starting to sign! Yes, that is right! He now does the sign for "more" and "finished". I am so excited about this because before this, he really has not been communicating with us. We are still working on the signs for mom, dad, car (since he loves to look outside at the cars), and milk. This Saturday we are going to a "Signing Snowman" function that the Infant Regional Hearing Loss group is having. This will be our first time at any of their events. Kenny will be getting his hearing aids next Friday (the 19th). I am very nervous about this whole thing, but know that it will be a good thing for him.
Oh, I also have been able to get him to eat again. Its still the stage 2's but, at least he is eating again. I even gave him the liquid part to Campbell's alphabet soup...with some baby cereal to thicken it up...AND HE ATE IT! As you can tell, eating has been an issue for him. So we are slowly making progress!

Gina, his baby sister, is growing like a weed!!! I swear, she is going to surpass him in weight very soon! I don't think I have ever had a baby that likes to eat as much as her...I guess I can contribute that to having her at 36 weeks rather than 23 or even 34 weeks like the rest of my kids! I have to remember that she is developing right on target for her age...Kenny is not. I should be used to the "normal" but I have gotten very used to Kenny and his delays, that anything new that Gina does, I am flipping out that she is so advanced...but she is just right on! LOL. She is grabbing for things, trying to sit (with help of course), and just interacts so nicely...its so bittersweet.

I am still in the realm of wondering why God took Nick. What was/is His plan? Don't get me wrong, I would NEVER give Gina up or wish she wasn't here...She is my little ray of sunshine, But why couldn't God just let me be a mom of my twins. I guess he kind of is letting me, because Kenny and Gina are so close in age...and if you factor in the developmental delays, they are even closer. I am trying to move on and accept the way things are, I really am...I am waiting and hoping for the day that I wake up and accept my life, and what has, is, and will happen.

As for my other children, they are all busy with school. I cant believe that next Friday is the last day of school before Christmas break! I get to have the kids home with me for...two...whole...weeks! ummm. I really need to find things for these kids to do while home...I am up for any suggestions...that doesn't cost money since my husbands business is very slow. I am really hoping this slump ends...because if it doesn't...god knows what could happen. It also doesn't help that we are down to one vehicle, since his work van died. Yep...this year is just sooo good for us (dripping with sarcasm).
One final note to self: When you are diagnosed with dry eyes, no matter what...keep putting the eye gel in at night! Last Friday to Saturday...my cornea tore! I would give birth any day then experience a corneal abrasion! k...that all. ;)

Pneumonia and Kenny

I've been gone for a couple of days because our little Kenny was hospitalized for Pneumonia.
Tony took him into his routine Pulmonologist appt. on Tuesday, the doctor took one look at him and placed him in the hospital with IV antibiotics, fluids, liquid steroids and Albuterol every couple of hours. He spent 2 days there...and it did wonders...for him. He now has diarrhea from the medicine. While in the hospital, he learned the sign for "more". He does it all the time now! Next week, we are going to a "signing snowman" party given by the Hearing loss center. It sounds like fun for the whole family.
Today is the 22nd angelversary for my brother, John. I remember that day like it was yesterday. My parents were taking my twin and I to tour Bowling Green State University...It was such a special day because none of their kids went to college...this was the first time looking at a college for their kids! Anyhow...we got there and a police car stopped our car as we were in a parking lot. The officer told my parents to follow them to the station. There, They had to call home. My sister told them the news that my brother died. He has a heart attack. At age 24! I never saw my parents cry so hard. That whole way home was torture. We all were so sad. My parents' hearts were broken forever. How could this happen? Their only son...a young father of 2 and one on the way...my only brother. Why? I remember them pulling the car over several times just to hold each other and cry. We got to the hospital and were taken in the family room, where everyone was. My parents went to see John in the room that they worked on him. Who would of thought that 21 years later, I would be experiencing the same heartache. I asked my parents when does the missing, the sadness, the emptiness go away...they told me that it doesn't, it just gets easier to live with.
John was a crazy brother...he was so typical of a big brother...always picking on his little sisters. LOL. He worked with at the High school that we attended. Loved by all. One of the last memories I have is of him sitting in the auditorium and listening to our singing group, The Heights Singers, practice for our winter concert. We made it through the concert, but with many tears! So John...I love and miss you dear brother. Your kids are beautiful. I wish you were here so I can make fun of your gray hair...or being a grandpa...but since you are not, Please take care of Nick for me.