Daydreaming...

Have you ever had a day where you could just close your eyes and dream yourself some place else? Today has been one of those days for me. Maybe it is because of our long, cold and dark winter... Wednesdays are my longest days at school. I teach all day from 9am until about 2:30. For some of you that is not very long! I was looking out the window and the sun was so inviting. I had to go and find a picture of where I want to be right now!!!

The long awaited moment...

Baby hiding its identity...(crossing its legs)

A profile picture of the face...


I have been waiting for this day since I found out I was pregnant. My 20 week ultrasound went great today. The baby was adorable and moved all around! We got some great pictures! Everything looks amazing and the baby measures out perfectly. What a miracle!

Easter Sunday...

Abby and Tank waiting for dinner...

Mom, dad, brother Matt and wife Carmen

Pickering grandchildren (minus Maddison and Grace

Ready, set, go... the race for the eggs



As I posted earlier... My family came for Easter. It went great, even though my mom forgot to put in the potato dish! Oh well... mashed potatoes always work. Anyways... Kelly, our new pastor's wife, invited all the kids over for a Easter Egg hunt. What a blast! It certainly made everybody's day. On Good Friday, Anthony and I took the girls to the service at 8:00 with our friend Bre. I was ready for the worst possible experience because it was so late... but it turned into a great worship experience for our girls. Cora asked so many questions and was able to take communion for the second time. It was a moment I will never forget. Even though they are young, God is working in their hearts.

Tank....the dog

We just got Tank a little bed... at first he didn't want anything to do with it but now he uses it all the time.

I love this picture! I am so excited for Easter Sunday! We are having my whole family for dinner. This will be the first time since Anthony and I have been married that we have been able to host a holiday meal. We have been so blessed!

Abigail Schiavone...

So... The challenge of raising a very strong willed three year old... Abby has been since the day she was born sometimes difficult. Lately she has been impossible. She is sneaky, talks back, to much attitude and somehow has learned how to lie. I am trying so hard to focus on how much fun she is, her laughter and her silliness but it is hard at times. These pictures always make me remember how amazing she is...

The Schiavone Homestead...

This house has given us so much pride... Here is a list of what we have had to do so far: new kitchen and bathroom floors (three of them), lots of paint everywhere, drywall and mudding, plenty of plumbing, about 900 sq. ft. of new carpet, cutting of bushes, hauling four truck loads of junk and trash and hmmm... what else... There is so much more... Oh... new lighting fixtures in almost all the rooms. this process has been rewarding, satisfying, and exhausting! Hope you enjoy the pictures. I didn't include any of the baby's room, other bathrooms, and living room. I will post more soon.
The finished bathroom...



My peaceful place of rest... (which is actually messy)



Cora and Abby's unfinished room...


Family Room/Play Room...

Office...

Dining Room...


This is the front door...

Officially pregnant!!!

Well... I am getting larger every day! I can't wear my size four and six pants any more and my shirts are all way to tight. This pregnancy has been so different. I have already gained twelve pounds and am feeling plump. Maybe it is because it is my third! Well... if that is the case I would hate to see what is going to happen to me in the fourth pregnancy. If there will be a fourth pregnancy... So here is a not so great picture at seventeen weeks.

Finally caving in...

Moments after...

She picked out the beautiful little flower earings...

The day we were suppose to close on our house, Anthony and I finally decided Cora could get her ears pierced. She had been asking for a long time and told both of us she was ready. So... We took her to Claire's and she sat there perfectly and let them pierce her ears. She was fine up until they did it at the same time and then she broke and started to cry. It didn't last long and as soon as we got home she was fine and it didn't hurt anymore. She is so precious!

Living on 203 Victory Highway...

We have been in our new house now for almost a week. I was finally able to cook a real meal last night. Even though I have to scramble around boxes it is beginning to feel like home. We have been busy remodeling and painting and the new carpet was laid yesterday so I can finally begin to unpack boxes. Anthony and I have joked several times that we are NEVER moving again... I know that is probably not going to happen but I do pray the girls will have a chance to grow up in this house. Tank, our puppy, has been doing much better now that he is not in his crate at night. It has been fun watching him, he loves being apart of this family. It is hilarious to watch him though. When Anthony is home Tank follows him everywhere!!! When Anthony leaves Tank circles the house, goes up and down the stairs, and goes to every door looking for him.

HOME... That is something I have missed in my life for a long time now!

Sleepless Night...

So, we are officially moved in! If you didn't already know... We have a 1 1/2 year old golden retriever. We are having to train him all over again! He is surprisingly doing really well...EXCEPT...for last night. He is in his crate at night and until last night we have had no problems other than him refusing to go in it. But once he is in, he is fine. Last night he began barking as soon as Anthony put him to bed. So we let it go for awhile and then Anthony took hime out again thinking he had to go to the bathroom. Then he continued to bark on and off ALL NIGHT LONG! He is in the garage which is directly under our bedroom. It was so annoying. I didn't even want to look at him this morning. I have never seen such a strong willed dog. If he continues... he is going to find himself freezing OUTSIDE!!!

The Structure of a Family...

Cora's favorite pose...

Sledding at grandma's...

Abby all bundled up...

Abby's 3 year old picture...

The past nine months have really tested the strength of my family. Our four person family has been turned upside down. It is interesting because my girls attitudes and moods have totally changed. In the past week we have been putting lots of hours into our new home which still isn't actually ours (CLOSING TOMORROW AT 11:00). I have seen my children become stressed and struggling because they don't really know how to show how they are feeling. So many changes and no routine. I know that this too shall pass but in the meantime my heart breaks for my kids. I have given this whole thing over to God. After tomorrow we will be home owners again!!!!!

STILL WAITING...

The past month has been one of many frustrations. I am not quite sure why bankers, lawyers and loan officers can't just work together. We have been trying to close on our house for over two weeks now. It has been the most stressful thing we have had to do. We had a closing date but now because of water issues, surveying issues, and flood insurance we are back at the waiting game! I am not quite sure why God has allowed all this crazy stuff but I am learning to be patient. I can't wait for they day when I lay my head down in my very own BED!!!!!!!

Blog Language...

I have learned a lot about the world of blogging. The more I began to look into it the more I became confused. I have had two snow days this week and have tried to take the time and change our blog template. Well... I changed it and still do not know anymore than what I did. I put in the effort, I guess. The technical stuff is just not my thing. To all of you that can do that type of thing...I applaud you! Maybe you could give me some tips.

(joy)

So close to home...

Well, we are so close to our closing date. Things are going surprisingly well. I can't wait to finally wake up in my own bed, make my family dinner, fall asleep on my own couch, and regain my privacy! I can't wait to post pictures when we finally move in. It is crazy the things we take for granted every day. I have learned so much!

Have you heard of it?

I teach Technology at a Christian school here in Corning. I have discovered a new or at least new to me craze for the junior high students. It is called wetpaint. It is a free site where you can create a website for yourself. I have been trying to do some research and have found that it is just one more thing to distract... Check it out http://www.wetpaint.com/

It Seems Like A World Away...

I just got done reading a post by a nurse over in Kenya, Africa. She works with an organization called ELI (Empowering Live's Internationally). Our church supports them and the missionaries Don and Amy Rogers. I don't even know what to think about what people are going through in that country. I try to read their blog everyday to remind myself there is so much more out there. The nurse included this prayer in her post and I wanted to share it:

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejections, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them
And to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world
So that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
To bring justice and kindness to all.

You can check out their blog and continue to pray that peace can be restored to those people.
http://empoweringlives.blogspot.com/

I had to have an ultrasound on Thursday because of some complications but as soon as the nurse started the ultrasound we immediately saw the little peanut and could see a strong beating heart! Anthony and I both breathed a sigh of relief. So here he or she is... Amelia June or Micah John. Soon to be born on August 22, 2008!

Cora's new love...

Cora received a special present from her grandparents this year. They gave her the whole ballet outfit with lessons. I took her for the first time on Monday. Up until now Anthony and I have not involved our children in anything. It was kind of fun just sitting and waiting with all of the other moms. She loved it! I was able to watch at the end of the class. I couldn't believe how big she looked dancing across the floor. We will give it a year and see of it is still a love of hers.

The days after...

Well it is January 1st, 2008! Back to reality tomorrow and the regular routine. Christmas was wonderful! We finally made the announcement that Anthony and I are expecting our third child!!! The whole family was surprised and very excited! Cora and Abby can't wait and don't understand why my belly isn't big. So, this Christmas will always be remembered!