Fried little fish

Remember when I told you I would post some pictures of Lottie popping little fried fishy?? Well here are 2 for your viewing pleasure! I have other pictures from the summer that I want to share- sorry for my absence! Hoping to have them up next week!

Accepting yourself

"We receive mixed messages today that self-love and a sense of self-worth are forms of selfishness and conceit. However, I know from my own experience that when I don't fully accept myself and all of my warts, blemishes, and imperfections, I am crippled in my charity toward God and my neighbors. Let me encourage you not to feel guilty as you aspire to appropriate self-love, which comes in part by honest self-knowledge and acceptance."
—Jeffrey R. Holland, On Earth As It Is in Heaven

Time well spent

Our vacation has been GREAT! So great infact that I am still on vacation (Gio went home last week... someone has to work, sorry Giovi!)!
We spent a few weeks in Sicily with Gio's family and after a short day in Milan to change out some of the luggage we flew State side and have been here for a little over 3 weeks. We took a few days to visit some friends in Saramento, CA and one week in Lake Powell with my family! The in between times full of movies, pool trips and visits with loved ones! I don't know when I will get any pictures posted, but for now I am enjoying family and our time here!

vacation time

The Bags are packed, the house is clean enough to leave.... Tuesday night we jumped on a plane to head south. We are in Sicily for the next few weeks and already enjoying the Food that will make us FAt and the Sun that will color our skins, oh, and least I forget the siesta's that are nearly madatory! For the first few days of our trip we are in Palermo. Giovanni is doing some Geneology work here. I am enjoying seeing new places, Lottie is adored the beach and the tiny fried fish we had for dinner last night! (pic's to come). It was so very funny to watch her pop them into her mouth like they were french fries! One after another, always tail first. I am off to play with Lottie, she just brought me a jasmine flower for my hair... so sweet!

I just needed to Breathe

T




Today I had some challenging moments as a mother. Lottie has not been feeling well for a few days. She had a fever Friday and Sat with a runny nose and hardly any appetite. Sunday the fever was gone, but still a yucky nose and no appetite. I know that this is nothing to be alarmed about, but today she was just inconsolable!
She would throw herself on the ground and scream. I knew she was not feeling well and wondered if her throat was hurting since her little voice was really hoarse and she had a cough this morning. I tried giving her many things, singing, playing, offering different drinks and snacks. I finally just left her on the ground to work it out for a few mins (all the while she is still MADLY pulling out fist fulls of hair) and went to the other room to breathe!! This honestly was the first time I had encountered a heavy feeling of inadequacy as a mother. What can I do??? Am I really going to be able to help her figure out her feelings and work through them? I know there must be more ahead of me, but as for today I was nearly in tears not knowing what to do! a little later I remembered this wonderful video I saw last week.
Read whole talk here.

Do you need a HUG???

I saw these people a few months ago in the center of Milan. I got a HUG! My grandma sent this on to me so I thought I would share with you... Along with my virtual open arms to give you all ABBRACCI!

Independence Day

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (from the Constitution

"...where the Spirit of the Lord is , there is liberty." 2 Corinthians 3:17

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. (from the Declaration of Independence)

I am very THANKFUL for the freedoms and Liberties I enjoy! Not only the freedoms of going where I want or doing what I want. Choosing how to live my life, however not being naive to the fact that it did not come free. Thank you to those who have given much for these FREEDOMS!
More then anything I am Thankful that I have spiritual freedom that enjoy thanks to a Loving Father in Heaven who prepared a plan long ago so that we may all return to him; thanks to our Savior, Jesus Christ!
"Wherefore men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself". 2Nephi 2:27 (the Book of Mormon)