Changes Part 2

Yes more changes and this one is a pretty big one I guess. I am no longer on active duty with the Coast Guard. To make a long story short I'll just say that apparently you put four years in and then POOF you're job is done. All good things come to an end and although there are things that I will definitely miss about it I know that this is ultimately a good thing. I know you're askin "well then what the heck are you doing to do with yourself now?" well I'm gettin to that. I am the newest employee of Strike Construction here in Corpus. Strike Const. makes pipeline metering equipment for natural gas pipe lines. I don't have an official title yet but I'll be working with materials supply and in shop inventory. Not as glamorous as sailing the high seas perhaps but I know my boss and I'll be working for good people. In all honesty is a big transition for me but I'm really looking forward to it. And to all of you who knew a little of the behind the scenes stress Mia and I went through I thank you for your support and prayers.

Changes Changes Changes

So last week at church, our pastor asked the church to participate in a Daniel Diet or a fast that churches all over America are participating in. Check out http://www.awake21.org/ if you want more background. Even after the first day you realize how much time you spend with food. Thinking about food, shopping for food, cooking food, consuming food etc, planning group gatherings around food. I have felt more energy in the last 4 days then I have for a long time. I have had more time to spend in thought, prayer and just with myself and of course with Jonathan. Side benefit was dropping the Italian Pasta weight that I brought back with me, but that's just a perk :) But we are on Day 4 so wish us luck as we try something new together; as long as we stay busy it's not that bad.Which reminds me, about 8 months ago I decided to take a wedding coordinator course, and because I decided I wasn't busy enough and I love planning stuff. I work with a business in Corpus called Limelight Productions LLC and already have 2 weddings booked in April. Thanks for all the encouragement that you all always pass along our way we love you guys!

When in Rome...

Ok so this post is way overdue but here's the story of our adventures in Rome. We arrived in Rome late Friday night. We park the car and walk up what seemed like 100 flights of stairs to our rooms. We're staying in this quaint little hole in the wall place on the 4th floor of some old nondescript building. Our rooms are small but nice with wood floors and a little bathroom and shower. We crash for the night and get some rest. We wake up late the next morning and have breakfast. Breakfast is small but good, juice and bread with jam. We finish breakfast and pack up to head out for the day. At breakfast we grab a map and plan out what we want to go see throughout the day and then hop a subway and start our adventures. First stop the Vatican! It’s an unbelievable place, its enormous. We walk around the courtyard a bit and take a lot of pictures. It’s about time for lunch so we cruise down to a place recommended by the guy who's place we're staying at. It's a typical little hole in the wall pizza cafe kind of place. The whole place is loud and the waiters are running around everywhere all in a hurry. Apparently this is normal. The pizza is awesome! After lunch we decide to cruise our way down to the Coliseum. The sun is setting and everyone says it's best viewed after sundown. They're right about seeing the Coliseum at night. It's all eerily backlit and ominous looking. It's closed when we get there so we don't get to go inside. We walk around it and soak up seeing the outside. Next we decide to hop a subway back across town to see the famous Spanish Stairs and the Trevi Fountains. We arrive at the Spanish Stairs to find the town square below it densely crowded and the stairs covered with people and peddlers. The Stairs are beautiful, there's a huge Christmas tree at the top. We climb the stairs and are greeted at the top by a marching, chanting procession of protesters of the recent Gaza Strip actions in Israel. This group is then followed by about a dozen different versions of the local Communist parties. it's quite a sight to behold and definitely something we're not used to seeing. As we head back down the Stairs we run into a Swiss Children's Choir that has just begun singing. It's a very happy contrast to the angry group we just saw. We watch for a bit and then head off to find the Trevi Fountains. No picture or video could ever really do justice to the Trevi Fountains. They are beautiful and ancient and captivating. This is by far our favorite place so far. We spend a bit of time here and even throw a coin or to in and make a few wishes. We've been walking a lot and we're all starting to get really hungry so it’s off to dinner we go. We go to another place that was highly recommended to us and is supposed to be famous for their pastas. We're not disappointed. They have every imaginable combination of pasta and sauces you can think of. It’s a very quaint place with a quiet atmosphere. We all pick something different and when our food comes out we're amazed at just how good it is. I love pasta, I'm a bit of an amateur pasta connoisseur if you will and I'll be honest it's one of the best meals I've ever had. We relax for a little while after dinner to let our food settle before heading back to the room for the night. The night is cold and the walk is nice as we make our way back. We make it back to the room and say our goodnights. We have to wake up at 3:30 A.M. to head to the airport so sleep is definitely precious. 3:30 comes way too soon. We pack the car up and head to the airport. After staying in line for like an hour we get our bags checked in and we're off to catch our flight to head home.

Sharing my laughter with you!!!

Bath Time with AnnaBelle

And this little piggy went to the market!!!!

So we bundled up (because its a little cold out here) and off we went to the Naples Market. It only opens on Weds so it was packed to say the least. There was a little bit of everything and nothing at the same time :) The clothes were cute and the shoes were fabulous but finding something in my size was a little hard. It so funny because most of the stuff that they sold was the same in the USA and all I was looking for was something that was typical Italian :) Still it was alot of fun and got to get a few souviners for the two of us! Not only that but I got to see the stubborn streak in AnnaBelle! She is learning to walk while holding onto hands, pant legs, couches etc. Well at the market, she didn't want to be held, but she wanted to walk. But not only did she want to walk but she wanted to walk by herself!!!!! Something that she has not mastered yet but she is determined and I am sure that it will only be a matter of time before she is running around and Phil and Vany are having to chase her everywhere!!!

Buon'anno or Happy New Year

Boom! Pop pop pop! Kapow! Yeah so my sound effects for fireworks suck I know. But imagine this. Think of the best fireworks show you have ever seen. Now multiply that times a zillion and you get what we're still witnessing here in Naples. It's 12:51 and the fireworks are still going off. It's like what Baghdad must have sounded like but with the most brilliant and beautiful fireworks you have ever seen. And stretched across the entire city! It's unbelievable. Even as I type this the neighbors are setting of some kind of bomb thing! It's the craziest thing ever! What an amazing experience to say the least!