ANGIE MACDONALD

This last Friday I had a great experience with my sweet, wonderful friend,

Angie MacDonald--without whom I would have gone crazy here in Italy long ago.

We had a girls night out. It was so fun.
We laughed as my van's car alarm went off when we tried to exit it, in the middle of the Cervia market place--one of those miraculous times when you find a spot that is front and center. We got back in it laughing and frantically looking through the manual for what to do to get it off. When it finally stopped itself, we chanced it and tried to exit once more. . .yup. beep, beep, beep! We laughed even harder and seriously just drove off with it blaring until we came to a more secluded parking lot. After searching and reading, and one more beeping episode, we got it all figured out.

We went to dinner and talked, sharing our thoughts and concerns for our boys.
We went shopping, trying to find the best deals.
We ate gelato and listened to a free outdoor concert.
We bought cute chinese art from a lady painting them on the side of the street.

It was a full and fabulous evening. But it didn't end there.

I had been feeling for some time that I should give Angie a Book of Mormon. I was a bit nervous because this is a woman whose friendship means so much to me, and who is grounded in her religion--a woman of great faith and Christ-like attributes.
Friday morning I had prepared a letter explaining the experiences I had had which let me know that now was the time to give her a Book of Mormon. I also wrote my testimony inside the Book of Mormon I had for her. I knew that my best chance for a positive experience would be that night, when we were together, but without the kids.
I hate that I was nervous, but I was.
I waited until we arrived back at my house (around 11:30pm). When I stopped the car I told her I had something for her and proceeded to read the letter I had written. Part way through it I expressed my desire to give her a Book of Mormon--the part I dreaded reading (thank you, Satan). I read it all and she just hugged me, saying how much she appreciated our friendship. Then we talked about faith and how essential it is in this life.
She paused after a few minutes and asked if the letter was for her. I said that it was and handed her the Book of Mormon with it. I knew she would be kind about it all, because she is like that, but I didn't know what she would think. Her comment was, "I have always been curious about this book." Then she held it to her and said she would read it everyday. I don't know if she will, but I can't tell you what a beautiful thing it was for me to get that response. She noticed that I had written in it and asked me to read that, too. I did, and after she just hugged me again.
The night ended--no awkwardness.
I felt a surge of joy at the decision I had made and followed through with. I don't know what she will do with that book, but she knows how I feel about it. And the whole experience confirmed my love for the full gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

*p.s. I taught another lessons in RS today, and it went even better than before--I understood almost every comment, and even went off of my script a bit. yeah

What we've done this last week--photo version

Life is full and busy. We love it, but haven't had time to blog it and still don't have much, so I am uploading some of the photos I've taken and presenting them as a brief explanation of the goings-on at our house.

(we had Kenny, here for the weekend so Angie and Bob could have a few days in Cinque Terre--he is the other boy in a couple of the pics)

Fun times!

DAY TRIPS--Vinci and Murano (Venice)

We have decided to try and get the most out of our last year (pretty sure) in Italy.
This past week our plan was put into action. We took two separate day trips.
On Monday we headed to Vinci, childhood home of the famous
Leonardo Da Vinci (his name actually means Leanardo from Vinci).

We had studied a bit about him in the last year--such an interesting man with an inquisitive, constant mind. We read about his childhood in Vinci. He roamed the countryside observing and asking innumerable questions of his young uncle. He was surrounded by nature and her curiosities and he wanted to know about them all.

The drive was over 2 hours and we didn't stay long, but it is fun to say we have been there.

First we stopped by a museum filled with models created from his notes. We couldn't photograph inside, which was kind of a bummer. I had printed out pictures of some of the designs or the models and, on the way there, the boys tried to guess what they might be. They did some pretty good guessing. In the museum we checked their answers with the real thing.

Next we drove out a couple miles to the house where he grew up. I would guess that much of the land looks exactly as it did when he was there over 500 years ago. It is still way out in the country, surrounded by many olive groves and vineyards. I didn't have to use my imagination to picture the joy of discovery he experienced on this hill, since I had 3 little boy-examples in front of me climbing through the trees and grasses--yes, they were pretending to be dinosaurs most of the time, which he likely didn't do, but . . .

The 5 hours of driving that day weren't all bliss and the time there wasn't so particularly phenominal, but for me it was a needed reminder of the importance of the simple things. This town is (and was) so small and seemingly insignificant. Had Leonardo stayed there all his days, he may never have been known at all. Yet, it was this simple beginning that opened the way for that great mind. He was allowed to fully experience the world around him and his curiosity and questions seem to have been encouraged. I look at my boys and know that, right now, they are getting some of that same opportunity--though there may be times I'm not so great at indulging them in every query.

I am sometimes unsure of exactly how to do the homeschooling I feel so strongly about. Am I giving them what they need? They don't read as well as their peers. They haven't memorized all their multipication tables. . .

Being in Vinci reminded me that there is a time and season for all things. I am trying to give my children the chance to fully enjoy each of those seasons. Each of my boys has a great mind. I don't know that I necessarily want a Da Vinci in my family--he was pretty odd--but I do think that when the push and desire comes from them (inspired by a educating atmosphere) they can achieve all that they need and more--certainly better than if I pull them along based on my desire for them to appear educated.

Anyway. . . (you can tell what my focus is right now)!

The next day trip was on Thursday. We headed up to Venice (another 2-3 hours each way) to visit the island of Murano--where the famous Venician glass is made. We learned a few months ago that the Ancient Phoenicians were the first people to blow glass, and we wanted to see it done. Venice is one of the places where you can find people doing it every day.

We drove most of the way, then hopped on a train, then boarded a water taxi and headed out to Murano.

Doesn't that all sound romantic?! It was pretty fun.

The glass demonstration lasted all of 10 minutes, but it was cool. Afterward, we enjoyed exploring the island a bit.

I got some fun pictures of the boys and David walking along the canals.

I loved the fact that we were all there together in Venice just to see something we had learned about reading our Story of the World. A fun, pretty place to have the experience.

The boys loved looking at all the cool glass animals--especially Gabriel. They also really enjoyed the time spent on the water taxi, watching the water and other boats.

Then, home again, home again, jiggity-jig!

Adventures--we sound cool, anyway, eh?!

**by-the-way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAN!!

34 for David!

David turned 34 on the 3rd of June.

To help celebrate this great day the boys and I all created our own party hats.

We kept quoting Dr Suess,

"Now do you like my hat?"

"I do. I like that party hat!"

In keeping with the Dr Suess feeling we decided to make Daddy's hat with lots of interesting things on it. We decided on an underwater theme, complete with gold fish, worm, sunken treasure, and even a whale blowing out the top (which, unfortunately got cut off in the picture).

What man could ask for more? hee, hee

The boys also gave him the gift of song. They sang My Daddy is my Favorite Pal, but surprized him with a second verse they invented, with a little help from me:

Our Daddy's name is David Moss, and he really likes to play.

It's volleyball or basketball, Stratego, hip-hor-ray!

He knows the laws of Physics and he makes the airplanes fly.

When he comes home, we jump for joy,

'Cause he is the greatest guy!!!

Eli came up with the physics part. I asked him to tell me something he liked about his Dad and he responded, "He knows physics." It is true! You wouldn't believe how often a good understanding of physics is needed to properly answer Eli's questions (I'm hoping to find a Physics for dummies to study, so Eli will think I'm cool, too). I tell ya, it pays to be a nerd! hee, hee

I sure do love my hottie nerd! Happy Birthday, Mr. Poppins!!