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!!

COLORS!

The world is turning summer--which I don't really love, And everything is becoming colorful--
I love color!

I think green is one of the greatest colors and so this year for my annual mother's day family photo we did it in front of the grape-vines on the side of our house (the neighbor's grass and potato plants are in the ground behind that). We didn't have a photographer that day, just a timer, so the pictures weren't perfect, but still fun with lots of pretty green!

Although all my men love pretty flowers, they aren't nearly as important as an afternoon practicing their volleyball technique--David is loving the boys loving volleyball, and they really do. I love to watch them play, especially when I can see one of my all-time favorite colors in the background. Check out the red roses. . .. . .and the yellow roses. I can't take credit for any of these, and probably wouldn't be one to try and grow roses all around my yard, but it is fun to see the large blooms of color!!

Even Isaac can appreciate these big dark pink petals. Of course, he spent most of his time ripping them to shreds, but I didn't stop his pleasurful task. The lawn ended up with sweet pink, yellow and white petal confetti, as did the cat.

Every day holds challenges (whether it's planning my lesson for Relief Society in Italian--new calling; doing chores without complaining--this can apply to Eli, Adam, Gabriel, and mom; or being a 17 month old who really wants to give your 4 year old brother a ride in the grass on a large toy dump truck). I am so grateful for the beauty that color (like these yellow, pink, and orange flowers) adds to my life and how it can make those challenges all melt away for awhile.

. . .

So, how do I feel about the color GOLD? In jewelry it can be lovely, or pictured in a pot at the end of the rainbow--thrilling, but as a pair of 8 year old boy's shoes?!!

Yes, it was time to buy some new shoes for Adam. We went to a local store. Eli had his shoe graph chart in hand to keep him busy, and Gabe pushed Isaac in the stroller, while I "helped" Adam chose. These were the ones:

I tried not to interfere too much in the decision, though the words, "are you sure that is what you want?" left my mouth more than once. I decided that since we are in Italy and there really isn't anyone to mock (except for David and me and we are striving to supress). . . we may as well go for it! When Eli finally joined us again at the store and saw the shoes he exclaimed, "I've never had gold shoes! Adam is always the lucky one!" Okie-dokie then!

I have gotten more pleasure out of this golden purchase than I would have thought. How can one help but smile when they look at these and the obvious pride of their owner?!

We often go walking through meadows of POPPIES

One of my mom's favorite flowers has always been poppies.
She always grew a few in our front yard.

When we moved here to Italy, I was blown away by the wild poppies that grow everywhere in the late spring and summer. They are sprinkled in with weeds and even pop up in a field of wheat--love the view of a lone red flower in the middle of a field of green wheat (another natural reminder that we need to stand for who we are and what we believe in, even if we are alone in doing so).

So, this year the boys and I made a little change to the sweet primary song, I Often Go Walking:

We often go walking in meadows of poppies,

And we gather armfuls of poppies for you.

We gather the poppies the whole meadow over.

Dear Grandma, all poppies remind us of you!

*We think of you every time we see these pretty red-orange flowers,and that is often!

We love you, Grandma!

And we love you, mom!!

Our cute little stinker--Isaac!

You see 20 garbage bags pulled and piled, a bag of potatoes (you don’t see the potatoes with cute little bites taken out of them, but they do exist), and a good length of paper towels rolled out along the floor.

What did I see?

5 whole minutes without this sad face clinging to my legs while I did the dishes—priceless.

Isn’t he cute—even with dispair upon his face?!

There isn’t much mess that isn’t worth that bit of happy baby time while I accomplish something.

I did, however, have to draw the line this afternoon at EATING A DRIED DEAD SNAIL COVERED IN A HUNDRED LITTLE ANTS!

I was reading a book on the porch while Isaac and the boys played outside. He walked out of my view for a few seconds. I asked Eli what Isaac was doing. He looked over and said, “He is eating something.” (of course). That was quickly followed with a cry of, “It’s a snail, mom!!”
I am known for allowing crazy things to continue while I run and grab the camera for a photo, but even I couldn’t justify it this time. I jumped up, ran over, pulled the huge mouthful of snail-in-shell out of his ant-covered mouth and just grossed out for a minute. I guess that dead, sun-baked snail covered in protein rich ants could be a sort of delicacy, but. . .

Cute little stinker!