The end of my favorite back yard ever!

I wasn't prepared.

I felt a swelling in my throat as I saw this really cool machine approaching our back yard. I knew that this time would come, and soon, but I dreaded it.

The farmer and machine workers just went about their work, anticipating the end result--the golden grain filling up the waiting truck.

I knew that for Signor Sintoni, it was the sweet result of his efforts.

The men didn't seem to care about the sad good-byes waving from the long stems.

But I noticed.

I cared.

It may sound like I am being dramatic, but honestly it was a very hard thing for me to see.
It isn't all about the Amber Waves of Grain, though truly this is my new favorite ground cover and I dream of a home in the USA that touches a wheat field (corn would be okay, too).

That grain being harvested is a reminder to me that my time here is going to come to a close. This may be the last time in my life that I have a field of grain in my own back yard. We will leave Italy in 2010, and the farmer won't likely plant winter wheat again this year.

It makes one ponder all the things to love (Title of a sweet, sweet book Jen and Jakob gave to Eli when he was born) and miss about this time of my life. Isn't it funny how the hardest things are often also the sweetest in some way (Isaac, for example) ?

To every thing there is a season . . . This has been the season of peaceful beauty, and discovering what is really important to me--what I want my kids to value . . . what I value most myself.

I have felt the power of nature--not in its ability to shake the earth, but in its ability to touch my heart and make me feel closer to our shared creator.

The wonder of empty branch, to budding branch, to blossoming branch, to branch heavy with fruit--all stages are fascinating and beautiful.

When I walk through orchards or passed fields with my boys, I easily bear testimony to them of a Divine Creator. I feel near to Him. In a time when the nearest temple is far away and I can't go as I would like, I am grateful for a peaceful, heavenly place to ponder, remember, and feel.

As I said, there is a season for everything, and after the harvesting of the grain comes many other beautiful things. The peaches and nectarines are ripe, and we can go pick them whenever we want--says Signor Sintoni . . .

the figs are getting bigger . . . the grape vines are full of sour green grapes (which Isaac seems to appreciate more than he should) . . .and the giuggioli are finally showing the tiny green dots that will be deep brown, nutty, mouth-popping fruit this fall. Promises of fig jam, grape juice, and snacking on those strange, crunchy giuggioli.

Yes, there is always something to look forward to in the next season.

Frankly, my boys cheered after the wheat was cut down because they remembered that soon Signor Sintoni will plow that field and it will become the most wonderous of wonderlands--huge clods of dirt with endless play-time possibilities.

Seasons of life, enjoy the one your in.

Our family TRADITIONS--says Eli

Eli is our golden-hearted, contemplative (with a few other adjectives) child.

The other day we had my friend Angie MacDonald over with Kenny and Bob's boys Caleb (13) and Gavin(11).

That evening, after Family Home Evening, Eli mentioned a conversation he had had with Caleb:

David wasn't home from work yet (they were all waiting for him to get home) and Caleb mentioned how his Dad got up every morning at 6:00am so that he could leave by 7:00am for work. That way he could get home earlier in the evening than Eli's dad did.

Eli said that he had told Caleb that his dad got up at 6:00am, too, but that we had "traditions" like scriptures and prayer and family hug, which we do each morning, so he doesn't leave our house as early.

Eli then looked at David and said,"Dad, Do you think that it is more important that you come home earlier, or that we do our traditions?"

David asked, "Eli, What do you think?"

Eli smiled his sweet knowledgable, face-glowing smile, and said, "I think that it is important that we keep doing our traditions."

It sounds so simple, but I was really touched by this experience, and the way my big/little boy could see the right and good in what we are trying to do with our family. We all want David home earlier in the evening, but I am so grateful for the "traditions" (don't you love his use of that word to describe our routines?) we have, and the gift of this conversation--reminding me that my children (who don't always come smiling to prayer and scripture time) may really be getting it!

Love you, Eli!

Celebrating The U.S. of A.

Yesterday we had such a great experience celebrating the 4th of July here in Italy.

I had decided a long time ago that I wanted my boys to learn patriotic songs and stories that we could share with our friends on the 4th of July.

The whole month of June we read stories, learned songs, and memorized some things that represent our country. My mom gave us a book a few years ago called The American Story (highly recommend it!) and we read stories from it every morning. The boys loved it (and so did mom).

The month of June flew by, and soon it was time to invite some of our American friends over for a little program and BBQ. I knew we would come across a bit cheesy (yah, that's just the way I am), but I figured if we backed it all up with good food, it would turn out great. This was our program:

July 4, 2009
*Flag Ceremony and Pledge: cub scouts: Eli and Adam Moss
*sing: My Country ‘Tis of Thee
*Moss boys recite The Preamble to the Constitution :We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.
*sing: America the Beautiful
*Story of Uncle Sam: Gabe as Uncle Sam
*Thanking our Military/leaders
*Sing: The Star-Spangled Banner
*sing: Yankee Doodle

It ended up being such a great experience. We shared things we had learned, but we also heard from two of our guests who had served in the military and were touched by their feelings about the service they gave their country.

I read some of Uncle Ray's (my dad's uncle) autobiography--his P.O.W. experiences. We did this just before we sang the National Anthem and I was really touched by the power of that song, because of what it represents.

Next time you sing The Star Spangled Banner, really ponder the words and what they mean.

Earlier this year I taught it to my boys. As I tried to help them learn those words--not easy lyrics--I was overcome with what is happening in that first verse. My children loved the rocket's red glare and the bombs bursting in air, but they also know that those things are mentioned in the song because they helped light up the sky to reveal that the flag was still there, giving hope and courage to the men fighting for liberty!

I am so grateful to be a citizen of the United States of America--for the sacrifices many have made to get freedom and to maintain it. We are one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. May we all do our part to keep it that way!

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!!