Waterslide Party

Saturday we had a blast with the home fellowship gang! We celebrated Israel and Keeton's birthday!

My hubby! Soak and wet and having a ball!

My babies! Having more fun than they could stand!

John, Josiah, and Keeton (Happy 1st B'day! Big boy!)

The famous slide: Angi and the DellDog!

Aw, they are hugging each other!

Angi heading down the slide! Bethany going up!

Bethany, Chris, Angi, and John all preparing for take off!

Angi, the traveler and her GilGuy.

An Unexpected Adventure... Face to Face with the big guns.

I had 2 bus runs yesterday. Nice. Unexpected. I went in for a normal bus run yesterday and got a surprise: President Bush was flying in and therefore my 2nd bus run would be delayed. They were closing the airspace from 4p-7p. No big deal.

When I got to the Atlantic Aviation (FBO) (a.k.a. the private airport) I was not only able to see Airforce One- I was able to take pictures, too.

The police officer who took me out on the tarmac to see it said that the 2 men on the platform were holding AK 47's (or some big guns) and that they would be looking at me to see what I was pointing at the plane. Moment of uncertainty. And then I snapped away. By the way Mom, I think my new camara takes pretty great pictures.

So we waited and waited and then they told us to go out and load our passengers. While we were loading passengers on the tarmac they told us not to drive away until they gave us the go ahead. Well, I wasn't going anywhere because there was a police car parked immediately infront of my bus. We got on our buses and waited for the go ahead and all of a sudden: AirForce One went right by us. There was maybe a 100-150 feet between our vehicles and the plane. Then it turned around and began to prepare for take off. This picture is just before take off- maybe 5 seconds before they were airborne.

And there off...........................................

What do we do when nothing seems right and yet... nothing is wrong?

I am in one of those places the last couple of days where nothing feels right or even ok. And yet what do I have to complain about? Nothing! We have each other and the kids.

Phone calls and packages from home! The packages are the best!!! They have come over the last several weeks with just about everything they could possibly carry. Our mothers have sent books, crayons, clothes, toys (for young and not so young). Mia loves school! Everyone is healthy! We have a NEW roof (literally) and a home we love! Vehicles that run well and are dependable! Faith! And last but certainly not least friends and family we love!

And speaking of kids:

Josiah got a little frustrated with the sit-n-spin today.

So Mommy "stepped in" to help him out.

Thank you Lord

My dad came home from the hospital today! He is doing awesome. Thank you for all your prayers, angels.

What a week... full of blessings!

We have had a full week! Chris has had a full week! Praise God - he is picking up the hours at both of our jobs!!!! Mia has been waking up every morning for school even though she would rather go in a couple of hours later. Josiah and I have helped our friend move all week! Whew! I think she is almost done! Just 6 horses, 4 dogs and several cats and a few stray boxes and odds and ends to go!


The kids have worked awfully hard this week:

More importantly, the Lord carried my dad through his surgery and he should be coming home today. Wish they were here or we were there. Dad's going to be walking again in no time! Thank you Aunt Karen and Karen for being there for my Mom and Dad!


Josiah thinks he's ready for school too!

Computer Science, already!?!?!

Blessings...Sometimes I need to stop and count my Blessings

Several times in the last few days I have been reminded to stop and count my blessings. I had an e-mail from my friend concerning her court date tomorrow to have her daughter placed back in her custody. How scary to have a child taken from you. I can't begin to imagine. I can't imagine what waking up and not having one of the kids here would be like. So I am thanking God in advance that in his infinite wisdom he is going to return this precious child back to her mother.

I am thankful that my father's surgery is going to go smoothly tomorrow. There will be no complications and certainly no blood clots. His knee will heal quickly and completely and be as good as new. I am very thankful that my father and mother have each other.

I thank you Lord for putting the 2 women in my path this weekend that you have. For the young woman I thank you that she is safely in Japan, fed and rested. For the other I thank you that she is receiving a home and a job today. The restoration of her belongings that disappeared in the fire.

Lord, I pray for peace to all of the many who have lost loved ones recently. Thank you that each of those that have "passed away" have had personal relationships with you and have therefore, passed into your arms.

Lord, I thank you that through all of these many trials and circumstances you make us stronger, you draw us closer to you. James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

Josiah...The Wonder Boy

Well Tim, boy were you right when you said the peace and quiet of having a girl was gone forever. And yet we love our adorable bouncing baby boy who grows leaps and bounds by the second more than we could ever imagine.

He has a never ending imagination that leads him in a million directions:

from dressing up in Mom's shoes:

playing with Mom's cooler for work:

cleaning up his own mess:

to driving:
the new trampoline:and here is our freshly trimmed handsome boy:

the object of his curiosity: "Saint"

Mia's 1st Day of Kindergarten

What a mix of emotions the first day of school brings to the Sodini household. Mia is absolutely ready- hasn't had a good night's sleep in 2 weeks. Mom and Dad haven't either really but -I think our trouble sleeping is more of the "I'm not sure I'm ready for this type." verses Mia's "I've been ready since I graduated HeadStart type." Well after all of the preperation she's off... I know she is going to have an amazing day.









Way to go Baby Girl! We know you are going to have the best 1st day of school ever!!!