Time Flies!

Tomorrow is our last real day in Italy! I can't believe it. We thought it would go by fast, and we were right. Gilbert's already asking for another trip. I have thought often this week that I'm thankful for having little expectation and knowledge of what specifically to see and do, because if we had made a list of "must sees" and "must do's," we might have been disappointed this week. Let me clarify: We have had a great time and have seen some really beautiful places. But we didn't come knowing specific buildings we wanted to see. We knew that we wanted to see Venice. I wanted to be able to see some of the beautiful landscapes of Italy. We were excited to have the chance to experience Florence. But as far as knowing that we wanted to see famous buildings or artwork, we didn't. I think that this fact has kept us from feeling too pressured to cram in sight-seeing. For this reason, we've been able to enjoy the sights, to relax, and to enjoy being with each other (Gilbert's parents, his grandmother, and of course his brother are with the two of us).

We have had so much fun. Yesterday we took a train to Venice and spent the day there. We walked what felt like every inch of that place. We even covered the tiny streets that are only the width of two people. We did some shopping and had a great time. It was colder than we expected, but it didn't rain like we thought it would, so we were willing to take the cool winds. Here are a few pictures from Venice.

This baby was sitting in the area of Venice where the pigeons are not in short supply (Piazza San Marco Square, I believe it's called). His mom got some bread crumbs and dumped them all around him. The pigeons swarmed him and he had the best time. It was fun watching him.

We took this picture while waiting on the train back to Prato. After a really long day, we were all quite delirious at this point. According to Randy, this is a "Kate sandwich with Kerrigan bread." I said I wanted it to be close up. Not exactly what I had in mind.

We spent most of today in a gorgeous little town called Lucca.



We finished the day by going to the church here in Prato. We had a small service that was in Italian and some English. We spent the time singing songs in Italian that we Americans knew well. Both times that I've had the opportunity to worship with fellow believers in other countries, singing with them really tugs at my heart strings. I love to know that while we struggle so much to communicate, we can find unity in singing praises to our God. I find this to be such an incredible feeling.

Tomorrow we'll be heading to Florence for one last venture. We'll spend the night there and catch our flight back home early on Friday morning. I'm sure I'll have more pictures to share when we return home. Please remember us when you pray as we continue to travel.

A Taste of Italy

Good grief. I didn't realize it had been close to a month since I've posted anything, and I didn't even remind you that our trip to Italy was getting closer. I had a few phone calls on the day of our trip and everyone said, "Oh! You're leaving today?"

So here we are. It's been interesting already. We were dropped off at the airport in Indianapolis and as soon as I got to the ticket desk I got the third degree about my legal name. Many of you probably remember my anticipating this issue back in November. So I had to have completely new tickets issued from the airport. Luckily the lady at the desk was willing to work nicely with us. She even tried to call Italy to let them know of the change, but they were closed, so she warned us that we might have a little trouble along the way. I just had visions of missing planes while trying to make them understand my situation. But I made it. Not without telling my story, but I'm here all the same.

The travel was also interesting in that our flight to London was in the middle of the night. We left our house on Saturday afternoon and didn't have a good opportunity to take my shoes and socks off again until about seven on Sunday night, which was almost midnight here. It was really nice to get showered and change clothes.

So far we've eaten at a cool Italian restaurant, toured the local "centro" (what reminds me of a downtown square), had breakfast at a local bakery (macchiato is NOT the same here as at Starbucks), shopped at the weekly market, and we just finished a delicious meal of Eggplant Parmesan that was lovingly prepared by my brother-in-law. We're having a good time. I'll try to update again sometime soon. We're taking a train to Venice in the morning, so I should have more photos to share, but I'll show you the few I've got so far.


Dinner on Sunday night, still in the same clothes as I got dressed in on Saturday and not having lain down since Friday night. We're looking a little rough.





Some cool scenery


Monday Market


A hunky Italian I noticed on the street--check out the pants and cool hat

"Children are a gift..."

We just returned from dinner at a young widower's home. He has two young adult boys, but he just couldn't get over Cole. He even apologized for not being able to take his eyes off of him. I think he had the best time just being around Cole.

When he wasn't watching Cole, he was talking about his wife. It was clear how much he missed her. Then when I put the two topics of the night together, I realize to what degree this proves what the psalmist was talking about in chapter 127: "Children are a blessing and a gift from the Lord." This man needs some bright spots in his days. I'm sure his children and his Christian family bring him joy, but what joy he had in being able to spend time with a child tonight!

All this brings me to a conclusion. As often as I thank God for the gift of Cole, I have no idea what a true gift and blessing he is. As often as I try to think of things to do for people who are lonely or hurting, for the last 18 months I have been sitting on a gold mine. This sweet boy who brings such joy to me has the ability to bring joy to people when I have no idea what to do to brighten their lives. Why am I not putting this gift to use?

So I'm going to challenge myself and I'd love if you mommies and daddies who are reading would join me: I'm going to use this wonderful gift that God has blessed me with less selfishly. There are so many people who would love to spend some time with a child, and so often I am keeping him to myself! So each week I'm going to try to identify someone who may be lonely or sad or just missing having little ones around and let Cole bring some joy to his/her life. What a nice way to use this precious gift God has given me.

Maybe you're already doing this, but if you're not, will you? Maybe you can't do it once a week. Maybe you can only try for once every couple of weeks or once a month, but in some way, share the gift of your children with others. They're too precious not to.

We Love the Millers

Please help us pray for Matt Miller and his family. Matt is having lots of trouble with his kidneys, and his parents are struggling with the fact that their "baby" (not so little) is sick. Please lift them up in prayer. They are such a wonderful family and have been such good friends since we moved to Bowling Green.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, and it's never had anything to do with boys. I rarely had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day, which never really bothered me. Even now, Gilbert and I don't get each other gifts for the big day. We started this tradition of no gifts when we were only dating. I think it may be true that we've never given each other gifts for Valentine's.

I'm not sure why I like this holiday. Maybe it's because I have an excuse to buy candy. Having Cole, though, makes it even more fun for me. Now I have an excuse to make and give valentines without looking like a lunatic. (Why would a grown woman want to make and give valentines?) Anyway, we've been celebrating for the last two weeks. I thought I'd give you a peak at how we've been celebrating.




We used fingerpaints to make valentines for the elderly at church, as well as valentines for our grandparents. Cole also decorated sugar cookies and made a valentine to go into a care package for Auntie Em. (The boys also made a valentine for their sweet friend, Miss Mandy, who's celebrating the day by having surgery. Yuck! We sure love you, Mandy!)

Cole has gotten a good variety of Valentine's Day gifts himself, including stickers from Auntie Em, markers from Gran and Grandpa, and "Many Kisses Elmo" from Nana and Grandpoppa. More than a month ago he got my favorite gift from Nana and Em. I'll let you guess which one of the photos shows off this one.




I thought I'd better get a picture of the t-shirt as proof that at one time I actually was the only Valentine he needed.

Hope you have a fun day!

And, In Honor of this Holiday

I thought I'd include a telling picture of my sweet husband and Cole's sweet daddy. I think this tells the story of going above and beyond the call of duty.

Back to the Great White North

Well, we did make it to Bowling Green on Thursday night. We made it in at about 9 o'clock, central time and didn't see a single flake on the way. Friday morning Gilbert reported 8 inches or so in Lafayette, so I guess leaving early was a good move.

Although only one of my three major weekend engagements worked out as planned (my play date had something come up and Melissa's boys were still being quarantined), it ended up being a great time. The Gibbs' daughter went to the play with me (My "kids" were fabulous, by the way; I was SO proud) and I was able to make some visits that I didn't think I would have time to make. We saw several people at the church office on Friday (we went for a visit with Auntie Sandra); then we had the chance to see the Fowlkes, the Millers, the Loftons, and half of the Hartfords on Saturday. I also had a visit with my friend Laura at Barnes and Noble and a quick chat with Margo J. in the Staples parking lot. Then, of course, church today allowed us to see just about everyone else, although it never affords the chance to visit for nearly long enough.

After lunch we trekked back into "The Great White North," and I mean this quite literally. Cole was gracious enough to grant us permission to travel all the way through with no stopping! He slept until Indiana and was satisfied after that with a couple of interesting toys, one package of fruit snacks, a canister of pineapple puffs, a roll of smarties, two crackers, a game of watching Mom turn the interior "ites" on and off several times, and some foot tickling from the front seat. We were greeted in Lafayette by about 6 inches of snow and really cold wind. Then we made it inside just before the rain started--much different from the gorgeous weekend weather in Bowling Green. I did learn this weekend, however, that I shouldn't complain. Many of you would trade weather with me for just one good snow day.