Little Man is getting "So Big" !

Although I'm a little behind on the posting..the thought has not escaped my mind.  Not even for a minute.  My little guy is 3 years old !  How can I forget that ?  THREE !!!  And he is very happy to show you on his fingers !  He had a wonderful birthday party - actually a pretty awesome birthday week !  After a few very stressful weeks of being Mama's partner in taking care of my Yiayia (grandmother) who was in the hospital (another post)...we all deserved a nice break in the action.  My inlaws came in for their Fall visit.  A friend of ours let us stay at his beach house for a few days and it was beautiful.  The adults were very relaxed and the kids had a blast in the sand.  It was a bit too cool and windy to go in the water this time (which is fine by Sophia), so there were a lot of sand buildings around our area !

While we were in the area, we received some great tickets from a friend to go to the aquarium.  We got to see Winter the dolphin. Winter is the dolphin from the movie Dolphin Tale.  We haven't seen the movie yet, but now I think we just might have to put it on our list.  The kids loved seeing her and all the other dolphins and sea life !

"Winter" swimming without her prosthetic tail

We held a fun double birthday party - because my son was born on my sister's birthday !!  FUN TIMES !  Even though we kept it simple, I did manage to create the illusion of two separate themes/parties for each of them...cakes and all!

Birthday BOY 

Birthday GIRL

Demetri got some great presents from everyone of course!  Toys, clothes..a new bike !  A baseball glove (of course)!  

But one of the favorites of his was his "vestments' for when he "plays altar".  Yiayia made them for him and he loves them.  He used to use my headscarves, but has been getting too big for them and was getting very annoyed if they didn't lay right or tie all the way around his waist, etc.  

Trying it on for the first time !

Demetrios was born on the eve of his Name day, so we had another celebration in honor of his special day !  Sophia took the day off of school to attend the Divine Liturgy with us and we had a wonderful day afterwards together.  

Our "perfect" house

I am not a perfect housekeeper.  Not even close.  Now, don't get me wrong...my house is not a cyclone.  Well, not ALL the time.  It's clean, it's tidy, it's "kinda" organized...but not perfect.  I am confident enough that if I had an unexpected knock at the door that my guest would not think my house was a complete mess.  You can usually find one or two baskets full of clean laundry sitting around waiting to be folded and put away.  I don't dry the dishes and put them away right after washing them, I let them sit in the strainer until there is not a drop of water on them (or until I need to wash more dishes).  I should mop the floors more often and dust the bookshelf.  I don't make my bed every single day (gasp)!  There are a lot of times that I don't make the children's put away their crayons and coloring books before starting to play with their train set.  There are nights we even go to sleep with the train set pieces still strewn all over my sons rug. (double-gasp)!  So....you sorta get the picture of our everyday world.  

But this weekend, we were having company.  Well, it's not really "company" per se.  My mother-in-law is coming.  We love when she visits !  When both of my inlaws come together, they stay in a hotel.  When she comes by herself, she stays with us and sleeps in my daughter's room.  This, of course, means that she needs to actually SEE my daughter's bed in order to sleep in it.  Of course, we had to clean.  Clean, as in "better than usual clean".   Honestly, she could care less what the house looks like - she just wants to see her grandchildren.  But you ALL know how it is.  Someone comes to stay at your house and you feel the need to clean behind the toilet !

We had a busy week but we tried to keep our normal schedule the first half of the days and then do some extra cleaning and chores during the afternoons if possible.   Everything got cleaned, pretty well.  But I started to get crazy.  I would get the kitchen looking perfect - and then my children would ask me to bake something with them.  I would have to clean it all over again from top to bottom.  I would vacuum every speck of dirt off the floor and we would go work in the garden (only to trek even more dirt back in).  Wash, Rinse, Repeat.  I kept looking at things from a different perspective.  "That looked PERFECT an hour ago and now it's atrocious" !  Then came Friday - "crunch day".  Last ditch effort to get it right.

My kids spent the morning with Popou (my dad) and their cousins because I had errands and a pitching lesson to give.  By the time we got home around midday, I had the afternoon to get it all done before it was time to get them to bed.  (No cleaning or other somewhat noisy activities in this small house after bedtimes with our light sleepers).  I thought about locking the kids in the bathroom so I could conquer one room at a time...but instead I just barked and yelled orders.  "Don't take out any toys".  "How many books are you going to take out".  "Can you just sit and rest a bit". "Don't take out any snacks, you'll make crumbs". "No crafts today".  "Watch me from the window while I garden because I don't need another single thing to clean and wash" "I cannot play that with you until this house is ALL clean"  "No, no, no"....

Jump to the end of the day -  My house was clean.  All of the laundry was done, sheets all changed, bathrooms scrubbed and disinfected, dishes clean and dried, toys all in proper places, every crayon and colored pencil in it's proper section, shelves were dusted, garden was watered and weeded, furniture dusted, floors vacuumed...etc.   Whew !

When I snuggled with my two little munchkins at the very end of the night to go to sleep...my little man leaned on my chest with a great big hug and said "I love you mama".  Now, he says he loves me a million times a day and gives lots of hugs.  But last night, it made me cry.  It was more like "I missed you all day Mama and I'm so glad you're back".  Of course, that could be my pitiful, guilty translation of his affection...but that's how I was feeling too.

Yesterday, we didn't sit on the couch together and read any books.  We didn't play house.  We didn't do any crafts together.  I didn't take them out WITH me to do the gardening.  We didn't go to the Y or for a run.  We didn't cook together. We didn't even eat together at the table.  We didn't draw or color together.  We didn't build anything or play cars and trains.  We didn't talk much about anything. We didn't learn anything together.  We didn't dance and sing like we do every afternoon.   We didn't do much of anything.  It was a yucky day....but at least my house was clean.  

My grandmother gave my mom a cute little plaque that hung in our dining room in the house where I grew up:

"This house is clean enough to be healthy...

But messy enough to be happy".  

I used to laugh at this really because my mother has had an immaculate house for as long as I can remember.  But today I remembered this little plaque for the first time in many years.  (Maybe our house was so clean for as long as I can REMEMBER..but maybe not so clean for my younger toddler years...hmmm?) I just can't imagine that I am the ONLY mother of young children that finds it hard to keep a perfect-looking house, while at the same time nurturing my children and being a part of their day.  Am I ?  (Please, DON'T leave a comment indicating that I am).

I might not be the most perfect housekeeper...but I know that I am doing my best to balance it all and more importantly to be the best mother and wife that I can be right NOW.  Maybe there will come a time in the not-so-distant future that I will be able to fold the laundry as soon as I take it out of the dryer without being interrupted by things like:   "Mama, can you read me this book first"?  or "Can you help me make this beaded bracelet" or "How do you spell Demetri's name so I can make him a surprise"?  

Maybe one day I won't hear those interruptions and I can get everything done in a very expeditious and efficient manner.  Maybe one day my house will look perfect....but God-willing, that won't be anytime soon.  I think our house is just perfect the way it is right now.

The Kiddie Table

I can clearly remember when I was a kid how we would have the "kiddie" table at most family events.  I can also clearly remember that awkward time when I felt like I was too old to be there, but too young to sit with the adults.  What a dilemma for the oldest child to face !  

Well, my poor niece will be 15 in a few days and she has VERY little choice in the matter.  My son and daughter would NOT be happy if their two big cousins didn't sit with them at the little table during any family get-together.  It wasn't until I looked at this picture later on that night, that I realized how completely ridiculous she looks.  Oh, how I love her !  

First Big Girl Sleepover !

All packed up and ready to go.....our little girl had her first SUCCESSFUL sleepover at Nouna's house !  You know, the kind where you are up checking your phone every half hour and you are half dressed in bed because you are completely prepared to have to go pick her up at 2 a.m. !  But this time, she made it !  Of course, she is already asking for another one !

Donor Match (update)

As I previously posted, my sweet Uncle is suffering with cancer and in need of a Bone Marrow Transplant.     The good news is that is appears a match (anonymous donor) has been found.  The bad news is that my Uncle is unable to receive this transplant at this time.  He must undergo yet ANOTHER sickening round of  chemotherapy - because his blood is not in the condition that it must be in order for the transplant to be successful.  The condition of his liver is also deteriorating and will be a concern.  After this current blast of chemo, if successful, the surgical team will have to re-evaluate his condition to determine whether or not he gets the transplant.

Please keep him in your prayers.

BE THE MATCH

My uncle has been diagnosed with MDS (a type of blood cancer).  The chemotherapy is not working at this point so he needs a bone marrow transplant. My mother is his only sibling and was thought to be his best chance for a match.  We have recently learned that her screening came back and she is not close enough to be a match for a transplant.   For a moment, this took the wind out of our sails.  But my sweet and strong Uncle is continuing the fight, thanks be to God.  


Sloan Kettering is looking through the registry for potential bone marrow donors.  I registered tonight.  If you register, they will send you a "kit" for you to perform a simple mouth swab.  If it looks like you could possibly be a potential donor, they would follow up with a blood test.   If the blood test is positive, then you would either be a peripheral stem cell donor (just a simple blood draw) or bone marrow donor (which is outpatient, but done under anesthesia and they collect liquid marrow with a needle into your pelvic bone).   

If it is in your heart  to register, go to BE THE MATCH  By doing so,  you will actually be in the registry for all of those in need, not only my Uncle.   After the testing,  you can change your mind at any time and take your name off the registry.  If you do register, you can choose to send me your registry # and his Doctor can specifically check to see if you're a match for my Uncle.  Anyone could be a possible match, but because race and ethnicity play a good role in this, the best match would be someone from northern European background (Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, etc.).  To register you must be between 18-60 years of age and in good health.  The website above has a lot of good information and should answer any of your questions.  



"With God all things are possible".

Family Fun

First picture with her grandkids after our surprise arrival!

Well, we are home and finally back to our "normal" routine ! We had a WONDERFUL time on our family vacation and I am so glad that we decided to make the journey.  The kids made some special memories, we spent quality time with all of our family there, had tons of laughs...and of course, tears were shed as we left.  

Sophia got to see cows, pigs, goats, etc. at the 4H, we enjoyed a night out on North Street, ate tons of wings at Patricks, played outside in the fresh air every single day, shopped, visited all of our family, took walks, cooked out, celebrated our wedding anniversary, stayed up late, work up early, had tea parties, got the kids haircuts, shopped some more  and so many other fun things !

We arrived on the eve of the Feast of the Dormition...and attended the Divine Liturgy at our "parish away from home".  As it turns out, the next weekend was their annual Greek Festival !  We enjoyed some delicious dinner and my husband was sure to get a BOX full of pastries to bring back to the house for our snacking pleasure !  My little guy had a TON of fun on the dance floor.  He parked himself right in front of the stage, eye to eye with the bouzouki player..and danced his little heart out !  I will have to post the video of that one soon...he doesn't have much rhythm yet (to say the least) !

pulling her own suitcase every step of the way

on the mini carousel while shopping at the outlets 

plenty of outside playtime to practice our jump rope !

yummy.....ice cream from Scoops !

Mama and the little man

Baba and the kiddies

Surprise !!!

YES !  We did it...gave my mother-in-law a lovely surprise after her rough week !  Glory to God for all things - the timing was just perfect. She had just gotten home from a busy day at work and was putting in a load of laundry when she saw the face of her son through the window!  Her grandchildren haven't left her side since we arrived and I think it is finally sinking in that we are REALLY here !  

We celebrated the Feast of the Dormition this morning at the quaint church of St. George and are enjoying a beautiful afternoon together - soaking in the beautiful Berkshire weather  (a wonderful change from the oppressive heat). 

I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures and videos in upcoming posts.  I got an awesome FLIP video camera from my parents for my birthday the day before we left...it is SURE to catch plenty of fun times!  

Can we do it ???

Things are getting pretty exciting around here...we have a countdown ticking away to a big surprise.  I can't post this right away because my inlaws (hopefully) check the blog often !  In just a few short days, God willing, we will be sitting on their front porch as they arrive home from work !

My mother-in-law has really been having withdrawal symptoms from being away from her grandchildren these last few months - and we are definitely in need of a family vacation.   So we decided that we would try to pull off the ultimate surprise and buzz our little family up north to brighten up her summer !  At first, we enrolled the help of my father-in-law...of course we needed someone to "know" we were coming, to pick us up, to be sure she was home, etc etc.  BUT THEN we started to sense some weariness in his voice:  "Don't you think we should tell her?  She likes to prepare?  Half the fun is anticipating the arrival".  That sort of thing.  We decided that he couldn't be trusted !!!  So, we purchased our tickets and planned our trip for much earlier than he had anticipated !  We waited until the last minute to rally up some help - and Aunt Denise has come through with flying colors.

We've been slowly preparing the things that need to be packed.... and I have to really try to keep everything around here looking like we're NOT packing.  You see, we talk to my inlaws over the video conference almost every night.  Sophia would NEVER hold a secret for more than 10 seconds at this point.  I am bravely waiting until Friday, after which I don't think we will talk to her again until we are there, to actually pack it all up.

Can't wait to post some updates....hoping it all goes well !  REALLY can't wait to see their faces !

Duck.....Get 'em !

We enjoyed a day at the beach with my father and my 2 beautiful nieces !  Sophia was in her glory with "the girls" by her side, swimming in the water and building sand castles ! Demetri LOVES the water.  He starts heading for the shore and doesn't even look back to see if I am there.  He was up to his neck and wanted to keep going!

Sophia and my darling nieces

BUT his favorite thing to do was to chase the ducks (which were really seagulls)!  He had no fear and really believed he could catch them if he kept trying!

Mama On The Run !

As you may (or may not) know, I regularly run/jog as one of my forms of exercise to try to stay healthy and stay in shape.  I am usually jogging behind my Bob Revolution Duallie...a GREAT double jogging stroller.  If you have to run with a stroller, the BOB is the way to go !  My kids love it, it's comfortable for them and easy to push for me !

My running partners

I started to think, "It might be fun to run in a race again".  I used to love to run in them with my dad when I was growing up....and it's been over 20 years since I ran my last race !  I started to ask around for some local races.  A friend I had met at the Y told me about an upcoming 5k....so I registered !!  

I was so excited the morning of the race, just wanting to cross the finish line.  My dad came with me to the race, which made the day all the more special and nostalgic !  As I came out into the homestretch, there he was....and I saw him looking at his watch ! I had finished slightly faster than I had anticipated and he wasn't expecting me so soon !  (or so he told me after the race).  

The final stretch !

We had a great day !  I'll add one final picture .....here we are after the race !

See the medals?  We took 1st and 2nd place (in our division) !!

Exercising and trying to stay healthy is sometimes a lot of work.  Running can get very boring and repetitive so it is nice to set goals and have something like a race to look forward to in the near future.  Most of the races out there benefit some sort of charity or organization and they are a great way of bringing the community together.  They are also just FUN to do !  I am already registered to run in another 5k in 2 weeks !  

I have decided to set a somewhat long-term goal for myself (and my running).  God willing, I would like to run in a half-marathon.  THIS Women's Half Marathon is scheduled for November 21st, so I have some time to prepare.  Now....if I can only get my sister to run it with me !  That would make for some great memories !  

Visiting Times

I have referred to our recent visits from family over the past few weeks.  Personally, I can't believe it's over.  It actually went by pretty quickly.  Most people have the same reaction when I tell them that my inlaws are visiting....something to the effect of "oh, you poor thing - bet you can't wait until you leave".  It couldn't be further from the truth.   Just like when I was younger and people would assume that my sister and I fought a lot or that we didn't get along.  We used to laugh at them because it was so untrue!  My husband and I have both been blessed with such wonderful families and it is so easy to share all of that love !  I am so thankful that our family has grown and that my children will know the love of their grandparents, some great grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, cousins...the list goes on !

Our "visiting weeks" started off with my father-in-law visiting...better known as "Nunu" in these parts.  It had been some time since he was able to come visit with us and he was really excited to spend some quality time with the kids particularly.  Prior to coming, he said something to the effect of "I am going to be their playmate for 10 days straight".  Well, here is a photo of day one during "naptime"...I guess he thought I meant it was ok for HIM to go take a nap too.  We continued to joke about how he couldn't keep up with the kids !  (I think he napped every afternoon, under the guise of "I think I am going to go read a little").

Over the course of the visit, the kids had a ton of fun with him...he kept to his word and was definitely their playmate for those 10 days !  

Sophia and Nunu fingerpainting !

After he left, we had one day to regroup before the arrival of Noni and Granddad !  We spent a beautiful 10 days together - trying to make sure that every minute was quality time !  We enjoyed attending Church services together, shopping (of course), eating out, bbq'in at home (thanks to Granddad for our new grill), swimming at the hotel pool, daily walks in the morning and evening, Mother's day BBQ at my sisters....a great time overall !  

It's tough living away from some of your family, but thank God we have the means to stay in close contact. We visit them when we are able, they visit us often, we video-cam with them almost daily....and we are very thankful for all of those opportunities to remain close and in each other's lives !  

The little man 

My Yiayia and I on Mother's Day

My sweet husband and his mom !

Christ is Risen ! Truly He is Risen !

We had a very beautiful day spent with our family and friends.  We attended the Anastasi (Resurrection) service last night, followed by the Divine Liturgy.  The beginning was rough for the kids, being we actually had to wake them up to leave. (the service starts at 11 p.m. and we didn't get home until 3:30 a.m.)   They were pretty tired (exhibit A:  Sophia holding her candle after receiving the Light)

I am so thankful that my koumbara was there with me to help because it was a long night for the kids.  (My sweet husband serves in the Altar so my hands are usually quite full)!  After the services, we shared some fellowship in the hall with the traditional margheritsa soup.  Toward the end of the night, the kids were actually looking a little more perky !  (or maybe they were just getting slap-happy) !  

Today, our family and friends came to join us for Easter dinner.  Since we were hosting, we didn't take many (any) pictures since we were pretty busy !  (well, I did get ONE picture of my sister stuffing her face with pastisio but I'm quite certain that she would not be very pleased if I posted it here) !  

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Pascha, Happy Easter and Blessed Resurrection !  

Holy Week

It's been so hard to post anything lately...actually I feel like it's been so hard to do ANYTHING lately ! :) Great Lent has gone by so quickly...and Holy Week feels like it just started.  We have spent our week attending the many services at our Church.  It has proved to be even more challenging this year, as a mother...as my little Demetri is not a big fan of sitting still (or quiet) for too long.  Services that are long and end late are quite interesting!  Tonight we await the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord !  We have spent the past several weeks spiritually preparing for this Blessed event and are filled with anticipation.  May all of you have a wonderful Resurrection.  Kali Anastasi !

Sophia helping price some books at the Church 

Me and my little man

The little lady at the end of services on Palm Sunday

Trying so hard to venerate the icon by himself

Helping Popou around the house

Popou has a new little helper to assist with all the work he does for us around our house ! 

Broken houses and Boo-boos

Jorge Silva / Reuters  Photo from MSNBC.com

So, my little girl has a cold.  This means that she starts the night laying in the middle of our bed, propped up on some pillows so that she can fall asleep.  Her sweet Baba lays with her until she fades off into sleep.  Usually, I would be in the living room anticipating Demetri's next wakeup - but I was so tired I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I crawled into bed with them, but couldn't fall asleep.  She was laying on top of the covers, so I couldn't pull them up to my neck the way I like to.  They had the pillows in some mini-mountain position, so I couldn't fix them "just right" under my head.  I was hanging off the bed.  I had tons of complaints running through my very exhausted head.

What was I thinking?  I stopped to think of the recent earthquake in Haiti.

The suffering and pain being endured by the people in Haiti at this very moment was completely inconceivable to me.  During this, and any disaster of such magnitude...is it even POSSIBLE to imagine how those affected are feeling?  The pains of their everyday existence. Their struggle for some sort of normalcy.  I thanked God for my family, prayed that He would have mercy on those struggling there, and snuggled with my little angel to sleep.

When we woke up the next morning, I sat with Sophia at the computer.  I showed her some pictures of what was happening in Haiti (selective photos I should add).  But as simple as they were, I wanted her to see that in some way....somewhere far away, there were people like her and I that needed love.   I also want her to know the joy and Blessing of giving.  We decided that when we went shopping today we would get some supplies to send to them.  I can't say enough about the IOCC  (International Orthodox Christian Charities) and all that they do.  We decided to pack up some hygiene kits.  They have so many ways you can help - and I am thankful that they provide this information to those looking for a way to help.

I can honestly say that I often feel that what I am able to offer to those in such dire need is so meager, perhaps even insignificant.  There are millionaires, business, teams, etc...that give so much monetary assistance. But,  I didn't want to stand by and do "nothing". I didn't want to wait and rely on everyone else to help those poor families.  I didn't want my daughter to grow up not knowing what it is like to give back and to reach out to those truly in need.   We decided to do something as a family. Something that we could labor together and do for our fellow brothers and sisters.  A labor of love.

While we were shopping today, Sophia picked up something that she thought a little girl would like and said "Can we send this to the people with the broken houses and boo-boos?".

Lord, have mercy.

Merry Christmas! Christ is Born - Glorify Him!

Merry Christmas!  Christ is Born !  We have had a very enjoyable Feast day and some great quality time as a family!  After we returned from our spiritually renewing trip to Marietta, we had a few things to do to prepare for Nativity.  As the time drew near, we continued to read to Sophia about the Birth of Christ and have really tried to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas.

We had waited until the last minute to put up our tree.  We usually put it up much earlier, but the Little Man of the house can be quite inquisitive and we envisioned him not only taking off the ornaments but perhaps knocking down the whole tree.  Sophia helped us to decorate it and put up our stockings...and lo and behold, Demetri has not ruined ONE thing !  Thanks to my brother-in-law, we were even able to hang lights outside for the first time! We had never had an electrical outlet on the exterior of the house...until now!

We had a few days to prepare our ornaments for the Ornament Exchange that we signed up for over at Orthodox Mom (thank you so much to Sylvia for organizing it)!  I am not overly "crafty" or creative, but I did find a great idea HERE and we made some Apple Cinnamon scented ornaments.  Sophia really enjoyed the whole process.  She helped measure the ingredients, mixed them with her hands, helped to roll them out and cut the shapes. She especially enjoyed decorating them!  We used the star-shaped cookie cutter and once they were baked and dried, Sophia decorated them with glitter-glue and then pasted an icon onto each ornament.

Getting ready to roll out the dough for the first time!

The finished ornaments!  

She made homemade Christmas cards and signed her own name.  She was SO independent and excited when we started making the cards, but once we did the first 3 or 4, she said "This is hard work"!  We brought them to the post office together and off they went!  We sent out 7 ornaments - which meant she would be getting 7 packages in the mail herself!  She was so excited each day as a box arrived in mail for her.  They are all on the tree, but I will take a picture of the ornaments collectively and hopefully post them soon!  Many thanks for all the work that went into these precious ornaments!

Well, she enjoyed the whole process of making these ornaments so much that I decided I would let her make some Christmas sugar cookies.  Again, her favorite part was putting on the sprinkles!  (mine too, I did a few of my own)!

We attended services of the Blessed Nativity of our Lord and then enjoyed the fellowship of our Church family.

Demetri venerating the Icon of the Nativity, with the help of his Nouna

family snapshot after the Divine Liturgy

Christmas Morning we spent at home enjoying some family time, opened a few gifts and played with the kids.  We spent the rest of the day at my sister's house with our family for a wonderful day of laughs, fun, and a delicious festal dinner !

Christmas morning

Working on her new "cube" puzzle, while Demetri plots to steal a piece!

Loved the skates that Yiayia got for her, wore them all day!

(even while playing with Demetri's new BeBop Band)!

Definitely posting this without permission....but I love how silly we 

can be when we're together!

I hope and pray that everyone enjoyed their Christmas!  Christ is Born - Glorify Him !

A little road trip

We recently returned from a wonderful, spiritually renewing and fun trip to Marietta.  We were very blessed to have some dear friends of ours lend us their mini-van...which made the trip so much easier and more enjoyable!!  The kids were real troopers!  After going through the long drive, they came with us to Bible Study that night, an agrypnia (all-night vigil) the next night, Holy Unction the next, then Divine Liturgy and an evening prayer service that same night !  We had a wonderful and uplifting time, perfect for this time of year as we prepare for the Nativity of our Lord !

Catching a few zzzz's during Bible Study

our faithful teacher and Spiritual Father

With Olympia's help, she got to do her FIRST Gingerbread house too !!