Give Thanks for the littlest things- because they are the most important.

Sorry for not posting in a while. I was at home, came back, and jumped right back into the swing of things. I had the opportunity to go home for the holiday and even make a pit stop in Chicago to see my aunts, uncles, and cousin. I got into Chicago around 10pm  and my Aunt Ann picked me up. HOLY COLD. It was freezing! Maybe not for most, it was like 50, but it was cold. It was like being in air conditioning all the time. We get to my Aunt Carol and Uncle Vince’s house and it was just really great to be in the company of family. It was cozy, comfortable, and just really made me happy to be able to stop to see them. My Aunt Carol made me the best turkey sandwich along with a cold glass of wine- it was just such a treat. Different to be waited on, different to have someone make a pot of coffee in the morning and walk around in your pjs, cozy up on the couch and watch some trashy tv. My Uncle Vince and  I later went to pick my cousin Colleen. We all went to meet up with Aunt Carol to grab a bite to eat and spent the day catching up. Later, that day, my mom and brother come down for a couple of days, Clare came down the next, to just enjoy time together as a family. It was cozy, comfortable, and just really filled my heart to be surrounded by family. 

A couple days later, Daniel, Mom, and I head home to meet Dad who had just gotten home from China. Spent time with Mom and Dad before the sisters got home for the holiday, and of course, my baby woofers, Tory. Sunday night was amazing. Clare and Hannah come home on Tuesday night and Wednesday the sista fun begins! We have morning coffee with Grandpa and Cookie and then we are off to spread Thanksgiving cheer with Hannah dressed like a Turkey. She basically spent the next 24 hours in that outfit, which got quite the reactive, people stopping her to take pictures of her or with her. It was great. She even wore it to happy hour when we went to get a drink and appetizers with my Dad. In a crowded restaurant. The night before Thanksgiving. Awesome. 

Spreading Cheer! 

Grandpa & Hannah

Hannah & Tommy working it

Thanksgiving was DELICIOUS. Started the day off with a 5k run, brunch with the Garibaldi’s, Family time and then DINNER!!! It was a feast.

Tory dying for a piece

Early Friday morning, I was the first flight out. Kristen and I met at the airport and we were on our way! We planned out the night before how to stop at Starbucks in the Atlanta airport so we could bring Avriel a little taste of home. Luckily, we landed in the same terminal, went and grabbed her order, and then made it to our flight in time. 

We get back to the home and jump right back in. Quinceñeras were the next day, where we celebrate all of the girl’s 15th birthdays as well as the boys who turned 18. It was a really fun night and really special for the girls. All of the prep work, hair make- up, dresses, it was just really special for them and they looked beautiful! 

Roomie love xo

  

My Godson and I! He is getting confirmed in a week and I am so proud of him! 

 

Kaki in the background. 

This past week has been crazy. Getting back into a routine, catching up on work, and spending time with my boys- which may I add, has been hysterical. I taught them how to play the game Farkle. They of course can’t pronounce it and if they do it kind of sounds like a bad word with an ‘le’ on the end. We’ve played it for hours. Screaming, kids flying across the circle, ‘CHEATER!’, laughing, it has just been a blast. Aside from that, work has been good. It’s good to be back, it’s feels good. I missed it here, I missed my kids, my friends, and the whole atmosphere. Don’t get me wrong, it was great to be home, my love tank is definitely full, but it is also nice to be back doing something I love. But those are the little things- the little things we have to be grateful for. They are the most important. Playing Farkle with my boys, being able to Skype with a best friend, or just watching the sunset, as cliché as that may sound. It’s unreal. Walking around with Kaki, who just wants to be able to walk, while the sun is setting, it’s something that is so simple, something that we can just watch. Those are the moments that are the most important. To be surrounded by family, to be welcomed into a home and to even be able to take over Uncle Vince’s chair- it’s something so simple, but it’s something that demonstrates love. The littlest things. 

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! 

Enjoy! xx 

Proyecto Familiar with some of my favorite boys. We made empanadas with meet & cheese. MAN FOOD! 

INTENSE GAME OF FARKLE

Marie- my amazing cousin who did a fundraiser to collect Christmas presents for the kids. She did it all on her own! So AMAZING! 

                                        

All of the donations Marie collected and my neighbors, friends, and family donated for Christmas. I brought back around 200lbs of luggage. Thank you to everyone who made this possible!!!