Tea Party

Payton and I had the greatest time with some homeschool friends this weekend at a Tea House. The girls had a blast! They must have tried on dozens of hats, boas, etc. We ate lots of cutsie sandwiches, scones, petit desserts and had our very own pot of tea. (Which I'm sure had caffeine...explaining why ten girls had so much energy to try on SO many accessories! ;)) It was a wonderful afternoon for mother and daughter.

It was also nice that the guys had time alone...although, lunch at Moe's and hanging out at Books a Million wasn't nearly as fun as a dressing up for tea party. ;)

A Birthday Dream Come True!

Payton's favorite thing in life are horses! Thanks to a friend, she got to spend her 11th birthday with KC (and all of us, but she didn't notice we were there!). Thank you, Ginger, for blessing our birthday girl. The rest of the day was filled with "lots" of food and fun. This girl knows how to celebrate...we all collapsed at the end the day. She would make such a great Queen. She LOVES royal treatment. This reminds me of her 5th birthday in Germany. We gave her a royal day. Included, was a bell to ring if she needed anything. She wouldn't even sit down without ringing the bell so daddy or Landon could push in her chair. It's too bad the bell got lost in the move. :)

Happy 11th Birthday, Princess. May God bless you as much as you bless us. I love you very much!

Amazing Grace and Grandparents

This is my favorite picture I took at the Colosseum.

If you haven't seen/heard this video, you will be blessed. If you have, it's worth listening to it again. It's incredible!

Like many, Amazing Grace is one of my all time favorites. The story behind it is wonderful, but it also has a special meaning to me. When my grandfather was dying of lung cancer, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren (all 50 of us!), were gathered around his bed singing hymns. We finished singing Amazing Grace...at the very same time my tata took his last breath. We were heart broken, and he was at peace. It was a beautiful, difficult time. Beautiful because he was at home surrounded by his family that loved him so very much. Beautiful because he knew he was rich. Not rich in world's eyes with possessions, but rich with love. He was our patriarch. We buried him the week of Thanksgiving, 12 years ago. My nana joined him in heaven two years later. We were blessed to have her that long. Because when he left, he took her heart with him. She was crushed. They would have celebrated their 54 anniversary that Dec. She was lonely, but never alone. My dad and the rest of the family made up a schedule so that she would never have to stay alone at night. They did this for two years. That is love! It was an amazing close family. The kind I want for mine. I get very nostalgic and miss them especially during the holidays. Their home was 'always' filled with love, laughter, (good food!) and wonderful memories. I didn't know my mom's parents, they passed away when I was little. But I do know, my nana and tata made up for both sets. I only wish that my kids could have known them. One day, they will!

In memory of my nana and tata, Antonio and Sofia Romero....and God's Amazing Grace!

Four Tenors (Il Divo) singing inside the Coliseum in Rome .

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1785324681?bclid=1338935106&bctid=1913313052

Landon in Training

Landon is on his way of earning 1/4 of an Elective credit. I love to watch him work hard physically, so he learns the importance of working hard mentally. :) And, what a better teacher than his dad? They both received an "A." Max for his patience, and Landon for taking directions well & working hard without complaining. However, the biggest accomplishment was him not loosing a finger, while cutting the tile! (Oh, was I stressing out! Have you seen blade on that thing?.....and how close it gets to the fingers?!?) As a result of my freaking out, they politely asked me to leave. :)

Is it a Hurricane?

......no, it's Payton baking banana bread for our hard working guys. She LOVES to bake/cook (and is really good at it)....but boy, is she messy! Again, I was asked (politely) to leave until it was all cleaned up. (She knows how hard it is for me to see such a mess. Payton in the kitchen is good therapy for me.) :) Anyhow, she served us with the smile as warm as the bread.

Remembering.....

Remembering 9/11 - Thinking of all those who lost their loved ones on that tragic day. And, praying for all those who continue to fight for our freedom and protection today. May God bless them all!

A Penny for Your Thoughts?

Landon confessed something to me a few days ago, that I have to write down. (If I don't...well we know what will happen? It's lost forever....) Anyway, ever since he was a little boy, I would catch him in a deep stupor. (He's always been a thinker, so it happened often!) So, I would then follow up with, "A penny for your thoughts, Sunshine?" Of course his reply was...."I'm not thinking about anything." (Can we really think about nothing? I don't think so, but we usually do give the same answer. :)) Anyhow, I would always reply to him...."Oh, come on, I know you're thinking about how wonderful your mama is!?!" He would just chuckle, snap out of his daze, and that was the end of it. This has gone on for years. Well the other day, we went through our typical scenario, but this time he laughed and told me....when he was a little boy he remembers times when he would think about me, jsut so he could say "yes" if I asked him! We got such a good laugh out of it! Then of course, Payton rushes into the room wondering why she was left out of the fun? So, we shared with her.....the rest of the story.... :)

Good Bye Summer!

"The Amazing Race"

.....and we're off!

Don't let him fool you, Landon and I won! :)

We Got News!

It looks like the Lord wants us in Fl. a little longer. We will stay here until next spring, probably around April. We are happy we get to participate in Classical Conversation one more year (our homeschool co-op). And, there's always the possibility that our home here in Fl. will go up in value? (A girl can dream, can't she?) :) So, we are thrilled about this news. But then, God exceeds the first blessing with one that I couldn't have dreamt up! They plan to send us back to Tucson!!!! Where we lived for 12 years, still have our home and will be 'much' closer to our family and dear friends in the southwest. My feet haven't touched the floor yet....but it hasn't stopped me from praising my Lord! Love to you all....Roxanne

No News

We still don't have any news on our move. Ah! I'm to the point that I would be fine moving to Timbuktu - I'd just like to know. (Okay, maybe Mali is a little far fetched!) :) It's just really hard to make plans: co-ops, sports, etc. Sorry about whining. I have to remember, God's timing is not my timing. (And, I'm grateful for that!) I'll keep you posted......

Staying or Moving?

We find out this week (hopefully by Wed.) if we will move in the next few months, or if we stay in Fl. for a couple more years. Of course, there are pros and cons to both. (Like most things in life.) Please pray with us that God's will be done. We want to be where He wants us! (Which isn't necessarily where we think we should be.) But we do know, that His will is ALWAYS best! And, that is our prayer! I will update as soon as I know.

Softball

Here are some action shots at one of Payton's softball games.

........and she's safe!! :)

.......get that grounder, shnookums! (Calling her princess at a softball game...just doesn't sound right!)

Hmm???.....a strike....or a homerun?

In Loving Memory of Jolande Maxwell

On June 14th, Max's mom, Jolande Maxwell (pronounced Yolanda) passed away. She suffered with Rheumatoid Arthritis. After years of battling the disease, she went to be with the Lord. It has been a tough two weeks for everyone, but especially for my father-in-law who was married to her for 53 years. He lived his vows, in "sickness" and in health.

She proudly puts on Max's wings.

Oma, Landon & Payton

This was the last picture taken of Oma, Grandpa, Max & the kids.

I joked with her often about how she was every man's dream. I've never known anyone, man or woman, that loved sports more than Jolande did. She new every player, of every team, of every sport! When Max and her were talking sports on the phone, you'd think he was talking to an ol' buddy, but instead, it was his mom. 

It was sweet.

We all love her and miss her very much!

Charlie the Winner!

Payton and Charlie at a pet show: They took 1st in "most look-a-like", 2nd in "best costume," and 3rd in "best trick." (Of course Tata thinks they should have won 1st for Best Trick. Hmm...maybe a little bias?) The trick they did was...she was the sheriff and Charlie was the outlaw about to get arrested. She held a piece of hot dog in one hand and a play gun in the other. She told him, "You're arrested for bad behavior, stick em up!" As she holds the hot dog over his head, he stands on his hind legs with his paws up in the air. They got a huge reaction from the crowd.  I have to say, they were one cute sheriff and outlaw! ;)