Spring Program 2012

I wanted to share what I do (other than being a mommy). I am a music teacher at Tri-Unity Christian School. I have been working there for 4 years. I am blessed to have a job where I am able to use my degree and share my passion for music. I love all the students- we have a blast! They did a great job at their Spring Program. I now have one more Choir Concert this Spring and then I can finally exhale...You would think that I would not get nervous after 4 years of doing them! My voice teacher in high school once told me that being nervous is good- it keeps you humble and on your toes-when you think you have arrived that's when you get in trouble. hmmmm I think I agree with that! It's so important to stay humble and give the Lord all the praise in everything that you do. Anyways, I am so proud of my students, the teachers, and parents who made this concert a success! God was lifted up last night and that's all that matters! Here are some pictures from this year's Spring Program:

My Mom

Happy Mother's Day! I wanted to write about my mom and how much she means to me. Becoming a mother has shown me that the love you have for your child is indescribable. I love Giana with my whole heart and would give my life for her. Understanding and feeling this love for my daughter helps me understand how deep my own mother's love is for me and my sister. She has shown unconditional love to us both. Regardless of all my/our faults, she loves us. My mom is unselfish. She gives generously of her time, energy, talents, and gifts to make our family and friends grow and flourish. Even today, we were shopping and she had to pick up this adorable scarf for my sister because she knew she would just love it! My mom thinks of others all the time. She puts other's needs and wants above her own. My mom is patient and kind. There were many times I know I drove her crazy; but she was always there to patiently guide and help me make the right choices. My mom is beautiful inside and out. I admire her strength and drive she has for life. Today, I celebrate my mother. Mom, I love you and am thankful that God gave me you as my mother.

Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous; is not proud; is not conceited; does not act foolishly; is not selfish; is not easily provoked to anger; keeps no record of wrongs; takes no pleasure in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. ~I Corinthians 13:4-7


Happy Mother's Day! -AM

I'm Morbid

One of the reasons I love running is that it clears my mind. On my run this morning, I was listening to worship music, going through my thoughts and sharing with the Lord my concerns and requests. I was telling Jared last night that I was feeling "morbid"....What do I mean by that? I feel like everywhere I turn I am hearing that someone has an awful sickness; someone lost their job; someone has passed away; someone is carrying serious burden. It's so easy for me to get "weighed down" by the problems of others and my own. I tend to lose focus on the Lord and let the problems consume me. On my run, I was listening to a worship song and it started with this: "In the midst of the darkness, You're the Light that guides me through. Our eyes are on You. You are near to the broken. The weak find their strength in You. Our eyes are on You." Our eyes need to be on the Lord because He will never leave us in our problems. He is the one who never fails us and always keeps His promises. Ps. 9:10 "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you."

My challenge for myself today is to keep my eyes on Him, to stay positive and to focus on His many blessings in my life.


Here are some Giana pics:
                       Hanging out in her crib           Walking with daddy to the park

               Giana loves to swing!              Zachary and Giana playing together.

                    

Thanks for reading our blog! -AM

Crawling

What an exciting week for Giana, mommy and daddy! She started crawling this past week. Jared had the TV remote on the floor, and she went after it and started crawling. It cracks me up that babies love "toys" that are not their own! She has been so close and to see her finally crawl and complete this milestone is so exciting. Check out her crawling yesterday after her swim lesson. Giana also turned 7 months today! Our baby girl is growing up so fast.

Thanks for sharing in our lives! -AM

Spring Decor and Pics

This year I wanted to add some spring decorations to the house. I love having a mantle that can showcase the different seasons. I found this cool "how to" on making a Moss Monogram. It was super easy and fun to make. I really love how it looks on the mantle! Take a look at the following link:

http://www.hgtv.com/entertaining/how-to-make-a-moss-monogram/index.html

To add to my new "Monogram" obsession, I bought a wooden M at Joann Fabrics, spray painted it a fun green, and added it to my front door wreath.

My next project was my window boxes. I always tend to plant flowers too soon because I get excited when we have one day of beautiful weather. So this year, I decided to try faux flowers in the window boxes. (I'll plant real flowers in late May to be safe) I found some faux pussy willows, greenery, and flowers at the Dollar Tree. I know what you're thinking-they must look cheap! But I really don't think they do! I also spray painted sticks white and a bright green to add to the boxes. I like how the wreath and window boxes accent one another.  

 I added some pics of Giana from the last few weeks. She is doing great with solid foods. She LOVES carrots! I have been making the food with organic veggies in the Baby Bullet. The Baby Bullet is awesome! I would recommend it for moms (or dads) who want to make their own baby food. I am loving this age with Giana. She is such a happy baby and a joy to be around! We are so thankful for her. Enjoy the pics!  

  Thanks for reading and sharing in our lives! -AM

Easter 2012

Easter weekend is always an exciting time! This year was Giana's first Easter.  At HBC Saturday Night, my friend's little girl (Kaelyn) gave me a beautiful letter. It said Happy Easter and it had two lists on it about Easter. On the first list, she wrote Easter is NOT about the Easter bunny, the presents, the Easter egg hunt, the friends, the pigging out....(that made me chuckle). Then on the second list she wrote that Easter IS about the family, and that Jesus was raised from the dead 3 days after His death. Wow, this little girl is in 4th grade! Don't we all find ourselves at every holiday getting wrapped up in the planning, giving of presents, decorating, cooking? We lose focus of why we are celebrating it! It took a little girl to remind me of why we celebrate Easter. We have Savior who died for our sins and rose from the dead. We have victory over death because of His resurrection!


                                                    HBC Saturday Night Easter Service

Giana's future boyfriend Zachary                             My dear friend Noelle and her little boy Zachary

My friend Tanya and her darling three girls holding Giana

 

HBC Sunday Morning Service

                        Jared, me, and G                                Grammy and G

                        

Easter Dinner 

                                 

        We had a Garden Theme for Easter (herbs in the tin pots, flower pots, mason jars for drinks...I'll blog about my Spring decor projects soon!). Jared's parents came over for the Easter dinner. It was a wonderful time (even though the guys forced Faye and I to watch The Masters)!!
(follow me on Pinterest to see the recipes I found for Easter dinner)

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter! God Bless! -AM

Spring Break 2012

Phew! It has been a crazy couple of weeks! Spring break came at a perfect time. You know when you just need a break from the busyness of life? I feel like time is just flying by. Tonight at our Easter service at church, Jared spoke of how short our time is in this world, and how important it is for us to use our time wisely. Each of us really don't have the guarantee for tomorrow. If I lived with that thought every day, I believe, it would change how I live my life!
For Spring break, Giana made her first trip to RI on a plane. Thank you all for the prayers! She did fabulous on the flights to and from Chicago. It was wonderful having Giana meet my extended family and friends in RI. The love they have for Giana melts my heart. God has blessed us with amazing family and friends! Our Spring break ended with a mini-trip to Chicago. Jared picked Giana and I up from the airport, and we spent the night and the next day in Chicago. It was a great way to end a fantastic trip!
My sister took so many pictures of our visit. I will share a few of the 500! haha Giana had many photo shoots! (If you would like to have any of the pictures she has taken, please email her at apannullo9991@yahoo.com for her (and my) permission.)
Here are the pictures of my beloved family and friends in RI:
                                  

                                             

                                 

                                                         

                                                                                       



               

                                                                                                            

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 Giana Grace at 6 months

                                        

(Photography by Ashley Pannullo: apannullo9991@yahoo.com) 

 Downtown Chicago!

Thanks again for sharing in each of our lives! We love you all! -AM