Home...

It is good to be home...mostly! We traveled from Montalto di Castro to Rome to New Jersey and there were no delays, missed trains, or grumpy kids! We made it...barely! It was a crazy trip but it worked out famously. We then spent a week in NJ with my parents in an East Coast heatwave...my first comment on landing was that the weather wasn't so bad...it was HOT in Italy! We enjoyed my brother's pool and the kids learned that the pool was a fun place to be. On the whole we weren't the best company...jet lag was a killer coming back to the States for us.

Then we were HOME! The kids slipped right back into life like we never left...they haven't slept this well in quite a while. I think they are just happy to be home, in their own beds, with all their toys and stuff, and enjoying playing outside with plenty of room to run. I am doing much better, NOW. It was a pretty rough week for me...my back went out, grocery shopping, hunting for clothes and things, unpacking suitcases...all of that plus being exhausted! I feel more rested now and life seems much more doable. Hey, I am even writing a blog post...I must be feeling good!

I haven't really had the time to mourn leaving Italy. I was certainly too busy the day we left...finishing packing, cleaning, getting ready for a LONG flight, trains, planes, and automobiles. But now it hits me at odd times that we are back. I miss ALOT from our 'home' in Italy. Honestly, the hardest part is getting used to Americans and their attitude towards families with small children. In Italy, children are SO loved...even complete strangers...ALWAYS have a kind thing to say, help whenever they see that you might need help, and overall, appreciate the fact that it is hard work to raise kids and think you are wonderful for doing it. Back to reality, being ignored or glared at because one of your kids has the nerve to be crying or needing something, pushing you out of the way to get ahead of you, and just plain not kind to families of small children. I am so proud of Gwen...telling cashiers and older people 'grazie' and 'buongiorno'...even though they totally ignore her now...I hope she remembers the few words of Italian she picked up.

But, it is certainly nice to sleep in my own bed again. To not sweat every second of the day! And to have a few of the creature comforts that were missed. I am enjoying seeing my family and friends again. I guess I didn't realize how isolated I was in Italy...not knowing much Italian was a real barrier to making friendships. It is so nice to be able to pick up the phone and just call someone...and not even have something important to say, but just hear their voices...speaking my language.

As I said earlier, I still have alot to share...some about Italy, some not...you are invited to join me on the crazy ride I call my life!

Have a wonderful day!

Ciao a tutti!

Oh, the craziness...

I am going to take a gamble here, and guess that the vast majority of you have no idea what is happening in Africa right now that has the world glued to their television sets...any guesses? The World Cup! The Italian flags are out in force and everyone seems to be talking about it. I think it will be a national holiday if they actually won the cup (for anyone who cares...Italy won the Cup in 2006). The older men can all be found at the local bars (not the alcoholic kind but the snack kind...think cafe) arguing about all sorts of things soccer. I was at the food store and couldn't pass these up! Frankly, where else would one find these?

Crazy #1...not in age, but willingness to be crazy...

Crazy #2...not chronologically, but because he beats to a different drum and would wear these ALL the time...

And then we have Crazy #3...not because there is wisdom with age, but because he joins in when other do it too...

And we have Crazy #4...because we saved the best for last and I was the one who insisted on purchasing the soccer thingy...

So there you have it...the Crazies!

Have a wonderful day and World Cup experience!

Ciao a tutti!

Immigration...

Apparently we weren't the only ones imported to Italy...the tooth fairy has followed us! That's right, Case lost yet another tooth. The Italian tooth fairy does things kind of funny though...he comes in the middle of the day and left a whole Euro instead of the 50 cents one gets in the States...some things are just strange here in Italy! But we do have one happy boy...to finally get his own Euro! Nice smile...

Have a wonderful day!

Ciao a tutti!

On the road again...

This has certainly been a crazy adventure and it hasn't changed much! Ever since we have heard about this job opportunity way back at the World of Concrete in February, it has been an on again, off again kind of deal. It hasn't changed much since we have arrived in Italy. Most days we could take with a grain of salt what was said about when we were leaving. But apparently Kelly and Tobin are too good at what they do, and have gotten the job done earlier than expected or scheduled...so we are headed back to the States.

We are heading back to New Jersey on July 12th to visit for a week and then flying back to Montana on the 20th. I am super glad that Tobin has been a success even here in Italy. He has been able to build relationships, teach people in a different language how to do things that just aren't done here in Italy, and has done this faster than anyone expected. God has been gracious! I am so very thankful for this opportunity, no matter how far fetched it seemed at times. And I am a bit sad to leave earlier than expected, though I recognize that it will be nice to be home again.

Italy, it's people, it's culture, and it's history, now have a special place in my heart. While we are making the last mad dash to get everything done and see every last bit, I am sad to be leaving so soon. I have certainly enjoyed learning a new language (though I am far from fluent and still can't seem to master verb usage at all) and a new way of doing things.

I hope you have enjoyed the ride as much as I have, reading along each of our adventures. Things may be a bit patchy as we do some traveling and packing...but have no fear, I will post all of our fun adventures in due time!

Have a wonderful day!
Ciao a tutti!

A face only a mother could love...

Three kids + a water spigot + 1 empty garden bed = 3 very messy kids!

Ciao a tutti!

This and That...

Hair cut day for the boys...

The boys aren't the only ones enjoying the snails...

Learning to blow bubbles...

Have a wonderful day!

Ciao a tutti!

This and that...

This week we haven't really gone to explore much...it has been rainy most of the week. So, when it hasn't been actually raining...it has been wet outside. It has been hard to dry my laundry and to keep the kids occupied. But the sun was shinning today and it is Friday, so most likely tomorrow we will be off exploring something!

Today was an interesting day. I had thought I found an craft store (yes, I said craft store) in Tarquinia (only about 20 km from Montalto, where I do alot of my food shopping). So off we went in search of this store...it was not to be found :( But I did stop by the Tourist Information there and got a great FREE book all about the Vertibo area (that includes Montalto) and the things to do here! It was a great score! So at least I know what kind of things we can do around our area!

Here is another rose from my yard...

The cutest little girl ever...

This is our house key...no joke! A skeleton key! They have skeleton keys for everything here...the laundry room, our closets, some cabinets, even the shed outside...try putting that in your pocket...

And this is our front door...Tobin calls it our fort door...there is no actual door knob, you turn the key and kick...

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend...I am hoping for good weather and some great sightseeing!

Ciao a tutti!

This and that...

Another post of random things...

The weather here is unusual to me...well, I am used to MT weather and apparently it has been snowing like crazy there! The actual temperature is what one would say is pleasant, but it is unusual to me. The sun (when it is out) is VERY intense! Clothes on the line take 2 hours MAX to dry in the direct intense sun...I can get 4 loads washed and dried on the line in one day when the sun is out. But (and that is a BIG but), when it is overcast...it is SO humid! Now I am from NJ and have experienced significant humidity (think August on the Jersey shore)...this is completely different. It is most humid (at least at this time) on cloudy days...so humid that your clothes just feel damp all day long. Clothes hanging to dry inside just DO NOT dry out! They could sit there for days and never get completely dry! When you get into bed, your sheets feel wet! Coming from the arid west...this is something to get used to! So, is it MORE humid than NJ? My answer is that it is different humid, but it certainly feels like it on those cloudy days!

Here is a pic of water fountains in Rome...they are all over the city and run constantly. They are actually quite refreshing in that intense sun!

We are loving the new and different playground equipment here. They just do things differently and the newness is certainly fun for the kids. Again, most of this stuff is probably illegal in the States...must be why it is fun! Gwen certainly didn't even flinch at this rope ladder...

Italian coffee! It is seriously STRONG stuff...high octane, if you will. I am enjoying my espresso each morning...although italians might think I am ruining it by adding at least a cup of hot water to it (besides with enough cream and sugar, anything would taste better)! But it sure wakes a person up! So here is my italian coffee maker...note the pot of water in the background...

I did manage to bring some toys for the kids...some were a hit, some were a waste of space! I certainly should have brought more books...I forgot that everything would be in italian! So we only have a couple with us (my thoughts were that they were heavy and we wouldn't need them)...I broke out Gwen's few books and she really wants me to read them to her (the same three over, and over, and over, and over, well you get the point). One success was the legos! They keep Case busy for hours...

The days are getting more routine for me (which is a good thing for the kids) but I keep forgetting to take pictures...there is plenty to chat about, but it is much nicer to have pics to look at. Tomorrow I will try to get pictures of the local market and my favorite bread store!

Ciao a tutti!

Our House...

So here are some pictures of our lovely abode...or casa as the case may be. One thing of note, in the towns that we have been, in each and every yard/house has a very elaborate fence and gate. They are fascinating...they are no two alike and I can't seem to figure out if they are for security or for design. They can be constructed out of just about anything, but most have some combination of brick/rock and iron. Here is a look at the front of our house with our gate and fence...


Just inside the gate is my lovely gardens that are just waiting for plants. Our landlady mentioned that the local market (tomorrow) sells cheap plants (just in case they die, she said). I can't wait to get my hands in the dirt. The plants in the foreground are rose bushes...looks like I have a pink, red and white one so far...

This is our entryway...

The kitchen...notice the fish on the tiles!

The dining room or eat in kitchen (we have a second eating area with a more elaborate table and chairs)...

This is what we are calling the living room (this is also where the nicer dining table is) because of these comfy chairs and the tv. This is also where all of my fabulous blogs are coming from! Notice on the windows...ALL windows here have these shutter/sun shade things...I really like them! They keep it really cool in the house all day long. The windows also all have iron work on the outside...again, is this for security or just for looks??? We have seriously lucked out with this house...it has screens on the windows! Boy, God sure does provide! I was bitten by some bug last week on the ear and I, again, had a crazy allergic reaction...my ear swelled up and got red and icthy...I was even losing some hearing! Thankfully, Tobin was able to go to the Farmacia (pharmacy) and get something with anti-histamine...it worked great...maybe I will bring some home with me! Anyway, I am super thankful for bug screens!

This is our master bedroom...Don't you just LOVE our new sheets???? The house came furnished except for bedding and towels...so these beauties are all ours! They will fit in a suitcase! Also notice my pile of clean, line dried, and folded clothing! Go me...

We have a second bedroom where the kids were all sleeping when I took all these pics. I might be able to give you a video tour at some point... I hope that you enjoyed your virtual tour...if anyone is in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Ciao a tutti!