Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

I absolutely love Thanksgiving.  There is something about the color of the leaves, the crispness in the air, and the knowledge that Thanksgiving is the tipping point for the Christmas season.  My Mom has hosted Thanksgiving since I can remember and I have to admit- my favorite Thanksgivings are when I am with her (and my family, too).  As kids, she would give us jobs to help her out.  For some reason, I was always put on peeling garlic.  In our big Italian family- we use a lot of garlic in our Thanksgiving meal.  Garlic bread, garlic butter on the Turkey as it roasts, Italian stuffing (with all the yummy turkey giblets).  I always thought the job was tedious and hated how it made my fingers smell like garlic for the rest of the day- but I now love that whenever I peel garlic, I think of these moments with my Mom.

We helped my Mom prep the house, tables, and food today in preparation for the Thanksgiving feast which was fast approaching!  My Mom and Dad were expecting about 38 people this year.  It's a full house, for sure!  Getting the kids ready was a snap.  Every year- life becomes easier as Emily becomes more self sufficient.  And it totally helps that she loves to wear tights and 'high heels'.  

We were all very happy that Nana could be with us this year.  Her health is really declining and we all cling to each and every moment we get to share with her.  This year, she stayed mostly on the couch.  When I was a young girl, one of my strongest Thanksgiving memories of Nana was watching her cook the meal with my Mom.  Nana knew how to make a perfect gravy and loved being a part of the whole process.  This year, we made sure to let her know how much we love her.  We all gathered around her throughout the night to sing to her and make her smile.  One of Nana's favorite past times over the years is to sit back and watch this big crazy family she created move throughout a party.  There is tons of laughter, a few inappropriate jokes here and there and lots of love.  The smile on her face when watching her family is like no other.  

Before we knew it, the party was in full swing!  There were lots of cousins, second cousins, aunts, uncles, sisters, and friends mulling about.  Music playing, amazing smells wafting through the air, basketball being played in the backyard, and fun fun fun!  By some amazing twist of fate and for the first time in my life, I made it to the A Table!!!  I couldn't believe it!  Damien and I sat at the A Table!  I am 37 years old and until this point, I have always been at the B or Kids Table.  Don't get me wrong- those are great tables.  But man oh man, I made it!  At least for this year.   

After an amazing dinner prepared by my Mom, some superb mashed potatoes made by Ron 'Potato Boy' Sacco, and other ridiculously delicious dished made my the talented chefs in my family- we moved on to game time!  First- my Mom made the kids little Thanksgiving themed jokes that they got to read to the adults at the party.  For instance, Matthew's was "Why did they let the turkey join the band?  Because he had drumsticks!"  The whole place erupted in laughter!  Then Emily said, "What sound does a turkey's phone make?  Wing-a-wing-a-wing!"  Again, laughter!

After the jokes were all said (and believe me- it took a while as we had the extreme privilege of hearing them more than once) we played a dice game with CRL dice.  This is always a hit at any party where I've played it!  Everyone buys into the game with $2.00.  We play and play until there is one person left.  The last two people standing were Jill and Matthew.  It was a well fought battle but Jill ended up winning!  Little Gracie was sleeping in her arms so we just sprinkled the winnings over her!  Matthew was sad but soon realized the runner up got a $20 gift card to Target!  Can you say Legos?

It really was a fabulous evening.  I am thankful I was able to help my Mom prepare for the party.  I am thankful my kids got to spend good quality time with their cousins.  I am thankful that I was able to see my kids' faces as Nonna washed Tom the Turkey in the sink prior to cooking him.  Amazing.  I am thankful that I happened upon the other turkey breast in the garage refrigerator just before noon or we would have been short on turkey!  I am thankful that we, as a big extended family, keep coming back together.  I am so thankful that Nana was able to join us tonight.  I am thankful that my kids got to give her kisses and received Nana kisses in return.  

I am thankful that my husband can carve a turkey with the best of them.  I am thankful that we sprayed my Dad's hair with brown hair spray and that he literally looked 20 years younger!  I am thankful that Matthew ate so much turkey that he threw up and then ate pumpkin pie.  I am thankful for the grass stains and hole in Michael's pants because he had fun playing basketball with his cousins!  I am beyond thankful. Happy Thanksgiving to my big, beautiful family.  How blessed we are!

Thankful for Emily's Art Show?

We were busy today setting up for Thanksgiving Dinner.  There were tables to be set, a lot of food to be prepared, and a lot of cleaning to do before my Mom's guests arrived.  We made a little craft station for Emily at the counter and were surprised to see her staying so focused!  Okay, we were basically surprised that she left us alone for so long to get things done!

I am guessing that she sat there and 'crafted' for thirty minutes.  She walked over and told us that she wanted to show us her artwork.  Funny.  She wasn't holding anything!  She said, "I glued them to the wall!"  Gina was with me when we heard the news.  We both kinda freaked out at the same time.  My Mom and Dad's house is beautiful.  My Mom is totally cool with letting the kids hang things on her walls as long as they use painter's tape.  Gina and I followed Emily to her art show.  Sure enough, she had glued two papers to the wall and two papers to the windows.  Gina and I sprung into action (not before snapping one semi-blurry picture).

Gina distracted my Mom and other kids while I feverishly tried to save my parent's paint job!  After much careful work- I got all the signs of glue off the walls.  Geez, Emily.  We ended up telling my parents what had happened . . . after we saved a near disaster.   I am thankful for my little artist and I am also thankful that we were able to cover up the impromptu art show.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

My kids and Laura never miss the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!  They love the floats, balloons, singers, and of course- can't wait to see Santa at the end of the parade!  When we are in Kirkland, my Mom treats my kids to hot chocolate with marshmallows and other goodies as they enjoy the show!  I just love this tradition.  For me, there is something about the sounds of the parade and the smells coming from the kitchen that just create the perfect marriage of Fall.  Happiest of Thanksgivings to you and yours.  I am so excited for all that this day is going to hold!

Kirkland Cousins

What's not to love about cousins?  Jill brought all her kids over to my Mom's house today once they got out of school!  It didn't take long for Matthew, Tiernan, and Kyle to disappear to some corner of the house.  Really- they all play really well together.  Lots of laughs and plenty of mischief :)  We all just got the biggest kick out of Gracie today!  She is getting so big, so fast!  Lots of love to go around.  We are so thankful to have such great cousins!  And nieces and nephews, too!

Airport Fiasco

I am only writing this so that we don't forget years from now the absolute chaos that went on at the airport on our way to Nonna and Grandpa's today for Thanksgiving Break.

• We arrive at the airport on time and decide to get dinner before we take off.
• Damien, the boys and Emily go get pizza while Claire and I get Una Mas Burritos.
• Claire gets a Pork Carnitas Burrito which I thought sounded delicious!
• Claire and I eat our burritos.  
• I ask Claire for a bite of her burrito and think to myself, "Weird.  That kind of tastes like chemicals."
• I don't do anything about it because I'm sleep deprived and just think it is a gross tasting burrito.
• Finally it registers with me that my daughter's burrito should not taste like chemicals.  I ask for another bite and decide, "Yes.  This tastes like chemicals."
• I tell Claire to stop eating the burrito- although it is already 4/5 done.
• It is almost time to board the plane when Claire needs to throw up.  Claire sprints to the bathroom.
• The next 20 minutes are spent in the bathroom.  Poor Claire.
• We are calling my Mom and asking if they want us to come up there because Claire might have the stomach flu!
• The plane is boarding.
• We are all sweating.
• Claire can't leave the bathroom.
• I tell her she has to leave the bathroom.
• Claire is not leaving the bathroom.
• My parents tell us to come anyway and we all decide we will just quarantine Claire.
• I basically pull Claire out of the bathroom and we get on the plane.
• We are in the last row of the plane.
• Claire has a brown paper bag to barf in.
• The flight attendant comes to us before take off and lets us know that a "Severe Turbulence Warning" has been issued.  She also explains that the back row will feel it the most. All 6 of us are in the back row.
• The kids start crying because the flight attendant thought it appropriate to tell them that they were going to feel like they were on the worst roller coaster of their lives.
• We are all given barf bags.
• OMG
• By the grace of God, we arrive in Seattle with minimal turbulence and none of us used the barf bags.
• Claire is quarantined in my Mom's office but she feels fine.
• I wake up in the middle of the night and have stomach cramps. I am up for hours dancing 'The Toilet  Tango".  (The Cha Cha Cha was just too predictable, people!)
• In the morning I curse the Chemically Corrupt Pork Carnitas Burrito and decide Claire and I had food poisoning.  
• Both Claire and I are thankful to have that out of our system and are ready to enjoy our Thanksgiving Break.  Oy vey.

Lisa's Birthday, Kirkland Style!

We flew into Kirkland last night and have settled in for a wonderful Thanksgiving break.  I was so touched and felt so loved that my family organized a birthday celebration for me while we are up here!  You know, I really think you can't celebrate your birthday too much.  

The women in my family get together for each other's birthdays.  I always miss out since I am in California.  How wonderful that we were all able to get together near my birthday!  Auntie Carol, Auntie Monica, Christy, Stefanie, Julie, my Mom and all four of my sisters gathered together at one table for a night full of ridiculous laughing and a lot of fun!

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful female family of support.  There is so much love, so much understanding, and so much strength that comes from this amazing network of women!  Thank you for taking the time out of your busy lives to celebrate me!

Matthew is Thankful (and Adorable)

One way to melt a mother's heart?  Come out of school wearing this handmade pilgrim outfit.  Oh . . . my . . . goodness.  I just love my little Matthew and am so thankful for him!

Emily and Daddy Dance

Today, Emily came into the kitchen and asked Damien to dance.

Emily:  "Dad- when I wear my big white dress . . . do you know that we get to dance?
Damien:  "I know!  It will be so wonderful!  What song do you think we will dance to?"
Emily:  "Hmmm, that's hard.  (pause)  Oh, I know!  The Nutcracker!"

They both started cracking up and then Damien and Emily danced all around the kitchen.  It seems like 'this dance' is so far away when in actuality, it will be here before we know it.  We have to slow down and enjoy these precious moments.

My 37th Birthday

Oh man!  The years seem to be flying by!  I swear- I feel like I just had my 30th birthday and I still feel like I'm 28!  If we use ridiculous logic, that makes me about 29 years old, right?  All joking aside, I feel great!  I do feel like age is just a number!  One of these days or maybe even years, I will admit I am older.  But in the meantime, I'm going to take advantage of feeling great and youthful!

Wow, did I have a busy birthday.  My morning started with driving the kids to school.  As it turned out, Michael's class was hosting the school wide Thanksgiving Prayer service in the church.  Attending that and seeing him sing in the choir sure was a wonderful way to start my day.  I was thankful to have such a wonderful son who has so many talents!

Next, I went out to lunch with Damien, Gina, Matthew and Emily to sushi.  It was divine.  There is a sushi restaurant on Lincoln Avenue called Yuki Sushi that makes the best sushi!  I felt special, for sure.

Michael had basketball tryouts directly after school so I made sure to get him what he needed so he could do his best!  After tryouts, Emily had a doctor's appointment at our pediatrician because her ear hurt.  Ear infection and a trip to the Safeway pharmacy were in order!  A busy birthday for me, but what wonderful gifts my children are.  I would walk to the ends of the earth for them (if I had the right kind of shoes on).

After all of the commotion and busy movement throughout the day, we went to dinner at Rock Bottom Brewery.  Mark, Marlene, Mark Jr. , Jocelyn, Brennan, Gabe, Heavenly, Pascale, Gina and my own little family showered me with fantastic birthday presents and wishes.  I loved that Damien made me Nana's famous cake and loved that my kids sang me a new version of the birthday song.  "Lisa it's your birthday, Happy Birthday, Lisa!"  (It's the happy birthday song that Michael Jackson sang to Lisa on the Simpsons.  The kids think it's hilarious!  I concur!)

This year, my parents and Laura were going to come down at the end of October to see the kids and celebrate my birthday a little early.  They were going to fly down here the day that Haripal passed away.  We decided it was best to postpone the trip.  It's been a tough month for sure.  Luckily, we have bright days like today to remind us of how truly blessed we are to be here on Earth.

My name is Lisa and I am 37 years old.  I am so loved by so many people.  I can run, walk, and move about as I please!  I am healthy.  I still manage to play sports and work out at home on a near daily basis.  I am strong.  I still keep up with my kids and somehow manage to match their energy!  I am young.  I can still help my kids with all of their homework.  I haven't had to re-learn anything yet!  I am smart.  My love for my kids and husband grows exponentially every single day.  My heart is full.  I am smitten.  I talk to my parents and sisters nearly every day.  They keep me grounded and remind me that no matter what- they are always there for me.  I am rooted deeply in the love my family has for me.  I am so dearly valued.   I have wonderful friends who check in on me and know when I need a little sunshine on a rainy day.  I am supported.  I am 37 years old.  I am blessed.

SCU Alumni Game

Today, we went back to Santa Clara University so we could attend the Alumni Game!  My kids look soooo forward to this event every year!  I absolutely love it because in the beginning- I had to drag them there.  Now they want to go and take part in the festivities!  This year- they brought back the alumni game where the alumni actually gets to play!  Unfortunately- I had to coach basketball so I had to miss it.  Lucky for me though- I was able to attend the game where SCU played LMU and we got honored at halftime!

I loved seeing a lot of my former teammates and loved seeing my Coach Caren Horstmeyer.  Santa Clara holds such a special place in my heart and it feels good to be welcomed back into the wonderful SCU family!

*Claire wasn't able to join us because she was playing in a playoff game for soccer.  Next year, Clairey!

Matthew is Snappy!

Today, Matthew finally learned to snap.  He has been trying to learn for at least the past month.  Damien has been working with him to try and snap but it's hard to learn how to manipulate your fingers like that!  Matthew's been frustrated and had just about given up.  This morning before school, we were in the bathroom brushing his teeth and combing his hair.  It was no surprise that Matthew was working on his snapping.  I looked down at this hands and realized the problem was that he was letting his ring and pinkie fingers get in the way.  I held down those fingers and voila!  Matthew snapped! 

I can't even begin to describe the look on his face.  He was elated!  Then he was serious again as he tried to position his fingers to snap.  Snap, snap, snap!  Left handed and right handed.  He turned to me and said, "No3 there is only one of us in this house who can't whistle!" 

Here's a little back story.  Emily learned to snap sometime this summer.  It was a moment in her bed where I heard her scream, "I can snap!"  Since this happened, she has literally been rubbing her snapping skills in Matthew's face.  He hates it, she loves it.  The one thing he had on Emily is that Matthew is a whistling prodigy.  He can whistle like a professional whistler.  (There is a guy named Roger Whittaker who has a cd of whistled songs.  My Aunt Carol bought it and used to listen to it when I was in high school.  Come to think of it, who buys a cd of someone whistling?)  Matthew has used his whistling powers to overcome the barrage of comments from Emily about his inability to snap.

It was hilarious that in an instant, when Matthew learned how to snap, he turned the tables on his snapping sister.  "Now there is only one of us in the house who can't whistle!"  Classic and priceless.  Now, place your bets.  How long until little determined Emily learns how to whistle? 

Haripal's Funeral

Haripal's funeral was beautiful.  Everyone who spoke, spoke beautifully.  Everyone who read, read beautifully.  Together, we beautifully mourned the loss of Haripal.  He was taken way too soon but managed during his short life to touch and change the lives of so many.  The funeral was at St. John's in Healdsburg.  After the ceremony was over- we all went back to Mark and Marlene's house for a beautiful reception.

Damien has taken the death of his brother very hard.  He truly loved his brother and cared for him since the day he came into their big family.  He was honored to be able to deliver one of the eulogies for Haripal.  I was so touched by what Damien wrote and how he delivered it to everyone in attendance.  Damien's heartfelt message got into the hearts of everyone gathered in the church.  I know that Haripal was so proud of Damien today.  I know he was giving Damien one of his big 'Haripal Smiles' while looking down at him from heaven.

Here is what Damien had to say about his brother, Haripal today:

We are all given chances in life. Every day, every minute, we’re given chances.  It could be the chance to sit next to someone at church, it could be to help console someone after a loss.  Some chances are subtle, so slight that we might not even recognize them.  They could be the chance to help that woman struggling with her grocery bags, or the chance to help the man on the sidewalk, who looks hungry.

We don’t really have control over the chances we’re given, as they are gifts from God.  Chances are gifts given to us from God and our choices—what we do with those chances—are our gifts back to God.  God gives us a chance, and we give him back…what?  It depends on what we do with those tiny little gifts, those little packages floating down from heaven, waiting, asking to be opened.  Sometimes we don’t even see these little chances, these opportunities to give a gift back to God, but some—some chances—hit us like a ton of bricks, so big and so crushing, that it is impossible to ignore this gift from God.  This is one of those “ton of bricks” stories. 

   

Haripal’s first chance at life started in India. And, possibly by chance—but probably a gift—some Sisters of Charity, from Mother Teresa’s congregation, happened upon the cries of a child from deep below a dry well.  With care and compassion, those Sisters were able to rescue Haripal, took him in, nursed him to health, and then presented a chance for others to bring Haripal over to the United States to have surgeries on his broken body.  The surgeries were successful and he was then able to sit up in a chair, see people in a room, and speak with them. 

When Haripal was about 9 years old, my family was contacted by the Sisters of Charity in San Francisco, where Haripal was staying.  At first, they had heard of our large Catholic family filled with children and asked “Would you like to come visit Haripal?” And we said yes.  Then they asked “Would you like to take Haripal out to lunch?” And we said yes.  Then they asked “Would you like to take Haripal for the day?” And we said yes.  “Would you like to take Haripal for the weekend.” Yes. “Would you like to take Haripal?”

As our family had done on numerous other occasions, we all sat down and had a vote as to whether or not we would like to bring another child into our family.  Here is that chance—that ton of bricks—that gift from God—and what was my gift back?  Silence.  I didn’t say “yes.”  I didn’t say “no.” Everyone else said “sure, we’ll take him.  Why not?”  I was scared.  I was acting like a selfish 14-year old boy who already knew how tough this might be.  I wasn’t thinking of the positives, how by taking care of others, I would have a deeper appreciation for others and for my own abilities.  I didn’t realize at that time by saying “yes” to that gift from God, that I would be receiving so many more gifts: the gifts of patience, humility, service, and most of all, love.

Haripal was given a second chance, with a new family, in a new country, because everyone else said yes. A couple years after that, as my brother Mark was going off to college, he told me that I would have to be the primary caregiver for Haripal.  And then, I was given a second chance to say yes.  And I did.  And from that day, I never stopped saying yes.  But neither did anyone else.  When I had a similar talk with my brother Ryan as I was going off to college, he said yes. He would take care of Haripal.  And when it wasn’t Ryan, it was someone else willing to step up: any of my brothers or sisters were always willing to feed, clothe, bath, care for Haripal.  But always my parents.  From the beginning to the end, they always said yes to this gift from God.  They were able to be the example for all of us in terms of what they could do, and Haripal was the example for us in what he could do: never complaining, always smiling, trying to make our lives as easy as possible while caring for this wonderful gift from God.

How often are we given the chance to be taught by someone who cannot speak? How often do we get the chance to do what Jesus really taught? To care for the least of his children—to serve—to wash someone's feet? To be an example to your children and your children's children. How often do we get the chance to care for someone as our brother or sister?  Haripal gave us all those chances. One thing I didn’t get the chance to do was to thank Haripal for giving me all these gifts, so thank you, Haripal, for everything you have given to all of us, and I ask everyone here today to just…take chances.  Look for them, and take them. Haripal was our chance—that beautiful gift from God—and our gift back was to love him.

Nonna and Nannie Visit

My Mom and sister, Natalie flew down today to spend some time with our family.  This weekend is the funeral of our sweet Haripal and they wanted to come down in support of Damien and his family.  They also wanted to be here in case we needed any help with the kids during the busy weekend.

My family loved Haripal.  There wasn't anything NOT love about him.  My entire family (aunts, cousins, immediate family) really felt the heartache that came with Haripal's death.  My Mom and sister really felt wonderful that they could come and be with the family during this difficult time.

Aside from the sadness that we are all trying to process, we had a lot of fun things going on Saturday!  Each one of my kids (aside from Emily) had a soccer game so Nonna and Nannie were excited to be able to see them all.  Gina also came down from SF to spend the weekend with us.

The kids soccer games were super fun, the weather was perfect, and seeing my Mom and my sisters was just what I needed.  Tomorrow, we will go to Healdsburg for Haripal's funeral.  It will be a day full of emotion but we are hoping to be able to celebrate his amazing life surrounded by many others who felt his love and who were touched by him.  I am so grateful my family is here.  Without family, where would we all be?

Gina + Emily = Trouble

I leave Gina and Emily for seven minutes in the car while I run into an office to pick up uniforms for the girls on Claire's NJB basketball team.  I come back to the car and find this.  Emily sitting on top of the car while Gina is weak from laughing so hard.  Nothing could go wrong here!  Gina has it all under control!  Right?