5 Things About This Week

1. Yesterday was David's 33rd Birthday! I love the number 3 and I love this guy! I was hoping to do one of those 33 Things I Love About You but don't worry, I didn't. Maybe it'll be 34?  He had to work so we were planning on a dinner out and some delicious cake later provided mostly in part by my mom (Thanks Mom!) We scored with some Skor candy bars (something we can't get here) and enjoyed a delicious cake. The best part was though is that we got to enjoy it with some friends that I ran into at the library. I'm telling you, God and the Universe are on my side because how in the world do two best friends, living in different countries, meet at a library at the same time without even knowing it? Divine intervention, that's how. They joined us for dessert at our messy house later that evening. I am SO thankful for them and for it working out. It really made the day so great.

Isn't he hot??? 

Nevie and Sadie did the candles! 

2. The other day I went and had my nails done at an Italian place. Here's the website if you live in Vicenza and need spa work done. Elena was my technician and although her English wasn't amazing, she was! We used Google Translate a lot. Because I know a little bit of Spanish, I was able to understand a lot of what she said in combination with context. Anyway, we were talking about children. She has 1 boy who is 14 years old and who she called "terrible" and then laughed. She also has a dog named Olivia who is 10 years old. Olivia joined us for the evening after everyone left. It was amazing. I told her I had tre kids. She immediately said, "Brava Lisa! Brava Lisa!" and I immediately felt happiness in my heart. Never in a million years would anyone in Germany say that to me. Instead, I got big eyes and menacing looks when I went anywhere in public with my kids, especially during school hours. lol. I'm exaggerating but still.

3. Jackson finished Harry Potter yesterday. The entire series. I made him wait for quite a long time to read the 7th book because I wanted to read it with him. He got impatient and I felt bad so I let him read it. He finished it in less than a week. This to me, is such a big big big deal! Harry Potter is Lyfe. The only thing I'm somewhat sad about is he got interested right AFTER we did the Warner Brothers tour in London. I want to go back with him now that it's fresh in his mind. I think it would be such a blast.  He is a crazy fast and good reader. He's read the Lightening Thief series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Space Case (the 2 that are out), and a few other random books. I'm wanting to stick with series' for hm because it really helps keep him motivated. Do you have any recommendations?  #pleasesendbooks

Jackson and our very precious amazon.uk HP Books. (I love the covers and the colors!) 

4. Another universe/God are on my side story: We have this canister

My very own Martha Stewart Vintage Storage Container

David loves it. When we moved in and unpacked it, David asked about the Sugar version of it. With his upcoming birthday, I decided to take a look around and see if I could find it. We purchased our first one at the PX. I knew they weren't there anymore because I had looked relatively recently. I found websites with links to Macy's and looked there. "This item is no longer available" was a common theme. I checked eBay and Amazon. I even begged my bff to let me buy hers. I wasn't having a lot of luck! And THEN! and THEN! We decided to take a trip into the on post thrift store. And guess what was there? The OTHER THREE CANISTERS! I could not believe my eyes. All of them were sitting neatly in a row minus the Flour one which we already had. It's almost unbelievable to me until I realize that Someone loves me. So Nevie wrapped the Cookies one, Jackson wrapped the Sugar one, and Sadie was thoughtful and wanted to get him shoes, so she wrapped those. I kept the Coffee for myself. wink. Why do you think I'm capitalizing those words? Maybe because they deserve it? Anyway, I'm hashtag thankful.

The wrapped gifts. Nevie really did all of it by herself. She cut the (small) pieces of wrapping paper and taped it! 

5. Our house is coming along! It's been really nice for the kids to have a space they feel comfortable in. Not that they didn't before, but each kid has their own room. Nevie plays house in hers, Sadie reads and does art in hers, and Jackson also reads and does computer things in his. I'm struggling so very very much with not understanding why Italians don't believe in closets. We have some real fugly borrowed ones that we are using for clothes. We were spoiled in Germany though because we had a huge ol' basement to store our crap in. We are having to get really creative and therefore I'm getting rid of lots of stuff and I'm happy. Because I'm minimalist at heart remember? Anyway, here are some pictures. Okay two pictures.

I love this EVERYTHING! I love her drawings and her words and her soul! And her cute face! 

This is just my stove. It's gas. And beautiful. Thank you Italy!