The House of God Forever

This song is what's been playing in my ear for the last few months.  You see my husband and I lost our baby nearly 3 months ago.  When we found out our little baby of 11 weeks pregnant, heart stopped beating, a piece of my heart stopped beating too.  The very short life of our tiny, little baby has forever changed me.  I will never look at the beauty and gift of life ever quite the same.  My heart still aches despite the healing God has done and will do.  I will always feel a part of me is missing until that most glorious and wonderful day when I will get to spend all of eternity, 'In the House of God Forever', with my beloved child.  Until that day comes I hold ever so closely to the two children I get to love on and hold tight to.  I find myself giving them even more kisses than before.  Remembering that each and every single day is a gift.  Never promised.  Never guaranteed.  Life is precious and I want to cherish each moment.

"A person's a person, no matter how small."  -Dr. Seuss

Photos by Steve (my very talented photographer husband)

Steve took some incredible photos of the kids for Christmas that I wanted to share with you.  You've probably already seen some of these, either from Facebook or from our Christmas cards, but there were just so many more great photos of the kids so I thought you'd want to see them all!  :)

Yesterday Benjamin and I went "sledding" in our back yard and had a blast!  So much fun!  We got 4 more inches of snow yesterday (it snowed all day long) and woke up to two more inches this morning!  Enjoy the pictures...

https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/ChristmasPortraitsSledding?authkey=Gv1sRgCK60jIWf_LmA4gE#

Christmas-time

We all enjoyed a very, merry Christmas at home this year and it was extra cozy because of the massive amounts of snow we received just in time for Christmas!  At the moment we have snow piled up to the top of our mailbox and are expecting more this weekend - craziness!  But we are loving it (maybe not Steve so much anymore, as his back's about to break from all the shoveling).  Benjamin loves the snow but Gracie not so much as she gets cold quickly.  We've been busy sledding, building snowmen, making snow angels (or atleast attempting to), and just playing around in the white winterland.

This entire Christmas season has been wonderful as I really feel our family unit come into its own this year as we discover and begin our own family traditions.  I think it takes a couple years for it to take shape and this year I can defintely see that it's taking form - and I love it!  It's been so much fun baking with Benjamin and discovering what Christmas treat will be our family tradition for the years to come.  Can you guess what it is???  Chocolate covered pretzels - so yummy!  And maybe some peppermint bark too.  :)

From finding our new favorite Christmas music, David Crowders Band "Oh for Joy", to reading "The Night Before Christmas" to the kids on Christmas Eve before bed.  Now that the kids are a little bit older it has gotten so much fun to watch their excitement and anticipation for Christmas day to come and when the joyful morning finally did arrive it was downright perfect!  I hope you also had a very merry Christmas this year and may you have a Happy New Year too!

Here are some pics.  The ones of Gracie wearing the Indian headband we made are from Thanksgiving...  I will post some more Christmas pics that Steve took in my next post - they are AMAZING!

https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/ChristmasTime?authkey=Gv1sRgCK2Di92v0JGhOA#

Need You Now

This song is just so beautiful and I had to share it with you.

Birthday Girl!

Our sweet little Gracie Willow is now two years old!!!  Here are some pictures of our birthday celebrations including a trip to the Syracuse Zoo!  Lots of fun times.  I can't believe my baby girl is already two.... I love you my sweetie!  You truly light up my world and all of those who meet you!

https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/GracieTurnsTwo?authkey=Gv1sRgCOuX2ouy8rSJ7QE#

Two Little Monkeys...

Our little monkeys had such a fun time getting loads of candy this Halloween!  They were so cute in their matching costumes, Grace originally was going to be a doggie (last two pics in the album), but I couldn't resist dressing them in the same costume!  :) 

https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/Halloween2012?authkey=Gv1sRgCNqmh-WypfS4cg#

An Anniversary Surprise

We are now four years happily married!  Wow!  Steve planned a very special getaway to celebrate our anniversary on an island at a cozy little cottage on the waters of Lake Ontatrio.  It was awonderful surprise, as he kept the whole getaway a secret, and he did very well!  I love you bunnies!  And here's to another four decades!  Mwah!

Here's a few pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/AnniversaryGetaway?authkey=Gv1sRgCJCSlpvNvtPlgwE
PS:  A special thanks to my mom for watching the kids so we could get away!  :)

The Glory of Autumn

Autumn is hands down the most beautiful season out of the four.  At least it is for those who live in the north.  :)  Watching the leaves turn from green into the most bright and vivid colors imaginable is nothing short of spectacular!  I've been pondering something regarding fall for a few weeks now and so I thought I'd share it with you.  It really spoke to my heart and I hope it speaks to yours as well.

It started with a conversation I had with my Grandma Edie.  We were talking about the weather and how autumn was just arriving.  As I told her that the leaves up here in NNY were just starting to turn colors and how beautiful it was, she told me that, unfortunately, that wasn't the case for her this year out in Colorado.  With not enough rainfall this summer, they had suffered a drought.  She told me how the leaves on the Heavenly Maple tree in her yard didn't turn any colors!  Instead, her beloved trees leaves just fell to the ground when the weather got cooler and shriveled up on the grass colorless.  She explained to me how disappointing it was to not get to watch one of her favorite trees display it's brilliant colors this fall.  The only thing it left her with was a bunch of ugly dead leaves on the ground to be raked up!  When she told me this I understood her disappointment.  How sad to not be able to enjoy something so lovely as a maple tree at the peak of its glory. 

After that conversation with my grandma it got me to thinking.  It dawned on me just how much we as individuals are like that tree.  If we don't get enough water we too will have leaves that, instead of displaying all their splendor and beauty when the season changes, will fall to the ground unchanged to dry out.  Do you see a parallel too?   I really felt the Holy Spirit showed me this truth, so simple, and yet it has been so profound to me.  If we as Christians don't receive enough of God -- the watering of being in His Word, the refreshment of being in His presence and a daily awareness of our need for the cleansing power of Jesus' blood -- then we too might miss out on the beauty God has in store for us.  It is so important, crucial really, that we get enough water!

I also thought of how sad and disappointing it must be for God to miss out on watching His "trees" display their beauty the way God intended them to, just as it was sad and disappointing for my grandma to watch her maple tree.  Surely we grieve God when we don't live our life to the fullness and richness that only He can offer.  But as God always does, He doesn't let it end there.  Nope.  He doesn't let us feel awful about screwing up or making some bad choices.  Nope, not our God.  Instead, He gives us another chance.  He brings us into a new season and reminds us that there will be another autumn.  That there is hope.  And there is always a better future.  It's like when my grandma told me that the tree itself was not dead, so there's always the hope that next year will be different, that it will be the way it's intended to be -- a beautiful tree in the fullness of its glory, just the way God created it to be.  And so it is with us.

October Baby

What a movie.  Seriously, I hope every single person who reads this post will please go rent this movie!  The story, the message, the intensity - amazing.  Prepare to bawl your eyes out, so grab your tissues!  I think that after watching this movie anyone who was pro-choice before it will seriously question that belief.  It's a powerful film with a beautiful message....  Life. Is. Precious.

Avon Anyone?!

Perhaps you haven't heard yet that I'm selling Avon!  It's going on two months now and I'm really enjoying it.  I've actually been a little surprised at how much I'm enjoying it!  So far it's going well too, so that's always nice of course (a BIG thanks to you if you're already a customer).  :)  Since becoming a rep I've become acquainted with many of there products and am super impressed with the quality and the price.  Instead of paying the same price (or maybe even more) at the store, you can be better quality skin care,make up, and more from Avon!  There stuff is great and if you're interested in supporting me through Avon please check out my website:

www.youravon.com/jghiringhelli

Avon is an especially wonderful place to shop for Christmas gifts too!  Ordering online is a piece of cake and obtaining free shipping is super easy to achieve.  :)    You can even page through thier brochure online buy clicking on the "eBrochure" option in the upper right hand corner.  It's just like paging through a real brochure in your hands! 

Hope you check it out!

Grammy's Visit

My mom came up for a week long visit in early October and it was the best!  One week was too short and we all miss her terribly.  :(  The kids want Grammy to come back and so do I!!!  We had a great time together doing lots of fun things together.  A trip to the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, the fall festival at the library, and let's not forget the 24-hour "Grammy Day" the kids got to have while Steve and I headed out for an early anniversary celebration!  It was a fabulous time had by all, except for saying good bye.  It's a hard life living so far away from family.....  Here's some pictures of our time together:

https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/AutumnInNY?authkey=Gv1sRgCJyNnvLL8euBowE#

The Duggars

You probably already know how much I LOVE this family!  After reading their second book I fell even more in love with them.  I respect, admire and agree with everything they believe and stand for.  I have found their strong convictions on many different topics to be full of wisdom and based in God's truth.  What touches me the most about them is their ability to live an UNCOMPROMISING life, and live it with so much love and joy!  Their high standards have challenged me and I am so thankful for that.  They are a light on hill and they shine ever so brightly.  I thank God for them and their Godly example!

Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait

I heard this song today for the first time and it really touched a place deep in my soul.  I hope it does the same for you too. 

Ghiringhelli Boys Weekend

A very special boys weekend was had this weekend when Dan and Jaden came up for an impromptu visit.  It was really great to have them here with us and to see the cousins get a chance to bond with eachother a bit more.  Benjamin really looks up to his big cousin Jaden!  Uncle Danny brought a BB gun with him and so all the boys had loads of fun shooting targets in the backyard.  We also rented a canoe and the boys took a long outing on it in the Black River, the river behind our house.  It was a gorgeous fall weekend with the cool, crisp air to top it all off!  A great time was had by all and we hope it becomes a tradition!  :)

https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/BoySWeekendKinda?authkey=Gv1sRgCI_51c_Oq5HTFg#

The Morley's Visit

Not too long ago we had the pleasure of my cousin Syra and her family visiting us for a weekend.  It was a wonderful time of meeting eachothers kids for the first time and hanging out!  Benjamin and Gracie were obsessed with "Baby Maddie" and loved having a baby in their home.  :)  All weekend long Grace continued to repeat her favorite phrase of, "Hi baby!" over and over again - it was so cute!  Madison is such a sweet and happy little girl and I'm so glad I got to meet her and spend time with some of my favorite Coloradoans!  Thanks for stopping by Syra and Jay, you are a precious family and we hope to see you soon (perhaps next time in Colorado)!  Check out a few photos from their visit below:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/TheMorleySVisit?authkey=Gv1sRgCJna477Vpuf8dw#

Smile!

For your enjoyment!   :)

Ho Hey

Another great song that I can't get enough of lately.  I'm so glad it gets playtime on CMT so that I get to watch it during my workouts at the Y.   :)

Blue Like Jazz

I've just got to recommend this movie to everyone!  After Steve and I watched it this past weekend we both were just blown away with how good it was.  The ending is especially powerful, and will touch the hearts of both Christians and non-christians alike, as anyone can resonate with the message this story tells. 

Toronto Trip!

Gracie and I drove to Toronto with my dear friend Tina, in her new ride, to stay with another dear friend, Bec, for a girl's only weekend!  It was really great to be with my girls and have some girl time together.  :)  It was my first time in Toronto, so that was a lot of fun!  I love the city and Toronto is one beautiful city - so much fun!  Thanks girls for a memorable weekend.  And thanks Gracie for being such a doll!  Click on the link below for some photos...

https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/TorontoTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCLTL4Meuv5SYFA#

Some good music

Last years American Idol winner, Phillip Phillips has made a fan out of me.  I love his style and his sound.  I just love his new song "Home".  Maybe you will too!