OUR NEW SPORT-FOOTBALL

Well, finally some pictures. This was Gabriel's first football game. He got to play for a couple minutes in the last quarter. Dominic, Luciano, and Madison (and I) were so excited to see Gabriel on the field. If he could hear us yelling, he would have been very embarrassed. The pictures are not the best quality, but at least you can see the stadium where his home games will be played.

The Franklin Township Football field. Gabriel is the one in the very back. He is free safety. I guess I was wrong he doesn't run and catch the ball from the quarter back.

Gabriel still in the back waiting for the throw. He actually tackled one guy, but the picture was to blurry to show.

The empty field after the game.

End of game team huddle. What do you think they talk about. I know there not praying....

Gabriel coming off the field after the game. He was not too happy with us for taking this picture. I think we were the only parents with a camera. I told him after he got in the car that this is a memory.

Replying to Comments Left

Okay, I am still fairly new at this whole blogging thing. I love that my brothers (who rarely call me on the phone) are reading my blog and leaving comments. But I do not know how to respond to the comments where they can see my reply????? So, for the last comments left... I guess Dominic thinks he is the next Pele.... and I have no idea what position Gabriel is going to play. I think he is 2nd "string" for a position that runs and catches the ball. His first game is tonight. We are going to try and run right after church to see the end of the game. I am hoping he gets to play--- If he does play, I hope the pads he wears keep him from getting hurt. He is so skinny. Well, hopefully someone will write another comment as to how I can reply to the ones left on my blog.. Thanks again Rick and Ron for reading.....

Well, I finally did it... I am no longer employed full-time at Suburban. I have been off work for almost a week and loving it!! I am in the process of planning our church's ladies retreat which will be in August. The kids love me being home when they get off the bus. I usually have cookies or a treat waiting for them. (Just call me June Cleaver!). They are also doing well at school. Madison starts cross country practice today after school, and Gabriel is still enjoying football. His first "game" is this Wednesday. It is a pre-game... He received his jersey and Gabe say's he looks "cool" in it. His position is the one where the run to catch the ball from the quarterback. I don't know what it's called "running back" or "running safety". So hopefully, he will be able to make a couple touchdowns!!! Dominic is looking forward to playing soccer in the spring in the St. Francis league. He likes to call himself "Palo" after the famous soccer player. And then there is Luciano. He is so carefree- He hates school only because he has to do homework and wake up early. He also started wearing reading glasses and he looks pretty good in his glasses. Well, that is all the raffa news for now... Congratulations to my brother Ron who started his own blog. You can access it through mine....

First Day at a new School

Another year, but this one was full of changes for the kids. This was their first year at Public School and riding a school bus. I was a bit emotional, because for years Gabe and I have always driven our children to school... But they all were excited about riding a schoolbus. We didn't get any pictures of Gabriel's first day. Starting 8th grade in a new school, it wouldn't look "cool" for your parents to be snapping pictures at the bus stop and because it was so early I was barely awake. Our morning routine is drastically different from years past. Gabriel's bus picks him up at 6:45 am... Ugh!! Dominic and Luciano get picked up at 8:00am and then Madison is picked up at 8:13am. Then in the afternoon Dom and Lou are dropped off at 3:50pm and Madison at 4:00 pm and then we are off to pick up Gabriel and his friends from football practice. It's our first time in a "carpool"...
Gabriel seems to be enjoying football. I will post pictures of him in his uniform when I get one. They haven't had any games. Their first game is a "jamboree" on a Wednesday night, so he wont be able to play due to church. His coach was very understanding about our committment to church.
Madison has some teachers who are christian, so we are glad about that. Dominic is still praying for a friend. Luciano is in his own little world-he is not bothered by anything or anyone...
Please continue to pray for them.

Luciano (3rd Grade) Dominic (4th Grade) Hannah (6th Grade) Madison (5th Grade)

Madison and Hannah's bus

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted. I still have not figured out how to get pictures loaded to the computer from my digital camera. I like blogs that have pictures. Oh, well... It has been a long week. As you know from my last post, they thought Madison had mono.. well she is fine now - NO MONO... In fact, Luciano the next day came down with a fever of 104 degrees that lasted for 24 hours and then Dominic came down with a fever of 103 degrees that night. Luckily, Gabe, Gabriel, and I have been spared!!!
Alot has happened in the last week. I gave my 2 week notice at my current job (Suburban Christian School). I have enrolled the kids at the public township schools in the area. They seem to be excited about the new opportunities... Gabriel will be playing football at the middle school (At least as long as it doesn't conflict with our church activities) But pray for them as this is a "big" change for them. My prayer is that they will be a "light" in the school. I am also encouraging them to take the opportunity to be involved in clubs and sports. We'll see how that goes. Thank you for your prayers for our family. Hopefully, I will figure out the camera thing soon.