It's A Miracle

Okay, I do not want anyone to have a heart attack! I am on a computer and imparting my wisdom once again. I am so excited that Thanksgiving is on its way! The fall colors and weather are so refreshing from the heat of summer.

We have finally decided where we will be spending our Christmas holiday! We are heading to Vermont for Christmas! I can't wait. I will be able to meet my newest neice, Ashlynn Mitchell and see how big my little nephews - Chad and Chase and neice Lauren have become. They won't even know their Aunt Randi or Uncle Gabe..... I know my kids are even more excited to see all of their little and big cousins - the "Beauchemin Boys" and "Gangwer girls".

I also hear congratulations are in order for Rick and Rennee - TWINS. Who would have thought. I can't wait to hear all the stories.

Everything is going well at the Raffa household - About a week ago, Gabriel was diagnosed with H1N1 which has actually become very common in the Franklin Township school district. It took him about 7 days to recuperate. So far the only ones who have not had a type of flu is myself, Gabe and Madison. When Gabriel was diagnosed with the H1N1 flu, we bought him a mask and gloves to keep it from spreading!!! I felt like we were living in China.

There is new news about our church, the church will be voting in the middle of November on whether to bring Gabe on to serve as the interim Pastor for the next couple months or year. We are not sure of the specifics, but we covet your prayers as the church and our family transitions into a new phase. We love our church family at FBC and pray for God's Will. They have been so wonderful to us over the last 4 1/2 years and we are praying that we will have many more to share and grow with them.

We are heading out for visition tonight. I hope to write some more later. Sorry, I don't have fun things like Rick or Ron - I am just not as witty as them.

RANDOM PICTURES FROM THE RAFFA HOUSEHOLD

Because I have not been consisten with my blog entries, I decided to upload some pictures while I was at Gabe's office today - enjoy. Dominic and Luciano have learned how to do videos, so I will try to upload one next time.

The boys making sugar candy houses with Grammy Gangwer when she came to visit us in May.

Dominic fishing at his 4th Grade school Campout - He caught one fish!! I think his was the biggest..

In late March, Luciano fell on the back deck and cut his leg. He received 20 stitches - here is the scar left behind by his little mishap. It was pretty traumatic for Gabe and I, as well as Luc. I still can't believe how bad it looked before we took him to the emergency room!!!

Our 2009 Easter picture - I love this one because Gabriel doesn't smile in alot of the pictures we take, but here he looks like he is really happy to be in the picture.

Gabe's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GABE!!!

Gabe celebrated his 37th birthday yesterday. Isn't it funny that when you are a child you spend the whole day celebrating your birthday - He spent the day doing demolition on a church project, and then grilling at our Church ladies barbecue! What a great day! We celebrated with yellow cake and vanilla ice cream last night at 10pm.

I remember my mom would always make us whatever dinner and cake we wanted on our birthday --my choice was always chicken Estrada and chocolate cake and chocolate icing. Well, I have tried to pass on that tradition to my family, but I am not as good a cook as my mom is, so nobody has a favorite meal that I cook!!! They usually ask for Gabe to cook.

RAFFA SUMMER UPDATE

The Raffa household is still alive.... I realize I am not as up to date as the Conn. Gangwer's are on their blog. Here is the latest news on the RAFFA CLAN:

Dominic and Luciano just returned from spending the week with Gabe's parents in Columbus, Ohio. They were spoiled the entire week with trips to the pool, Sam's Club, and BB shooting. Luciano enjoyed it at their house so much he didn't want to return home. He knew once he returned home, he would be doing chores again!!

Madison just left on Sunday (6/21) to spend 2 weeks with Gabe's brother and sister in law in Chattanooga, TN. She is also enjoying shopping and swimming!!! Her and Alyssa get along great!!! They love to sing, dance, and play store together. We will be leaving the first week of July to pick her up... I am sure she will not want to return home either.

Gabriel is finishing up his summer highschool courses at the Freshmen academy. He is taking PE and Health class in order to get a jump on some of the high school course requirements. His next big summer adventure is to take a road trip with the Raffa Men. Gabe, Gabriel, Pops, Tony, and Phillip will be touring the Philadelphia area - visiting the Eagles and Phillies sports complex and meeting some Raffa relatives for the first time. They are going to have a great time.

You may wonder what Gabe and I are doing with our summer? Gabe is working on some church projects and I am working on some home projects. I am just enjoying the first summer I have had off in 5 years. Working in education has its perks!!! I don't return to work again until late July.

Now, that I have some free time - I may be able to learn how to download pictures to my blog.... I like when people put pictures on their blogs, so I will try to do that next time.

MARCH UPDATE - Luciano's Big Day!

RAFFA's VISIT THE STATEHOUSE

Okay, I know it has been 2 months since I wrote anything on the blog, but we have been very busy. Not taking trips to Columbia!, but other things. Here are 2 of the many pictures we took of Luciano at his big Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration at the Indiana Statehouse. Here he is pictured with our governor, Mitch Daniels!

Luciano in front of the Indiana Statehouse - The next President of the United States. He looked so handsome. We were all very proud of him.

GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!!! Luciano turns 9!

Okay, football fans! Here it is -- time for the SuperBowl playoffs. I predict that the Eagles will come away with a victory. The final score will be 20 -23. Okay, anyone want to make a wager???? I will not be like Ron and make people answer my questions, before I write a new entry.


Our little Luciano turned 9 years old! Of couse, I do not have my camera with me, so I will put his pictures on my next entry....

Random Pictures - 2008

These are just a few random shots from the month of December - As you read in my earlier blog, we now have birds!!! Well, enjoy the pictures.

Luciano's guinea pig - Jasmine
Dominic's African ringnecked doves - Caspian and Susan

My cat - Isabella - She loves the birds!

The Raffa and Mitchell clan - Christmas 2008

Another picture of the Raffa - Mitchell clan

Chad, Gabriel and Luciano playing XBOX - Luciano doesn't look so excited?

The world's best Eagle Fans in Indianpaolis... Watch out Colts!

Luciano posing for his community notebook project... He looks so cute!