New look, new year, new post....

So far this year is looking crazy busy. My husband is expanding his business, which means lots of work and stress for him. I'm sensing we will have a couple of lonely dinners without him this year. Baseball season is about to start for my hubby and son. Oh man talk about all consuming. By the time baseball season is over I'm exhausted. However, my son and hubby love it, so I can't complain to much. The other kiddos are doing their things, dance class for Paris and trouble making for Rex. And then there's my little Fay Fay.

Fay is getting ready to start a 3 week intensive therapy program. I'm feeling like this is going to be a tough 3 weeks for us both. She no long likes going to therapy, well she never liked it, but she understands what happens and she hates it. So there is lots of tantruming on her part. After her 3 week intensive program she starts hippo therapy, which is very similar to equestrian therapy except she has a physical therapist by her side at all times. Meanwhile, Fay is progressing nicely. she can military crawl the length of our house and is sooooo soooo close to crawling on all fours. She has been working really hard on trying to pull her self up. She gets on high knees then gets stuck. Her fine motor skills have improved greatly. She can clap her hands and bang two toys together. However her speech has regressed a little, but her understanding has improved. Fay has been working really hard and moving right along. I am so very proud of her.

My hubby and I have been discussing adoption alot lately. We are currently in the research process but hope to add another child to our family in the next year or too.

Me, well I'm just trucking along and loving every minute of it.

New Look

So whatcha think? Like the new look?

Test Post

How did you ring in the New Year

The best way I can..hanging at the house with my hubby, my children, good friends, fun food and lots of laughing. We had a house full last night. 12 adults, 16 kids and lots of pizza. We watched sports, played the Wii, destroyed a pinata and laughed harder than we have in a long time. It was a great way to celebrate the New Year.

So what did you do?

Here's some pics that made last night fun

Got a Passion

I read lots of amazing blogs of men, women and entire families who have dedicated there lives to the Lord. They represent him through there passions, whether it be adoption, providing for the poor, nurturing others back to health, etc.. One family blog is dedicated to adoption advocacy of special needs kids. Another blog is a doctors journey through pediatrics. One blog a husband speaks of his wife's CF and daughters pre mature birth, other blogs focus on fundraising for the needy. What these blogs have in common is there love for the Lord and there desires to service him in all aspects of their lives.

I WANT THAT...I WANT THE PASSION...

My life is selfish in comparison. I help when I can, I donate when I want, but I do it when I want, not always when the LORD wants me too. Opportunities often arise and I make excuse not to become apart of them.

My life has been extremely blessed. I have four amazing child and will be adopting another in the future. I have a wonderful husband, beautiful house, etc...but what I want is a passion to serve the LORD hole heartly. I pray the LORD will guide me to a passion that is solely about him.

Well, I'll let you know what the outcome is, someday

Christmas 2009

No better day to realize how thankful I am than on Christmas morning. The day our Lord and Savior was born. His birth and life has saved me and opened my heart to things that I could never have imagined possible.

This Christmas was one of my favorites. We had my husbands half siblings as well as my in-laws, brother-in-law, niece and nephew as well as many other amazing family and friends over for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. My mantle had 10 stockings. It was beautiful. The kids woke up and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, they went mad crazy over there presents, which consisted of Bean bag chairs, Wii games, mini kitchen, legos galore and the list goes on. We ate and ate and ate.

But what made it extra special was the difference between this Christmas and last. Fay's first Christmas home was a bit tough. She couldn't tolerate the excitement. The noise that the wrapping paper made as it was being ripped from the presents over stimulated Fay's senses. She had spent most of the day in her crib where it was quiet. This year she must have sensed the excitement, but didn't turn away from it. She was as excited and happy as all the other kiddos. She sat in the middle of the chaos with her stocking and new drum and enjoyed every minute the day had to offer. It was truly a beautiful thing. All my kiddos enjoying the day our Savior was born.

Grandma reading the Christmas story

Beer Can Chicken-Christmas Day Dinner

passed out on the bean bag chair, covered in sleeping bags and pillow

Year End

The end of 2009 is approaching fast. I just love the end of the year, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, but man am I tired. The end of each year also makes me a bit nervous and anxious for the following year.

This year has been pretty good. We celebrated Faith's 1st year home as well as her 2nd Birthday. My oldest son became a baseball fanatic, a dream come true for my husband. My 3 year old has decided to skip terrible 2's and save it all for terrible 3's, and my eldest daughter is just growing up. She is becoming a beautiful, smart, independent young girl. I am so very proud of her. My husband is working on expanding his business, while making time for all of us at home. Me, well I am just going through the motions and enjoying every moment of it.

This upcoming year is already looking real busy and it hasn't even started yet. New business ventures, new Nanny, thoughts more therapy and big changes for Fay, adoptions, etc.. Speaking of Fay, she is a rockstar. Since August she has been moving full speed ahead. In August she started sitting up on her own, in October she starting military crawling and along with all that her fine motor skills are improving as well as her speech.

My hubby and I have also decided to adopt again. Yes people I know I'm crazy. That would mean 5 kids, yes you heard me 5 kids at the Riggio Ranch. However the adoption process is not one to take lightly too. We have some big decisions to make about what route to go, Domestic, International or Foster/Adopt, what age as well as what nationality. Please pray that we find the right answers.

None-the-less we are moving full speed ahead and looking for a little down time over the holiday season before the new year starts.

Trying to take a family Picture