Today's Quote

I know I'm supposed to be continuing from the last post but I had to throw in a funny one before I forget exactly what was said:

On M,W,F, the boys and i pick up Hannah from school and head home.  Its about a 20-25 minute drive and you can imagine how excited little brothers are to see their big sis.

As each boy is desperately trying to gain Hannah's attention through various means, this is what I hear from the big girl:

forte, allegro con sassiness
    ” Ethan is hitting on me, Jonah is pulling my seat belt!  What next, is a bird going to fly through the window and poop on my head?!!”

God's Hand

this past weekend we had our church's first missions conference.  It was a wonderful time for David and I and I'm sure for many others as well.

You know how you have those pivotal moments in your life where you can always look back to and say ” this is when ______ happened” or “this is when I realized_______”
This weekend was one of those moments for us.  I'll elaborate more in a minute but first I have to give a quick history.  ok, it may not be “quick” but I've been thinking of doing this for awhile so hang in there or scroll down. ( there's something good and healthy about writing out your story-it really helps me to see the amazing ways that God has worked in my life, to bring me to Himself-to show me his great love)

When I was about 17, I was attending a large church and was very involved in my youth group.  At that time a family who were missionaries in Ghana, Africa with Wycliffe Bible Translators came home for an extended stay to let their kids finish high school.  That family, the Leonhards, invited all of the youth over one night to share with us their ministry and a slide show of some of their time in Africa.  I knew as I watched those slides and listened to their story that I could do nothing else in life-that I was going to be a missionary. 
Over the next year and a half about 10 youth from my church raised money and prepared to spend the summer with Teen Missions Int'l, a large missions group based in Merritt Island , FL.

At this point I had been attending GA State Univ. for 2 years and I was 19.  I had changed majors many times but had finally settled on and been accepted into the music ed. program.  I wasn't really excited about being there but thought college the thing to do.

My mission's trip began the summer of '93.  It was an eight week trip beginning in the swamps of Fl.

(This will have to be continued!  I wrote this initial entry on the 21st. and now its the 25th-I am way too busy!)

Boy time

School is going so well for Hannah!  She loves her teacher, her assignments, lunch time, well you get it!  On Tuesday and Thursdays, when we have school at home we have time for nothing else, so I am trying to make extra time for my little guys on M,W, F.  I'm still working on the schedule but here's a fun time Ethan and I had together one afternoon:

 

“A three year old child is a being who gets almost as much fun out of a fifty-six dollar set of swings as it does out of finding a small green worm.” ~Bill Vaughan 

I Remember

My big girl was 2 years old in 2001 and I was pregnant with Ethan.  I was watching GMA that morning which was very unusual for me since kiddie shows were usually on.  As I focused on the reoccuring picture on the screen I realized that something awful had happened.  At the time the press and the rest of the world was not even clued in…people were assuming that the first tower had been hit by accident.  I watched in disbelief as minutes later the second tower was hit and the hard truth set in that we had been attacked.  I'm not someone who knew any of the victims from that sad day but my family mourned and grieved over the profound and tragic loss of so many lives.  

I stumbled upon Project 2996, a movement remembering and honoring the victims of 9/11, and I was given the name of Arlene T. Babakitis.  I didn't know Arlene but when her picture appeared on my screen for the first time, the tragedy of it all hit me again.  And yet how wonderfully supportive we can be to each other once again as we remember and celebrate the lives that were lived.  I found that the best way to do this is to let Arlene's friends and family speak for her and about her.  They keep her memory alive and share her with all.ntative, PoAArt Authority of New York andNew JerAenter, at/in building

Visitors Comments:

Tina Columbine Commenter Email and IP address is in file	11/10/2001 12:46:40 PM
Arlene was well known by my exhusband and his family. She was his family's first “fresh-air kid”. I only met Arlene once, but she made a lasting impression on him and his family. One story Joe Kelsey used to tell me was that she used to aid in his care.
Melissa Pettignano Commenter Email and IP address is in file	07/23/2002 11:56:45 PM
Hello, everyone all over the world, My aunt was the most wonderful person anyone could ever love. I read the other womens e-mail about my aunt and it is true the frist time you meet my aunt she did leave a great frist time impression.There is so much I can say about my aunt but I'll just say it in a shorter way she was fun, loving, kind out going, and that 's just the beginning, she was so much more to her family and friends and for that thats why we love her so much . So please if anyone reads this message and if anyone who knew my aunt has something to say please do , my family and I would love to know , Love always and gos bless.
Melissa Commenter Email and IP address is in file	09/29/2002 7:35:32 PM
hi everyone! WELL i would like to say a few words about arlene babikitz, also my friends aunt. i didnt know her too well but i did know this, i knew that she was a hardworking person, and mom. Melissa[ friends aunt] loved her very much and melissa loved her more than anything, well thats what i think and saw. she was also funny and outgoing, willing to do anything for her family and children. i dont know her that well, but i do know this. she loved life and was a very nice and gentle person. i wish for the best to her children and Melissa, Her mom, Her dad, and Brother. thank you everyone. God Bless America!
Melissa Kowalewski Commenter Email and IP address is in file	09/29/2002 7:47:10 PM
hi everyone out there! i would like to say a few things about Arlene Babikitz. well for one she was a hardworking person, and as parent. i dont know her that well but my friend, that was her aunt and shes been through alot. Melissa loved her aunt and her aunt loved her very much. like i said i dont know her that well but i do know what she was about. she was a kind, loving and gentle person. she enjoyed life and loved everyone and thing. her family has been through alot and so have i cause i have lost someone too. i wish luck and hope for her family! God Bless America!!!
someone Commenter Email and IP address is in file	12/29/2002 6:11:32 PM
god bless.. i love babz
Maria Lenskjold Commenter Email and IP address is in file	02/01/2003 5:16:54 AM
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Arlene T. Babakitis… She looks and sounds like a wonderfull and warm-hearted woman ! I'm sorry for your loss ! Maria – Denmark
The Berean-Vega Family Commenter Email and IP address is in file	10/29/2003 12:22:55 PM
I did not know Arlene personally but she was the mother of one of my daughter's good friend…Babz. From what I can see Arlene raised a good son, one that misses his mother dearly. Babz if you are reading this even though your mother was taken from you too soon…just know that she is in good hands now. I know that she is smiling down on you, watching over you and protecting you. The best thing that you can do is stay on the right path and make your mother proud. God Bless always! The Berean-Vega Family
Melissa Pettignano Commenter Email and IP address is in file	02/12/2004 2:12:35 PM
Hello everyone .It has now been almost over 3 years now since 9-11 occured. Three years ,3months an ,two weeks to be quite honest.It has been very hard on my family along wit my cuzin babz, & my cuz vinny . Everyday we still say why? an how could of this of been prevented.I still remember that day like it was yesterday just like so many other an trust me it will never be erased from our minds.Never. It gets so hard,but we will be fine, i will be fine,as long as we hav our faith an god on our side everything will be just fine.We miss u aunty an we love u so much. May u rest in peace .ILY<333333 Love: melissa p
Karen Tobia Commenter Email and IP address is in file	03/07/2004 12:47:57 AM
Arlene and I worked together at the WTC for many years. She was hard working, sweet, and devoted to her family. She was very easy going and always took things in stride. My heart goes out to her family. We will never forget.
Joe Verducci Commenter Email and IP address is in file	06/15/2004 9:31:44 PM
Hey all, I just wanted to say I know melissa the niece of Arlene T Babakitis .When she told me that Arlene T Babakitis was her aunt and that she had died I felt terrible, none of those workers deserved what happened to them . All I want to do is wish her and her family lots of love an that she and her family and kevin and vincent have my families blessing. God bless Love always Joe Verducci and family .
Frankie Lorincz Commenter Email and IP address is in file	06/17/2004 8:13:03 AM
Hi my name is Frankie Lorincz and I am a Close Friend Of Melissa Pettignano. I know I never met her aunt and its been over 3 years but I want to wish the pettignano family all of my love and prayers. Even though I never met her aunt has never met me I know how effective this tragedy can hit a loved one who lost a loved one. I was lucky enough to have my grandfather escape from wtc 6 when the first plane hit thanks to gods protection. It was a very unfotunate situation for many many civilians. I want to give my love, prayers, and support for all of the families who were effected by 9/11. We will Never Forget….
sumone Commenter Email and IP address is in file	01/10/2005 8:37:25 PM
rest in peace arlene…im so sorry about your death.. babz is doing fine and hes a graet kid and i love him so much no matter what …<3333
Karen Tobia Commenter Email and IP address is in file	09/18/2005 12:47:56 PM
Thinking of you, Arlene. We miss you.
Melissa P ettignano Commenter Email and IP address is in file	10/27/2005 12:15:02 PM
Hello everyone. It has been now 4 years since 9-11 and so much has happened. I still miss my aunt very much along with the rest of the family. Every since 9-11 it has put alot in perspective and it has been hard , but little by little day by day it does get easier. I sometimes feel her near an I know she is . The biggest place she is in is my heart. Her favorite time is just approaching Christmas and i know she will be watching as we open our gifts and say our prays ,eat so much food an of course our tradtion play bingo for money lolol. Thats the best lol. We are all growing up an so much has changed an happened . Its been great ,but hard. Aunt Arlene if u here this know that we all miss u an love u very very very much and one day will see u up above. Thanks for reading this peace and love. God Bless u all. P.s if anyone else has something u would like to share don't hesitate to write ,we'd love to hear from you's.

We made It!

OK, so I'm the one who made it…just barely!  My girl had a fantastic day at school and I sat at home mourning yet another change in life and had the longest day imaginable.

I'll start at the beginning…I got up around 6:30 in time to get myself showered and dressed, Hannah dressed, made breakfast for everyone, rechecked her backback for required items and snapped those last minute-first-day-of-school photos.  On the way to school we picked up Nana ( my emotional support) and arrived at school in plenty of time for Hannah to unbuckle and say her goodbyes to us all. 

At this point, the children getting out of their cars were being escorted by an adult or older child down the sidewalk and inside the door.  I sighed a big relief glad that my big(little) girl would have someone to walk her in and then rememnbered that 2nd graders walk themselves in…

Nana and I turned around as the car moved itself forward and all we saw was my little cutie with her huge backpack and lunchbox walking all by herself , hobbit-style to the door.  We then looked at each other and started bawling!  I couldn't believe she was walking alone on the first day-I of course was putting all of my feelings from my first school experiences on her.  She later told me that she was fine walking to the door and when she arrived someone was there to take her to her class.  All of that grief for nothing!  I'm telling you, it was a completely emotional day and by the time I picked her up at 2:25 I felt like it should have been 9PM.
   
I've asked and asked what she learned that first day and I am finally hearing tidbits but mostly…”I can't remember”.  She did come home with Genesis 1:1 memorized and lots of homework to do yesterday.  (which, by the way, took us about three hours, another very long day!) 

So, another chapter of our lives has begun.  I'm not crazy about change but I know that this change will benefit her greatly and probably the boys as well since I have more time to spend one-on-one with them.  As of right now she has successfully finished her second day of school and I am thrilled for her!  The countdown to college begins! ( no, just kidding, I can't go there yet!) 

It's Time!

Well, my big girl starts school tomorrow!  We've purchased her school supplies, uniform, and backpack and I still need to make a trip to Wal-Mart today for her socks and folders. 
We had quite an ordeal on Sunday trying on her different uniform combos-everything was uncomfortable and after many tears and whining, I was finally able to take her picture…
    “mommy, do I look like I've been crying?”  “No, baby, you look wonderful!  Let me take your pretty picture, OK?”         (keep scrolling down)

…another little girl getting ready for her first day of school 27 years ago…