The Denver Angelinis

The Invitation

2010-10-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was one of those days. One of those days where the demands of my children and my desire to complete projects were not in alignment. I was irritated at being interrupted with bangs, whines, teasing...I just wanted a few uninterrupted moments to finish the laundry, prep the meal for the next day and rake the massive amount of leaves in the yard. My efforts at staying calm were being thwarted and my inability to finish what I set out to do resulted in my baser level of parenting skills...scolding, raising my voice, "stop that!" "that is enough!" By the end of the day I was exhausted and longing for some "me" time. I wanted to slip into a good book, a new Dan Brown book, the Lost Symbol. I gratefully read a few pages hoping to get a second wind to try again at the unfinished tasks I had so desperately wanted to complete.

Before taking another stab at those tasks I needed to wake my 5 year old for an evening trip to the toilet. My son is such a hard sleeper we have to wake him up in the later evening for a potty break or he will not stay dry through the night. Typically, Nick is so tired during this evening routine that he stumbles back to bed in a daze. Last night for some unknown reason he was chatty. On the way back to his room he turned to look at me and said, "Mommy, would you like to lay down in my bed with me for awhile? My bed is super snuggly and warm. It's much warmer and snugglier than your bed." "Sure, honey", I automatically answered as I nestled down next to him tucking his fleece dragon blanket under his chin. I began to wonder how long I would have to lay there and my thoughts drifted back to my unfinished tasks and the Dan Brown book I wanted to read more of in my own, albeit less "snuggly" bed. But slowly I began to realize that despite enduring my short temper and scolding because of my desire for project completion, my son still wanted to spend time with me. I was still cool. I realized that at 5 years old, I am still the person he most wants to be with. How long, I wondered, before I blink twice and my 5 year old is a 15 year old who will not only NOT be asking me for time together but will more likely be posting "Keep Out" signs on his door.

I lay there for quite some time, long after he had fallen back to sleep. He was right. His bed was definitely more snuggly than mine. And I realized he had given me a valuable lesson. Yes, the laundry was left unfolded. The onions were left uncut. The leaves were so thick on the lawn that I would probably be receiving anonymous "rake me" notes at any time and Dan Brown would have to be postponed. However, I was really right where I wanted and needed to be. There will always be tasks left undone, but the opportunity to accept a little boys invitation to be near was a far more valuable use of my time. The last page of Alison Mcghee and Peter H. Reynold's Book, "Little Boy" rang in my ear......"Little boy, you remind me how so much depends on days made of now."

Ask and ye shall receive

2010-09-14T20:01:00.001-07:00

Since the last blog, a lot has transpired. That house that I dreamed of? I'm sitting in it, typing this on the computer in the playroom. We got the house ready for market and had an offer 3 days before the day we were to officially list. We accepted the offer and moved forward. Our old house is gone, hacked up and under construction, sold to a developer who will reap the benefits of turning our old 2 bedroom, 1 bath into a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home.

So, the initial feelings were pure bliss...gratitude beyond belief, amazed we didn't have to have people tromp through our house for showings etc. We have had countless parties and barbecues, play dates and gatherings. It's been 2 months since we moved in and now I'm feeling....regret. Yes, regret. I miss my old neighborhood, am anxious about this one...love the neighbors but miss the sense of community I had in the old hood. I hate transitions. Loathe them. I talked about how much I hate moving in my last post and that's about how much I hate any kind of transition. I hate not knowing what's happening next, where I'm going, what I should be doing. Nick has started a new preschool 2 afternoons/week and my demons of self-doubt, second guessing and remorse are rearing their ugly heads.

I don't feel at home. Regardless of the size of our small little house in North Denver, it was home. Home sweet home, tiny, messy, cluttered home. Still home. This place is just....not home yet. I hope it does start to feel like home soon because as much as I'd like, there is no home to go back to. This is one bell that can't be unrung. I hate this feeling of being untethered, it's an uncomfortable, tangible kinetic anxiety that races through my body leaving me rattled and exhausted. Consequently I'm impatient with my kids and my husband, creating more distance between me and the people I most desperately need to feel connected to--heaping guilt onto the anxiety already in the mix. This guilt/anxiety martini is one cocktail that doesn't go down smooth.

Now, if I could just recapture some of that prayer and faith from my April posting--that sense that all is well and is unfolding as it should. That is my prayer now, that I get through this phase quickly...that I find the faith I lack to know that even if I don't have the answers now, good things will transpire and I can have the home, school, church community and sense of belonging that I envisioned our family would have in moving. Here's hoping some positive feelings will flow more freely in the next few months.

2010-04-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

I'm eager to not have just one posting for the year. We're almost 5 months into the year and the focus is all on our home. More accurately, what shall we do about our home? Do we add on? Do we move? I am notoriously famous for my loathing of moving. I hate it. Abhor it. Detest it. But, at some point, 927 square feet for 4 souls is really not enough. Despite my best efforts to deny this and rationalize that 4 people probably lived in homes like this in 1941. At this point, we've consulted an architect who's given us $150/square foot. Not in our budget to pop the top. It's starting to get frustrating, we found a house we LOVE. Do you hear me? LOVE. Oh God, I LOVE this house. The blue in the living room. Painted white kitchen. Love it. The backyard, oh the backyard. I've dreamed about this backyard. I wake up dreaming about it. The location. Oh God, I want this house. Of course, we have to sell ours first. Which seemed easy enough with potential buyers in the neighborhood. He's a contracter and wanting a new project. I just don't feel it working out anymore. I have been praying quite a bit and feel like we're just supposed to put the house on the market. I feel like these buyers aren't going to work out. I've been trying to have a lot of faith lately. Always learning to not try to control everything. The green-eyed monster has been making several appearances. I'm always wondering how or why everyone else seems to make more money, be able to afford more house...blah blah blah blah blah. In the end, I feel lucky despite my inner lizard fearing everything and focusing on lack. Christopher is amazing and funny and I love him. It's so fun hanging out with him and developing a little relationship with him. Nick and Anthony have been gone for the week and, well, it's actually been really nice. A nice, quiet, relaxing respite. Like a vacation, but at home.
I'm really trying hard to pray. Pray for guidance, pray for help, pray things work out. Pray for tolerance during the uncertainty. Prayer for finances. Prayer for health. Prayers for me to have faith that it's all being laid out and will work out. I really really really really really want that house!!!

2009-12-30T16:37:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

The eve of 2009 began with us celebrating our 5th anniversary in the hospital delivering Christopher. Yes, that’s right, the Lord saw fit to bring us Christopher two weeks early on December 31, 2008. God apparently did not get the memo outlining the 364 other days in which to assign special celebrations. Nevertheless we are grateful and now will be celebrating New Years Eve, our anniversary and Christopher’s birthday all on December 31.

We were blessed by the little known fact that getting rid of your baby equipment is a fertility booster. We are very grateful to our friends and family who bought or loaned us the baby equipment needed for Christopher. We are also grateful for the love, support and meals they provided as our family made the transition from 3 to 4 members.

After spending most of my pregnancy and the first 6 months of Christopher’s life convinced I had ruined Nicholas' life by having another baby, I now see the wonderful relationship developing between our two sons. There is a unique friendship and bond there that is beautiful to watch. Nicholas can make Christopher launch into peals of hysterical laughter that none of us can replicate. Christopher’s face lights up whenever he sees his big brother. It is our prayer that these two can continue to share a lifetime of love and laughter and find each other a source of support and joy that will sustain them long after Anthony and I are gone.

Anthony continues to work at Konica-Minolta Business Solutions handling major accounts. 2009 was the 5th consecutive year that he qualified for President’s Club, the incentive vacation given by the company to its top performers. Although we chose against going to Cancun this year for the trip, (H1N1 outbreaks), we’re very proud of Anthony’s continued success. We were lucky enough to spend a wonderful weekend in Keystone this summer courtesy of one of Anthony’s customers who loaned us his condo. It was our first foursome family vacation and we’re looking forward to another summer weekend in the mountains next year.

Summer also brought us a family trip to Glenwood Springs and a trip to Pittsburgh for Anthony’s sister’s wedding. We had a great time meeting our new family members, the Haydens. Nicholas was very excited to wear his navy blue suit and participate as his aunt and uncle’s ring bearer.

I have been working at a social service agency 2 days/week providing therapeutic services. Although I miss having benefits, I think I have finally found a balance between work and home. The job allows me a great deal of flexibility and I work with a very talented crew of therapists.

Nick is 4 years old and a barrel of fun. He’s bright, funny and inquisitive. He loves going to pre-school and is especially interested in Spanish. Christopher is an easy going adventurous toddler who is ready to start in the toddler room at Nick’s school in January.

One of the greatest blessings our family was given this year was the gift of my dad babysitting Christopher. Opa kindly offered to come to the house on my work days to stay with Chris. Every one of us benefited from his presence in our house. His frequency in our home will be missed as Chris starts school, but we certainly hope he will continue to visit often.

We are very grateful for the blessings of 2009—particularly the relationships with our friends and family that give meaning to our lives. We wish all of you a healthy, happy, prosperous 2010.

Love,

The Angelinis

Getting ready for baby

2008-12-11T05:15:00.001-08:00

...and Jenny chastises herself for being a poor blogger. I see it's been one year since I posted. Needless to say, a lot has changed since then. It's almost time for a Farewell to 2008 post. Probably the biggest news is our upcoming baby due in January. I'm ready for the delivery. You would think being pregnant in the summer would be worse with the heat, but this time around I am way more fatigued than I ever was with Nick. Nick gave my womb a five start rating and stayed in there a solid 12 days post due date. I would much prefer this little tyke choose to get a move on. I'm tired. It used to be I wanted to deliver as late as possible to allow as much time between the holidays and this baby's birthday. However, I'm now hoping this baby comes before the end of the year. That is saying a lot considering I still don't have everything together for this baby. I am learning to give up control--somehow things will fall into place. We'll figure it out. No, this baby doesn't have his own room due to the small size of our house and we're not sure where to put anything but I'm just praying for faith that everything will come together as it will and that I have to learn to LET GO of some things.

We recently changed providers which is not a fun thing to do when you are only five weeks away from delivery. But, the relationship with my old practice was really not feeling very comfortable and I spent the last two visit coming home in tears. As I always tell my clients, "don't be a victim. If you don't like the relationship you're having with professionals you work with, make a change, empower yourself or stop complaining." Well, as guilty as I felt, it really was time to change. We switched to a Midwifery practice that comes highly recommended--known for their priority of making your experience what you want it to be. So far they do a few things differently like the way they calculate due dates, BUT this falls under the "what I can't control" category. This baby will come when he's going to come. End of story.

Farewell to 2007

2007-12-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

2007 is gone and we're ready to welcome in 2008.

2007 had some fun times. Anthony & Christine went to Ireland for a week in May courtesy of Anthony's company, Konica-Minolta Business Solutions. Most of you know
Anthony has been a sales rep. for KMBS since 2004 and has been rewarded with 3 incentive trips for exceeding his annual sales goals. This year's trip to Ireland was probably our favorite thus far--we had a ton of fun visiting pubs, the Guinness Factory, the
book of Kells and the highlight for us, the Cliffs of Moher.

In July the family went to Keystone for a few days to play, bike and hike. Nick also celebrated his 2nd birthday with his friends and family.

In August Christine travelled to Toronto for the first time to attend her college roomate's wedding.

November had the Denver Angelinis back in Pittsburgh to spend Thanksgiving.

Nicholas continues to be a precocious 2 year old who loves his friends and school. His favorite subjects are Spanish and Music. He continues to show a love of literature and frequently chooses time with his books over other activities.

Anthony continues to work for KMBS and manages National Accounts.

Christine is working as a social worker at St. Joseph hospital where she has been for 4 years now but works only Fridays and one weekend. (She loves the people she works with so much she just couldn't completely leave when she started working 20 hours/week at Adams County Social Services as a child protection therapist.) She provides individual therapy for parents and teaches a parenting class. She has FINALLY after 7 years completed her license in clinical social work and is now a L.C.S.W. in Colorado.

Anthony and Christine are grateful for the lessons and blessings of 2007. We celebrate our 4th wedding Anniversary on New Year's Eve and are grateful for the comforts of home, the health of family members and the laughter and love friends and family provide. We are mindful of the many reasons we have for gratitude and wish you and your families a very healthy and happy New Year.

Love,

Anthony, Christine & Nick

Visiting the Pittsburgh Angelinis

2007-04-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

The Denver Angelinis were in Pittsburgh visiting Anthony's family from 4/17-4/24. What a great time! Nicholas got to spend lots of time with MahMaw and PopPop. He loved them! He wasn't even afraid when we got there. He walked in the house like he owned the joint. Walked past MahMaw and said "Oh, PopPop!" then "coat, OFF!" and "shoes OFF!" He then proceeded to walk around and then danced some with MahMaw. He loved waking up every morning and bursting into their room. "Up!" then "Elmo!" where Nick, PopPop and MahMaw watched Sesame Street in bed until 7am. It was nice for me to get to sleep in knowing Nick didn't miss me one bit and was in the very capable hands of his grandparents.

Anthony and I went to Brian and Shannon's wedding and had a great time seeing Anthony's old friends. They had to practically kick us out of the Golf Club when it was over. So much fun to have a night out and not worry about getting home to relieve the babysitter!

Nick also went to the Pittsburgh Children's Museum and loved the water play there. He also spent time with Aunt Maria, "DOT!", Mamie, Sister Louise, Faye, Uncle George, Anthony's cousin, Nick who our Nick was named after, Aunt Honey, cousins Cathie, Glen, Dana, Kevin, Lesley and cousins Jim and Maria, Susie and Gayle, Mike and his favorite Pittsburgh cousins Aaron and Nick 1. He got to play ping pong, golf, foos ball, the organ and the piano. Anthony's friends, Mr. Astorino and Mr. Cavanaugh also stopped by. Nick knew he was the center of attention and would get angry and frustrated when I ran out of animals to ask him to sound out and sign. He also quickly figured out everyone got a real big kick out Nick saying, "AMEN!" after the mealtime blessing.

Nick also met Mr. and Mrs. Hanna and their adorable boys Jimmy and Freddie. Of course Nick's way of showing his friendship was to frequently hit both of them. This was a lot of fun for me and Anthony.

We were very sad to say goodbye to Pittsburgh as we had so much fun and were surrounded by friends and family we don't get to spend time with often enough. But we're grateful we did have the time and look forward to our next Pittsburgh adventure.

Easter Eggs!

2007-04-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

Here I am, getting ready to color some eggs!!!

Now we drop in the colored tablets.

And then we drop in our eggs. Such fun!!!

Nick

2007-03-20T19:08:00.000-07:00

Well Jenni just pointed out to me on my recent trip to KC that we have not added any updates to our blog since Christmas. "I keep checking your site to see if you've got anything new on there but every time I look, it's still Christmas!"

Well, not much new has happened since Christmas other than our toddler is growing like crazy! Now the true parenting challenge begins as we realize, "holy heck, we could really screw him up good!"

Since not much new has happened, I figured for this posting we'd show some photos of how Nick's grown and changed in the last 20 months.

He was born the spitting image of Anthony. "Anthony with blonde hair" as he's affectionately known in my department. Some say he's "Christine from the eyes up and Anthony from the nose down." Either way we think he's pretty cute. He came into this world on July 13, 2005 a solid 12 days past his due date and he's proven to be equally as cautious about trying new things ever since.

A very serious baby who other parents and teachers at the day care called, "all business" or "an old soul." "The face of a 30 year old on the body of a baby" was one of our favorite comments from more than a few friends. He finally cracked a few smiles as an older infant and loved to giggle.

He was late to walk, waiting until he was 16 1/2 months paving the way for us to learn a basic law of parenting: you can coach, lead, cojole and persuade but kids will do things at their own pace pretty much despite your best efforts. Hmm....a chaplain at work's reminder to me while pregnant ringing in my head, "God gives you children to work on your control issues."

Nick has loved sign language, music and tumbling classes but had a very tepid reaction to infant swimming classes. He's very affectionate giving hugs and kisses to pretty much anyone. As Opa said, "I used to think he was attached to me reaching his arms out to me when I came to the door. But then he was at our house and the doorbell rang. I opened the door for the UPS driver and Nicholas reached for him in the same way!"

Nick is now a soon to be 2 year old who loves basketball, football and golf. He carries his basketball and football around as other children carry their teddies or blankies. He's even refused to part with them at bathtime so, the balls go to the tubby too! He used to ask for Thomas the Tank Engine on tv before bed, now it's "GOLF!!" complete with the swinging of his hands to show the golf stroke. He jumps on the couch to cuddle up with mom or dad and appropriately responds to the action--"OHHHHHHH......" when someone misses a putt. or "Yea!!" when they sink it.

Nick is still the apple of daddy's eye and loves to watch and "help" with the cooking, cleaning, dishes and laundry. He refuses to wear any clothes that do not have Elmo, a train, helicopter, airplane, football or basketball on them. He even digs through the dirty laundry until he finds what he's looking for. Did I say, challenging?

Anyway, hope you enjoy some of the pics. I'm sure we'll post something again this summer!

Love,

Anthony, Christine & Nicholas

Christmas!!!

2006-12-26T18:00:00.000-08:00

The Denver Angelinis having spent all past Christmases in Pittsburgh celebrated Christmas 2006 in Colorado. We had an amazing holiday enjoying all of the simple pleasures of decorating our Christmas tree, wrapping packages & listening to Christmas music. We were busy visiting Oma and Opa Christmas Eve and Grandma Bev and Nick's aunts, uncle and cousin Christmas day. I'm not sure who was more excited Christmas morning, Anthony or Nicholas, but we had the most fun watching Nicholas open his Christmas presents; which thanks to Anthony's family were spilling out from under the Christmas tree in all directions.

We truly appreciate the generosity of our families who made our first Christmas at home one we'll always treasure. Anthony and I agree we just couldn't ask for more than the gift of Nicholas. We have more blessings than we could have ever hoped for with good work, good health, great friends and family and our littlest angel who reminds us every day to look at the world through a toddler's eyes and find miracles and wonder in every moment.

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year.

Love,

Anthony, Christine & Nicholas

The Denver Angelinis

2006-12-22T08:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, well, this is our first attempt at "blogging." This is supposed to be a website where family and friends can check in to see what's going on with the "Denver" Angelinis--Anthony, Christine and Nicholas. Mostly, I think, it will be a place grandparents and relatives can check in on their little grandchild and nephew, Nicholas. We'll try to post photos and stories of the goings ons of Nicholas and the family so you can feel like we're not so far away.