Blog Neglect...Sorry!!

Yet again, I realize that I have neglected my blog for too long! My life feels as if it has been a whirlwind the last couple of weeks! (Also we didn't have internet for a while.) :) Anyway, I love summer because it seems like there are all kinds of changes happening...marriages, babies, friends and family moving (not as fun) vacations, concerts, new plans for the upcoming year, and whatever other random events get thrown in the mix!


It has been such a fun, although sometimes challenging, ride...and I would like to share some of it with you.

• The biggest change we have been dealing with is that Joe's parents and younger sister are moving to South Carolina in August! This is such an awesome opportunity - his dad got offered a job as head of the food science department at Clemson University! Congrats, Dad! He is really excited for the change and we are SO happy for them! We know he will do fantastic work there! Of course, we are a little sad too. It has been nice living so close to them in Boone for the last 9 months or so. Roman's best friend is his grandpa...so we are thankful that the little guy isn't quite old enough to understand that they will be moving. But, we anticpate that it will be a little bit hard for him as he yells "BA-PA!!" everytime we pass their house. :)




• Our nephew Carter is going to be born soon!!! We can't wait to see him!!!!




• Our Godson, Joseph, was baptized a couple of weeks ago...I just haven't shown you any pictures yet! He did a super fabulous job and we expect that he will love Jesus quite a bit because he was very attentive and receptive during the ceremony. We thought he would cry because he hates his bath but his eyes just got wide and he looked very contempletive! What a good little boy! We love him SO much!

Sealed with the Holy Spirit! - in Ephesians, St. Paul refers to baptism as the "first installment*" of our salvation - *the footnote in my Bible says "a down payment on our salvation". I like that.

What a beautiful little family!

The newest member of the church, Joseph Benedict Stone. (Pictured here with Father Aquinas)This, of course, reminded Joe and Phil of the scene in Lion King where they lift Simba in the air and sing "The Circle of Life". This is their reinactment...complete with Phil's version of the song. :)Joe and me with Suzee, Phil, and little Joe.All the friends. Baby Joe is popular.

• Roman had his first spaghetti, which was quite the experience (and a big deal in Italian families). Fun pictures:

Testing it out...

Diving in...literally.

No trouble downing that meal.

Yum!

Fun video of post-spaghetti dinner:

Anyway, I feel like there is so much more to say, but I guess I will save the rest for another time. God is good and he continues to teach me more everyday through my family, friends, and high school girls' small group. More to come soon! Love and blessing to all of you!