The D'Amato Family

5.30.2012

Mayah's Hair

I love long hair on my girls! I know many moms who hate the upkeep of it so they cut it, but I just couldn't. Though, Chiara is donating her hair in a couple weeks, I prefer their hair long...while they can. We never really know how long Mayah's hair is because of all those curly locks. I had no idea that those cute curls actually take her hair up several inches.

This is the second time we have straightened her hair with the hot iron to see how long it is. WOW! Not only do the curls make her hair significantly shorter, but she looks so much older to David and I when her hair is straight.

We have always said that the curls suit Mayah's personality perfectly....the straight hair is just not her. Regardless of the style she is simply gorgeous.

Pretty Pretty Princess with Kelli

Kelli will always be one of my "big kids", but to the girls she is the best baby sitter ever! We are all still bummed that she calls Texas home now, but we do ~~like~~ love when she comes to visit! A while back she bought the girls a gift from her childhood- Pretty Pretty Princess. So thoughtful. So Kelli. The girls love it, so when she came by they had to play! It warms my heart watching their interactions. I could not ask for a better example for my girls than Kelli. She loves the Lord. Loves her parents. Loves her siblings. Giving. Thoughtful. Funny. (Well, she thinks she is! HA!) I am thankful that the Lord saw fit to place her in my fifth grade class.

5.18.2012

Awana Ceremony 2012

This year we made the prayerful decision to change where we enrolled our girls in Awana. We are happy we made the choice to put them at Grace Church; this church suits our family and the reasons we have them in Awana. Awana is a program to teach children scripture. It is not about who is "the best" or meant to be competitive, but instead to encourage and lift up.

It's hard to believe that we started in August and here we are at the end already. I am so proud of all the hard work both girls have put into this. Knowing they are learning God's Word and building friendships brings us JOY. Another great benefit from Awana is giving my home schooled girls an opportunity to have a classroom setting. They love their 'teachers' and leaders. We do too!

Catching Mayah walking in. She and her buddy Owen were the 2 oldest in Cubbies this year-promoting to Sparks next year.

Chiara and her big smile! Her second year of Sparks; one more to go!

Cubbie Bear came to see the Cubbies get their certificates.

I love that Awana recognizes the parents with a certificate also. Mayah and her Daddy receiving theirs.

Love!

Chiara receiving her ribbon for Book 2.

I think the real highlight of the night was that Miss Rebecca was back from college (before leaving on a missions trip to Cambodia this summer). The girls adore her....as do we!

Chiara with Sparkie

Mayah with Cubbie

Walker in Training

Emma really has no desire to walk. She is a quick crawler and content being held. However, we have some walking time built into our days. What cracks me up most about this is that her mouth stays open most of the time she is walking with her lion. Hilarious. As much as she reminds me of teeny-tiny Mayah this part is all Leah. Leah had no desire to walk until after she turned one. My only request is that she does not wait until Mommy is away in July to do it.

5.17.2012

Gorgeous and Smart...Congrats David!

There is something about a piece of paper that makes everything official.David has been 'done' with school for a while now and we knew he finished with a 3.98 GPA, but getting the diploma in the mail made it REAL!!!! He worked so hard to get this degree-not sacrificing his marriage or family (which grew by 2 kids while he was enrolled) to get it either. He stayed up late, read text books on airplanes, wrote countless papers into the wee hours, and tolerated the ramblings of professors who made him shake his head and laugh out loud.

I am so proud of you David for your hard work and determination. You did it!

Love that sexy smile!

Mother's Day and Thoughts on Being Mommy

My first "Mother's Day" as a mom to four ~~children~~ girls! It's already hard to imagine my very large belly last year at this time. When I think about my first Mother's Day in Michigan with David and Chiara I can't really believe how much my life has changed!

In our home we really don't celebrate "Mother's Day", but I would say it is "Mom's Day" or "Mommy's Day." Many women are mothers, but being called "mom" or "mommy" is more than stating the fact that your birthed a child; those names come with a deeper meaning and greater relationship. They are names that I cherish. I know I will always be their mother, but being their mom/mommy is so much more important to me than that. When I speak of my own mother she is always "mom" - implying a deep and intimate relationship, one that I cherish.

My day started at 5:15AM with a morning wake up call from Emma Lynne. The first thing I did on Mommy's Day was nurse my sweet baby. Love. She went back to sleep and so did I. I was woken by David, Chiara, Mayah, and Emma (Leah had slept over my parents house to return at lunch time) with scrambled eggs, sausage, and COFFEE! I love when David makes me coffee....it tastes even better served in bed! Mayah had picked some flowers from outside and both girls had made me lovely cards. David got me a wonderful card as well....he really does a great job picking out cards! Chiara stayed and chatted for a bit then fetched my laptop for me. Ahhhh, coffee and blog reading. Perfect. I was in bed until after 9AM...unheard of! David had cleaned the kitchen and had his list ready for the grocery store.

After showering and tidying up a bit Chiara and I prepared the salad for lunch. We had my parents and my grandparents here for a wonderful lunch and homemade tiramisu for dessert (totally gluten free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). For dinner, David and the girls took me to our favorite place in town, Picazzos', which sadly is closing.

Chiara and I prepping the salad

A fellow homeschool mom and friend hosted a "preschool" time for a few kids over the past month. Leah and Mayah went and the last craft was a Mother's Day Mug.