It's Been A Few Days

I am sorry that I haven't had a post for a few days, it has been crazy around here. I spend a majority of the time outside with the kids and of course Tuesdays and Thursdays Tonya doesn't have school so we are always finding things to do.

Everything has been going great, Taylor is finally done with school, but will continue math throughout the summer. Why? When I moved her to 3rd grade math she still has about 80 pages left so I want her to finish so she can start fresh on 4th grade. That girl is a whiz when it comes to arithmetic, I am very proud of her. Jimmy will continue to do his projects and such throughout summer as well, not because I think he should but because he loves doing it. I will not have him working everyday, but maybe 1 or 2 days a week if he chooses.

I am so ready to be home, I miss everyone so much and can't wait to get back. Everytime Jimmy sees an airplane he has to stop and then will reply, "Going to see Nani?" Just the other day while driving he saw a big red Ford truck and he was sure that Poppa and Nani Celli came to see him. I am so sorry for ever taking my kids from Kansas City, that is the biggest mistake in my life. I took them from a family that truely loves them and place them in a new place that has been pure hell for the whole family. I just wish I would have seen her true colors years ago and then I could have kept my babies away from her before anything like this happened.

On a brighter note, I will be home in less than a month and cannot wait. We have so much planned and we all are very excited. While the kids are in Omaha, Eric and I are going to spend some time alone at the new hotel Chateau Avalon. I am going to see my talented baby brother walk across that stage and get his diploma (I am so proud of you Nick!) All we need now is who are we staying with? The bidding starts now....going once....going twice....sold? Love you all and it will be less than a month that I will see you!

5 Years of Marriage

April 21, 2001 Matthew Dow Chandler and Angela Marie Maucelli started their lives together. Now, 5 years later, The Chandlers are going on strong with a loving and happy marriage and bringing up their 4 children: Blue, Fat Black (Fatters), Little Black (Littles) and Gray Boy (GB). I don't know two people more meant for one another than these two, when they look at each other it's like they just fell in love.

Happy Anniversary Matt and Angie, love you both a lot and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Saying Goodbye

I found out today that a good thing doesn't last forever as I watch that new car getting towed back to the dealership. Yes, I already had to have it towed. I walked outside to have a cigarette and I noticed the lights were flashing on and off (kind of flickering) so I figured maybe Taylor was playing with the keyless entry, nope. I grabbed the keys and unlocked the car (which I think was already unlocked) and heard a clicking noise and noticed my trunk was open and I haven't even used the trunk. I shut the truck to watch it come unlatched once more. I saw Hanna outside playing so I told her to have her mom come over and look at it and the first thing Tonya said before I even told her what was going on was, "Your car is possessed!" Nothing we could do to get it to stop so I called the dealership and talked to the lady that sold us the car and of course she said "I'm sure it's nothing major." RIGHT! So, after watching this go on for a couple hours I finally called back and said I am not buying this vehicle and I'm having it towed back to you. She wants us to come back and get another car off the lot...no way, I will not buy another vehicle from this place. Eric is taking me over to another dealership tonight to find a different car, so hopefully I can do that. We are having problems getting cars in Florida, it seems everytime we buy one we have to take it back for being a lemon. Hopefully we can get this taken care of or else I am waiting until we get to KC and we can buy a car there and maybe leave one so when we fly in we will always have a car to drive.

Oh yeah, we are leaving May 19th to start our journey to Kansas City for Nick's graduation and will leave June 2. Eric gets to stay for two weeks. It actually feels like I spend more time in KC than I do here, we might as well have a home there to stay in LOL.

So, please disreguard the new car blog, I no longer have this vehicle and will let everyone know if we buy another one.

I've Got It Made!

As everyone probably knows Thursday is my main cleaning and laundry day, well laundry has been going since I woke up and I have picked up all the rooms, but decided to head to United to spend some time with my wonderful husband. He pulled out the grill when we arrived and threw on hamburgers and hotdogs for everyone...yummy! The kids and I enjoy spending time with him and after spending a couple hours there I am so happy he is my husband, I could be stuck with someone like Dave. All that guy does is put down women and his wife, how women are to serve the men and he won't let his wife touch the checkbook and won't even let her have the name on the account, what woman would stay with someone like that. NOT ME! Eric has always done whatever he could to make me happy and I try to do the same, isn't that what marriage is, a little give and take? Anyway, I don't know how Eric works with that guy, I would go insane listening to him talk like that all day long. Eric says he just tries to ignore him but that doesn't even make it stop.

New Car Update

Well, today we finally bought a new car...ugg! I love the car (Chevy Impala), it has a great ride, all power, leather seats, CD player, top of the line of the Impala, but I still don't have that excited feeling I usually have with a new vehicle. As we were sitting in the finance office I told Eric to take a time out and go outside with me while I had a cigarette and actually tried to give him a way out--why did I do that? I have no idea, I really do like the car and so does Eric. He has been talking me into a new car for over a month and like I said before usually I would be all over it, but it just feels different this time. I am sure the car will grow on me before long and like Mom said, it's going to get me home, but now we have 3 vehicles and I never thought that would happen. I will post pictures of the new car soon.

Nick Made The School Paper

He made the Oak Park school paper. I think he carries that guitar around wherever he goes, never know when there might be a chance to play it!

Happy Anniversary

We have come along way since the day we began our marriage and it has been the greatest years of my life. I can't believe that I found someone who has made me so happy but you have managed to do that and so much more. There are so many people who lost at love and we seem to get stronger each and every year, I am glad you chose me as your wife.

I love you and here's to many more wonderful years together!

Neighbor Hood Friends

Pictures in order: Joshua, Clayton, Tyler and Hanna. These are the four kids that Taylor and Jimmy play with everyday.

Taylor and Jimmy Slippin' 'n Slidin'

Jimmy and Joshua

Here is Jimmy and Josh (our next door neighbor) blowing bubbles. Jimmy, Josh and Clayton are together everyday, the three amigos, as we call them.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all! I woke up to the high pitched screams of Jimmy finding his basket, "I got Skip, I got Skip!" Skip is the garbage truck from Bob the Builder and he had let me know yesterday that he needed one. Taylor got two teen magazines that she has been begging for the last week and was very happy with that. Got candy? We do and lots of it. This morning was great, after I got dressed I started lunch, two different sugu's, one with meat, one without. I made cannolini and lasgna and it was wonderful.

I headed over to Tonya's while the sugu was cooking and helped her prepare cupcakes for the party we were having for the kids. Once all snacks were done I headed back home to finish the things I needed to do: stuff Easter eggs with candy and money, set the goodies on the outside table and fill the cooler with ice and drinks. Gannon headed over around one and brought all the treats he and Pam prepared, the kids are getting so excited at this time. Of course Tyler showed up around ten this morning and we invited him to join us...it ended on a sad noted with Tyler this evening and I hope he will be okay. I care about him very much and have even suggested to Eric that we take him in, he needs a loving home with parents that will take care of him, but we gave him a great day today and hope he remembers it forever. So, we added one more to our table and he enjoyed the food very much.

Once everyone arrived we pulled out all the activities: slip 'n slide, water balloons, horse shoe toss, balls of all shapes and sizes. Thank goodness our yard is big enough to hold all the kids, they had so much fun. Eric, Gannon and Tim took the kids to the front yard for snacks and drinks while Tonya, Pam and I hid Easter eggs, 350 of them. We had so many we were running out of places to hide them, but once the kids back around we were busy helping the younger ones find them.

Jimmy was stung by another wasp on his stomach while looking for eggs and Tonya was stung on her knee. Jimmy found an egg in the bush and when he went to grab it a ton of wasps started flying out, I tried to grab him but as I ran with him one landed on his stomach, I saw it happen but it was so quick, nothing I could do. Gannon broke his cigarette in half and pulled the tobacco out of it before I could even look at Jimmy's sting and applied it to the wound, he said it pulls the sting out, and looked as if it worked. Eric and Gannon took care of the bush once we got everyone away, the wasps are so bad right now.

All in all, today turned out great and Tyler I know you won't read this but for some reason, someday you do, I care about you so much and you are a terrific little boy who I enjoy seeing everyday you come over. I hope you have a wonderful life and that I see you soon, you are welcome in my home anytime. I am glad I got to give you a good holiday and hope you have many, many more to look forward to. There are people in this world who love and worry about you and I am one of them, though you may not know it now, I wouldn't have done what I did if I didn't care!

Hope you all have a great day as well. XOXO

HAPPY EASTER

Waiting for Easter Bunny

Taylor and Jimmy are getting pretty excited for the special visit from the Easter Bunny this evening. Jell-O jiggler eggs are setting in the fridge, easter cookies have been baked and the kids just finished dying eggs.

Jimmy had a blast with his Scooby-Doo kit and Taylor had a Disney Princess kit. This is the first Easter that Jimmy knows that Mr. Easter Bunny will be entering his home after he goes to sleep and leaving him candy and gifts. Taylor made sure we bought some carrots to leave out for him tonight (she is always thoughtful when it come to Santa and Easter Bunny, wants to keep them feed).

I will post pictures tomorrow of baskets and the kids Easter morning. Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday.

Schedule Change Today

Today was a total schedule change for my family, Taylor ventured to work with Daddy today and Jimmy and I had time together. We were outside by 8:30 this morning and didn't come back inside until lunch. Clayton and Hanna had lunch with us and played until Tonya had to go to school (she had a big biology test for her RN). I was able to lay Jimmy down for his nap and then...what was that that I heard...silence. I have not had one day of quiet since I have come back from KC and it was so nice. I had all the house cleaning done yesterday so there was absolutely nothing for me to do but be lazy.

Eric and Taylor actually ventured to Port St. Lucie today and so I am still awaiting their arrival so I can shop my night away lol. I have so much to get. Tomorrow car shopping and this I keep putting off but now it is actually time to get it done. I have a little over a month to get a car and I just cannot make up my mind. Eric gives me suggestions, mom gives me suggestions and I think I know what I want until I see something else and it makes me re-think my choice. I have never had any problems with this before, but I dread having another car payment. I cannot believe how nice it has been, Eric's truck: no payment, my car: no payment and now we have to do it all over again.

I think my biggest choice is minivan or cadillac? Minivan would be great since we are planning a new arrival before long, but the luxury of a caddy is so nice. Tay, of course, wants the minivan so she can have the dvd. Who knows, all I want is the 2009 Chevy Camaro and would be happy to wait for that. I have been socking the money I have been making into our savings account for that car. No matter what I get now, just know that in 3 years I will be driving the new Camaro around and I am sure all the kids will fit just fine. I just figured out from writing this post why I am dreading buying a car, all that makes me happy is the camaro, I miss my '99 pewter z-28, t-tops, leather, 6-speed, 5.7 L V8! Now that I am depressed, I will let you know what I find tomorrow. Ta-ta

Jimmy's New Milestone

My Jimmy just hit a new milestone today: he made himself a jelly sandwich. He came in and asked for a jelly sandwich for snack and I happily made him one and then proceded to his bedroom to put clean sheets on his bed. He came into the room as I was finishing up and told me "Made it all by myself!" I asked him what he made all by himself and he asked me to follow him, and I did. There sitting on his plate was a piece of bread with jelly on it. I gave him a kiss and told him what a big boy he was. I guess playing outside all day made him hungry.

My Feline Kids

My mom, being a graphic artist, turned the kids into the felines they portrayed when their faces were painted. She is very good at her job and did a great job at this as well. Thank you for sending the kids Easter cards, I am sure they will put the money to good use: anyway Jimmy will, in his money drawer for safe keeping. You are the only real grandma they have and you are wonderful to them, thank you for that. They have many great grandparents but only one Nani and make up for not having anymore. We love you very much and are so excited to see you next month. Hugs and kisses (lots of them).

The Lap Cat

Here picture of Rocky, Poppa and Nani's baby. He has really gotten big from the time I was there. What a beautiful cat!

Back in the Day

Alisha sent this picture to me of the 3 of us (Angie, me and Alisha). I don't know how old we were but we were younger than 9 because it is Nani and Poppa's old house. Look at me trying to look like Madonna (ha ha). If you dig any more of these up please pass them on to me, I remember those days very well.

It's Looking Good

For those who haven't talk to Eric or me, he got a call from John (his old manager from United in KC) to tell Eric that his wife had been transfered to Florida (about 20 minutes from where we are) and wanted to know if Eric would be willing to swap stores. About 2 hours later Eric's district manager called him and told him he had just received a call from John and told Eric the story, and Eric told him he would also like to switch. So, to make a long story short, hopefully this will go through...keep your fingers crossed. I am not saying that we are coming home at this time, but it is lookingpretty good on our end. I will keep everyone posted.

Happy 4th Birthday Eric James

My baby is now 4-years-old and he has had a great birthday so far. He opened Chicken Little dvd this morning and then opened all his presents from Nani, Grandpa Ky-Ky, Auntie Ste, Uncle Nick, Nani Celli, Poppa and Maw Maw.

Grandpa Ky-Ky and Nani: 2-pc. Nike outfit, Nike hat, sunglasses, 2 Bob the Builder Vehicles, Dori (Finding Nemo) keychain.

Auntie Ste: Bob the Builder vehicle

Uncle Nick: Chiefs t-shirt, 4 matchbox cars

Nani Celli and Poppa: Finding Nemo swim trunks, Bob the Builder vehicle, SweetTarts

Maw-Maw: John Deere Tractor

Taylor: Chicken Little

Daddy and Mommy: Bike

I think he made out very well and he hasn't even gotten the bike yet. Eric is bringing that home this afternoon to surprise him (he wanted to see his face when he got it). I will get pictures posted of him riding the bike and post them quickly. Taylor made out pretty good herself with an outfit from Nani and SweetTarts from Nani Celli.

I will post more this evening so please check back.

Happy Birthday My Precious Boy, I hope your day is full of joy.

Love you, Mommy

Happy 18th B-Day Nick

Today, Nicholas James Maucelli Marshall, my baby brother, is 18-years-old. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and I cannot wait until I see you in May.

I know we still bicker and do things to each other like we did when we were younger, but no matter what I love you to death and miss you a lot. You are a very loving and caring person, a great son, brother and uncle. Taylor and Jimmy love you to pieces and you are very good with them. Have a great birthday and enjoy your dinner at the Mongolian Grill--wish I could go.

Ps. Congrats on the job, hope you like it!

I just had to post this picture because I haven't seen an actual family photo in awhile. Nick does not look happy and Steph looks like she is about to fly away. Oh well, my family my pre-teen years. Thank you Alisha for sending me this picture.

Anniversary Gift

Here is the picture I got today and cannot wait until I get the frame (and the whole set). Best anniversary gift I could ever receive...thank you Eric.

Down the Hatch

This is one of Taylor's favorite things to do at a carnival or fair. She took 3 turns today and loved everyone of them.

The Big Slide

Jimmy had so much fun on this slide that he actually snuck by the guy and got an extra turn.

Taylor the Cat (as Uncle Nick Calls Her)

Taylor became a cat and the lady did a fabulous job. Tay was very proud of her face and loved going to the store afterwards with all the attention the kids gave her.

My Little Lion

I tried to get him to get the Italian flag but he insisted on the lion and it turned out so cute. I really didn't think he would sit still, but he did great with a smile on his face the whole time.

Waiting the Easy Way

Jimmy waited for his turn to get his face painted, but decided to wait on the chair like Daddy and let Taylor hold his place in line.

The New Lipstick...Sno-Ball

Taylor enjoyed her blue raspberry sno-ball while Jimmy rode on a ride. Check out her new shades, she has graduated to "big people" glasses.

Jimmy's Ride

Jimmy enjoying a ride on an airplane. I think he really just liked the gun!

The Day in Venice

Taylor and Jimmy enjoying a gondola ride...okay, okay, it's a boat with a background.

2006 Ybor City Italian Festival

We spent the day in Ybor City at the annual Italian Festival and it was so much fun. When we first arrived, we ran into Eric's district manager and his family and then we proceded to find lunch. Taylor and I enjoyed a meatball sandwich (which was very good), Jimmy had authentic pizza and Eric had an Italian sauage and peppers sandwich (he said it was not that great) and eggplant fries. It was a gorgeous day and we enjoyed looking at all the venders and what they had to offer. Taylor and Jimmy got their faces painted and rode all the rides. Taylor became a cat and Jimmy was a lion, they looked great. This was the first fair that I have gone to where everything (food, drinks and rides) were paid for with tickets.

I did get an early anniversary present that I have to say is one of my favorite gifts ever. As we were looking through the venders this afternoon I found a lady who was selling prints of the Sopranos and loved them all. After the kids had rode the rides and we were ready to head home, Eric took me back to the place that had them and bought me one, I was so happy and can't wait to get the frame. The lady who we bought it from has a website and said I could buy every season's print, so I am planning on doing that and yes, I plan to hang every single one of them up...I will have a Sopranos living room.

We had a great and tiring day and I came home and made stuffed Italian mushrooms to munch on while we watched Sopranos. I am very proud of my heritage and was glad to have my children be apart of something so they can be proud of who they are as well. I grew up in a very traditional Italian upbringing where there was so much love and family around all the time, Sunday was the day everyone got together for basta, meatballs and spaghetti. I do the same for my family now, we have our Sunday Italian meal, though we don't have family around to share it with, I make sure to call Nani every Sunday morning and it feels like I have my family around. Amore a tutta la mia famiglia!

I took the kids shopping this morning and we shopped all day, stopping at the end of the day to visit Eric at work and showing him everything we bought. We are going to watch the air show tomorrow and Sunday Eric is taking us to Ybor City for the Italian Festival. I am just hoping we can find some decent Italian sausage because what they call sausage down here SUCKS!!!

I will take pictures this weekend of the kids to post. Jimmy has really taken after Taylor and is figuring out how to get mad at his friends. I caught him today tell Clayton he was not his friend any more and he is constantly inside telling me who did what to who and that I need to either go outside and spank some butts or yell...depends how bad Jimmy thinks it is. I swear, took the kid forever to talk and now he doesn't stop, he even wants to talk on the phone if he runs out of things to talk to me about.

Well, I will keep everyone posted and talk to you all very soon.

A Busy Month

We have a lot going on this month: Jimmy's birthday (12th), Easter (16th) and Eric and my anniversary (18th). We have decided to have a BBQ at the house for Jimmy's birthday with all of his friends and our neighbors and friends and then after a nice filling lunch we will all head to Jimmy's favorite, Chuck E. Cheese. I cannot believe he's going to be four and he is so excited for the day to come. He knows he has gifts coming in the mail and that is an exciting thing for him. Eric and I have decided to buy him a brand new bike...I know, like the child needs more vehicles, he has more than a car lot!

I am planning to make lasagna for Easter dinner and enjoy a nice day with my family. We will probably have the neighbor children come over for an Easter egg hunt. Susan, you are more than welcome to bring the kids over as well or come by for some lunch, you guys are always welcomed.

Well, as far as the anniversary goes, who knows what we'll do. We've been married for what 50 years? LOL. It feels like that sometimes, I can't believe I've made it this far and that I actually landed a good man who treats me like a queen. Eric has been a great friend, husband, father and provider, I don't think there is anyone better out there than him. He stole my heart all those years ago and so many times he he'll do something and he steals it all over again. I love you Eric, more than you could possibly know!

Hopefully he'll read the post, he reads them here and there if the title catches his eye, but he would rather play pool on Pogo. I've tried to get him to write his own post but he types with one finger and it would probably take him all night (or a couple). That's okay, the more he types the better he'll get, he's got his laptop at work that I got him for his birthday and I know he uses it a lot so he should catch on pretty quick.

New Post

There are new posts on Jimmy's Pre-School and Taylor's Homeschool Journal. It's been awhile, so feel free to check it out.

Jimmy loves his CD player and has found his favorite CD that he takes from Taylor: Hilary Duff. I hear it all day and hear him singing every word to every song and when you walk into his room he is dancing everywhere. Eric and I have to tell him to turn it down all the time, but he absolutely loves it and it's so cute to watch him.

Wasp Sting

Jimmy was attacked by a wasp while playing outside this afternoon. It stung him on the hand, finger and next to his eye. The eye was the worst sting as has swollen so much. My brave little boy didn't even cry. Right now he is telling me to go find the bug and spank it's butt. He's doing fine but says it hurts very bad.

One of the Many Shows

Mom sent me some pictures from Undergrounds last show and I decided to post this one of Nick. CD has been copyrighted, there has been DVD's made of the shows with behind the scenes as well...they are funny guys. I hope everything goes well for you guys, keep rockin' and having fun! Love ya

Nick and Sidney

It's official, Nick has a girlfriend named Sidney and everyone adores her already. I have never met her but have talked with her on the phone until I would say the wrong thing and Nick would tear the phone from my hand! She is very supportive of Nick and travels to his shows (she lives outside St. Louis, MO). Good Luck you two!

Dancin' in the Sheets

Jimmy wanted me to take a picture of him jumping on his bed and here it is, Scooby-Doo underwear and all! Daddy thought up the title of this post because my mind was blank.