The Power of Words: 50 words that lift, motivate, and inspire from a LDS Mormon view

Something to think about.

Fourth Grade

I absolutely love teaching fourth grade! As the kiddos were leaving on Friday, I had a tear in my eye since I wouldn't see them for two weeks. They, on the other hand, couldn't get out the door fast enough. I just finished writing my thank you notes for the many generous gifts I received. My tug on the heartstrings gift came from a little girl who doesn't have much, but is one of the most compassionate young ladies I have ever had the pleasure to know. You just know she picked it out and wrapped it herself. Another favorite gift is one session for a facial hair removal. Why? I guess I'm just a hairy guy I mean gal. Hee hee hee hee!! I guess teaching puts hair on your chest and face!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTA

Happy Birthday Kath!! I hope your birthday is as wonderful as you are!!

Gianna

It's hard to believe that a year has gone by since Gianna passed away so suddenly. She will always be remembered for her warm smile, her gentle nature, her kindness, and her unique outlook on life. May her family continue to find the strength to take it one day at a time.

We miss you G!

Happy Birthday Karen

The beautiful bride on one of the happiest days of her life. Chuck is so lucky!!

I hope your day is wonderful.

Happy Birthday Amy

The Big 4-0 and looking marvelous!!

Heroes

Alyssa is in a play at school called Heroes. It is written, directed, and produced by the students at the school. The cast is only freshmen. The show was amazing- funny, sad, thought provoking and entertaining.

I used to be Alyssa's hero, but know I think it is the cute boy she sits behind in biology. While watching the play I realized how fast these kids are growing. Please can I stop time!!!

In one of Alyssa's monologue, she talks about her lip gloss. Thus the floral arrangement. Oh I crack myself up. hee hee

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday MOM

We celebrated Mom's birthday with an intimate gathering of 18. Mom looked radiant in her royal blue dress. She was excited to celebrate her birthday at Egg Harbor on her actual birthday. She is looking forward to her 100th!! You go mom!

The youngest was Cooper with his great t-shirt. It Read "Boy n. noise with dirt on it."

Sorry bad photographer- cute kiddo!!

Drove the farthest- Peggy, Chris and Payton.

Best Looking Couple

Matching shirts!!

Grammalu and Alyssa

We had mints!! No I didn't steal them. They were given to me!

And country tomatoes. Thank goodness they didn't have that country smell!!

Happy Birthday Jared

Today is Jared's tenth birthday. He is growing up so fast, and is such a compassionate thoughtful preteen. Yikes- I now have two children in the double digits!! Most kids want to bring cookies or cupcakes to school. Jared wanted fruit kabobs. So at 9:30 at night I started making 25 fruit kabobs.

We were downtown taking a tour of Chinatown for a school project. I started taking a bunch of pictures of Jared and this was the last one. I think his expression is saying Mom what are you doing enough already! I love that his personality shines through.

Happy Birthday Jim

Happy Birthday dear brother. You are an amazing guy who happens to be an outstanding dad.

Hot Looking Biker

Michael bought this motorcycle about 16 years ago. We had a blast on it for about two years. Do the math and you'll figure out why we stopped riding it. It pretty much sat in the garage for the longest time until it was fixed this week. Michael took it out the afternoon he got it back. I think he looks amazing on it!! Anyway, he is selling it to a friend of his at work. I told him to keep it, but he wants to sell it to buy me a camera. A modern day Gift of Magi.

What a difference a day makes

After dropping Alyssa off at high school on Monday, I headed into school to get some work done in my classroom. I was moved this year, so I had a lot of unpacking to do. While I was there I was summoned to the office by the principal and the director of special education. I knew it was too early in the year for me to be in trouble, so I assumed it was something to make more work. Much to my delight I was offered a fourth grade classroom position. I was so excited. After talking with Michael, a friend of mine and Jared, I accepted the position. Jared wanted to know if it was more money. Sorry no additional money. So I am giving up special education for a general education class. It may only last a year, but I welcome the change. I still can't believe it. I like to walk into my principal's office and say, "Colleen Tarantino- Fourth Grade Teacher." She said, "Don't make me regret this decision." Hee hee

Alyssa Starts High School

Alyssa started high school on Monday. She was nervous but excited. I think the nerves, learning the ropes, and the long days have gotten to her as she comes home exhausted. Of course, I made her take a first day of school picture.

Sara, Alyssa and Rachel- friends since kindergarten. I drove the girls to school on the first day. Alyssa kissed me good bye, told me she loved me and never looked back. What happened to my velcro baby?

Oops! Missed the meeting. Alyssa and I were downtown at the Jason Mraz concert. What an amazing performer that guy is. We went to a piano bar at the Drake after the concert, where Alyssa and her friends sang a couple of songs. The girls got quite the education on the way out of the concert when they saw a lady of the evening. I guess that is what you see at 2:00 in the morning in the city. We had a blast while creating a wonderful memory of summer.

Cottage Cheese Pancakes

My kids love these pancakes!! In the summer when we have more time, we make them at least once a week. In the past we called them Uncle Mike's pancakes because he makes them when he comes to our house for a family breakfast. Then we found out the recipe started with Kath. The kids were quite upset that Mike was getting the credit for Kath's recipe. The quandray was what to call the pancakes. Should they continue to be Uncle Mike pancakes as he turned us on to them? Or should they be Aunt Kath's pancakes? Know they are known as cottage cheese pancakes so no one is hurt.

For Amy and Pat
When we made these pancakes in Michigan, Pat and Amy wanted to know the nutrition facts. Basically, they are 18.6 calories each with .46 grams of fat. The entire recipe was 670 calories and 16.7 grams of fat.

Happy Birthday Alyssa

Happy Birthday Alyssa!!

The years have flown since I held a little sweet pea in my hands for the first time. It's hard to believe Alyssa is heading off to high school, and we are heading into the turmoil teen years!!

Happy Birthday Tina

I hope your birthday is wonderful!

Happy Birthday Norah

Today is sweet Norah's birthday. I wish I could be there to celebrate. Why does California need to be so far away?

Happy Birthday Caycee

Happy Birthday Caycee!

Baseball

The season is over, but Jared and his team had a great season and a lot of fun. He got the game ball twice which is quite an honor. His coaches told him that if everyone played like he did the last game they would have won. They had fun and that's what counts!!

South Haven

Some family pictures from South Haven, Mi

Gianna

Happy Golden Birthday GiannaNot a day goes by that I don't think of G. I continue to be amazed by the strength of her family as they continue to heal on a day by day basis. Last night, Alyssa and I had the pleasure of dining with Vicki, Gene, and Valerie after going to the play Joseph and the Amazing Color Dreamcoat. My prayers and thoughts are with the Espositos today and always.

State Meet

So after perfoming at Soldier Field, we raced to the car, and headed to Alsip for the State meet. Alyssa changed in the car so she would be ready when we arrived. Alyssa did well and so did her team as a whole. Lys placed fourth in All-Around. I think she was a little disappointed in her performance, but I think she did fantastic. Friday night we spend the night downtown at the Esposito's condo, and Lys only got a little more than 5 hours sleep. It's hard to function on such little sleep, when you are not the mom! Alyssa will no longer be competing with the Orland Park Royal Twisters, but she hopes to continue her career in high school.

TAKE A BOW

Alyssa is in a singing and dancing group which performs for non-profit events. This weekend the girls performed at the Autism Speak Walk at Soldier Field. What a blast it was. We were able to go "behind the scenes" and saw the door to the Bear's Locker Room, and the girls came on the field through "the tunnel." To top that off, the girls were able to perform in front of many and saw themselves on the jumbotrons. The girls did a fantastic job! She truly is fortunate to be part of such a wonderful group. She can't stop talking about the opportunity she has been given. A special thank you to Tricia and Anna for all your hard work directing and rehearsing with the girls.

Pleased to announce a new family member

We have discussed adding a new member to out the family for awhile. We talked, waited, did some research. Talked to others in our same situation. We thought about being responsible. Is it fair to the existing members of our family? Will anyone feel left out? Will Mike be neglected as I will not be available as much? Will our marriage suffer? Is it fair with the economy and the world like it is these days? What about vacations? We wondered if we were biting off more than we could chew. Should we take the plunge this year, or wait? Why wait we wondered, we are not getting any younger. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! Sometimes, I just wish someone would make the decision for us. I apologize for not sharing any of this with any family members. We just didn't know what we would do, and we didn't want to answer questions as we made our final decision.

Fate sometimes plays in role in your life and takes the decision out of your hands. The decision was made for us, and it is truly a blessing. The Tarantino family is pleased to annouce out 8 lb 22 inch new computer. I will post pictures soon!!

Our baby girl was born on April 27th, and has fit right into the family. She has to be a girl because of the plug-ins.

G and G

It has been about 6 months since my girlfriend's daughter Gianna died suddenly of an unknown kidney virus. I think of G and her family every day. Lately, it seems like I'm having a harder time with her lose. Some days it just takes my breath away, so I can't even begin to imagine how her family is feeling. Her family is amazing with their strength and courage under such rotten circumstances. They continue to take it day by day while trying to maintain a positive attitude. During this Easter season, I find myself thinking that maybe this was how God felt when he gave us his son for a time. It must have been the pits to watch your son be abused by those who didn't understand him. At least God got his son back. I wonder if that will be the same for all of us who have lost loved ones.

Beutiful Gianna
Gianna and a friend

My friend Vicki with her brother-in-law

Vicki's three kids: Gianna, Vinnie, and Val

Rest in Peace Gianna

May your family continue to find the strength

they need to get through the griefing process.

Gymnastics

Sunday was spent at a meet in Carol Stream. I can't believe that the season is almost over and Alyssa will be ending her gymnastics "career" with the Royal Twisters. I have had so much fun watching the girls work as a team, and succeed at their passion. I have enjoyed spending time with the parents. I don't know what I would do without my partner in crime, Vicki.