Safe in Asheville...

Erin and I arrived in Asheville at about four today. It's beautiful here. Campbell and Erin played for a bit in Campbell's new big girl room while Kris and I hung out. Then it was off to Pizza Hut for "buffet night", joining some of Asheville's finest.






We were rock stars.

BTW these pictures are in lieu of adorable pictures i was going to post of Erin and Campbell, but was too tired and lazy to download them from my camera. Enjoy.

Easter Pictures

Do these kids take any bad pictures???


Christopher and Erin with MeeMa and Da

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. We had a wonderful one. We began our day by attending the early service at our old church in Yorktown, Providence United Methodist, with Mom. It was so awesome being there and seeing all of our church family. I think Chris described it best. He said just sitting in the pews felt like "a big hug". And there were lots of hugs to be had...it was like we never left. But then again it is home for us and we've been away to long. That part of my life has been empty for too long now and I need it back.

After church we celebrated with a big brunch at James River Country Club. The food was wonderful and the company even better. I love family celebrations. The only hitch in the whole day was the Easter Bunny. Benign as he was, it was still bad enough for Erin to have her running for the hills.

Pics soon to come (dead camera batteries)...

We love you Virginia!!!

Lots of love and wishes for a speedy recovery coming your way from Aunt Laurie, Uncle Chris, and cousins Christopher and Erin!!! You're a very brave girl and we can't wait to see the pink cast!

In case anyone was wondering what i'd be doing this week end...

that's right i'm going to the beach...seriously, i've taking everything out of my closet in an attempt to totally downsize and reorganize. This is the before picture...

More shots from the game...

I love this...

As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.~Mel Brooks

More Flat Stanley...

Aunt Jenny was at the ball game last night and mentioned that Flat Stanley has been to China (where, as you all know, our Abby is coming from) so I thought i'd post a picture of him there...


here he is in China Town.

Jake in action

Screeeeeech...the Roller Coaster ride has come to a complete stop...for now at least!

Well i'm happy to say that the Ciccone family has lots of good news to report. But first things first. A big, big, HUUUUGE thank you to all of our family and friends for all of your support, prayers, and just being there for us during this stressful last couple of weeks. We could not have survived without you all!!!

We found out last Friday that Walsingham will be blessed by Erin's prescence beginning next school year. We are so proud of her and are looking forward to having both kids on the same school schedule! Christopher is very excited as well that his sister will be with him.

My big news (aside from the fact that i turned 38 yesterday-which i'm actually trying to keep on down low because my body and mind still think i'm in my twenties and i'm cool with that) is that i am now an officially licensed real estate agent !!!!

Here's the deal though. I quit BMS on February 8th . Left that day to go see my crazy girlie Kristyn, my sweetie pie Campbell, and my drinking budy Matt in Asheville. Stayed about a week and came home and signed with GSH on February 16th. I've been going full on from then until this past saturday, when-after a 3rd attempt at the state portion of the real estate exam-i finally passed (big thanks thanks to Kristie for coming with me to be my good luck charm and to make sure i didn't slit my wrists if i failed again!!) and became a real estate agent. Between that pressure and the whole school thing i'm spent...done...finito...you get the point. I feel like "flat stanley"-in case you don't know who flat stanley is here he is in Iraq...

and here is with president bush-

except i don't get to travel around the world like flat Stanley does and lets face it that just sucks. It's no fun being "flat Laurie" without the perks that go along with it. Anyways, what i'm trying to say is i just feel flat...deflated...like all the life has been sucked out of me...you get the point.

I spoke in my last post about God speaking to us. Sometimes he whispers, sometimes he speaks more clearly. Since my last post i've really been making an effort to not only hear what he may saying but to heed his advice and act accordingly. So here's what i've deciphered and, right or wrong, I know in my heart of hearts it the right thing for me to do. Based on the following facts: a) i did not pass the VA portion of the R.E. exam until the day after we found out Erin got into Walsingham, b) starting yesterday would have required me to miss the last three days of GSH's initial training, and thirdly-and most obvious if you ask me-i got a speeding ticket last wednesday for not really a good reason-i've decided God is telling me that I need to slooow down, prioritize (my kids come first obviously), and take some time to enjoy life. In other words, juggle 2 or 3 balls for a while instead of 20.

So i decided i need to take some time to "reinflate" instead of jumping right into work and starting yesterday as i was scheduled to. So for now, i'm going to pull in my bowlines...sail back in to the safe harbor...and then temporarily let the wind out of my sails. I'm going to spend spring break with my kids-which i haven't done in 4 yrs-and tackle that ever growing to do list of things around the house and most importantly...just breath and enjoy life without an agenda. My start day for work is May 15. So thats my story (for today anyways...:)).

Finally, a special shout out to my precious Loghalina. Know that lots of love and prayers are coming your way from the ciccones. You're a super smart and terrific kid and don't ever forget it!!

When God speaks to us...

'One can never consent to creep when one feels the compulsion to soar'.
Helen Keller

I was searching for a quote to help me find meaning in something and came across this one. I proceeded to search for an image to accompany it and the above was the first I encountered. The painting is both beautiful and a wonderful representation of what Helen Keller's quote conveys. I soon found out that it meant so much more.
After clicking on the image i discovered the name of the painting is "God's Precious Child".
The image was linked to the artist's website. A woman by the name of Lynette Doga Fontenot. Click on the link below to read about this remarkable woman (and others as well) who learned how to overcome her disability enabling her to use her ability to soar. She was able to accomplish this through her faith in god.
I'm not sure what your message is god, but i have faith in you and am doing my best to listen...


http://www.lynettesart.com

One step closer ...

Whew...half of the real estate licensing process is behind me. I passssed!!! I've completed the course work and exam required to become an agent and am taking the Virginia state license exam thursday (4-06) a.m..

Here are Christopher and Erin congratulating me...

*scrunchie alert

no really-they are...

As for how Madeline felt...

our poor neurotic basketcase was unavailable for comment as she was all doped up on valium due to a massive storm system that was passing through (and no I don't mean my children). Don't you love the one eye open :).

A big thank you to all of you who were rooting for me!!! Please keep the wishes and prayers coming for thursday ...

Erin had her first softball practice today and loooved it!! We're so proud of her. I promise some sports pics of the kids are coming.

Cheers!

East meets West...

I took a break from "all things Real Estate" friday night to join everyone for "opening night" of Loghan's three day birthday celebration. Loghan chose a japanese restaraunt to begin the festivities. We all had a great time and the kids loved it!!


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Christopher and Shane try their chopsticks out-as you can see the (L.R.T.A.-lovingly reffered to as) human garbage disposal had no problem shoveling it in!!



The always festive and beautiful Erin and Loghan...



Christopher and Shane hamming it up as always...




and the daddys...


and...the mommies doing what they do best! What...i meant having fun-not drinking...



Uncle pete joined us and then went to a William & Mary/Hofstra
game with Chris and the boys. Unfortunately for Chris's good friend from high school who coaches Hofstra, W&M won.

Game off...kind of

With mere good intentions, hell is proverbially paved.
William James

This isn't the first time and most certainly won't be the last...i have fallen off the wagon. Actually make that the treadmill, elyptical, stairmill...you get the gist. And the diet, well-shot. This test is all consuming and i've let stress get the best of me. But tomorrow it will be all said and done and behind me i pray!! For now though my body feels...well...like this

I actually look more like this...

(Those of you who know me well enough to know my obssession with my bed can truly appreciate the accuracy of this cartoon)

And finally, mentally i feel like this...

Prayers are definitely in order here and greatly appreciated!!!!

Yikes!!!!

Pressures on! I'm scheduled to take my Real Estate exam Monday, April 3rd at 10:00a.m. (hence my abscence). I will be so happy to have it behind me but am nervous!!
Please keep me in you prayers. Until then it's all Real Estate, everything Real Estate, nothing but Real Estate until the exam. Except my sweet Loghalina's sixth birthday party that is!!
Cheers!!

Game On!!!

First day back at the gym after a hiatus and it felt great! Kristie-we kicked some tail today girlfriend!!I know we're on the right track. I'm so happy you and Loghy are back with us! Not a whole lot else to report here...
Hang in there Aunt Jenny. As you know, I have no concept of delayed gratification so I can't imagine what you are going through. I know you already know this, but remember, you have a neice and nephew who adore you and are available for you anytime. They can't get enough of you. I'm serious...whenever...no advance warning needed...as looong as you want them. You know we love ya and we're here for you always!!

O.k. it's official...i'm addicted

I'm proud to say I made it until 11:15 this a.m. before blogging. I also cleaned my room and (between last night and this morning) completed 3 hours of real estate!! I'll start back at the gym tomorrow and get back in to my routine. The big 20 year high school reunion is in September. It'll be a blast, but it's mind blowing to think that it's been 20 years!!! Some day i'll post a then and now picture.



Erin (aka Monkey) with her beloved monkey that Da gave her for christmas.

* Scrunchie Alert








Big shoutout and thank you from Erin and C.J. to Aunt Jen Jen for making their names for them (crafty girl!!) They look awesome by their doors!



My sweet little Madeline where she sleeps every night...on my head.
Back to real estate!
Cheers!

This makes me smile...

Old Pictures

This is fun. Or is it just a subconscience attempt on my part to get out of studying for my real estate exam....hmm. Has anyone figured out a way to get paid for doing this??? Anyways, thought i'd post these old picture before they were too dated. Here are Christopher and erin with their best friends Shane and Loghan Campbell. They all look pretty sweet and innocent (except that Loghan :)) right? They're not.


This is our annual Christmas Card photo that never got sent out. Had the cards and everything...

O.k. they are kinda sweet...and the best part is they really like each other and get along. What you see in the picture is genuine and it warms my heart!



We went skiing in february with our better halves the Campbells (John,Kristie,Shane, & Loghan) and Uncle Pete up to Seven Springs in Pennsylvania. The kids did great!! They both were in ski school and are pretty confident little skiers now. Mom on the other hand...

not so much. Yeah that's me (in my brand new, hot white ski suit) face first into the treeline. Whats difficult to tell from the picture is that it's actually about a three or four foot drop off. When Uncle Pete and Kristie saw me fly off the edge, they couldn't tell-from where they were-whether (BTW did you know that a "wether" is a castrated male sheep-i guarantee i'll remember how to spell that word from here on out!) I had dropped three ft or a hundred. I was pretty shaken up (check out that Susie Chapstick landing-sweet!). That didn't deter the two sociopaths though from taking advantage of my misfortunate situation by catching it on film (freaking camera phones!). Poor Pete pulled a muscle rescuing me (karma). Anyhow...i rallied -did i mention that was my first run-and it was all (here it comes...drumroll please...) downhill from there.

It snowed sunday night! This is our house under a blanket of snow...that lasted all of three hours.




These were taken last night. You can't tell, but Maddy is growling at Erin. Our poor little neurotic mess never has been able to accept the fact that she has to share her mom with two unsocialized little people who can't even be taught how to flush the toilet.
Erin has decided that her mission in life is too single handedly bring back the "scrunchie". Unfortunately, MeeMa has supplied her
with ample resources. I'm still undecided as to whether it bugs me enough to get my lazy tail out of bed so that i may perform an intervention while chris is getting her dressed. I think i'll just continue to monitor the situation and take action if I notice that other people are being sucked in.