http://thinktwice.com/
I am a stay-at-home mom that is full of life and lots of busy-ness around here. I grew up in a Christian home and so thankful to God for the parents that I have and how they raised me and my two brothers. I grew up going to church, being with family, going on family vacations and outings and especially ones that didn't cost much. We were just happy to be together and that's all we needed and wanted. We go to a Bible-Believing, Teaching church in Mullica Hill area and feel blessed to meet such wonderful friends that we can fellowship with.My parents were born and married in Italy and then came to America. My dad is a baker by trade and owned bakeries throughout my childhood all the way up to a couple years after I got married. (One bakery at a time of course). I was taught by my parents to work hard and to not be lazy. I liked being in the kitchen with my mom and watching her cook and learning all the traditional things with being Italian and dealing with food. My dad made wine, or we went to pick tomatoes to can for making tomato sauce, etc, etc. I loved working alongside my parents at the bakery to sell and make all the cookies, cakes and pastries. At times where I would wish I was at home because I was too tired to work after school, or wanted to be at a friends house or somwewhere else, I would then think of how blessed we were to have that opportunity to learn to work and all that was given to us. We didn't make much but my dad really enjoyed what he was doing and bring smiles to the customers. Now that my parents don't have the bakery I really miss it. I miss the times together and seeing my dad's creations. I miss my mom behind the counter using the cash register. I miss the times where I would be there all night during the Holidays to help dip dozens of cookies in chocoate and then sprinkles. I love it now when I have a cake to make for someone (I make cakes, pastries and cookies for people), and if I need my dad's help to complete it, it brings back the memories of the good ole days.Fast forward almost 14 years.... I met my husband Wayne at work in middle of April 1991 and by January we were "boyfriend/girlfried". :) We had a great courtship and it was nice that we got to see eachother at work each day. In March 1994 my parents flew to Italy to see my Nonno (my dad's dad) who was on his last days and we decided to go there too. My two brothers, sister-in-law and Wayne went to see him. Wayne didn't want to miss the opportunity to meet him and to see Italy and so he came along. I had no idea he had other plans (story coming). When we got to Italy and my husband met my Grandfather it was very special to me. Little did I know that my boyfriend would change to "fiance" two days after my Nonno passed away. It was a bittersweet moment that we spent time with Nonno and then he went to be with the Lord and then two days after that Wayne asked me to marry me on Nonno's vineyard which is a memorable place for me. We'll never forget that week in Italy. Ofcourse that same day earlier in the day he asked my parents for their blessing that he can marry me and they said "if you love Susan and love the Lord" you can marry her. :) I had no idea that this trip was going to be when I would be engaged. He really surprised me.I loved to do (and still do) all the domestic stuff around the house and my husband likes to help which makes me happy. We prayed about starting a family about after we were married four years already. Affter almost another 4 years of miscarriages and losses we had some sad times. We prayed that God would give us a baby that we desired so much. After taking a "break" from the doctors for a few months, we were enjoying the Summer season and also started going to a new church (one I was talking about above). We prayed daily and decided that if we didn't achieve a pregnancy that we would wait 6 months without doctor visits and then decide to do the IVF procedure to try to achieve a pregnancy. Well, God had other plans for us and we got pregnant with our first son. After he was 16 mos old we found out we were pregnant with our second son and so our boys are almost 2 yrs apart. Everyone asks if they are twins. We are on top of the world and so thankful to God that he gave children to us.To be continued ........
