Yannucciello Family

Accountable Kids

2011-07-12T15:55:00.009-04:00

I want to tell you about something that changed my life! Now I know that sounds very dramatic, but I am very excited about Accountable Kids which I started implementing in my home. We have been doing it for several weeks and the change in my children and home have been completely amazing.

When I bought Accountable Kids I thought that it sounded like a great system but after using it I am blow away by how something so simple could change my family. My kids are doing almost the same chores that they did before, but it has completely changed their attitude while doing it. It has eliminated me telling my kids over and over. I have been telling every mom I see about Accountable Kids, and how it changed my home. My kids absolutely love it and even use the system when we are not at home. They are quick to tell me that they owe me a ticket for watching tv. They can't wait to do their chores, I know that statement doesn't even seem right. They run to their board to see what they get to do next. I am so glad that I found this. I saw it a year ago and said I would make it myself. Yeah, like I have the time! Haha. So almost two months ago, I saw it at a conference again and bought it. Now I think how much better that year would have been if I had just bought it the first time. Please look at their website. If you think it would even help you a little with your family then I would encourage you to buy it and I don't say that about anything else. I just know that it has changed every day and made my life more enjoyable with my children. If I rated this it would definitely get a 5. :)

Check out their website! www. accountablekids.com

Here is how it works:

You pick out the chores that your children do on a normal day like getting dressed, making bed, brushing teeth. The kids each have a board with their name on it. You hang their chores on the first peg of their board. When they are done with the chore on top they flip it over on the second peg. They have a set of chores for morning, afternoon, and evening. After doing that set of chores they get a ticket, which hangs on another peg, so they get three tickets a day. They turn in tickets for things like tv time, computer, game night, playdates, etc., really whatever you choose to make as a list of things. It really teaches the kids that they are not entitled to things but they become a privilege that they earned. Love this part. You can also take tickets away for discipline. This really affects my children more than any other discipline method that I have used so far. They get really upset when they lose a ticket. Then there are other great things like good behavior cards and privilege pass to reward positive behavior and change negative ones. There are also ways for them to earn extra money which they turn in at the end of the week for money. My five year old has been doing at least two to three extra chores every week because she wants to. Even my three year old has become more responsible, and can do the system by herself. After doing 10 days of good behavior, and no cards taken away they get to do a date with mommy or daddy. My kids really look forward to that time together and it has helped our relationship with our children. This has changed my life.

I love, love, love this system!!!!!!

Missionary Picnic in DR

2011-05-02T08:48:00.002-04:00

Okay so it has been too long since I posted another blog. Since then, we have had another baby so life has been busy for me with three kids 5 and under. I will try to update some of the blog soon. I just wanted to write a short update about this weekend.

We spent the weekend with our incredible missionaries in Dominican Republic that are sharing Jesus every day with those around them. It was like seeing old friends that we have known the 7 years we have been with Agape Flights. God is doing some awesome things in Dominican Republic. Thank you for those who support Jeff and I so that we can help our missionaries accomplish all of their awesome work!

Yannucciello Update

2010-03-02T14:02:00.004-05:00

I am going to be open and honest today. I feel like writing my thoughts. Sorry it is a little long.

It has been seven weeks since the earthquake in Haiti. It has been a wild ride, probably the hardest two months I can remember. Things are still crazy and busy for Jeff and the Agape staff. In the last seven weeks, Agape has sent more than double what we sent the whole last year. So two years worth of work or more in seven weeks. Just hearing that you can imagine how busy that they have been. Jeff is still working twelve hour days and parts of the weekend. His phone is always ringing even at home.

It is so amazing how God works things out. Months before the earthquake everything was up in the air for us at Agape. If there wasn't some changes with Agape then we were praying about what God had for us next. God quickly worked out those changes and we felt God's peace about staying with Agape. Now looking back with this crisis now Jeff has been such an integral part of the relief effort. Out of all of the full time staff at Agape we have been there the longest. We have been with Agape for six years. Agape could not have done it all without Jeff. I am very proud of Jeff. I am thankful that God kept us here even for this season. What we went through last year was all worth it to help Haiti in their biggest time of need. I am so proud of what Agape has done and are continuing to do. The staff has all worked so very hard.

Please continue to pray for the staff at Agape Flights.
Pray for strength and encouragement as they work the long hours.
Pray for all of their families. I know that it has been really hard for us not having Jeff home.
Continue to pray for our missionaries as they are on the front lines.
Pray that Agape can find a new plane quickly (our plane had a landing accident which totaled it)

Our other biggest concern right now is that our support has gotten low. In a way, that is a praise report because we have been with Agape for six years and haven't had to raise more support until now. We need to raise our support but with the earthquake there is no way that Jeff could break away yet. If you are not supporting us right now please consider doing that. It would really help if we had people commit right now so that we can still concentrate on the relief efforts. Or if you are supporting us and would like to increase that support please let us know. When the relief effort slows down we are wanting to still go out to raise our support.

The other problem that we have right now with going out to raise support is that we do not have a vehicle that is safe to travel with. We really need a van this year. If you would like to help us with a newer van please contact us. If you know of someone that would even sell their van for less than the value of the van please let us know. We have been praying for a newer van for two years. We really need it this year with the traveling that we need to make. Please contact us if you would like to maybe even help us financially with our van. Thank you!

It has been amazing being with Agape for six years. We look forward to seeing all that God has in store for us and Agape.

Pray that we can get our support to where it needs to be
Pray for us to receive our van in the next three months

Thank you for praying for us during this time. We have only been able to walk through this with God's help. Thank you for those that have supported us for six years, you have no idea how much we appreciate it. Thank you!

Orphan update

2010-03-02T11:09:00.002-05:00

From another Agape staff member's blog, Lynn Anderson:

Since the earthquake, Agape Flights has been one busy place to work. The statistics are staggering. We have send over 130 flights to Haiti, delivered over 350,000 pounds of supplies, reunited 37 orphans to their "forever" families, and transported over 25 medical personnel. The details of how all these things were made possible is easy to tell.... God did it!!!

We also experience a very scary situation this month in our work at Agape. Twenty-four hours after we send 2 orphan escorts to Haiti to pick up 6 children and head home, we found them in serious danger. The adults were falsely accused of trying to steal the children and were detained by the Haitian police for 9 hours. The children were taken away from them later that night and sent to a tent camp for older orphans. They had no bottles, no wipes, diapers of only one size and no adult to watch over them. The adults were able to visit them during the day but could not stay with them through the night. Three days later, after several meetings between Haitian and US officials, the adults were able to regain custody of the children. The biggest fear hit when they returned to the tent where the children were last seen and they were gone. The officials of the tent orphanage moved the children to a new orphanage 2 hours away. Some reports state that the Haitian officials planned to move the children, separate them and lose them in the Social services system but the Lord intervened and destroyed that plan. Praise the Lord that the next day a plane became available to pick up the group and bring them to the US. All 6 children are now safe at home with their new families. It was very difficult to feel helpless when the situation was in the works, but what an absolute honor to watch the Lord take this desperate situation and turn it around?! Once again, He thwarted Satan's attempt to destroy families and cause chaos. God is good all the time.....all the time, God is good.

Updates from Agape

2010-01-26T16:27:00.001-05:00

King Air 90 - January 23

Agape Flights’ King Air 90 right landing gear collapsed upon landing in Jacmel , Haiti .
The two pilots are safe and have arrived to the U.S.
Information is limited at this time; the damage to the plane is being assessed, but it is clear Agape Flights’ King Air 90 will not be in service for a significant time.

YES, Agape Flights is still flying often and able to land in Port au Prince. Agape Flights' planes are being met by the missionaries we serve. The supplies are reaching the medical clinics, orphanages, schools, and churches through the 130 missionary families we regularly serve in PAP. Mike Labady, Agape's Emergency Field Director is on the ground in Port au Prince working to coordinate activities.

Thank you for praying with us for our missionaries and all of the people of Haiti.

Serving with you in Christ, The Agape Staff, The Board of Directors, and all of our volunteers.

Since the Haiti earthquake disaster Tuesday, January 12

Agape Flights has:

Made 54 flights
Delivered 120,000 pounds of emergency supplies
Transported 24 medical personnel to Haiti
Evacuated 8 orphans

Tuesday Update, January 26

Embraer 110 (Bandit)

AirNow, a freight transport company located in Bennington, VT has donated the use of one of their aircraft and pilot John Somero, to Agape Flights for a month! The plane arrived this afternoon loaded with supplies donated by people from Bennington. The plane will make its first Agape flight Wednesday morning. http://www.airnow.com/haitirelief.html

Monday Update, January 25

B-55 Baron

Plane left with critical supplies to Haiti this morning.
The return flight is expected to deliver orphans from the "Children of Promise" orphanage to their adoptive parents some time this evening in Sarasota.

King Air 200

Landed in PAP today with critical supplies for our missionaries.

2010-01-26T16:23:00.003-05:00

Here is an update from someone that I met trying to get down to Haiti to help in the relief efforts.

Note from the Field in PAP - Agape gets the job done!!

Hello everyone at Agape,

You guys at the best!

I don't know where to start to thank you for all you do, and to tell you what a huge impact your work is having on the people in Haiti. Jill and I ended up working at St. Damian's Hospital in Port Au Prince with the help of David Heady and the other wonderful people at the mission. Not only did you get us to Haiti you gave us this wonderful connection with wonderful people who transported us to the hospital in the morning, picked us up at night, brought us back to their compound, fed us, gave us a place to shower and sleep, and kept us safe. There were quite a few other people staying there from around the country including Orthopedic docs, Nurses and UN workers.

David and his group of people are getting things done with your help. They have people going out to more remote areas to help those who are not able to get to hospitals. They also set up a small clinic near their property, and word is getting out to people near by that it is available. It is small organizations like yours that seem to be very affective. The UN and US military and other countries military are present and I know they are helping, but their large vehicles like tanks and troop transport trucks are clogging up the few passable roads. Little pick ups like Davids can get through, plus they know the area and are much more efficient.

Plus David doesn't have to go through ten or twenty other people to make a decision thus slowing the process of getting people and supplies where they need to be.

I will write more and keep in contact.

In the mean time know you are helping so many. I saw supplies you sent. A - boxes were stacked in a hallway and again I felt like it was Christmas and started opening boxes looking for things were desperately needed.

Take care
We have huge respect and admiration for all of you.
I will send more photos of Jill and others. These is just had in a group to send to a company trying to get donations of disposable linens.
Kim Luce

Need

2010-01-20T16:33:00.001-05:00

The need in Haiti continues. Medical supplies, food, and hygiene supplies are despretely needed, and will continue to be needed for some time. Would you consider making a donation to Agape Flights to help purchase these items and to help with the costs of transporting these things to those who despretely need them? www.agapeflights.com.

Wednesday

2010-01-20T16:00:00.000-05:00

Haiti was awakened with another earthquake this morning at 6. The 6.1 quake toppled many structures that had been severely damaged a week ago. This one was centered about half way between Cayes and Port...closer to Cayes than last week's quake. It would have been felt at several sister churches. Pray that the earth would quit moving & shifting!

Monday

2010-01-19T11:43:00.002-05:00

long days for Jeff... dispatched 4 planes yesterday... still have 2 on the island at the moment... one more going today... all taking relief supplies and help to the missionaries in Port...however, it's so FRUSTRATING to do all this work and then have the supplies held in customs because the lack of one simple document!!! please keep praying for the situation down there... in ALL aspects.

I miss my husband. He worked all weekend. Then yesterday, he even pulled an all nighter so he didn't even sleep and worked through the night. I saw him for 30 minutes. He is working so hard to get all of the relief supplies to our missionaries. I am very proud of him, but miss him very much...

(taken from www.agapeflights.com)
Monday Update

It was a good day! Three flights departed from Agape’s hangar in Venice , FL.

Agape Flights’ King Air 90 left this morning carrying emergency supplies into Port-au-Prince and landed around 4 p.m. The plane will depart for the Dominican Republic where it will be loaded with supplies standing by at the airport in the DR. Water and critical supplies will be shuttled back to Port au Prince early Tuesday (1/19) morning.

In addition, a donated Aztec left our hangar at noon headed for the Dominican Republic .

We have two time slots to land planes in Port au Prince tomorrow. The King Air will land first followed by the Aztec loaded with donated supplies from the D.R. The current plan is to use the Aztec as a shuttle for the next week between Port au Prince and the DR.

And a third plane, a Diamond Jet with doctors and medical supplies left the hangar early this morning. The trip is flying under Agape Flights banner, but the supplies and one doctor on board were not supplied through Agape Flights . This plane will return to the Agape Flights hangar tomorrow.

Agape Flights also shipped a 20 foot sea container packed with emergency supplies. The cargo cleared US customs this afternoon and is scheduled to be in Port au Prince tomorrow (Tuesday, 1/19). Although the port is closed because of extensive damage, this ship has been cleared to enter. We were given free passage for all the supplies and the container! Praise God!!

2010-01 Agape Pics-Earthquake

2010-01-18T11:31:00.001-05:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Container

2010-01-17T22:53:00.003-05:00

This is a container being loaded at Agape Flights to send down to Haiti full of donated emergency supplies.

Planes, planes, and more planes

2010-01-17T22:53:00.001-05:00

Our plane made a load yesterday to Haiti, and was loaded tonight to leave again tomorrow. Jeff is also organizing several other planes to leave tomorrow with supplies. He and the Agape staff have worked hard all day from after church till now. Jeff isn't even home yet. I miss my husband, but I am so proud of all of the work that he has gotten done this week for Haiti.

Haiti Updates

2010-01-17T16:30:00.001-05:00

"WOW...How He has provided. I can't comprehend what is happening at Agape. Last week we did our normal weekly flight of approx. 2,500lbs. In 4 days we've sent out approx. 30,000lbs of supplies/food to our families in Port au Prince..It's one of those things "you have to see it to believe it". Please pray for our missionaries and pilots serving on the front lines; it's getting more dangerous as we speak." (From an Agape staff member)

We got our plane into Haiti again on Saturday night, and then are sending another load down tonight. We received a load of items last night. Jeff worked most of the day and night Saturday and is at Agape again today. Please pray for strength for the staff. They have been working long hours to get everything done. Continue to pray for our missionaries. I can't imagine what they are going through right now.

101 out of our 130 missionaries in Port au Prince are accounted for. Praise God.

Updates

2010-01-15T23:05:00.003-05:00

Due to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Agape Flights is currently coordinating relief efforts for the 130 missionary families we serve in Port Au Prince. Medical supplies and cash donations are needed to help facilitate these efforts. Please refer to the Agape Flights website www.agapeflights.com for a list of specific materials needed and also to donate funds to help cover the costs of these efforts.

Please keep praying for our missionaries. We have not heard from all of them to confirm that they are safe. We have received confirmation that 73 of our 130 missionary families in port au prince are okay...Praise God!

We tried to bring a plane with emergency supplies into Port au Prince on Thursday, but they would not let us land. But, we did get the plane in with supplies today Friday, and hope to do another load in the morning Saturday. We will be doing more loads next week.

Also please pray for the desperate Haitians which have become violent trying to obtain water and food. Mobs and riots are beginning to break out, and getting needed supplies into the hands and mouths of the people is becoming dangerous.

Please be praying for Jeff and the staff at Agape Flights. They have been so busy trying to help our missionaries. They have been putting in a lot of late hours. They need strength and guidance. They will be working this weekend as well trying to help coordinate the relief effort.

Thank you so much for you prayers and your support to us!

Long Week

2010-01-15T23:01:00.002-05:00

This has been a very long week. Since the 7.0 earthquake that demolished Port au Prince, Haiti, Jeff and the Agape Flights staff have been working non stop. Jeff has been coming home most of the nights around 9 and 10, and tonight it looks like 12 with working on the weekends. Even after coming home he has been on the phone until 11:30. This week, I have been so proud of my husband who works so hard, and is such an valuable asset to Agape. I have been sick all week so it has made it a little harder to have the kids the whole day. But when I think of everything that these missionaries are going through, my week has been nothing compared to theirs.

Our missionaries have been so heavy on my mind this week. I wish that I could do more to help them. But then today I took the kids to Agape Flights because they haven't seen Jeff since Tues. Seeing all of the effort that Agape is putting in to help our missionaries was amazing. Volunteers and staff were everywhere answering phones, organizing supplies, building pallets of items, loading a container full of supplies. It was an awesome sight. We are always a comfort to our missionaries on a daily basis, but when it really matters to be there for them we even work harder sacrificing our time to help them. We do whatever it takes to be the lifeline to these missionaries. I wish you could have seen what I saw today at Agape Flights. So many people working together to show the people of Haiti that they are not forgotten and that God loves them. The most awesome thing is that when all of the relief supply stops from everywhere else, we will still be there helping them. I guess today God showed me again how awesome that the job that He called Jeff and I to do is. It is an honor to serve our missionaries. It is a privilege to work this hard to help them. So please continue to pray for the staff that they will not become weary, because it will be a long process to build Haiti again. Pray for the safety of our missionaries as there is sure to be riots of people trying to get the supplies. Pray for the missionaries that we have not heard from yet saying they are safe. Pray, pray!

Earthquake in Haiti

2010-01-13T13:56:00.002-05:00

Okay so I guess that it has been a long time since I blogged (Sept). Yesterday, there was a 7.0 Earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti. Since then Jeff has been very busy trying to find out if the missionaries are okay, and what they need. They are hoping to do some emergency relief supply flights down to Haiti. If you would like to help, please go to www.agapeflights.com to see a list of supplies that are needed and to donate to pay for the flights. We know of one missionary that is stuck under his house. Please pray that they can get him out safely. Pray for the other missionaries that they are safe as well. It is going to take a lot of effort for the missionaries to help everyone. Please pray for them, they will need it in the weeks to come.

Sick this week

2009-09-20T19:47:00.002-04:00

I have been so sick this week. I found myself on the couch not able to move for two days. It is hard to take care of two kids when you are so sick. It took at least five days for me to feel better. I couldn't sleep either because I was coughing so much. I am so happy to finally be feeling better. I kept thinking if I only had family close to me that could take my kids for a little bit so I could take a nap. But of course that didn't happen because we live so far from our family. I remembered in TN the time that I was so sick and Linda (Jeff's mom) came over and made me some chicken soup, I was wanting some of her chicken soup this week. But I am feeling so much better now.

We went to Busch Gardens this weekend. I will post pics later. It amazes me how big Mariah is getting. She rides all of the big rides with Macayla, and loves them. She has the biggest smile when she is driving the car. We also discovered that she LOVES popcorn. Our container of popcorn did not last long with the two of them eating away. Oh, and they played in the water area and both girls had so much fun. Macayla was jumping into the waterfall area that she called her pool. Mariah was walking all over and sticking her face in the water. It was so much fun to watch them. They are getting so big. We enjoy our family days at Busch Gardens. I have such a wonderful little family.

Family Summer Fun

2009-08-09T02:36:00.011-04:00

Well we have had a busy summer filled with great family time. The first week of July, Jeff's sister and her family came and visited us in Florida. We spent a few days visiting with them. Then, Mike and Julie went on a cruise while we watched their two kids. It was definitely different having four kids all the time, but I will treasure that time so much because I feel like I really got to know my nephew and niece. Being so far away from them we do not get to see them very much, so it was great to spend individual time with just Austin and Autumn. We went swimming, to the fountains, did crafts, and more swimming. At night after the girls went to bed, Jeff, Austin, and I would play board games. I really enjoyed our special time together. When Mike and Julie returned we spent another couple of days with them. It was much too short. We would be hanging out all the time if we only lived closer. We treasure our time with Mike and Julie. It was a lot of fun.

We had more visitors a week and a half later. My parents and grandparents came to see us. Their trip was filled with beach, beach, and more beach. I think that was the most that I had been to the beach in a week's time. We went almost every night to see the sunset, beautiful sunsets. We finished a 1000 piece puzzle. We also did several craft/sewing projects. It was neat to see our wonderful creations. My grandparents stayed a week, and my parents stayed a few days later. It was a very relaxing time with my family. It was just what we need.

Since then we have been doing our normal summer activities. We either stay in the house because it is so hot outside or we go swimming in people's pools. I have started watching some kids during the week for a few hours. Macayla has enjoyed playing with her friends although it does change our routine a little bit.

Macayla still amazes me with her creative mind, coming up with all sorts of pretend things. She also tells you a sound effect for everything. She will say something like, " I went walking along, like boink, boink." Everything that she says she adds a sound effect at the end of her statement. It makes me laugh every time.

Mariah is walking, running all over the place. She wants to be like her big sister, so she is always trying to do things that her sister does. She is constantly saying more words. She now says Hi, Bye Bye, Mommy, Daddy, Sissy, Cayla, Up, Please, Sorry, Hola, and a few more. It amazes me how much she is growing, no longer a baby anymore.

As far as Jeff and I the last few months have been a little harder for us. Please be praying for Agape and for us that God will lead and direct us. We have been seeking Him, and found that the more that you seek Him, the more that you feel Him. I haven't felt His presence this strong in a long time, and pray that I will stay continually in His presence. Have you been seeking God? His love and peace can cover you if you seek Him.

No Computer

2009-06-07T20:11:00.002-04:00

We apologize that we have not had any recent posts on our blog. Our computer died about two months ago, but we should be getting our computer soon. All of our information is being transfered over. You don't realize how disconnected you feel from the world when you don't have a computer. There is a lot for us to write. Hopefully we can update you soon.

Dominican Republic Missions Trip

2009-03-10T21:22:00.002-04:00

Please be praying for me and the team of ladies from my church. We are going on a missions trip to Dominican Republic for a week. The trip is March 12-19. I leave in two days. I have never left my kids for more than 24 hours, so a whole week away is going to be a stretch for me. I am very excited about what we are going down to do, but just realizing how much I will miss them. Please pray for me. I want this trip to bring me closer to God, and to allow Him to change my heart. I look forward to writing about the things we did. Look for more posts coming soon.

Macayla's Little Mermaid Birthday

2009-01-30T12:35:00.004-05:00

Sunday, we had Macayla's 3rd Birthday Party. All of her friends came over. We had six 3 year olds walking around and 3 babies just taking it all in. It was crazy but fun. She had a little mermaid birthday because it seems to be her favorite. She even wore her little mermaid costume the whole day.

We have some great friends. They stayed the rest of the night and the adults played games. We had a lot of fun.

King Air Plane Dedication at Agape

2009-01-30T11:53:00.003-05:00

Agape had a cookout on Saturday to dedicate our new plane.

We had a huge turnout, probably 500 or more. The food was wonderful.

Macayla's friends and their parents came to Agape for the fun.

They had never seen Jeff's work before. It was great to share that with them.

It was great to see so many people there to celebrate with us.

The kids enjoyed coloring a paper with Agape's plane on it.

We had a lot of fun at Agape Flights.

Chickenpox Girl

2008-12-30T15:19:00.003-05:00

Please pray for us and our family. Mariah has what looks like chickenpox. We will know exactly when the test results come back. She has red dots all over her body. The worst spots are on her face and on her scalp. She looks terrible and miserable. Please pray that she will not get any in her mouth which is painful to eat. Also pray that she is able to sleep through the night (this has been the worst part so far). Last night she was so miserable that she could not sleep. Pray also that it will not spread to the rest of us. Poor thing. She is so tiny to be so spotty. She is still cute despite all of the spots.

A Busy Christmas Season for Jeff

2008-12-30T14:47:00.003-05:00

Christmas is always really busy at Agape Flights. For instance, the week before Christmas Agape did three flights down to Haiti and Dominican Republic just to try to get all of the Christmas items down to the missionaries. Jeff flew one of the flights down to Haiti. He also did a flight to Arkansas to pick up Agape's new plane. We had sent our ugly duckling plane to have a paint job and now it is a beauty. She looks amazing.

BEFORE

AFTER

This Christmas marked a year since Agape's plane crashed into the Bahama's water. It also was amazing that we went a year without our own plane and still was able to do the work and get all of the items needed for the missionaries. Thank God for our safety this year. Now with our new plane God has awesome plans for Agape Flights. Join us in our journey by praying for us and our family.

Family Pictures Sept

2008-11-26T23:37:00.005-05:00

We had family pictures while my parents were here (taken by Lisa Velez, an awesome photographer). Check out her website listed under my websites.

A day for princesses!

2008-11-26T22:40:00.015-05:00

We took an actual vacation two weeks ago to Orlando. We live so close and yet never take a vacation there until now. We stayed in a nice hotel with separate living room. Great for putting the kids to bed and not having to tiptoe around them. My friend works at Disney, so she gave us free tickets. How awesome is that!!! Thanks, Chelsea!! Wednesday, we did a half day of Magic Kingdom (Chelsea let us in before she had to go to work). It was so much fun. The day started with the Mickey parade with almost every Disney character in it. Macayla was waving and blowing kisses to all of the characters in the parade. Then, you should have seen how excited Macayla was to see the huge castle and to meet her favorite princesses. She was jumping off the walls with excitement.

It was awesome to meet the princesses, Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, and Ariel. Ariel is her favorite princess. They each sat and just talked to Macayla and Mariah. Macayla hugged each one.

She also met Mickey and Minnie. She ran to Minnie to give her a hug. She loved walking through Minnie's house with her table and tea set.

When night fell, the castle was lit up in Macayla's favorite colors pink and purple. We enjoyed our day so much.

The next day we spent the day swimming, eating out, and shopping at IKEA (our first time there).

On Friday, we did another day at Disney. Epcot for half of the day and then to Animal Kingdom for part of the day. Some of the rides were really cool.

The next day, we had thought about doing Universal but decided it was too much for all of us. So we relaxed, swam, packed up, and headed home. We stopped at Busch Gardens for a few hours (we have season passes). We arrived home exhausted, but so excited that we had an actual vacation. Our first vacation with two children. The girls did really well. We were so thankful that we were able to do it!

Rollercoaster Fun

2008-10-15T14:03:00.004-04:00

While my parents were here we went to Busch Gardens. Jeff took our camera on the rollercoaster Sheikra and videoed it. It turned out awesome. Press play to see....

Surprise Birthday Party for Jeff!

2008-09-24T23:00:00.013-04:00

I planned a surprise birthday party for Jeff on Friday. A lot of people came to celebrate with Jeff. It was great to see so many people there. Jeff got a little suspicious towards the end, but he still was thrilled to have a surprise party thrown for him. We had a lot of fun. My parents were here for the party too. Press play on the video to see Jeff walk into the room.

Hurricane Relief Flight

2008-09-24T22:05:00.005-04:00

Monday I flew a non-Agape flight to assist a pilot that had never been to Haiti before. We flew a hurricane relief flight. The plane had a full load of medicines and food for victims in LesCayes, Haiti. Bill Earl's, owner of N643WM (plane number), donated his time and airplane for this flight.

I was able to assist Bill because of my experience with Agape Flights. Plus it was a priviledge to be a part of such an important mission.

Happy 33rd Birthday!

2008-09-17T21:02:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Jeff! We had one of his favorite meals of chicken cutlets, but we may save the cake for tomorrow. We will celebrate mostly when my parents come tomorrow. Well, gotta run, I need to put my hyper 2 year old to bed. She is bouncing off the walls tonight, at least she is happy.

Fountains

2008-09-16T18:01:00.003-04:00

Today we went with our friends to the fountains here in Venice. There is always kids playing in the water. Today, Macayla really enjoyed it. She ran through all of the water fountains, even the big one in the center. Mariah slept through the whole thing. Then her friends came over to play. She loves seeing her friends.

My Girls

2008-09-15T16:05:00.003-04:00

"Summer ice cream cones are great! Nana taught me how to eat them!"-Macayla

"I would rather suck my thumb then have my paci" - Mariah

"I love to smile when you talk to me" - Mariah

Agape Interview

2008-09-15T12:12:00.003-04:00

Here is yet another interview about Agape and how the hurricanes have affected us. Click here for the interview.

Happy Birthday!!

2008-09-15T11:49:00.003-04:00

Jeff's Birthday is this Wednesday! Send an email or comment on this blog to tell him Happy Birthday! My parents are coming on Thursday and will be here for a week. I can't wait. Macayla is really excited too. When we went to church yesterday, she said "Nonnie and Pappy come to church today", we said not today. She says, " Nonnie and Pappy coming soon. They stay at my home." She has been talking about them every day. We are all excited.

We went canoeing on Saturday. It was awesome. I will post about it later when I have the pics.

Hurricane Damage in Haiti

2008-09-10T11:45:00.003-04:00

Go to this website and read the article about Agape Flights.

Also click watch the story and you will see a video where they interviewed Jeff.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/9/9/380821.html?title=Missionary+group+aids+Haiti+in+wake+of+deadly+storms

There has been several hurricanes that have affected Haiti and Dominican Republic. It has hit them with lots of rain and flooding. In Haiti as it rains down the mountain it creates mud slides which can wipe out entire cities in moments. Please pray for the people of Haiti and Dominican Republic and for our missionaries who are doing their best to help them.

These pictures were taken by a missionary in Haiti.

Jeff's flying

2008-09-09T17:16:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to let people know that Jeff is flying tomorrow. He will return on Thursday evening. Pray for a safe flight. Pray for the missionaries as there is a lot of flooding with all of the hurricanes. I will post some pics later.

Pretty blue eyes.....We hope they stay that way!!!

Summer Fun

2008-09-07T20:18:00.002-04:00

My Little Mermaid

2008-09-07T20:01:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago, I was showing my girl friends the Little Mermaid outfit that I bought for this Halloween on sale at the end of the season last year. Macayla yesterday asked to wear it. I said sure. Little did I know that she would want to wear it all day long. She would take it off periodically, but after a few minutes she would ask to put it on again. The entire day she was dressed like Ariel one of her favorite princesses. I guess you could say that she is definitely all girl.

We also spent some time painting. Macayla with finger paints and Jeff and I on our mural. I will post it when we are finished.

Cute Kids

2008-09-04T17:06:00.004-04:00

First Time

2008-09-04T16:23:00.004-04:00

Well this is new for me this blogging thing. But I will give it a try. I have been wanting to sit down for almost a week now and try to blog, but I guess that shows me what life is like right now. Having an infant in the house is a lot of work. You would think that they sleep a lot but at the end of the day most days I feel like nothing was accomplished except feeding kids, burping a baby, changing diapers, putting kids in naps, and maybe spend some time actually playing with them. Boy that was a long sentence.

As we speak Mariah is fussing and wanting my attention. She rolled over again and can't figure out how she got there.

Although life seems hectic, I am still enjoying being able to watch all of these stages first hand. I even thought today that Macayla and Mariah won't remember all of this time that we spent together, but I on the other hand will remember every moment (our so I hope). I try to stop and enjoy the little things, like Macayla singing the "run away" song (Where is thumbkin). She was singing almost every line to the song, and in that moment I tried to cement this memory into my brain so I wouldn't forget. I hope that I can remember all of the wonderful things about my children. Macayla has such an imagination, I love watching her...