The Testa Family Times

Summer fun is ending quickly!!!

2009-08-03T10:07:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast summer is coming to an end. It seems like yesterday the kids were getting out of school. We have had such a fun summer. It started with our week in Hilton Head, to swimming,bike riding, Mimi coming to visit, going to Mobile,Pensacola,and having fun with friends. We have had a great summer with our friends at the beach,bowling, and Chuck E Cheese to name a few. I am so blessed to be able to be home with Lexy and Nathan in the summer and spend the days with them. They are such great kids. Well I am going to post some pictures from our many adventures this summer. I only hope that your summer has been as fun-filled as ours.

Hilton Head 2009

2009-06-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

Change of Command Dinner!!!

2009-06-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! It's been a long time!!!

2009-06-18T15:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been too long since I have written on here, but we have just been so busy. Excuses, excuses, right. Well, the kids finished out their first and second grade school year with a bang. T,hey both made honor roll, perfect attendance, made their reading goal and good citizenship award. They also both enjoyed their sports during the school year. Lexy did tumbling and gymnastics; and Nathan finished up his last year of T ball with his good friend Zachary and will go up to coach pitch next year. Although he did tell me he wanted to do flag football, I am trying to avoid that sport. I am not much for the contact sports, at least not for my baby:). Dan is now working full force at HSL 48 and is very glad to be flying again , and we have surprisingly enjoyed being back in the squadron life. We have a great group of people in our squadron and always have fun at the events. I also finished up another school year and took the summer off to have a little break and so I could have surgery this week(actually yesterday). I have had an ongoing battle since November with pelvic/abdominal pain. I was dismissed by several military docs until I went back to my old civilian doc and was finally able to get somewhat of a diagnosis, which was endometriosis and ovarian cysts. I needed laproscopic surgery however to get a definite diagnosis and to remove the "issues". I went in yesterday for surgery only to find out it wasn't what they thought after all, it is pelvic congestion syndrome. Nothing was done for it yesterday so I am probably looking at another surgery and still in pain. The good news however, is that it is not endometriosis ,which I know is a lifelong battle for many women and that I know definitely what is wrong. So now I can proceed with a solution. Other than all that we just returned from the annual trip to Hilton Head with Dans' family last week and we had a great time. We were only missing Dans' sister and her family. We spent our days at the beach, the pool, riding bikes and eating at great restaurants. So we have the rest of the summer to enjoy having no schedule and I am so looking forward to that. I look forward to waking up, going swimming with the kids, the beach, and just spending time with them that I don't get during the school year. Oh how I miss having them at home with me during the school year. I always feel like a part of me is missing when they are not around. My Mom will come in the first week of July and we will have a great fourth of July here in Jax and then head to Mobile for a week or so to see my Dad and sisters as well. I don't get to see them as much as I would like, so I look forward to our visits. I will post some photos on here of the school year and our vacation since all I can do is lay in bed right now, which is driving me crazy. I hope that you all are having a great summer!!! With love...Angie

A little late, but I found this article on another blog, and was very touched by it...

2009-02-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we are so overwhelmed at being treated better than we deserve that we must exult in the all-sovereign God—the God of birds' flight and Obama’s rise. When King David pondered how many were God’s “wondrous deeds,” he said, “I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told” (Psalm 40:5). That’s the way I feel watching God’s public mercies in the last few days.
Have you considered how unlikely was the crash of USAir flight 1549 in the Hudson River on January 15—not just the rescue but the crash itself? Picture this: The Airbus A320 is taking off at an angle—maybe 30 degrees. It’s not flying horizontal with the earth. Not only that, it is flying fast—not full speed yet, but perhaps four times as fast as your car would go at top highway speeds.
The geese are flying horizontally with the ground, more or less. They are not flying in a cloud like a swarm of bees. They fly level with the ground, often shaped like a V. In view of all that, what are the odds that, traveling at this speed and at this angle, this airplane would intersect with the flight of those geese at that very millisecond which would put a bird not just in one of those engines, but both of them?
Two laser-guided missiles would not have been as amazingly effective as were those geese. It is incredible, statistically speaking. If God governs nature down to the fall (and the flight) of every bird, as Jesus says (Matthew 10:29), then the crash of flight 1549 was designed by God.
Which leads to the landing in the Hudson River—which is just as unlikely. The airbus now has no thrust in either engine. The flight attendants said it was as quiet as a library in the plane without the sound of engines. The plane is now a 77-ton glider with its belly full of fuel. Captain Sullenberger decides to land in the river. Anywhere else would mean one big fireball.
He banks and misses the George Washington Bridge by 900 feet and glides the plane into a perfect belly landing. A few degrees tilt to the front or back or the right or left and the plane would have done cartwheels down the river and broken up. On the water, the flight attendant does not let passengers open the rear door. That would have flooded the cabin too fast. The emergency doors and front doors provide exits for everyone and the plane floats long enough for all of them to climb out. Ferry boats are there almost instantly. The captain walks the aisle twice to make sure everyone is off. Then he leaves. Later the plane sinks.
If God guides geese so precisely, he also guides the captain’s hands. God knew that when he took the plane down, he would also give a spectacular deliverance. So why would he do that? If he means for all to live, why not just skip the crash?
Because he meant to give our nation a parable of his power and mercy the week before a new President takes office. God can take down a plane any time he pleases—and if he does, he wrongs no one. Apart from Christ, none of us deserves anything from God but judgment. We have belittled him so consistently that he would be perfectly just to take any of us any time in any way he chooses.
But God is longsuffering. He is slow to anger. He withholds wrath every day. This is what we saw in the parable. The crash of Flight 1549 illustrates God’s right and power to judge. The landing of the plane represents God’s mercy. It was God’s call to all the passengers and all their families and all who heard the story to repent and turn to God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and receive forgiveness for sin.
I am writing these thoughts on the evening after the inauguration of Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States. I cried twice today. There were two points when I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all. Once was when I prayed with some brothers after Obama’s speech and was overcome with the sinfulness of my own racist background. The other was in trying to express my emotion to an African-American brother about what this must mean for him.
As much as I reject Obama’s stance on abortion, I am thankful to the bottom of my soul that an African-American can be President of United States. The enormity of it all is unspeakable. This is God’s doing. The geese were God’s doing. The landing of Flight 1549 was God’s doing. And the Obama presidency is God’s doing. “He removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21).
And I pray that President Obama has eyes to see. The “miracle on the Hudson” and the “miracle in the White House” are not unrelated. God has been merciful to us as a nation. Our racial sins deserved judgment a thousand times over. God does not owe America anything. We owe him everything. And instead of destruction, he has given us another soft landing. We are not dead at the bottom of the Hudson.
O that Barack Obama would see the mercies of God and look to the One whose blood bought everlasting life for all who trust him. The parables of God’s mercy are everywhere. The point of them is this: God is a just and patient Ruler, and Jesus Christ is a great Savior. Turn. Turn. Turn, O President of the United States and passengers of this planet.
Full of thanks for all God’s mercies,Pastor John

My Baby!!

2009-02-04T18:35:00.001-08:00

Today my baby turned 7 years old!! Wow...I can't believe it has been 7 years since we welcomed Nathaniel William into our lives. Boy, did we(or should I say I) not have any idea what we were in for. As most of you know, I am from a family where I am one of 3 girls, so having a little boy was a whole new world for me. Little did I know how much fun it was going to be. I have been reintroduced to Indiana Jones, found a new love for Star Wars, video games, and all things boy. It is so amazing to see the world through a little boys eyes, especially my sons. Nathan is such a unique little boy. He loves his Mommy,Daddy, and sister very much, but most of the time takes Moms side(much to Dad chagrin), he cannot tell a lie, as soon as he does he blurts out the truth as if he was being tortured:) He is so sensitive to other peoples feeling, and his own as well. He doesn't like to be the center of attention unless he has called it upon himself. He hates it when I tell a story about him to others, he gets very embarrassed. He loves school, especially Math, and takes it very seriously, especially during contests. He loves to play Indiana Jones and Star Wars with his friends. He loves to read, and frets when we have not updated his school book log. Every day that I pick him up from school he says "How was your day Mom", which warms my heart every time. He uses big words that he hears in his sentences, some that I am not sure if even knows what they mean, but I love to hear him say them non the less. He has a laugh that makes me laugh just by hearing it. He is all boy, and I wouldn't want it any other way. He is my little man, my Bub, Nate, Nathan, and Nathaniel William when he is in trouble:) He may answer to many names, (even though he doesn't like to hear Bub and little man at times because they are babyish), but he is truly and uniquely his own person. I love you my little man, and I can't wait to see what the next 7 years have in store for us.

Girlfriends!!!

2009-01-16T19:44:00.000-08:00

I know like many busy Moms we forget the power of spending time with your girlfriends..Well I have had that pleasure in a double dose this week...I got to spend Tuesday evening with some girls going to see the movie Bride Wars...and today since the kids were out of school, a few of us met with kids in tow at Chick-Fil-A...8 kids and 2 1/2 hours later we were heading home...So this is a big I love you to all my friends...past and present...Thanks for giving me the chance to be a part of your lives, and bringing joy to mine...(oh and sorry to the lady in Chick Fil A that could no longer handle our kids screaming while playing "monster" and went in to hush them) Sometimes when you are having a great chat with friends you tend to tune those things out:)..And Yes...My Mom is going to kill me for posting a pic of her...but I can't leave her out...the person I talk to pretty much every day, who I know no matter what loves me in spite of my faults... and with whom I share..well most everything with...

P.S Elena I didn't forget you,,,I just don't have any pics of us yet...I will have my camera next GNO

Disney,Universal,Sea World Christmas 2008!!

2009-01-12T13:13:00.000-08:00

As you know we have passes for Disney World, and the kids thought that we were just going to Disney for the night and going home the next day. Well, we surprised them with a trip to Universal, Islands of Adventures and then Sea World (they have military day where active duty military and their families can get one day free in Sea World...NICE).We had so much fun, and it was nice to take a break from reality for a little while, and not worry about the mundane concerns of every day life. Our favorite ride in Universal was the Mummy ride. There is a picture above of one the creepy guys on stilts taking Nathans hat. They would walk slowly behind you and you would have no idea why everyone was looking at you, then you turn around and get quite a shock. After our 4 day trip we headed back home, but not quite back to reality since Christmas was 2 days away. That will be my next post!!!

Holiday Season 2008!!!!

2009-01-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

Heather Mullins, Me, and Krissy Ort
Matt getting attacked as usual!!!

Dan joins in the fun!!!
Carlee and Lexy playing dress up!!!
All the kiddos!!!
Tammy Ward, Me(not my fave photo of myself) and Tara Barr
Dan, Matt Barr, and Ken Ward

Mom and Lexy
Our Little Man
Sibling Love

Angie and Holly Before the Squadron Holiday Party
What cute couple!! Holly and Chris!!!

Trimming The tree
Thanksgiving Dinner at our house with Mimi and The Orts
Matt excited he didn't blow up the turkey!!!!!
We have been blessed with great friends and we got to spend time with them over the holidays. the Orts came over for Thanksgiving dinner when my Mom was in town, and we had our first squadron party to go to, and we went with the Carters.We went to Matt and Tara Barr's house for Festivus 2008 with them and the Wards before the Wards headed to Japan for the next 3 years, and had a great time catching up and reminiscing. (The Orts watched the kids for us and they made gingerbread houses) We had the Orts and the Mullins over for Christmas day dinner, and the kids had so much fun playing together. We are so thankful for all our friends and do not look forward to the Orts moving to Hawaii, but we know that is the best for their family, and we do look forward to visiting them.

Disney 2008!!!

2009-01-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

Animal Kingdom with the Mullins!!

Our Lil Princess!!!! Dressed up to meet the princesses!!

Epcot!!!
Since we have been back in Jacksonville we got the annual passes for Disney yet again!!! We went 2 weekends in a row with our friends the Mullins and also got to go with our friends the Wards as well (I cant find our photos for that trip, I think they are on another media card) We also have gone a few times on our own. Right before christmas we surprised the kids with a trip to the Disneys very Merry Christmas Party and 2 days in Universal and Islands of Adventures, and then we were able to use the Military appreciation day in Sea World. We are so blessed to be able to enjoy these thinsg with our children. We have so much fun seeing the joy they get from all these experiences.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

2009-01-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone. We have so much to be thankful for this year.
Great friends
Great family
Our health
Our home
A great school for our children
My ability to finish my education and be there for my children everyday
Dans' job
Being back in Jacksonville
And we have settled in a new church here in Jax as well, and we all love it
There are so many more things I can list for us to be thankful for in 2009, and I am only convinced with Gods blessing there will be more throughout the year.
I hope that 2009 brings many more blessing to all of your in 2009.
So for 2009 we sat down as a family and wrote down our New Year Resolutions, and here are just a few from our lists. The main areas with our family this year are health, family,faith, friends,saving energy and money.
Lexys List:
1.Always turn off the water when brushing you teeth
2.Always say please and thank you
3.Never talk to strangers
4.Never put your feet on tables and desks
5.Always be nice to brother
6.Help more around the house
7. Never punch or kick your mom or Dad :) (just so you all know she has never done either I guess she was just making sure)
8. Save your allowance
9. Never smoke :) (They always have questions when they see people smoke so we have made sure to educate them on why smoking is so bad, i guess it is working)
10.Always be nice

Nathan:
1. Always be a good sport
2.Don't ever be a tattle tale
3.Never be rude at dinner
4.Read more books
5.Never pet a dog you don't know
6.Always turn lights off when leaving a room
7.Save your allowance
8.Never smack at dinner (a big pet peeve of Moms)
9.Always wear your helmet when riding your bike
10.Never make fun of your sister

Angie
1. Be better at keeping up blog
2.Try to keep organized
3.Workout 5 times a week (either in play with kids or an actual workout)
4. Talk to sisters more
5. Save money (use coupons,arrange all errands in one day to save gas, buy it if I need it, save money for splurges:)
6.Have date nights with husband
7.Finally take PT Test (get over my fears of failing)
8. Dont feel guilty over things I do not get done
9. Pray more
10. Dont stress over things I cannot change (Go with the flow)

Dan
1.Bike or run 15 miles a week
2.Save money (we made a list of 20 ways to save money in 2009)
3.Work on golf game
4.Spend more quality time with family
5.Keep garage organized
6.Tile kitchen floor
7.Visit with extended family more

Who knows if we can fulfill all of our resolutions, but we will try and we hope you get what you want for yourself and your families in 2009 as well.
I am going to post some pics that are from teh past few months since we have been back in Jax. I hope you enjoy.

Vote!!!!

2008-11-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to all that we hope you all have voted!!!! Here are a few pics of our Lil Republican!!! He picked this out at the school Library. :) ( To all that remember the show Family Ties he is our little Alex P. Keaton)

Out of order!!!

2008-11-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

Well, I wanted to update my blog in order of the past few months for the time I finally get my blog put in a book, but I just have a tugging on my heart that I need to write about. For some reason these past weeks I have had an aching in my heart, not for myself but for my children. I love our life, do not get me wrong. we have got to experience so many things as a family that I feel so blessed for, due to our crazy Military life, but we also miss out on alot of experiences that I hate. I hate the fact that my kids don't get to have their grandparents pick them up from school, that they don't have their grandparents, aunts, etc cheering them on in their school play, or sporting events. I hate the fact they can't just spend endless time with their cousins playing whatever their hearts desires. I hate that when we do spend time with family it is always so rushed because we know our time is limited. I am so glad that my kids don't realize yet what they are missing, and I dread the day they do. More than ever these past months,weeks, days I have longed for family to be near, and then I realize we do have family near. We have great friends that are our family, but soon we will be away from them as well, and all we have are memories till next time. A feeling of anxiousness comes over me when I realize what our kids have is US(Dan and I) on a constant basis, we are their family. We will be the ones at all the sporting events, plays, fights with friends,disappointments,achievements and I can only pray we will be enough to support them through it all, and then it occurs to me there will so many times it will only be ME. I will be their support everyday, and that scares me to death. I pray and pray for God to give me the guidance,the strength and support to be strong enough for them and myself while Dan is away. So I go to open my Bible for some soothing words of God, and what other passage do I open to but 1 Chronicle 28:20: " Be strong and of good courage, and do it:do not fear or be discouraged, for the Lord God-my God-will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all of the work for the service of the house of the Lord" Those are some pretty powerful words, and I know that I can do it, and I have been doing it because I have God right there with me every step of the way, and that is what I will tell my children, that whatever they dream, desire, they can do it because I will be there, their family will be there, no matter how far away, and most of all God will be there for them every step of the way. So to my point in all this rambling is I miss all of you friends and family near and far, and I treasure the moments our family gets with you, and one day Lexy and Nathan will realize how precious those moments are as well. Love to all.
Angie

Our Summer in Indiana!!!

2008-10-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

We spent 3-4 weeks in Indiana this summer with Dan's family. We all had so much fun, the kids especially had a great time with their cousins. We went to an Indianapolis Indians game, went to a water park, had fun at Uncle Johns having a hay ride, petting his horses, swimming in his pool and hot tub, an just enjoying the company. We also had fun at Nana's and Poppy's sliding on the slip and slide, and lots of other activities. I miss the daily workouts I had with Lisa, as I am sure she does as well. We also had a few nights where we had some nice walks with Dan's Dad.Dan also got to catch up with his high school friends, which through the years have become my friends and just part of our family as well.Our summer cook out/get together has become a bit of a tradition the past few years, I hope we can continue that. When I look back at these photos, it makes me wish we were closer to family. In the same sense though, I know that because we don't get to see them everyday we cherish the times we do have with them more, we definitely don't take it for granted. We had a great time this summer!!!!

Niagara!!!!

2008-10-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

We headed to Niagara falls on our way to Indiana this summer. It was so beautiful there. We happened to be there on Canada's Independence Day so there were some nice fireworks each night we were there. We went and did the Maid of the Mist, and it was so surreal to see the rainbows in the mist. We also did Journey behind the Falls, which we weren't that impressed with. We went to the rapids and were in awe of. It was amazing to see how much strength there was in the water there. From there, we headed to the butterfly conservatory, Nathan and Dan had butterflies land on them, but Lexy and I were left out on that one. The one on Nathans head sat there for a good 5 minutes, he was so tickled. We just had a great time walking around there and enjoying the beautiful scenery in Niagara. One night we went and played glow in the dark putt putt, went to the Ripley's Museum, and Madame Tussuad's. We just had so much fun. It is so great that we can enjoy these things with the kids as they get older. I just hope when they're teenagers they will still want to come along:)

Our last day in Rhode Island!!!

2008-10-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

Dans Graduation from the War College!!

2008-10-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of Dans graduation for the War College in Rhode Island. It was a great experience, and we were glad that his Mom was able to come in town to see her son get his Masters:)

Family Visitors to Rhode Island!!!

2008-10-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

Friends!!

2008-10-16T17:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of some friends we were sad to say goodbye to in Rhode Island!!!

Finally!! A New post!!!!

2008-10-16T17:06:00.000-07:00

Wow..So much has happened in the past few months. It has just ben a whirlwind. Since the last post of Lexys school play in June here is a summary of all we have done. Well, we packed up our house in Rhode Island, and Dan took some of our stuff to Florida, and the rest was in storage, until Dan was able to go back and finish loading it all from stoarge and move us completely back to Florida.(Long story) By the end of June, we had said goodbye to friends, and took to the road for our Summer vacation before we went to Florida. Our first stop was Niagara Falls, where we spent a few days, and were amazed by the scenery there. Next, we headed to Indiana to stay with Dan's family for a few weeks. We went to a baseball game, the library, an outdoor symphony (atleast the band geeks did:), had a few cookouts, Dan caught up with old friends, and just spent some much needed time with family. We were happy to be able to spend time with Janes'(Dans' mom) sister Ellen, her husband Bill , and their granddaughter Kendall, who is Lexy and Makaylas age. We had an amazing time. Our final stop before heading to Florida was Kentucky for Dans family reunion. We got to see his Great Aunt Mimi, and many aunts, uncles, and some we were unsure of(or atleast I was). It was a fun event, and rom there we said goodbye to Dan's family, and headed home. It was so bittersweet, we enjoyed his family so much, and we were sad to go, but so happy to be headed back to our home in Jacksonville. So, since we have been back, we have unpacked, the kids have started first and second grade, they have been doing soccer, Lexy is in gymnastics, and I am just trying to catch my breath most of the time. Which. is why I have failed to update the blog in quite a few months. I am still in school, and Dan is training at HSL 40, and then will head to HSL 48 to be an OIC( Officer in Charge) of a DET(detachment). He has his first flight in a few years coming up this Monday, and I know he is very anxious. I know he has missed flying, but I sure don't miss the sleepless nights waiting for his phonecall that he has landed. That is part of the territory though:) We have also got to catch up with many missed friends and family since we have been back. This has included: a last minute trip to Mobile to see my Mom, Dad, and sisters, numerous trips to Disney, some with the Wards and the Mullins. Its feels like we never left. Except I clearly remmeber that cold winter in Rhode Island, and am so glad to be back in the heat. I'll take 100 degress any day to 30 degrees. So in the next week or so, I am going to slowly update our photos, so you can see all we have been up to. I hope you all are doing well, and that I haven't lost many readers due to my lack of posts. :) I promise to be better.

Lexy School Play

2008-06-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

White Mountains

2008-06-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone..Again, it has been way too long since I posted..Here are a few pics from our trip to the White Mountains in New Hampshire last weekend..We had so much fun...I will also try and update teh blog her in teh next few days from teh last few months..I want to keep it all in order so you will hav eto go back from this post. I hope you are all enjoying your summer..It is 63 in RI today. Not very summery(is that a

word,not sure).Anyway, I look forward to the warm weather here soon...

Been a while!!!

2008-05-05T22:40:00.001-07:00

Hello all!!! It is been some time since I have posted. Things have been busy the past 4 weeks. Dans' parents came in for a week and we had a great time. We made it to New York,the Bellevue Mansions, and just enjoyed their company. Dan and I have been keeping extra busy with school. He has had plenty of papers due, and I have been studying for my finals, so that means we have had a lot of late nights. I am finally finshed with my Spring Semester ( I am so glad I am done with my A&P book), and will start back up for Summer right around the time Dan graduates,and we start the move yet again.We will be spending July in Indy, and then will head back to Jax for teh kids to start school in August. That is, unless the Navy changes those plans for us. Dan will graduate June 16th, and I know he is ready. We have enjoyed his hours here (not the weather so much),and have really enjoyed our new and old friends. It will be very hard to leave our friends. The kids are doing great they are doing coach pitch for Spring, and are enjoying Dad being a coach again. He tried not to do it, he was going to take it easy, but they just pulled him in:) They are also ready for school to be out, but I know it will be a tough move for them. They have made some great friends that I know we will keep in touch with. I had planned to update the blog with photos last week, until the worst happened. OUR COMPUTER CRASHED!!! I lost all my pics from October on, I was devasted. That was the last time we had backed them up. Thankfully, we had a great guy that came out, and today he called and was able to get most of our pics back. I was so happy. I was able to get back both kids birthdays, which meant the most. I also got a job where I will be writing articles for an independent magazine, I am excited and nervous about that. I will give more info on that later. We hope you all are enjoying your Spring, and that your weather has been better than ours. I have a 6 week break here so I will be updating the blog with photos here soon.

Family Bowling!!!

2008-04-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

So we went bowling this weekend since it is still too freakin cold to do anything outside.(Do I sound bitter) Anyway, here are some shots. Sorry I only got everyones behind, my behind was the only one not in the final photos. We had a good time, I only wish I had the bumpers like the kids did, it would have even been better.I only posted the score from our second game, I am too emberassed from the first one. It is sad when both your kids beat you, even if they do have the bumpers. I am sure I will have tons more photos to come. Dans parents are coming in this week for Dans Spring break, and we are making a trip to New York along with several other things around RI we will be doing.

Another Beautiful Spring Day in Rhode Island!!

2008-04-04T10:05:00.000-07:00

We just thought we would share some photos of the beautiful weather here in RI. We know you all are jealous!!!! Nothing like RI when Spring buds start to bloom, and the weather is above 39 degrees:)

New Videos

2008-03-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

New Videos posted at bottom! Enjoy!

Nathan post!!!

2008-03-27T18:35:00.000-07:00

Nathan had his first big school event since entering Kindergarten. He had a play today called Stone Soup. It was very well put together, and all the kids did great. Nathan did so good, we were right in the front row cheering him on and taking pictures like crazy.(Yes we are those parents)Here are a few photos. I was playing with photoshop on some of them, just having fun. Enjoy!!!

Our Easter!!

2008-03-23T20:31:00.001-07:00

Here are a few family photos from today. We had a very low key Easter. We were supposed to go out to brunch with "the RI group" as I will call it, but Lexy came down with the dreaded fifth disease. It is basically a rash with some cold like symptoms, but Nathan has not had which means he could be in the contagious stage still. So we stayed away, so we would not pass it on. This was the first year I sat with the kids and read them the story from their new Bibles the story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, and they really listened and seemed to take it all in. Nathan was so cute as I was talking about Jesus on the cross he would touch his hands and his feet like he was really feeling what I was saying. I read that to them and then we talked about the true meaning of Easter. I am so happy that I can share this with them, it truly made my day.The Carters came by later and we had an egg hunt, it was nice to spend some time with them and the kids had fun. Here are a few photos from the day. We hope you all had a very blessed Easter!

Thanks for being a good sport Jane!!!

2008-03-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

So Jane and I had a bet on IU and Arkansas playing and you can guess who won!!! I am just glad I didn't have to give up Starbucks!! :)

2008-03-22T21:35:00.000-07:00

Click on Photo Montage below to see it bigger!!!!

A Little Easter Fun!!!

2008-03-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

Happpy Easter 2008!

2008-03-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

Old Easter Photos!!!

2008-03-18T10:36:00.001-07:00

Since Easter is right around the corner. Here are some old Easter photos, I thought would be very nostalgic to post. Enjoy!!!

Let us know!!!

2008-03-18T10:34:00.001-07:00

Let us know you made a visit!!! Let us know you visited by leaving comments!!! All you need to do is click on comment tab under each post. We love to hear from you, knowing you are keeping up with our family.

More Pattys Day!!!

2008-03-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

These pics crack me up!! Lexy reminds me of the guy from the country duo Big N rich!!!

Happy St Pattys Day

2008-03-17T16:59:00.000-07:00

In honor of the Birthday Girl!!!

2008-03-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Just a few of my faves!!!!! :)

Lexys Big Night!!!!

2008-03-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the many photos I took at Lexys party. There was so much fun had by the girls and boys that night. We had pillow fight(that Dan got pulled into). There was karaoke!! There was mani/pedis. Each girl had to karaoke to get fake money so they could shop in the store and buy their food, and movie money for later.We watched both High School Musical Movis, and the concert DVD. I was hearing the songs in my dreams. As you can see, Lexy and the girls had a blast. It was a crazy night, but worth it for my little girl.

I Hope you Dance!!!!

2008-03-09T09:11:00.001-07:00

Okay so this is a day early, but I wanted to post this anyway. Before I even had kids this song came out byLeann Womack, and I always correlated it to a relationship I was in. After having my children, however, I saw this song completely different. It is what I hope for both my children. I hope they "dance" through life. I hope I can raise them to have passion in life, so they live their life to it's fullest. I hope Lexy will grow to be a strong, independent,bright,loving woman.I hope she chooses to have people around her that can make her laugh and make her dance. Ultimately, all I want for her is happiness. I can't believe she is already 7 years old. Where did all the years go? She amazes me everyday with her wit, intelligence,diva attitude, and love. I wouldn't change a thing about her.(Dan would argue it is because she is alot like me) Even though I see a lot of myself in her, she is definitely her own person, and will not let us forget that. She let's us know what she thinks, what she wants, and when and how she wants it. I hope that doesn't change as she grows(except she could learn how to be a bit more subtle), and I hope she always knows what she wants from life and goes for it. I have enjoyed the last 7 years so much, I can't even imagine what is in store for the next. I am so blessed that I have got to be home with her and see every tear, laugh, tantrum,attitude,hug, kiss, and see as she has discovered new things with such innocence. I love you little girl!!! Happy Birthday!!!
Song Lyrics: I Hope You Dance
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,May you never take one single breath for granted,God forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,Never settle for the path of least resistanceLivin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonderWhere those years have gone.
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
Dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.I hope you dance....I hope you dance..
Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us alongTell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone

Happy Early Birthday my Beautiful Little Girl!!!

2008-03-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos I took of Lexy before her Birthday Party.She dressed up as Gabrielle from High School Musical. I told her she was much prettier:) I hope you like the photos of my little diva!!!! I will post more photos and such on her actual birthday March 10th...

How do you beat the cold weather blues?

2008-03-02T21:32:00.000-08:00

Well it is no secret that me, Dan ,and the kids are severely missing the warm weather in Florida. But when you have great friends, talent shows, potato head families, and tea parties, who needs warm weather. Saturday night we went over to our friends the Carters for dinner, charades, and euchre(which Dan and I are killing the Orts in). Our friends the Orts and the Carlsons were also there. We had such a good time and quickly forgot about the weather until it was time to leave:(I am often asked by non military people how we can handle being away from family, but thanks to great friends we always have "family". We are so blessed to have always had great friends around to fill that void of misssing our families. We have had the Chasteens,Coopers,Griecos, Mullins,Talberts, Wards, just to name a few. I know I don't say it enough, but thank you to all our "military family" that helps us to make it through. We love all of you!!!

On a different note, today was yet another indoor day. Dan had studying to do at the college and the kids and I played dress up, had tea parties, made a crazy potato head family(my head is not featured in the photo, the kids said it is too wierd). Dan made it home just in time for our talent show. It was very exciting, there were several High School Musical tunes, and lots of crazy dancing to win the top spot. Well, there was a tie for first with Lexy and Nathan,I was in third, and well Dan was 54th. That was Nathans placement for his father!!! I guess he was dissappointed by the performance.Maybe he is the next American Simon Cowell:)Needless to say, what could have been another dreary cold weekend turned out to be fun and exciting. We are starting to get very creative:) We hope you all are enjoying your weather indoors or out where ever you are. Take care and keep in touch...

Nathans First Time Sledding!!!

2008-02-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

Leave it up to Nathan to make his first "big" time sledding a major event!!! Here are a few photos of our accident prone little man!!!!

Valentines Day!!!

2008-02-19T16:48:00.001-08:00

Okay so I am a little late on this post. I took tons of Valentines photos of the kids, but I didnt want to post them becuase I had sent everyone Valentine photo cards with the photos on them, so here are a few of them.

Happy Birthday Little Man!!!

2008-02-04T08:49:00.001-08:00

Today is my babys birthday. He turns 6, an I cannot believe it. I can't believe how fast they grow up. Nathan is such a good boy! Ever since we brought him home he has been such a blessing to our little family. He has such a good heart and loves to talk to anyone about anything. I would like to say his personality is from my mothering, but I honestly think that is just how he is. Every single day he surprises us with what new comment he makes,he is always cracking us up. So today we celebrate Nathan turning six, and Mommy getting even more sad that her babies are growing up so quickly. It only makes me treasure the moments I have with him and Lexy more, and I couldnt be more lucky than to have such great little children.So I found this poem, and I could not have said it any better!!

I guess that I can hold you one more time before you grow. And tell you that I love you so that you will always know. Please let me tie your shoe again. One day you'll tie your own. And when you think back to this time I hope it's love I've shown. Can I help you put your coat on? Can I please cut up your meat? Can I pull you in the wagon? Can I pick you out a treat? One day you might just care for me, so let me care for you. I want to be a part of every little thing you do. Tonight could I please wash your hair? Can I put toys in the bath? Can I help you count your small ten toes before I teach you math? Before you join a baseball team can I pitch you one more ball? And one more time can I stand near to make sure you don't fall? Let's take another space-ship ride Up to the Planet Zoor. Before our Cardboard Rocket doesn't fit us anymore. Please let me help you up the hill. while you're still small enough to help you climb. And let me read you stories while you're young and have the time. I know the day will come when you will do these things alone. Will you recall all the stories,dancing and all the balls we've thrown? I want you to grow stronger than your Mom and Dad could ever be. And when you find success there will be no soul more proud than me. So will you let me carry you? One day you'll walk alone. I cannot bear to miss one day from now until you've grown

First Photo!!!

2008-01-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

This is my first photo I have used my business name on. It is also the one that will be on my new business cards/flyers, as well as my upcoming site!!! This one of my faves of Lex....

More New York

2008-01-14T18:17:00.000-08:00

Dan and the kids at Wicked!!

Dan and the kids in Central Park!!

New York Photos

2008-01-14T18:09:00.000-08:00

The Natural History Museum!!!!

More Wicked!!! The kids loved this show!!!

New York Photos

2008-01-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

Central Park! Isn't is beautiful!!

They have the whole world in their hands!!

Ice skating in Bryant park!!!

Rhode Island Fun!!!

2008-01-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone..Here are a few shots from Nathans b ball game this weekend..He is really enjoying playing. After the game we went to a local historical park, and even though Lex wasnt dressed for it I was able to snap some great pics out there. I will definitely have to go back so I can get some more good pics.

New York Christmas 2007

2008-01-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

Here are just a few pics of New York including view from the Empire State Building, Times Square, Radio City where we saw the Rockettes,Central park where the kids and I are climbing the rocks(which as the kids say "freaked Mom out", I about had a heart attack watching them jump around on the top), and the Statue of Liberty with Dan and the kids on the ferry. This is just a sample of pics..There are plenty more I will post later.

Christmas Day!!

2008-01-03T19:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some pics of Christmas Day at the Testa house..The first one I love because they are patiently waiting to come down the stairs!!!

Snow Time!!!

2007-12-16T19:45:00.001-08:00

Hello all!! We are enjoying the snowfall here in Rhode Island so I thought I would share a few phtos with you. WE hope you all have a great Holiday season. Love, The Testas

Rhode Island Pics

2007-11-13T11:44:00.000-08:00

More Rhode Island Pics

2007-11-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

Rhode Island Pics

2007-10-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from Rhode Island. We are loving it here. So far the weather has been beautiful, and we love our neighborhood. The kids have made some great friends, and we have as well. Right now, we are all in school. So a lot of our time is spent studying. When I have more time I will update more pics, and what all we have been up to here in Rhode Island. We hope you all are doing well.

New place, new email

2007-10-01T09:31:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone! We are now in Rhode Island and love it here. Things have been non stop since we got here. All of us are officially in school now, and there are lots of nights consisting of homework(mainly for Dan and I:) Here is our new email address testad1@cox.net I will update the blog soon with new pics. We hope everyone is doing good.

Just a few of my favorites through the years!!!!

2007-08-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

Sorry Dan..had to do it..

Wow!! How times fly and things change in 7 years!!!!

2007-08-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Since I dont know if I will have a computer by next Sunday the 26th, I wanted to tell Dan HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! I cant believe this will be 7 years. Time has just flown by. 7 years ago I never would have thought we would be moving to Rhode Island. We have been very blessed in our Navy moves, as this will be only our second one in 7 years. In seven years, we have created a beautiful family, bought a beautiful home, made lasting memories with family and friends(our Navy family), and grown together as a couple, and individually.You have gone above and beyond what I envisioned you would be as a husband and a father. I love to watch you with the kids, and the light you get in your eyes as you play with them ,teach them, and nurture them. As hard as it is to be a Navy wife, I never could have done it without a husband that is as supportive and understanding as you. When I see your smile when you come home, either from a long deployment, or just a long day of work, it makes it all worth it. When I think of our next 7 years, I can only hope they will be as full of love and great memories that the last 7 have been. I love you!! Happy Anniversary!!!!

BIGGER NEWS!!!

2007-08-07T06:57:00.000-07:00

Well, we just got back from vacation Sunday. While, we were on vacation we got some big news. Dan got orders to the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He is to be there this Friday, and we will be there as soon as the Navy can get soem movers to move us there. Hopefully before school starts for the kids on September 5th. This is great news!!! We are all ecstatic....So here we go again, it has just been 6 months since our last move, and these orders are only for a year. So who knows where we will end up next, but wherever we do we will keep you all up to date.

News!!!

2007-07-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

Dan got word from his CO today that he will be promoted to Lieutenant Commander as of November 1st. I am very proud!!! He works so hard, and when he has days like today, it makes it all worthwhile!!!

More Random Photos!!

2007-07-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

Random Photos!!!

2007-07-25T20:13:00.001-07:00

Fun at the Pool!!!

2007-07-25T20:10:00.000-07:00

Update!!!

2007-07-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!!! This summer just seems to be going by so fast, and I am not ready for the kids to go back to school. I am enjoying them so much at the age they are at now. Most of our days are spent playing, reading books, riding bikes, and swimming. Lexy has been working on riding her bike without the training wheels, she has it down pat, except for the turns, they still are a little hard for her. Lexy also lost her front right tooth a few nights ago, it had been wiggling pretty good for awhile and she finally pulled it. She was so excited, and she looks so cute missing that tooth. Nathan got a new video game the other day, Tiger Woods, and him and Dan play it every night. I have to give them 10 minute warnings, or otherwise they would play it all night. It's like having 3 kids when Dan is playing videos:) Other than all that, not much is going on. We said our final goodbyes to Selena and her daughter yesterday, and that was really hard for me and the kids. It never gets easy to say goodbye to our Navy friends. We started going to a new church a few weeks ago, and we absolutely LOVE it. The pastor is amazing, and the people there are so great. We have met a few couples with kids our kids age, that we hope will become good friends. We have made it to lunch with a few, one of them is a jet pilot, so him and Dan like to rip on one another a bit, but its all in good fun. We are so blessed to have found this church. We joke that it is one of the only things we will miss. Except for our friends of course. Moving here to Virginia, we finally got the opportunity to live in the same place as Dans old college friend, and Flight school roommate Matt, his wife Stacey and their newborn Jack. Dan is like a kid again getting together with him, and we just have a good time when we get together with them. Navy life would be perfect if we could always keep our friends around, okay maybe not perfect, but it sure would help:) Well, we are about to leave for our long vacation this Saturday. This trip will take us to Louisville, Kentucky;Santa Claus,Indiana;Chicago;West Layfayette,Indiana, and Indianapolis, Indiana. It will be an eventful trip, and I cant wait to write all about it.I hope you all are still enjoying your summer, because it is going quick. Take care. Oh, and one last thing, I forgot to mention , is a Thank You. Thank you to my old Youth pastor, Gary, for finding us our new church:)

Lil Princess

2007-07-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

Happy late 4th of July!!

2007-07-05T07:57:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone!!! I hope you all had a great 4th. We had a fun one for sure. We had friends over for a bbq, and enjoyed some pool time with all the kids as well. We didnt get too see any fireworks, except for what was on TV, but the kids didnt know the difference. They were just having a great time playing with one another. We did miss some friends this year that we have spent some past 4ths with. The Mullins are in Rhode Island, this will be the first 4th in 5 years we have not spent with them, the Wards are in Japan, they were there last year as well, but we spent 4 years on the 4th with them previously. That is one thing about the Navy, you make good friends and then eventually get seperated. But you always meet great people everywhere you go, and hopefully reunite with old ones. It all makes you realize the importance of great friends in your life. In the Navy, when you dont have family around, alot of the time your friends become your family!! We are so blessed to have both families, no matter where they are!!! We love you all!!!!

Skating Fun!!!!

2007-06-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

2007-06-27T14:41:00.000-07:00

How time flys!!

2007-06-27T06:15:00.000-07:00

Wow!!! I got on here to make another post, and couldnt believe it had been almost 3 weeks since I wrote last. The last time I wrote, Dans parents were on their way into town. They made it and we had a great time. They got to see the kids play a t ball game(and they were a huge help for the end of season pool party), we went to eat at a great seafood place(they had a hard time finding a better one in Hilton Head), and then Janes highlight of the trip was when we got to go out to Dans ship, and watch a firework show while sitting on the flight deck. It was pretty amazing, there were times, we were so high up, that we felt as if the firworks were coming right at us. It was a short trip, but we crammed alot in, and had a great time. The next week, Lexy finally "graduated" from Kindergarten. So, since then we have just been enjoying our summer. Most of our days are spent by the pool, but every Wednesday the kids get to pick out something they want to go do. Last week, it was seeing the movie Nancy Drew(Dan wasnt too upset about missing that one), but I thought the movie was really good. This week we are heading to the skating rink today, with their friends Tessa and Grace. We have only have a few weeks left before they leave us. Selena, and her girls are heading back to Pensacola, while her husband Olaf, goes back out on another cruise. To say the least, I am going to miss her. She has been a great friend and supporter here, we have both been able to vent about Virginia Beach, and enjoy some boxing classes together, and just getting together with the kids. It had been a few years since we had been in the same town, so it has been nice.So Selena"I'll miss you":( Dan is still working hard, he gets up at 5:00 am every morning, and isnt home till 4-5 on some days. We do have the days he surprises us around 3, but needless to say he is ready to get off the ship. At the end of July we have plans to head to Louisvill Kentucky, for Dans family reunion, then to Chicago for some sightseeing, and a Cubs game, then to Indianapolis for some time to visit with Dans parents, Lisa(his sister)and her two girls and husband, and his Uncle John and Aunt Kathryn will hopefully be settled in by then. So it will be a busy week and a half.Then we will return home for me to start school, I am nervous but excited. It had been a long time since I have been in school full time, it will be interesting. But, when it is all said and done , I will have a degree in Sports Managememt. We hope that all of you are enjoying the warm weather, and any summer vacations you may be taking. Take care and stay safe(as Jane would say:)

Welcome Summer!!!!

2007-06-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

So I havent been so good on filling all of you in on the last few days of our trip. I promise to get to that,maybe tonight.We have been busy here, with Tball,school, and of course the pool. The neighborhood pool is open, and the kids are really enjoying it. They had their friends Grace and Tessa over to swim yesterday, and then we were to have our second to last tball game but it got rained out. Other than that we are just enjoying our family time. Dan leaves for the whole week next week, but we can handle that. Dan reminded me that today a year ago, he was getting ready to deploy. I am so glad we arent doing that. Jane and John(Dans parents) are coming in tomorrow night, and we are all looking forward to that.Lexy especially is counting down the days. They are stopping here on the way to Hilton Head. We usually go every year as well, but this year it interfered with Dans underway period. So we are pretty bummed about that. We are hoping to make it to Dans family reunion in August, that they have every year in Kentucky. We are so unsure of any summer plans though until we find out what Dans work plans are. We are hoping to find out in the next month or so if we are staying or leaving. That is all that we know, which is NOTHING. Lexy still has a week of school left, even though she started in the first of August in Florida. They start later here in Virginia, so she has been in school a long time this year. She is enjoying it though. She is a model student, her teacher has to beg her to go do the fun class stuff, because all she wants to do is write and read. We are so proud of how she has progressed this year, it just amazes us. Nathan has been working on things at home with me, and just enjoying staying at home, he is such a home body. I really enjoy it as well. I get so sad to think that he will be in Kindergarten next year. Well, I hope that everyone has had a great start to their summer. Plese keep in touch. You can leave comments on the end of the post, by just clicking on the comment link. Take care...and we will keep you posted...

More DC Pics!!!

2007-06-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

Trying to stay cool!!!!

Great pic

2007-05-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

DC TRIP DAY 1 and DAY 2

2007-05-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

Well we just returned from our DC trip this afternoon. We had a great time. We want to thank Brenda,Ron, and Gerald for their great hospitality, and for helping us get around. Even if some "3 block" distances turned into 10 blocks. So now Dan and I will always ask is it normal distance or "Ron distance":) I will break down our days.
Day 1: We are rearing to go, have tons of energy, and think we can accomplish so much. Wow did we not expect the heat to kick us on our rears. We made it to the Monument,the White House, and we were so hot, so we decided to go inside, and made it to the Air and Space Museum, and saw and IMAX movie in there. It was a great day, but we were so beat down. The kids were asleep before we could shut the bedroom door that night.
Day 2:Today we got off to a late start, I would say it was due to "The Planner" Dan( as Brenda has dubbed him), you can tell I am not bitter about that:) I do have to say if I had planned we might have made it to the Jefferson, I am just saying...Anyway, Dan and Ron had to head out early looking for a battery charger for our camera, because it was saying low battery, and of course we grabbed the wrong charger. No luck..but the camera did make it through the day, I was positive it only had 1 pic left in it. So we made it out, another hotttt day. This time Becky and Ron also came along. We made it to the Arlington first, we saw the Kennedy site, and watched the changing of the guard. It was sooooo hot standing there, I was sweating in places I didnt know I could...Maybe too much info....Anyway..Then we made it to the Iwo Jima Memorial.It was amazing the detail on it. After that we headed to the National Mall. We saw the Lincoln Memorial and headed to the Vietnam wall. This weekend Rolling Thunder was there in DC, for those who don't know they are mainly a group of men and women that are Veterans or supporters of POW MIA awareness. As we walked along this wall of names, you would see these big burly men leaning up against the wall, some weeping, and you couldnt help to be touched. Touched at how after all these years they are still so affected by what they went through, and friends and comrades they had lost. It was an enlightening experience, to say the least. We also saw the Korean Memorial, and then headed back to our Metro. This was when our 3 blocks turned into 10 they say, but I think it was more.
Its been a long weekend, and I will conclude the rest of our trip in the next few days. I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend.

Blogging 101

2007-05-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

Since we have some people that are confused on what a blog is, here is the definition.

blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog.

That being said, all this is, is a way to keep everyone up to date on all we are doing.I will try to leave posts as often as possible. All of you are welcome to leave comments, embarassing or not(RON). You can just leave a comment about the posts, or add your own info to the blog.
We look forward to hearing from all of you:)

Just starting

2007-05-24T14:17:00.000-07:00

We are setting off to DC this weekend, and I will start the family blog with that, and possibly put a few updates of the past few months on here as well. Keep checking. This will be a great way to keep in touch with everyone.