Ross had been acting particularly grumpy the last few days so I decided we needed a little snuggle time to get to the bottom of things.

After our regular night time routine yesterday I called him in to snuggle and talk. I said, "Ross, I am worried about you. Are you okay?" After a few moments of thought he said, "Okay Mom here is the deal, I either want you to give me up for adoption or I want to see some changes around here." Despite his complete sincerity I found it hard not to laugh. After composing myself I managed to say, "Well, since giving you up for adoption is not an option- lets hear about the changes you would like to see." He launched into a list of 7 things he wanted to be different about our family- clearly he had given this some thought. Here they are in the order he gave them to me.

1. Making money chores worth more than $1 each.
2. Giving a raise in allowance.
3. Getting better "stuff" to play with.
4. Getting a pet you can "play with" (like a dog, chickens or a fish (his words not mine))
5. Doing more fun things as a family.
6. Being less busy.
7. Getting a game system of some sort.

Seriously people, what am I going to do with this kid? I love that he was willing to share his concerns (heck I am impressed that he could identify and verbalize what was bothering him) but... mama mia! Isn't this a little... I don't know, weird?

I mean, I actually agree with him on many of these things- they are changes I would like to see too (all except the game system thing of course). We have an extraordinary boring life and I imagine it is stifling to a fun loving guy like Ross but I am just not sure what to do about it.

On the one hand, life to is to lived to its fullest and enjoyed and if you can make things better for your children you should, right? But sometimes I think my kids have it WAY too easy and WAY too good. They had no idea what life is like for most people. I mean, if my sons greatest concerns in life are that he doesn't have a pet to play with or a game system to use, then his view is pretty limited. And while I get that that is probably normal for a 7 year old, I wish there was someway to teach them to recognize how much they have and to be grateful for it. Of course, we talk about "counting our blessing" and being grateful and living here in Italy (where so many people have so little) has helped a little but... they only know it in their minds they don't yet feel it in their hearts. (SIGH)

What can I do to teach them? How can I be a better example? What experience can I create for them to help them understand? Is it wrong to want them to have everything great opportunity and experience I can provide? Is it cruel to want them to make to struggle for things? What is the right balance?

Though it is still hotter than blazes here- all of the school shopping and planning and preparing has me thinking about and really looking forward to fall. I love fall- it is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather. I love the changing colors. I love the smell of earth after a solid rain. I love the pumpkins and cider and the apple butter that are always available in abundance in the fall. It is just a nice time of year. So... when I can across these pictures from fall 2004 I thought I would share them.

This is a picture of Ross and I at a fall festival in Mississippi! It was so fun. There was a corn maze (that is where this picture is taken), a hay ride, tractor races, pumpkins for picking and animals for petting. It was great. Here are our favorite pictures we remember the day by.

Ahhh, how I love those fun filled fall days!

A few days ago Spencer was invited to go to a friends house at 1 pm (I have decided that is a really mean trick to play on kids and their parents- especially in the summer time). Anyway, it was all he could do to wait for the afternoon to come. Around 12 pm I started getting lunch ready. I put a big pot of water on the stove to boil. I put the pot on the stove and went to take care of other things but Spencer stayed in the kitchen. After five minutes or so I saw him wonder out of the kitchen into the living room. After another five minutes we went back into the kitchen. He did this several times before he came into the laundry room where I was working and said, "Mom, you know how they say a watched pot never boils? Well, I have made a discovery... a thought about pot never boils either!" I couldn't help myself, laughed out loud because that is such a Spencer thing to say. I love that kid- he is so clever!

My Mom recently published two great posts on her blog about adding heart icons to your text and striking out text. Here is my first attempt at both.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Mom.
We ♥ you and think you are
the coolest person ever great!

This is a picture of Spencer on his first day of Kindergarten.
Isn't he little and cute?

I decided the only reason he was smiling in this picture is because he had no idea what he was getting into with school when I took it. I remember being so proud when I dropped him off that first day- he went in without a fuss while all the other kids were crying and carrying on. I remember thinking, wow, I must be a great mom- my son is so well adjusted. (LOL) The next day and every other day of kindergarten while all the other kids went to class without a fuss Spencer was the one crying and carrying on. Oh my, lets hope my mothering skills had nothing to do with THAT kind of behavior.

Anyway, when I picked him up after school that first day his teacher said, "Spencer is SO funny. Around 10 am he asked when you were going to come a get him. When I told him 2 pm. He said, "oh no, there must be some mistake. My mom wouldn't leave me here that long." I can just hear him saying that- poor kid. I am afraid school has been a tough thing for him from the start but he has done great! We're so proud of you Spencer for working hard and getting good grades. We love you!

I have recently made a discovery... the nothingness of August (and all of the uncomfortable feelings it produces) is really what drives the madness I call "my life" the rest of the year. It is the fear that the rest of the year will feel as unproductive and unfulfilled as August that causes me to over do all day long, day after day, month in and month out. Interesting, isn't it? But I am not quite sure what to do about it.

You'd think the answer was simple, just do more in August and do less the rest of the months of the year... but there is a catch. There really is NOTHING to do in August in Italy. Really, I am not kidding- there is NOTHING TO DO. So you see the madness that is sure to follow in September, October, November, December, etc. is... inevitable. (sigh) What is a girl to do?

This is how I feel about August.

This is a picture of Ross and Grandma Bonnie on his third birthday- isn't he CUTE?!

I remember asking him that year what he wanted for his birthday. Of course, when I asked I meant what kind of toys and books he wanted but before I could explain he answered without hesitation, "CAKE and ICE CREAM!" Done! Ross is an easy kid to please- the little things in life bring him lots of happiness and joy! I love that about Ross.

Well, you will pleased to know I am feeling much better today.

Yesterday really threw me for a loop especially when I realized that the $1494 we spent on the car was actually going to come from the $1500 we had saved for our Summer vacation to Germany. Leaving us with a grand total of $6 for our family get-a-way. Whaaaa! No seriously... I cried. I have been looking forward to this vacation all summer- river rafting, para sailing, bike riding, the beautiful Austrian Alps. It was intended to be our "reward" for surviving another summer in Naples. So why am I feeling better today, you might ask, when our infuriating car experience is costing us so much more than money? Well, because something remarkable happened today- let me explain.

As soon as I realized that there was nothing we could do about the car but pay the price and move on I felt impressed that we should not go on our trip to Germany. Of course the impression was not a welcome one. I resisted it wholeheartedly. The more I resisted- the angrier I felt. Last night I talked to Robert about it and he said he thought we should still try to go (because he was actually able to get the time off and he knew how desperately I want to go). But even with his assurance that everything would be okay- the feeling to stay home persisted.

So today after church I brought it up again. We sat down and went over the costs associated with the trip. We looked at the travel budget (minus the car expense) and realized that we would not have enough money in the budget to pay cash for the trip. My heart sank- we had a decision to make. I was overcome with anger and disappointment- how unfair that our car troubles would now also cost us our family vacation too! My turmoil remained as we continued to think about how we could make it work. Finally, I realized the "right answer" (though not one I liked) was to stay home. And you know what? The minute we made the decision to cancel our trip, I felt peace. Honestly, it was the most remarkable change in feelings I have ever experienced- it was actually startling! I went from feeling total, all encompassing anger to feeling complete peace.

And what is more... after coming to terms with the situation. I decided to see if there was anything else we could do that week (before Robert canceled his leave). And sure enough I discovered a special training (that I have been wanting to do for a year but never could attend because of scheduling issues) is available that very week. So, tomorrow morning I am signing up first thing.

Unfortunately my time away won't be anything like our dream trip to Germany but it is okay because I am learning that when God closes doors He always opens windows.

I usually don't write on Saturdays but I am making an exception today because I am so darn mad if I don't vent I am bound to rip someones head off. I usually don't get angry easily but I have made a discovery about myself- cars make me mad... REALLY mad!

Okay so here is the situation... two weeks ago the clutch on Robert's car went out. We were both really concerned because we knew it was going to cost a lot to get it fixed. So we took it to a reputable repair shop in town. They told us it is going to cost around E500. We were not happy because the car isn't worth much more than that. But since we had already paid the sales and road taxes we decided to get it fixed.

So we took the car in on Monday. The shop had the car ALL week last week (which meant I had to drive Robert to and from work) because the part they needed was not in. The repair guy told us he would call us when he knew more. So, we waited and waited and waited all this week but heard nothing. So Robert called him today and he said- "Oh yeah, your car is ready. I am glad you called because I am closing the shop for the next three weeks and you would not have been able to get your car." Hello weren't you supposed to call us when it was done? So Robert asks if everything went okay and he said, "Well we ran into some trouble, the clutch was more expensive than we thought it was going to be, when we got in there we found other problems, we replaced the muffler...blah, blah, blah and the total for all the repairs is going to be E950." E950!!! Do you know how much money that is? 1494.71 dollars to be exact. I know because I just wrote a check for the euro! That is insane- that is more than the car is worth. That is more than we paid for it!!

I am furious! But what choice do we have really other than to pay the money and get the car back. We don't have any choice at all and that is in part what makes me mad. In my opinion it is standard business to call your client the minute you realize your estimate is off. AND that you don't repair things without their approval. AND that you call them when you are done working on the car so they can get it back. AND that you don't do more repairs than the car is worth. AND that you at least act sorry when things don't go well.

I am just so mad- I mean the whole thing seems so unfair. Haven't we had our share of car troubles? Honestly, I don't know anyone who has their cars in the shop more than we do. I just don't get it, I mean we are trying to do what it right. We are trying to live within our means and not go into debt but we have spent 8,000 dollars on beater cars and repairs in the last two years and we don't have much to show for it. That is just plain unfair. And I know life isn't supposed to be fair (trust me- I tell my kids that at least ten times a day) but I just don't see what lesson I am supposed to learn from this and the MANY other situation we have had just like it? What am I supposed to be learning that I am not learning? Help me out here people. Don't buy beaters? Use public transportation? Ride a bike? What?! I am just thinking that the sooner I learn whatever it is I am supposed to learn the sooner this will all stop. ARRRGGGG!

Anyway... thanks for listening to me throw a fit. Though not pleasant I think blog fits are better than real life ones. Sorry!

I absolute despise doing the laundry. I hate everything about it- sorting it, washing and drying it, folding it, and putting it away! It is without question my least favorite household chore. Anyway, my overall dislike of laundry has everything to do with this funny little story and its title so I had to share it with you first thing.

Okay so I went to bed last night REALLY late because it took me 4 1/2 hours to order the boys school clothes on-line (in order of dislike shopping on-line is second only to doing the laundry) Anyway, so just after 1am I stumble up the stairs with one eye open and walk into my room. Much to my dismay there was a pile of laundry on the bed that I did not get around to folding. I was too tired to deal with it then (though I would like to say it is NOW done) so I pushed it over to Roberts side of the bed (as he is out of town) and dropped into bed.

The next morning Ross woke up before me and came and stood beside my bed. His eyes were bugging out of his head but he didn't say a word. "Ross what is wrong?" I asked feeling a little frightened. Seeing the pile of laundry under the blanket but not knowing what it was he blurted out "MOM, WHO IN BED WITH YOU!?!"

I could not help myself- I burst out laughing! What a funny kid.

I am sorry to say so friends but sadly it is true I am about to write about my bodily functions. So if that is too intimate a subject for you... you can stop reading now and I will understand.

Okay here is the deal... before I moved to Italy I had blown my nose a grand total of about 7 times my whole life. I don't know why but I just never needed to. I mean, occasionally I would catch a cold that required it but for the most part I lived quite happily without a tissue box by my side. BUT (and this is the reason for this post) that is no longer the case. NOW I have to blow my nose EVERYDAY- SOMETIMES TWICE!!

What is up with that? I remember my Dad blowing his nose often when I was growing up but I just that it was a "Dad thing". Now I find myself doing the same thing and it really has me perplexed. Is this nose blowing madness a "Mattson thing", a "Naples thing", (gulp) "older person thing"?

The worst part about it is that it has gotten so out of hand I am actually contemplating buying a box of tissues for each room of the house!!! I know, I know it is crazy! But don't worry mom- I will refrain.

After 5 1/2 grueling years as a Lieutenant in the US Navy Robert was promoted today to Lieutenant Commander- YEAH ROBERT!

Promotions in the past have been primarily about having a few more dollar to live on but this time I think it means a lot more to all of us. Robert has worked extremely hard here and has done a lot of ground breaking work in the newly organized Africa Command. In addition to his regular duties as a Seabee Planning Officer he has created and written a lot of the new polices for how the US Military will interact with the different African Nations. One of his colleges recently commented that 10 years from now half of Africa will be stamped "made in China" and the other half will be stamped "made by Rob Wadsworth". He has done some great things and though we miss him when he is away (and when he is home working 18 hours day) we are really proud of what his is doing.

One of the things I remember about the ceremony (as side from just being really happy for Robert) is a comment the Captain who promoted him made. He said, that Robert was not being promoted as a reward for outstanding work but because he was someone the Navy felt they could trust with bigger and better things. I have a feeling that means he will not be traveling any less or working shorter hours in the future but that is okay- he is doing an important work and he is doing it well. We are happy to support him and we are grateful to be apart of the good he is doing even if it is only in a small way.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from the Ceremony- enjoy!

Waiting for Dad.

Taking the Oath
We're Up in Front
(Aren't the boys being good!?)
Promotion Kiss
Robert's Speach
When No One is Looking
(Lest you think the boys were good the WHOLE time!)