Touchdown!

School and Bikes

We're so proud of Alex. He started Kindergarten this week and now he's learning to ride his bike with no training wheels! GO ALEX!

PB& J Friendships

Posted by Amy Fri January 22, 2010, 4:46 pm
Today I had the best get-together with a friend and her children. I consider our relationship to be a "peanut butter and jelly" friendship. What I mean by that is that I don't have to worry about what I'm making for lunch. It can simply be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (although it was chicken nuggets today). We don't even think twice about it. No stress about her coming over, none. We could care less about what each other's houses look like when we visit. If I'm dressed up slightly (for me) like I was today...nicer jeans and top and an actual necklace, she might first wonder, "Why are you dressed up?" Because a t-shirt and sweatpants would have been more than fine. We can talk about anything and not have to worry about how we come across or our words getting minced. If it had been a while since we'd seen each other, we simply pick up where we left off. We laugh...a lot. Our kids actually might play well together, which is an added bonus.

A friendship where we're just enjoying each other during a typical, everyday kind of day. We might do an exercise video together. Or cook something. Or just sit...with no agenda. So easygoing and casual. To just spend time together without any expectations on each other.

I have a few PB& J friendships in my life...I think they're the best kind.

UNO!!

All she needs is a little visor.

She's wearing the equivalent of an adult "wife beater."  That's my card shark of a baby girl :-)

Butterflies...

06/29/2008 09:26pm by Amy

are meaningful to me.  Since Lydia's passing, every time I see one I think of her.  I don't really see them all that often, which makes it extra special when I do have that moment.  

Did you know that a butterfly is a Christian symbol of resurrection?  The caterpillar signifies life here on earth.  It disappears into a cocoon and appears dead, but later emerges as a butterfly...far more beautiful and free than before.  Lydia emerged from her cocoon a glorious butterfly, bound not for this world but one very close by.  When I see a butterfly, I think of Lydia's new life in heaven, where every part of her is perfect... and I feel peaceful.

Yesterday I received a beautiful gift in the mail from some old friends from my mom's group in South Bend.  A card with a butterfly magnet on it, with a note that it was meant for us with our magnetic wall  :-).  AND a special card from the Potawatomi Zoological Society (zoo in South Bend) that reads:

Dear Focosi Family,
A commemorative brick has been purchased in memory of Lydia Grace.  The brick will be placed in the walkway that paves our new butterfly immersion exhibit--a lush and beautiful garden filled with butterflies.  The brick inscription will read:  IN LOVING MEMORY OF LYDIA GRACE

Isn't that just the neatest thing??? I don't even keep in touch with these friends like I would like, so I am especially humbled that they would do this.  It is such an appropriate way to honor and remember Lydia and I cannot thank them enough.  I can't wait to see the exhibit...gives me an excuse to get up there.  SB friends-play date at the zoo, anyone???

I leave you with this...a butterfly in Lydia's garden in our yard.

Six Months

06/03/2008 08:32am by Amy

It was six months ago today that we welcomed Lydia into this world. It was six months ago today that we said goodbye. I wish I had something poignant to say on this special date, but I don’t. I feel like all of my energy is directed toward my living child who needs me today. 

So, instead of my attempt at meaningful words, I am sharing a video with you. I thought it was the perfect day to share this music and moment with the world. This is a video of our friends, Lindsay and Mike, singing at Lydia’s memorial service. The acoustics and lighting are lacking, yet it is still beautiful and perfect. I just love them so much for blessing us (and now all of you) in this way. I requested two songs that I thought reflected our feelings about Lydia and God: It Is Well With My Soul and Wonderful, Merciful Savior. The message still holds true today. Lydia—when in my womb, when born and passed in my arms, when in heaven and NOT physically with us here today—was and continues to be well with our souls. He is a wonderful and merciful savior And He gives us the healing and grace.

Yet another friend's sincere blog post

12/10/2007 08:31pm by Amy

Please know, I am NOT a vain or arrogant person, by any means, so by me sharing where all Lydia is affecting people (through friends' websites mainly that I can link to), just be aware I want you to see how friends (and strangers!) are being changed and others' perspectives, or views, of our story.

I have a friend, named Amy Clark, who has a wonderful website, with a HUGE following, called MomAdvice.com.  She is a very talented woman (superwoman, as I joke to her).  Check her out to learn from her, but also to read what she posted about our story.  Here is the blog entry she posted about us.  I personally enjoy her blog (through her MomAdvice site) and learn a great deal from her regarding homemaking, frugality, organization, creativity...the list goes on and on.  

Thank you, Amy, for thinking of us and sharing Lydia with your many readers!!!  I love ya!