dinoiafamily's Profile

take a break. You can't cancel a birthday. Sure, you can opt to celebrate later, but when you missed the previous year's celebration (say, because said birthday person was overseas), it's even harder to postpone it two years in a... Continue reading

Posted 6 days ago at The Dinoia Family

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Last week I was under the mistaken

impression that somehow because my surgery was laparoscopic (read: less invasive), it would somehow be less painful (as have been previous laparoscopic surgeries). This idea is indicated in many places and recovery is touted as shorter and sweeter. My thoughts?... Continue reading

Posted Jun 3, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Hi, ho, hi, ho, it's off to the OR I go...

So as you are reading this, I'll likely be zonked out for the best nap I've had in months. Yep, tomorrow is my 5th (I think?) surgery in 3-ish years and hopefully this will finally wrap things up (or tighten,... Continue reading

Posted May 30, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Oh, I had the homecoming

all set. Despite the fact that I told Peter he could take a cab (even transferred money to him to look *legit*), I sent out a flurry of emails last night in order to get the kids out of school... Continue reading

Posted May 24, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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I can't call my husband...

can't call, text, send email, and semaphore is totally out...and that's a good thing. Why? 'Cause after one very long (or short, depending on the day) year that boy is headed home! Yes, he is on the second of two... Continue reading

Posted May 23, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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It's like a little clue...

So, we have sort of something coming up soon. Well, okay, it's today. Kind of a celebration of sorts, except that not all parties will actually be together, thus hampering said festivities. So, the real party or, say, fantastic getaway... Continue reading

Posted May 16, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Published!

No, I didn't write a whole book (saving that for a rainy day), but today, after months of hard work, writing, rewriting, edits galore, and swearing I was reviewing the last copy of my chapter for the final time, it... Continue reading

Posted May 13, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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It's been 8 years

since I have been relegated to simply writing about Mother's Day, rather than actually calling my mom and wishing her a happy day. So much time has passed, yet in one moment I can pull up so many memories. Not... Continue reading

Posted May 11, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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It's official

that Nicholas appears to have the same love affair with books as his sisters do. While we are lucky that he appears to enjoy their vast collection of bookish hand-me-downs, he has a few interests that were not around when... Continue reading

Posted May 7, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Sunday used

to be a day of rest in my mind. However, being that I am now a geographically single parent, that has gone out the window. Well, maybe it's not really a day of rest for anyone with active children. However,... Continue reading

Posted May 5, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Who needs a

stuffed animal when you have a power ranger (slightly hidden) and a Hess truck to hug? Continue reading

Posted Apr 27, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Bit by bit

it seems, we are getting there. Inching closer to the move and even faster towards Peter's return. Given we had a somewhat incomplete unaccompanied tour the last time around, I had no idea what to expect this time. I had... Continue reading

Posted Apr 23, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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{this moment}: Daddy showed me how to do this!

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. One photo - only a few words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. In that case, R&R #3 was... Continue reading

Posted Apr 11, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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The light at the end of the tunnel

is not only there, I'm about to smack my head on it. Despite all of our reticence regarding sending Peter back to a rather dangerous area, we had our farewell (I hesitate to use the word last) supper at 3:30... Continue reading

Posted Apr 8, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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On a happy note...

as we are trying not to think about Peter leaving tomorrow. The good news? He will return in 6 short weeks for good. The bad news? He's going back over there. Considering the week friends and colleagues in the Foreign... Continue reading

Posted Apr 7, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Today I had a *cool job* day...

And by job, I mean one of my 4 (or more) volunteer gigs, this one being First Vice-President for AAFSW. I've extolled the group's virtues many times before (Livelines, Playgroup, local events, SOSA, Happy Hours....) and the offerings are just... Continue reading

Posted Apr 3, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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I dreaded today

like I dread one or two days of each R&R for Peter. Yep, it was doctor day. It fact it was the day for the annual ladyparts test whose ending rhymes with *dram.* My, I have quite a long list... Continue reading

Posted Mar 28, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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My wee Nugget

is 11 years old today. Just over two and a half and utterly adorable. It seems like just yesterday, she was born with a shock of black hair and piercing brown eyes, and we could immediately sense her independent spirit.... Continue reading

Posted Mar 21, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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You give another year of your life

...a year of being away from your husband. A year of your kids being away from their father. Your husband works a minimum of 12 hours a day (more likely 16-18) EVERY DAY in a war zone. (His last official... Continue reading

Posted Mar 16, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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In all the excitement

of our recent sicknesses, finishing up classes, shipping out bazillions of boxes of Girl Scout cookies, and Nick's birthday, I almost forgot something very important: I get to have surgery again soon! I know, I know, it just wouldn't be... Continue reading

Posted Mar 7, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Today is Nick's

birthday party and we are a bit like headless chickens in the household right now. I just finished up the second last-minute trip to Harris-Teeter (forgot ice cream and lemonade on my first trip...seriously, who forgets that?!). I've also apparently... Continue reading

Posted Mar 3, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Where's my t-shirt?

The one that says, "I survived language at FSI?" Yes, I can use the word survivor here, as this is something that I actually thought might be the end of me. However, I triumped in the end! Well, I lived,... Continue reading

Posted Feb 21, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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How did the LG

go from this: A wee newborn in his stylish outfit courtesy of Hreiðrið (The Nest) at Landspitali in Reykjavik. to this: An almost 5 year old at the nearby nature center. in 5 short years? Happy, happy day to our... Continue reading

Posted Feb 19, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Oh, big box bookstore, how you failed my child today...

Despite my best intentions, I still end up at the big box bookstore, buying last minute gifts or hurriedly acquiring a Spanish-English dictionary on a semi-regular basis. As I was doing the latter last week, I also took the time... Continue reading

Posted Feb 17, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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Mostly so I don't forget

that even during the insanity of the past few weeks, we were able to carve out time for fun... How is he old enough to sign his own name? Tempting, but I left them alone.... Kelsey and her made from... Continue reading

Posted Feb 13, 2013 at The Dinoia Family

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