Us too...six months

We had to refrain from belly shots for fear of embarrassment, but Ciotta west is celebrating too! We reached the six month mark in Arizona February 2nd.


To say this has been an eventful time would be an understatement. Here is just a sample of what we've experienced...
12 family and friend visits
7 churches visited (1 finally selected)
6 roundtrip flights to NJ and other states
5 medical procedures
4 home moves (2 Joe, 2 us)
3 emergency room visits
2 hospitalizations
1 scorpion sting

And this is not to mention a root canal, getting locked out of house, job disruptions, buying a new car, the birth of a granddaughter, the death of a beloved mother, getting the flu, witnessing countless auto accidents, and who can remember what else.

Sometimes we wonder what life would have been like if we had stayed in NJ, then we look at the headline in this paper and remember.

This is all to say, God is faithful, and we can laugh, and praise him through it all. Thank God for this move and his persistent love.

Location:E Cheyenne Dr,Phoenix,United States

Joe's New Home

Here are some shots taken at Joe's new house. As you know we are delighted with it. The staff is wonderful, and Joe gets really good care (so do the other five residents, all kids). Joe is the oldest, and there are two other boys that are teens about Joe's size, so he fits right in.

The pics show a little of the atmosphere there, which is very homey, and the size which is small but very nice. It works well for what it is intended to do.

This is a regular house in a regular neighborhood...on a cul de sac at the end of a short block. There is another group home across the street, but you would never know that either of them have anything other than families inside.


Here is the outside looking from the street. Notice the small palm tree and the stone front yard...very typical in the area. Also notice there is a lattice overhang above the patio to give some shade from the sun.


Same shot but this one includes one happy mom .


The front room has been repurposed to be an office where the nurses do their paperwork


Joe's bedroom is a decent size room and very nice (he shares it with one of the other two teen boys). There is a bathroom off of this room where the guys get their showers. You can see a little of Joe's roommate sitting in his chair...the two guys are very compatible...we like it when they are hanging together


Joe and mom in the living room where we can sit with him...Joe is frequently found in this spot when we arrive to visit. But instead of sitting we will frequently take Joe out, either to our house, or to Starbucks or something. Today we walked to the park, which is just down the road.


Same room, this shot shows the other side with one of the nurses talking w mom...the room like the others is small but very comfortable.

I didn't include shots of the other bedrooms or the kitchen which is also a good size and can be used for baking or other activities, since it is shared by all residents.

In short, we are so excited that Joe has found a really good place to live...God has blesses us immensely!

Location:Mesa, AZ

Grandparenthood bliss

Oh the bliss of grandparenthood! Vickie and I are in the throws of an exciting adventure...a new phase of life has officially started.

Actually it started months ago with the announcements of expectant mothers...first Danielle and later Jamie. This week the reality hit as we entered into danielle and adam's home and were welcomed with open arms...and met Charlotte Mae in-person for the first time.

I call this "bliss" for a lot of reasons. Of course everyone knows the best part of grandparenthood is the fact that you can leave after your part of spoiling the children is done (hey, we paid our dues x5). But the real bliss is that I am actually love-ing it already. Just the opportunity to hold this little darling in my arms, and actually think that in a small way i can call her my own g-child is totally awesome.

She really IS adorable. And her parents really do appreciate our being here. And I really am enjoying every minute.

Location:Chesapeake VA

Joyful holiday

I just want to say a big THANK YOU to our many family member (both old and new) for a most joyful thanksgiving. Each of my kids and their husbands/boyfriend, the entire Schuld family, even the turkey helped to make this a most memorable holiday.


It may be because this was our first thanksgiving in Arizona, or because everyone had to get so cozy and stuff into our tiny little place, (or maybe it was the detailed agenda LOL) but there is no way to top the gathering this year.

Thank you to all.


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Neck treatment #3

Like a lot of other people I have dealt with chronic neck pain for a long time...this week I received the third in a series of treatments.."Radio Frequency Oblation" as it is called is used to eliminate the pain transmitted by nerve pain at the joints..



The technique "burns" the tiny branch nerve between the joints of the spine. Things grows back in 12-18 months but in the mean time it can't transmit the pain signals. The catch is you have to repeat the procedure in 18 months If the pain returns.

Prior to this week I had received about 40% relief from the procedures done on C2-C6...that's why I returned Monday to do the third round.. T1-4 left side. So far the report is good...but I promised to wait a few more days to declare one way or the other...stay tuned.

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Holiday Plans

The immediate family will all be together for the Thanksgiving holidays ...nothing new, right? But what IS new is the location...Sunny Phoenix Arizona!





So here are the plans that mom and I have put together for the weekend...I hope you like them...we had to come up with an agenda that we think would work for most of us...it looks like it will be a lot of fun! What do YOU think?

Wednesday
12-1am ....Pickup CJ, Andy, Danielle, Adam at airport

Thursday
AM
Breakfast bagels and muffins
Pickup Jamie and Jeremy at airport
Pickup Joe at Hacienda
Dinner at Schulds
PM
Grandma memorial at home
Broccoli soup and shrimp

Friday
hot breakfast
Drive to Sedona
Walk main street
Tlaquepaque village
Pizza at the Hideaway
Red rock fantasy light show
Drive home

Saturday
Shower - women 10am
Shooting - men
Dinner out at Rustlers Rooste
Festival of lights
Drop off CJ & Andy 1240am flight



Sunday
Church
Hike or visit Aunt Gina
Drop off Danielle and Adam 1215am flight




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Location:E Cheyenne Dr,Phoenix,United States

Another trip to NJ

This week I had another trip to NJ for work. This is the second trip since moving. I'm not complaining since I get to see family and friends while taking care of business.

Besides work assignments I have visited grandpa Longo, had dinner with Harry and Chris. Thursday I plan to meet with Ed for breakfast, Fran for lunch and end the day with my own Mom for dinner at the skylark diner in Edison


...sounds like a lot of meal companions, huh?

I believe this is God's provision, since I have really missed family and friends most of all in AZ...as long a I keep having to travel it will not feel like I am away from you all!


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Location:Somerville,United States