Well, we made it 6 years without the diagnosis in our family, but Hunter was officially diagnosed with it today....poor buddy has the flu (high fever, cough and body aches). Yah, I know---bad nurse/mom Amy...it's true...I didn't get my kids vaccinated this year. Slap on the hand for me. Lesson learned.

Praying no one else gets it, especially since 1. Grace has her first speed skating competition THIS Sunday, and 2. little Ford is just 6 weeks old (the Wienerts are living with us for awhile while their home repairs are done).

Praying for a peaceful, relaxing weekend. Sometimes we need something like this to slow us down....to remind us just how blessed we are. Blessed for family, health, food, shelter.

As a FYI....Hunter has his own website -- check it out at http://www.hdfitz.blogspot.com/

Nothing like it!

Priceless.....to watch your 8-year old daughter publicly acknowledge Jesus as Lord via water baptism!

Grace decided she was ready to be baptized yesterday. We weren't sure if she really understood what it meant, so we asked her.....

She explained it all to us....that getting baptized means you are dying to yourself to live for Christ (in front of people).

She got it!

God is so good and faithful! We are so excited she has chosen to live her life for the Lord!

Our Christmas pictures for 2010

Thanks to my wonderful friend, Shannon Black (www.shannonblackphotography.com), we had our family pictures professionally taken in our backyard this year!

We are looking forward to spending time with our family and friends this year during the holiday break, as we strive to always remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving 2010

Started with Matt & Sandy and kids coming up for a pre-Thanksgiving visit. Fun was had by all (especially Dr. Smooth, our favorite disco skater). Matt, we expect more groovy moves out of you next time!

We then went down to their house in Apopka (aka Vicks Landing Academy, where "everyone can do anything or everything"...SURE!) for a few days.

Thanksgiving dinner was held at Carlos and Melannie's house (thanks for hosting). Props to Sandy for her thrice-baked turkey dish, and Grace for peeling all 22 potatoes on her own! Good times.

Really though....I think my brother-in-law, Matt said it best:

" There's no day like Turkey Day! No presents, no trees, no decorations...just good food, good family and friends, and good football! And, of course, a good nap to synergistically tie everything together."

Hunter & Grace

It's been a very busy school year so far....let me up date you on our kids! :)

Grace

1. still taking speed skating lessons on Tues and Thurs (loves it)

2. is in the 3rd grade.

3. loves to sew, do arts/crafts, write stories, skate, sing/dance, eat soup, hang out with grandma and her new dog ("Bubba", a toy rat terrier).

4. favorite colors are green and blue now.

Hunter

1. favorite hobby is looking things up on google. Right now his biggest interest is a stacker machine. He is determined to find one for a good price! :)

2. is in the 5th grade.

3. loves anything to do with arcade games, paper jamz, phiten necklaces, making/creating videos, money!

4. favorite colors are red and blue now.

They both dressed up as "ROCK STARS" for Halloween this year. It was cute and creative.

Welcome! Here's how to get started with Skype

Welcome! Here's how to get started with Skype: "Find your friends"AUTUMN PARVU AMY FITZPATRICK FITZPATRICK FAMLY

Hunter & Grace, Artists

It's been awhile since I last "blogged", so here we go...let me fill you in on our lives right now.

The summer has begun, and I can't believe it is already July1st! It is flying by! The kids are doing great. My sister, Amber watches them for me while I work my 2.5 days/week. They are having a blast with their Aunt Amber, who by the way is now 12.5 weeks pregnant (due January 9th)! :) They have been busy working on their latest "project" (painting pictures and selling them for $10.oo each). They now both have a website to display and sell their art! Check it out! I will post the links at the end of this blog. They are looking forward to going on another Disney cruise in late July (thanks to Aunt Melannie and Uncle Carlos for the hook-up....sooo couldn't have done it without you!). Hunter is 10 and will be in 5th grade this year. Grace is 8 and will be in 3rd grade. Can't believe how old they are getting....I mean, they were just 1 and 3!!! :( Moms and dads, enjoy every day! Before you know it, they will be all grown up and out of the house.

We usually have a 4th of July party at our house, but this year we are taking a break (our friends, the Parizeks -- who do the awesome fireworks show -- needed the year off, so we decided to just take it off too and go do something else this year). We are planning on next year though.

We are looking forward to our friends, the Summerville's visit in just 2 weeks! They come visit us from Ohio every summer for a week! We have known them for 12 years now...love you guys! Can't wait to see ya! Shout out to Diane...happy birthday today!! :)

Marty and I are doing good. Marty is staying busy with work (which is always a good thing). He tore a muscle in his calf a few weeks ago, so hasn't been able to play basketball or softball lately (which bummed him out), but hopefully over time it will completely heal, so he will be back on the court/field by next season. I am enjoying working part-time and being a full-time mom. I am so blessed to have a godly husband who loves me and the kids so much.

OK, that's us in a nutshell! Be sure to check out the kids blogs! :)

Grace = www.paintingsbygrace.blogspot.com

Hunter = www.hdfitz.blogspot.com