In case you don't remember me, let me enlighten you. 

My name is Gilda Maria Figaronelli.  I live in Tarrytown, New York, with my awesome husband, Vincente, and our equally awesome brood of children, who are the lights of my life.

We have adopted five of our children.  Only one our second oldest) is our own flesh and blood, our son, Vincente, Jr., who is now thirteen.

All of our children have some type of special need; however, we've learned to see past their disabilities, see them as the people they truly are.  It's not easy at times, but we do it.  We have to.  Our kids are not their problems; they are kids with problems.

We have two boys and four girls.  Their names are from the oldest to the youngest:  Kayla (16), Vincente (13), Harlan (11), Graciella (9), Brooklyn (7), and Philomena (3). 

As I alluded to just a bit ago, all of my kids are disabled in some way or another.  Some (like Vincente) are only mildly affected while others (like Kayla, Harlan, Graciella, Brooke, and Phillie) are severely disabled.  I've gone completely grey on account of some of the things my children have faced throughout the years; yet I'd die for them; that's how much I love my kids, my babies.

Phillie is severely disabled with CP that's left her totally dependent on our care; yet she is such a sweet, loving child who knows how to pull at your heartstrings. 

Graciella and Brookie both have emotional problems stemming from abuse at the hand of their natural parents; both now live at a hospital for emotionally disturbed youth; they will stay there until their meds can be controlled and they stop acting out.  (We visit them every weekend.  It's hard, but we do it to ensure the safety of our other children; they are both very unpredictable.)

Harlan has severe asthma/allergies that have put him into the hospital from time to time, and he has to stay away from certain foods, or else he could get deathly sick. 

As for Kayla, she has had several major heart surgeries and has been in and out of the hospital.  Her last hospital stay was this past April, three months ago.  She was in for a week; her heart acted up again, gave us a few anxious moments.  I'm glad to say she's okay again; yet you never know when she is going to fall ill.

My husband is still working while I primarily stay home with the children.  They keep me hoppin'; about the only time I get any respite from them is when I crash out on the bed come nightfall.  On the weekends, my husband helps me out, which I greatly appreciate, as I can't do it all on my own!!

Remember that book I told you about, the book I was planning to write?  Well, it's come into fruition; am waiting to hear from the publisher, to see if it's been accepted or rejected.  (Hopefully it's the former, not the latter!)  I sent it off last month; wonder how long it will take before I hear anything?  Well, no news is good news, as they always say! LOL

Thank God, thank God I have my mother in law to come help out when things get hairy.  If it were not for her, or for my neighbor Bonnie Mae Turlington, I'd gone off the deep end long ago.  (Not really, but sometimes the kids DO drive this mamma crazy! LOL)

We've had some bad times since I last wrote:  I lost my daddy to cancer not long after I'd written my entry; I miss him so much I can't stand it!!  I think of him; it's enough to get the ol' waterworks going!  Sometimes I swear my tear ducts are on the blink!  Seems that any little reminder of my daddy can get me crying!! 

Also, Kayla had her heart surgery back in December; she's still recovering from that.  It was a major surgery:  she nearly died on the operating table; they had to call a Code Blue on her behalf; it was a very scary, terrifying time!  It was only by a miracle that she survived!

Ma lives with us now; she's in fairly good health, but she's something of a recluse; she tends to stay out of everyone's hair, do her own thing.  I get along with her fairly well, but she has her moments; she's incredibly stubborn (like me LOL).  I love my ma fiercely, but I wish she'd help out more with her grandchildren instead of hiding in her room, watching soap opries all day!!

Well, that's the update on us, the Figaronellis.  If anything else occurs, I'll let you know, firsthand.  Until next time, take care, and may God bless you always!

~Love, Gilda M. Figaronelli, Tarrytown, New York (adoptive parent to five, birth mother to one, six kids total). :)