A message from your cousin!

One Sad Year

Hello my sweeties,
Today marks one dark, long year since we last saw you. (Not counting the 2 minutes when we ran into you in Target). It has been a very sad year for me. Thanksgiving also marked THREE years since your mom spoke to me. I just can't comprehend how your mom can hate so much, and for so long. You only get one family, and we are your mom's family. I SO miss you all. I think of you two about 200 times a day! I think of you last thing before I go to sleep, and you are my first thought when I awake in the morning!

The only thing that gets me through is the thought that one day I WILL see you again. I must believe that. Luna talks about missing you girls a lot too, and asks often why your mom won't let you girls see or talk to Luna and Tia either. She looks at your pictures a lot! Savannah, remember our planned "Reading" vacation? Luna and Tia and I talk about that quite a bit, and how one day you girls and Tia and Luna and I will go on this vacation!

Luna turned 5 on December 2nd. Erica made her a beautiful Scooby Doo cake!Isn't that cute? Luna had a great party, with a Scooby Doo piñata too! We had pizza and cake and ice cream! Lots of people came... we all wished you could have been there. I hate missing YOUR birthday parties!

Here are some more pictures:


Erica has taught us about Hanukkah! We've been lighting the menorah and Luna can almost say most of the prayer in Hebrew! Tonight we had time to celebrate properly- we had pot roast, latkes, and cheesecake! We then played Dreidel with gold chocolate coins, called gelt. We had a very nice time. Here is a picture of Tia and me!


Here is Luna in the snow!


Well my precious girls, it's time for me to go. Oh, Coalli is doing well... she is SO cute, and lovable! When I can hardly stand it that I can't see or hug you girls, Coalli will snuggle with me, and I give her your hugs!

Remember, we are family, always will be. I LOVE you more than chicken, and always will!
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Love, Mom Mom

Happy Birthday, Mari!! (Late)

Hello Sweeties,

I hope you had a great birthday, Mari! I wonder if you had a Wizard of Oz themed party or Scooby Doo? Or do you have a new interest? I hope you had a lot of friends and fun. Mom Mom and Pop Pop were thinking of you. I wish I could have been there, and I wish I could send a gift. I know your mom would not allow it. One day we will make it all up, and have a BIG birthday celebration to make up for all our lost years. Now you are 6... growing up so fast!!

It is fast approaching one year since I have seen you girls, except for the two minutes in Target over the summer. Hardly an hour goes by that I don't think of you! Any time I see a Hannah Montana ad, or a horse, or Scooby Doo, or Eloise, or boots, or charm bracelets, or Saddle Club, or Strega Nona, or even broccoli, it makes me cry, and I think of you again !!! ... the list is endless, since we were SO involved in your lives, likes and loves. Your room is still as it was, and your collection of Cherished Teddies has grown a bit. I pick them up once in a while when I find them!

We are in Colorado still, and will be here till after New Year's. A family down the street gave us their white chihuahua, and five days later, asked for it back!! Pop Pop and I cried, but gave it back. Two of Tia's students, Jessica and Jesus got me a new puppy! A black chihuahua mixed with Jack Russell! I named her Coalli, meaning happy, good, in Nahuatl. She is adorable, and I know you would fall in love with her too! Luna has, but dislikes Coalli's jumping! She is about 14 weeks old, and I love her to pieces! Can you see Piddles and Coalli running around together? Coalli chases Botas and Erica's cat all the time!

Here is a picture I took yesterday!

Last week there was a parade here, led by live reindeer! The train, the library, and City Hall were all lit up, and Luna got to see Santa Claus.



Did you have a good Thanksgiving? We had a nice one, even though you were on my mind most of the time. I made a huge meal, and it was, ahem, SO good! Tia had 3 students for dinner, so it was busy, but nice.

We've only had one snowfall since we've been here! It may snow again this Friday! Saturday is Luna's 5th birthday party, with a Scooby Doo theme. Jessica, Tia' s student made a Pin the Nose on Scooby game, and we're having a Scooby cake (made by Erica).

Here're some pictures of the snow!






Ok muchachas! Remember, I AM your grandmother, no matter who says otherwise! I love you all more than chicken, and the thought of seeing you again, one day, is what keeps me going!
Hugs and Kisses! x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0
Love, Mom Mom

Happy Birthday, Danniele

Dear Sweeties,

Today is your mom's 32nd birthday! I always think of when she was born on this day... the 10 days in the hospital, and how she wanted to be born "bottom" first! She was gorgeous, with very dark hair, and strong lungs!

I almost called her several times, but I did not have the strength to be rejected, again. You can tell her, I never forgot her birthday in my heart. I wish for this birthday that she would reflect on all the good times, and how much I love and miss you all. We can never regain this time... this time apart is gone for good. We can't make up for it. I am hoping that she will decide it's more important to have me and her sister and niece IN her life. We all miss you SO much. Tia and I went to lunch Saturday, with Luna and Erica. A girl about 9 or 1o walked by, and for a split second I thought it was Savannah, and began to cry.

I hope you had a great Halloween! I thought of you a lot, and wondered how you dressed this year, and if Luca and Micah dressed up too!

I went out Trick or Treating with Luna, who dressed as the Wicked With of the West. She would scrunch up her face and say "I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too". She sounded great!

Here are some pictures. I can only look at the pictures I have of you, as I have none for a year.

Here is your mom and Mari, meeting Luna, Dec. 2, 2002!
(Click on the image to see it larger!)

Here is Luna in her costume!

Well, my sweet girls, I need to go. Remember, I am always your grandmother. I will always be here for you. One day we will see each other again, I am sure of it! I just am having a really hard time waiting for that day!

Happy Birthday, Danniele!

I love you all more than chicken... Micah and Luca too! Big hugs and kisses!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxooxoxoxoxoxo

Dream

Judge Rea was feeling remorseful over the Cannon Centeno case. He realized now he had hurt 4 small children, 2 of whom had never known their grandparents. The older two, were less fortunate. They DID know, and love their grandparents, and they were ripped from their loving company. These grandparents took care of the two girls... took the older one to school since pre-school, and picked her up each day. They were cared for and loved by these grandparents, who kept them while mom worked. These girls had their own room and the grandparent's home... painted pink, with bunny wallpaper, and a dainty bedspread. These grandparents adored the girls, and it was mutual. These grandparents watched the girls EACH and EVERY time the parents asked. They spent the night often, often at the kids request! They cooked with the grandmother, did sewing and science projects. The grandmother read to these girls often. She quit her job when the first girl was born, to be able to take care of her. Later, in a revengeful voice, mom told the judge I only wanted to keep Savannah as I felt no one else could care for her as I did, not because I loved her. (Except for Mom, true!)



One day Mom got angry and decided to never allow the grandparents to see these children again. The grandparents were distraught and cried constantly.

Legal counsel was sought to see the girls, using Grandparents Rights. The first Judge, decided to allow twice weekly phone calls while a court counselor decided if we should see the girls. After months of prodding the counselor to do her job, the judge ruled we were to see the girls every other weekend. It was like heaven seeing them again!

Several months went by, and the mom decided to change times of visits, making it three and four weeks between visits. We had to see them only in a restaurant or park. Many times the girls were not available to talk at the court appointed times.

The grandparents sought legal counsel. The NEXT judge, Judge Rea, decided to allow the parents to decide times and dates. The mom decided NO calls and NO visits. The grandparents are heartsick. Their souls are mostly dead.



Judge Rea felt horrible when he realized he had separated grandchildren who were loved and cherished from grandparents these children also loved and cherished. He realized he did not read the entire case... about the father locking the oldest daughter in a room, with him, and several loaded guns. Police were called. So many incidents of the father's harsh and unsafe treatment of these precious girls.

Judge Rea decided to revers his decision. We were allowed to see the girls every other weekend and one weeknight a week! Happy Day.

The grandparents were elated. Judge Rae apologized profusely to the grandparents and admonished the parents for keeping the children away from their grandparents. Note, the grandparents do not smoke, drink, or do drugs. They attend church, and have never been arrested. They are decent, honest and good people.

Mom Mom had such tears of joy in her eyes, and her heart heaved a sigh of relief at seeing Savannah, Mari, Micah and Luca! She hugged and kissed them and there were millions of smiles all around. So many tears of happiness.

Mom Mom awoke from her dream, still with tears on her face. It was only a dream. A very sad dream. It was not real. She still can't see her precious grandchildren.

Judge Rea, if you should ever know what you have done to destroy an entire family, you should surely be ashamed.

Mom also elected not to see her own sister and niece any longer. She has divided the family, with Mom and her husband (They got married after 3 children, during the hearings on grandparent visitation) stay in contact with Mom's dad, and myself, my husband and my other daughter and one grandchild are elsewhere, with NO contact, not by choice.

I have tried to speak to Mom, but she won't.

I am so so sad. It is almost one year since Judge Rea's ruling, and the last time I saw my Arizona grandchildren. I feel my soul has died forever.

I love you Savannah, Mari, Micah and Luca... more than chicken!
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Long time!

Isn't Mari cute?

Hi sweeties,



It has been SO long! I've just been unable to come here to write. It makes me SO sad to write here, but I want you to know I think of you often, every day! My eyes are tearing up now, and it is difficult to breathe.

When we ran into you with your mom at Target a few weeks ago, it threw me into such a sadness. Of course it was delightful to get to see you for a minute or two- but it made me even sadder to be able to see you for such a short time. I'm SO glad Mari remembers me! Yours and Mari's hugs will have to sustain me till we see each other again.

Isn't Savannah cute?

I dream about you most nights! Recently I dreamed that I saw you, and Savannah- you told me to go away! I cried so hard! But last night I dreamed I ran into you and I told you to check www.savannahstafford.com and you would always be able to find me! You whispered in my ear that you knew, and that you have been reading this blog and visiting the website. (I don't have it up still!) I woke up happy that morning, and slept so much better!

I am waiting impatiently for the day when we can see each other again. When you girls get bigger, you can decide for yourselves. I am SO pained that I am missing your growing up.

We'll be going to Colorado soon, as Tia is pretty sick. She wants me to come and meet Luna's pre-school teacher. Tia said she wants me to be in Luna's life. I remember when I was in YOUR life and I SO miss that. I've never seen Mari in her uniform!

Remember that I love you both more than anything, and would do anything for you! I miss you terribly. I hope school is going well for both of you and that you are happy.

Love you more than chicken!
x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x
Love, Mom Mom

Photos

We're Home!

Hi Sweeties,

We finally made it home last night! I see they cut down some trees near the farmhouse and I can see your house as I went to mine! (It only made me cry).

We enjoyed our time at Tia's house. I finished painting Luna's room, and Pop Pop put up shelves and shaded! It looks great! Did I tell you it is an Under the Sea theme? We also traveled while in Colorado. We went to Colorado Springs and visited the Garden of the Gods. We also went up Pike's Peak where they have Santa's Workshop! Before the Colorado Springs trip, we also went to Santa Fe for a weekend!

I'll be working on the www.savannahstafford.com soon. My hope is one day you will find this blog or the site. That way you can always find me! Give me a week or two to get it up!

Here are some pictures of Luna!

Can you believe she markered herself? She drew "tatoos" on Tia's arms and Tia even went to work with them on her arms!



Do you remember when we all went to the sand dunes? Well, we went again... Luna, me and Pop Pop. There was quite a bit of water in Medano Creek, and Luna had so much fun. We stayed the night and Luna wore her bathing suit the next day! It began to rain in the afternoon, and we went walking around the nature trail. We were almost alone and got close to a deer that was licking the grills! I guess she liked the taste of barbeque sauce!



Luna called us tonight to see if we got home safely. She asked right away if I had seen you two girls! She wanted to know why I could not see you. So, I finally said that your mom is mad at me and won't let me see you.

But really, it's going on 3 years now! I'd really like to know if your mom is going to EVER forgive me for whatever it was that she thinks I did! I can't think of ANYTHING that warrants three years of anger! Wow. I would like to make up and try to get past this. How can she stay mad for SO long? If you ever get to read this, please tell her her it is just not worth this silence, and in the end, she is only hurting herself. I pray every day that this will be over. I want to see you and hug you SO badly. This hole in my heart still hurts.


OK, sweeties. I miss you oodles and oodles! I love you more than chicken, forever!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Love, Mom Mom

Sadness

Hello Sweeties,

I found this poem online tonight, and it sums up how I've been feeling. It's been 7 months and I miss you not one drop less. The entire mess has lasted almost 3 years! I think of you all the time, and the pain has not eased.



Missing You


No words I write can ever say,
How much I miss you everyday.
As time goes by the loneliness grows,
How I miss you... nobody knows.

I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
But all I have are memories,
And a photo in a frame.

No one knows my sorrow,
No one sees me weep.
But the love I have for you,
Is in my heart and mine to keep.

I never stopped loving you,
I don't think I ever will.
Deep inside my heart,
You are with me still.

Heartaches in this world are many,
But mine is worse than any.
My heart still aches as I whisper low,
"I need you... and miss you so."

The things we feel so deeply,
Are often the hardest things to say.
But I just can't keep quite anymore,
So I'll tell you anyway.

There is a place in my heart,
That no one can fill.
I love you... and I always will.



Last night I dreamed about you girls and Micah, again. I dreamed I got to see you and hug you. I kept squeezing and kissing you! It was painful to wake up and find it was not true. I'm keeping this short, as I don't like to write when I am this sad. I miss you terribly and love you so much. I can't wait for the day when we can see each other. I thank God for Luna, as I am enjoying her so much. I remember how you all played together. I'm keeping my grandmother skills fresh with Luna. She is SO smart and getting SO big! She is taking gymnastics now and while we are here, I get to watch her. Then we do laps together!

Tomorrow we are going to Colorado Springs! I will write more when we get home, and post some pictures!

I love you more than chicken, and always will!
Hugs and Kisses, Mom Mom
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Boots and stuff

Hello sweeties,

We're still in Colorado! I hope you are having a good summer! I'll bet you've gone to the splash park several times already! It's pretty warm here in Colorado too, but a LOT cooler than where you are! it actually gets nice and cool in the evenings and night, and that makes for good sleeping weather! Luna, Tia, Mom Mom and Pop Pop talk about you girls all the time and how much we miss you. I hope you are not forgetting us! You and your brothers are a part of our family forever-don't forget that! I'll bet Micah and Luca are getting so big-and I never saw either one as a baby! I wonder who Luca looks like! I wonder how Micah took to Luca! How do you two girls feel about being the big sisters?

I wonder if you two are still doing the dishes, taking out the trash, and all the work you were doing. Will Mari go to pre-school again this year, or first grade? Savannah, you will be going to fourth grade! Wow! I hope you are still doing well with reading and math, Savannah! Help Mari learn too!

Today, Pop Pop, Luna and I went to a hardware/tack shop for some stuff Pop Pop needed to fix a water pipe. This store had your names written all over it! Remember the blue boots you wanted, Mari? The pink boots you wanted, Savannah? They had ALL kinds of boots for girls your age there, and lots of neat western wear and tee shirts! Of course I thought of you the second I saw them, and got all teary eyed, as I miss you SO much.

We are helping to fix up Tia's yard. Today we got a new hose and sprinkler, as Luna and I planted grass seed in some bare spots in the front yard. We have trimmed her tree in the fron and hung geraniums by the fron door, and some petunias on the tree branch. It is really looking cute and homey!

The other night we made shish kebabs! Pop Pop cooked them on the grill. Mmmmmmm.

Here is Luna and some of her little friends playing in the front yard!

On Sunday, Tio Piti called and asked to speak to Luna. Instead, he put your Abuelo on the phone. Luna does not know who he is and would not talk. Such a shame. Well, Abuela has not called or visited Luna in over 3 1/2 years, on her first birthday! That was the last time he has seen her. What a shame, as Tia NEVER banned Abuelo from visiting or calling Luna, like your Mom did to Tia, Pop Pop and me. Abuelo decided himself not to call or visit Luna. SO, what is happening is you girls and your brother know nothing about Tia, Pop Pop , Luna or me, and luna doe snot know anyone but Pop Pop, Tia and me! It's crazy, isn't it girls! Pay attention, and don't don't let this kind of foolishness creep into your own families when you are grown.

I'm waiting for the day when you are grown a bit more and can decide for yourselves to visit us! That will be the best day on earth!

Love you more than chicken!
x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0
Mom Mom and Pop Pop

Thinking of you everyday!

Hi girls! I miss you so much. You are in my thoughts day and night! We're in Colorado again. We took Luna to see Thomas the Tanker train again, in Durango. What fun you would have had! You can't really see Luna in this picture, but we had a good time.

It is looking like I may not get to see you until you, Savannah, are old enough to tell the judge that you want to see us. Untill then, I hope you don't forget us, or Tia and Luna. Your pictures are all over Tia's house, as well as mine!

We are having a nice time here. Luna has lots of really nice friends next door and across the street, and plays outside all day long! She us taking gymnastics now and really loves it. I get to go see her twice a week while we are up here.

Don't forget to pray that your mom's heart will soften and we can all be a family again!

I love you more than chicken!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Mom Mom and Pop Pop

Hello Sweeties,

I miss you so much. Today has been a sad day for me... missing you SO much and wondering if you have forgotten me. I was so hoping to hear from your mom on Mother's Day, but I didn't. I prayed that maybe she would contact me and let me know how you girls are doing. Not one day goes by that I don't think of you, and miss you and cry for you. In fact, I dream about you most nights!

It's really looking like years will go by before we get to see you! I may have to wait till you are old enough to seek me out. Please don't forget me. We were special to each other, remember? We spent SO many nights together, telling stories, singing, and looking at the glow in the dark stars and planets I put on your room ceiling. They're still there, along with the Blues Clues bathtub stickers! We did so many wonderful things, like make books together, set up the ant farm, paint, play in the back yard, go to Luke AFB, see the salt mountain, and cook together. Remember the crab dishes? They are still in the cupboard. Luna used them when she visited. Because of my arthritis, I now use your Strawberry Shortcake and Princess spoons and forks! They have nice fat and soft handles!

Everywhere I go I see things that remind me of you girls - Strega Nona books, horses, playgrounds, Sweet Tomatoes, Juicy Juice, pink camouflage clothes, those Bratz dolls that I disliked, but you loved! Even my toothbrush, as I bought you girls one like mine!

We are still in Colorado, and planning to leave in a day or two. We've been having so much fun with Luna. We got her a 'jumpoline' with a net and we've been working in Tia's yard. Luna is adorable and still talks about you-of course Tia has many pictures of you girls around-but you must be so much bigger now! Luna is a sweetie too, and loves Scoobie Doo! She likes many things you girls like and does a lot of things you girls did! She loves to sleep and shower in our RV! She loves to play with Pancho and she adores puzzles. She is really good at tic-tac-toe and dominoes! Luna also loves to sing!




Tia went to Venezuela and saw your aunt and uncles and cousins! She did not get to see all the Centeno's, but many of them! I sent your pictures with Tia so everyone could see my sweethearts that I miss.


<--- Tia with Tia Oria and Tio Dick in Caracas.

Tia with Tio Piti Centeno






Take care my sweeties! I love you and miss you terribly!

Remember Pop Pop and I love you more than chicken!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Colorado

Hi sweeties,

Well, we are back in Colorado! Tomorrow morning Tia leaves on her trip to Venezuela! Pop Pop and I are taking care of Luna. Tia is not taking Luna as she is taking several of her students, to learn about the government. She will, however be seeing your numerous aunts, uncles and cousins while there!

I printed out many photos of you girls and Luna, and a few of Micah that I had. I want everyone there to see how much you have grown and how beautiful you both are! Tia is trying to talk me into going with her in late summer. I would love to go, but we'll see.

We're having a good time with Luna. Can you believe she can read now? Just short sentences for now, but it's a start! And, guess what books she likes Tia to read to her? Just guess! Remember when I read Judy Moody books to you, Savannah? Well, Tia started getting them from the library to read to Luna and she loves them! Mari, Luna also loves Strega Nona, one of your favorites that I used to read to you!

Luna is having her first ballet recital next week, while we are here! It reminds me when you, Savannah took ballet! You were SO cute in your little leotard. You were a bit younger than Luna when you started.

Tomorrow Pop Pop is putting together Luna's swing set... JUST like the one we got for YOU girls! Luna really likes to be outdoors, and she has a fenced in backyard-I know she will be playing on that swing set a lot!

Keep praying, girls, that we will see each other before too long. I'm still waiting for your mom to call me. I'm hoping she will call me on Mother's Day to tell me we can all be a family again!

Remember we love you all more than chicken!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Love, Mom Mom and Pop Pop

Oh, you can see some of the scrapbook pages I have made, of you girls and Luna!
http://www.3scrapateers.com/gallerypp/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/12666


Bye for now!

Phone Call

Hello sweeties, A few weeks ago I decided to call your mom. I've been nervously getting the courage to do so. I finally decided the other day to call Sunday morning. Today. I awoke with butterflies in my tummy! But I called! Your mom answered, and I could hear Luca crying! I told her who I was and that I missed her and you girls so much! I asked if I could speak to you, but she said no. I did ask her if we could get together and talk about things, and make a new start. She said she would think about it, and sounded a little less hostile! Maybe she will consider it, and maybe we can see you again before too long. I sure would like to see and know your little brothers!

Today I am posting one of my favorite pictures of you , Savannah, and Tia. You two had so much fun that day, in the sun room! Remember how you used to go spend the night on weekends at Tia's house, and then go out for breakfast? Tia LOVED that, and so did you, Savannah!

Someone sent me this in an email yesterday: Maybe . . . Happiness waits for all those who cry, all those who hurt, all those who have searched, and all those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of all the people who have touched their lives.

I miss you so much, I really do ache to see you and hug you! I tell you this, not to make you sad, but to reassure you that I love you and always will. You two girls are my happiness!

Here's another picture, from happier times, of your mom, Tia and Mari. We had a great time that day, all of us, laughing and goofing off. Do you remember how we all stuck bottle nipples on our faces and heads? I do and I will remember it always!

I'm praying that your mom considers talking to me again, and gives us a chance to see you again!

We love you more than chicken!
x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0x0
Love, Mom Mom and Pop Pop

Cherished Teddies

Image from Flicker http://flickr.com/photos/digitalpretzel/156120635/

Hello girls,

I don't want you to forget all the Cherished Teddies I still have in your room! From time to time, I have added to your collection, and I wanted you to know! Your room is still the same, and the shelf of Teddies is still there! Recently I found some Wizard of Oz Cherished Teddies to add to your collection! I don't have the one above though!

I also decided to post this scrap page I made of your mother when she was a little girl! If you ever get to see this blog, I thought you might like to see this!

Easter Trip

Hello my girls! it has been week ssince I have posted. Again, you were always on my mind. Pop Pop and I went to Virginia Beach for Easter, and we took Luna with us. She asked for you often, and looked at your pictures often, as did I.

One of the highlights of the trip, apart from seeing family again, was taking Luna to the Wizard of Oz Museum. I'm still hoping to take you one day too! Luna was a great traveler, and we went in our RV. We folded down the table, laying the bench cushions on top, and made Luna a little nest. There, at night, she would watch DVD movies on Pop Pop's laptop!

Here are some pictures of Luna on our trip! Hasn't she grown since you've seen her last? She adores Pancho!
Luna got to meet Aunt Barbara, and our Virginia cousins! We had a lovely time. Luna loved playing with Teresa's little girl, Elizabeth. But, the highlight of Luna's trip was meeting her 10 year old cousin, Brandon! She fell in love with him, and chased him all over the house!


We dyed Easter eggs, and I remembered how many times you and I did that. I sure hope you had a great Easter with your mom and dad and brothers. Did you look for Easter eggs? Mary Ann hid eggs for Luna to find, and she had so much fun! Luna and I went to church with Barbara and we had a HUGE meal! Mary Ann cooked most of the meal, and even made an Easter centerpiece with a bunny and colored eggs. It was very nice for me to see everyone again! I think it's been more than 11 years since I went back!

Luna got to play with Toto, the little dog that lives at the museum, but goes home with his owner at night!

Well, girls, I will post again soon. I never stop praying that things will work out for your mom and me, and that she will let us see you, and HUG you again soon! I miss you like crazy, and think of you a gazillion times a day (and night!).

Remember, Pop Pop and I love you more than chicken!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Sadness

Hello my sweeties,

It's been a while. I've been SO sad. I want so much to hug you and see you. Remember NONE of this is your fault. If you ever get to see this, please pray often that we can see each other soon. This is really hard on me and Pop Pop. I hope you are keeping busy and are happy. I pray every day that you are well and are happy, along with your little brothers. I sure miss your mom too, and hope she is doing well. I long for the days when we can be a family again. Every time I go by your street, I hope for a glimpse of you.

When we go to Target or the grocery store, I look for your mom's van, hoping to get a glimpse of you.

We are getting ready to go to Virginia, to visit family, and we're taking Luna. What a great trip it would be if you girls could go too! We're going in our RV and I like to imagine how much fun you girls and Luna would have in our RV! I'm sure one day we can be together again! I just love you so much, my heart actually hurts from not seeing you!

I'm still working on a wonderful scrapbook, so you girls can see how I thought of you every day!

We love you more than chicken!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Love and hugs, Mom Mom and Pop Pop

Virginia Beach

Hello Sweeties! It's been a while, as I have been busy and sad over missing you. I think of you all the time!

Remember how we could not find angels for your brothers for my van dashboard? Well... I found angel snowmen! Yup! I bought one for October and one for March! They ride next to your angels!

We're getting ready to go pick up your cousin and head to Virginia Beach to see relatives we have not seen in a long time. We SO wish we could take you. We're taking a gazillion pictures of you girls to show your cousins how gorgeous you are!

We have been very busy. We got a new sofa recently-a sectional kind, that wraps around the corner. It is So comfy and all of you will fit on it! I'm trying to decide what color to pain the living room. Your room is staying the same-not to worry!

I'm tutoring a woman from church in reading. I'm sharing your favorite books with her and always tell her "I read this book to my granddaughters". She seems pleased with that!

Computer repairs and interpreting also fill my time. Pop Pop spends a lot of time in his shop and looking after Pancho. Pancho has Cushing's disease and needs quite a bit of medication each day.

Pancho still sits everyday, looking at the front door. We think he is waiting for you girls to come on in!

We love you more than chicken!
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Savannah is almost 9

Hello sweeties,

I haven't written much lately as I am so down. I miss you so much I can hardly stand it. I want to hug you so much! We won't be able to share your birthday again this year. Thanks to Judge Rea, we won't even be able to see you at all.

I certainly hope you have a great day and have a wonderful party. At 9, I'll bet you tall enough to break open your piñata yourself! Please have lot's of fun with your friends and brothers and sister!

Here's a picture of your mom and Savannah on your third birthday!

We love you so much and miss you so much. I would trade all I own for a day with you girls! Don't forget to pray that things will be right soon - we do many times a day!

We love you more than chicken!
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Mom Mom + Pop Pop

After Valentine's Day

Hi girls,

I hope you and your brothers are doing well. I am also hoping you received lots of Valentines. My Valentine to you will have to wait for a day when we can see you. Did you have a nice party at school? Don't think we didn't think of you! Every time we went into Target or a store that sold valentines, we felt a shot of sadness through our hearts at not being able to get you a cuddly animal or some chocolates!

I think of you everyday and pray everyday that your mom's heart will soften, and she will know how important you are to us, and also that we are important to you! Don;t forget to pray! Every time I hear "Shout to the Lord" at church, I remember us singing it together in the car!

You are in my thoughts the last thing at night, and the first thing in the morning. I am working on the site savannahstafford.com
which is not up yet. I'm hoping you will be able to find us and read about how much we miss you and constantly think of you! You are forever our granddaughters and we are your grandparents!

We love you more than chicken! Mom Mom and Pop Pop
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Hello sweeties,

I've been making a lot of scrapbook pictures of you and Luna to see one day! I have really gotten addicted to digital scrapbooking - wait till you see them!

Here is a picture of you two wearing the shirts you picked out at Target. You rushed to put them on in the van!

I'm wearing the charm bracelet you picked out for me that day, too! Remember the coffee cup charm Mari picked out, and the heart charm Savannah picked out?

Valentine's Day is coming up. I'm hoping you both have a great party at school! Mari, I sure would like to see you in pre-school! I used to take and pick up Savannah every day, and she was so excited showing me her paintings and crafts. I so enjoyed watching her play on the school playground after school.

Here are some photos of Savannah at Pre-school. Isn't she cute?















Danniele Centeno


I love you more than chicken! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Night Time

At night, when the TV is off, and Pop Pop has gone to bed, I think of you girls even more. I miss you so much it hurts. I'm hoping one day your mom will realize that she is hurting all of us... Tia, Luna, you girls and your little brothers.


Tia spoke to your aunts and uncles in Venezuela, who said they had heard nothing from your Abuelo, and that he kept telling them Tia and Luna were fine! Abuelo is living in Philadelphia now and has not spoken to Tia in over 3 years! I have a feeling Abuelo will hear from them soon.

Tia is going to Venezuela in the spring, and she will tell them all the details of what has happened to our family. Such a shame.

Again, I love you so so so much. I pray for the day to come when I can see you again!

Love, Mom Mom

Luna Baloona

Hi girls,

I wanted to post pictures of Luna too! She misses you and wishes she could see you. She started ballet lessons, and is learning chess! She LOVES the computer and her favorite TV show is Wow Wow Wubsy, and her favorite movie is Charlotte's Web!

We went to the Children's Museum in Pueblo with Luna. She had a great time! We wished you could have been there with us. Just know that you are always in our thoughts, and we miss seeing you and watching you grow. I hope your two little brothers, Micah and Luca are doing well too. Gosh, we've never even seen Luca, and only seen Micah a few times.






Luna and I made brownies, and Luna wore her chef's hat and apron. (A Christmas gift from Erica)

Hello girls

Wow, I have not posted in weeks! But not a day went by that I didn't think of you, or cry at night over missing you terribly.

Luna is getting SO big, and still talks about her cousins, Savannah and Mari. She and Tia also miss you very much!

We have been on the road for 6 weeks! For the first three, we used our van, and Roy, from church enclosed Pop Pop's trailer.



Then, we got a used RV and took Pancho with us. You both would have had fun with us! We spent Christmas with Tia, and while there we learned that Grandpa, my dad, died. We came home long enough to repack, and drove to Michigan for a beautiful Life Celebration service. You would have loved to have been there. It was just beautiful, and Tia and Luna went for a few days too. We ended up staying about a week.


There was lots of snow! We spent slow, mellow days with Jeanette, and enjoying her company, eating well, and reminiscing about Grandpa.


We took our time driving home, and stopped at Tia's house again. On the way to Tia's we visited the Wizard of Oz museum. Mari, I felt vicariously excited for you, and enjoyed every minute. We also saw lots of wildlife along the way, horses, donkeys, deer, rabbits, and even some strange ducks!


We sure miss you girls, and we bought you some Wizard of Oz souvenirs at the museum. Lord only knows when I can give them to you, but I am confident that one day they will be yours. The same day we get to hug and kiss you again, and see your shining smiles and beautiful faces.



I'll post again soon! I love you both more than chicken. We miss you SO SO SO much.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Mom Mom and Pop Pop