We've had ongoing construction at our house for the last couple months. Things have been a little hectic. But this will all be worth it in the long run!!! Demolition, construction, painting, insulation (we discovered that we had almost no insulation in this house!! Brrr!! Our family would like to thank some important people because without their efforts, this would never be possible: Our heartfelt thanks to Cilento Construction for volunteering their services in the construction of Karina's therapy room and our "new" dining room, and also to my good friend El and her husband Fil for all of their organizing and hooking us up with the right people. To my family and friends for the organizing of benefit dinners to raise money for supplies to make this all happen, to the owners who donated their restaurants--Pasquale at Piazza Margherita, and Sal La Rosa at La Neve's. Also to the Knights of Columbus (St. Michael's Chapter) and the Fidelians of America for their generous donations to our family because without your donations, this would never be possible. Last but not least the BETA Unit of S.Brunswick school for their Halloween fundraiser now the 3rd year in a row!!
Our family cannot thank all of you enough for all your generosity, support, and caring, and always thinking of Karina. I want everyone to know that all of your time and donations help us immensely and we so appreciate everything that is done for us.
We anticipate completion by Christmas. Here are a few of the pictures of Karina's therapy room from the beginning.
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| Front of house breezeway entrance (before) |
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| old dining room | | | | |
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| Down to the beams! |
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| Fernando putting insulation in |
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| Nice! |
more pics to come!!
Karina turned 3 years old on September 5th. We had a party for her at a local park with our family, friends, and all her therapists from Early Intervention. I wanted to have her therapists there to kind of say good bye to her, since Karina has "aged out" of E.I. and will be attending a special school for her therapies. It was bittersweet for them, and for me, because they are all very special to us. Some of them have been with us since Karina was 6 months old, when all this was new and scary for me. They have seen Karina grow from a very underweight, and constantly crying baby to an attentive, beautiful, non-fussy and very tall little girl. We have come a long way together and I know I will keep in touch with them. It was a beautiful, sunny day. Karina was such a good girl. The main event: A birthday cake fit for a princess. It was a Minnie Mouse cake, from Caladra's Bakery in Fairfield, NJ. They did a BEAUTIFUL job!!! Arianna helped to blow out her candles and even made a wish for her. Karina's smile says it all. We know she enjoyed her day. Thank you, to everyone who made the day so special for her. Every birthday is a milestone. We take nothing for granted. 
