Rainy Days and Mondays

are so much better when you have a cool brother to share them with.


Our kids get along great....now don't get me wrong you may hear growling, screaming, and stomping emitting from our house on occasion but on this rainy afternoon you'll only hear laughter and love coming from under the fort in the living room.

Boy meets Girl.....

They fall in love, get married, raise their children.....

Or so the story goes.

Five years ago Mike and I got married expecting the typical life of some bumps but mostly contentment, house in the suburbs, Mass on Sundays, and holidays with family. Well.....we got the house, Mass, and the holidays but the bumps have been more like craters.


One year ago we buried my dad. My go-to when something wasn't working guy, my I need to feel unconditional love guy, I need encouragement guy - my Daddy.

Throughout the journey with Dad especially in his last weeks, Mike's mantra to me was, "I'm praying for your peace and strength". Initially I was frustrated - why not "I love you" or "Its going to be okay" or "I'm here for you"? Because Mike knew, God knew that I needed peace and strength and it was Mike who provided it when my dad no longer could.


I'm blessed to have been raised by such a caring, loving, and devoted man and even more blessed to be married to such a caring, loving, and devoted man

Capture

When I fell in love with Mike, Alec captured a corner of my heart. We've journeyed through elementary and middle school together; hunkering down with flashcards of facts, ironing game day clothes at 6:30a.m., and running to school when something was forgotten.

We've cried, yelled, snuggled, and smiled.

Before my eyes the other day, Alec became a teenager and that corner of my heart wept. It longed for that little boy I played Stratego with on lazy summer afternoons; the one I used to need a babysitter for. Mixed with this ache is a dose of pride. Pride when I see him take time to play with his little sister, when he says "I love you" in semi-public places, when he thanks me for the simplest of tasks - trips to the driving range, time with friends, or letting him choose what to have for dinner, and when he asks how he can help when Mike is working late.

I used to muse about who Alec would be when he grew up, I now witness glimmers of this man and he captures my heart all over again.

Just What I Needed

The days are growing shorter as is my time at home. Although I am thoroughly blessed to have time off in the summer to sleep in, go to the pool, visit the library, and play for endless hours outside it gets harder and harder to replace my mommy hat with my professional one.

But this weekend was simply perfect.

Our flower beds, clothes, & cars are cleaner. We honored Grandpa Jack in the American Heart Association's 5K which then prompted a trip to the pool. There were picnics, movie nights, and a trip to the park!

Just the fix I needed to get through another work week.

Its Been

Its been 303 days since we held hands. 303 days since I prayed by his bedside - since I watched him take his last breath and the pain left his body.

But today, I honor my dad - he would be celebrating his 77th birthday! I will remember the best times we had (one of my favorites pictured below), the funny stories I share with my kids, we'll be sure to sing the Animal Fair song to Papa, and we'll have some of his favorite foods.



Today, I will also shed some tears. Those tears are selfish - crying because I miss him. But I know he's having the greatest celebration of all.

Tears are God’s gift to us. Our holy water. They heal us as they flow. ~Rita Schiano

Food, Family, Fun, & Finesse

Could we ask for anything more?

A girls' night out complete with manicures, make-up, sparkly shoes, and up-dos!


Opportunities to try out new decorating techniques AND having them turn out better than expected.


An afternoon of bowling with family to celebrate Oscar's birthday!


Pizza, cake, ice cream, presents, & an excited birthday boy.

Family evening playing Just Dance.....these pictures speak for themselves!

After a weekend filled with family, laughter, and smiles we can't help but be thankful for our endless blessings!

Color in our Life

We all need a little color in our life and we are blessed to have ours across the street. Molly doesn't have a sister or even a sibling close to her age but she has an abundance of friends who grace our house, yard, and toy box.