Mother's Day 2011

As is the mother, so is her daughter.

-Ezekiel 16:44

I can only hope this quote is true. I try everyday to be like my mom. She is my role model. I believe she was put on this earth to serve others and to lead by example. She has amazing faith. She believes the best of others. She is a selfless mom and grandmother.

I try to emulate her in every way so that maybe one day Isabella will in turn want to emulate me.

I really enjoy Mother's Day now that I am both a daughter and a Mother. I love that mothers have a day to be pampered and spoiled. Because let's be real...it doesn't happen often. Everyday I DO for my kids. I LIVE for my kids. I believe that is how it should be. If I am doing my job right, then my success in life will be reflected in how my children live their lives. I try to live my life in a way that will make my mom proud and to show the world what a great role model she is in my life.

I feel so blessed to have been honored this week by my children. Isabella and I made pizza in school which we shared at snack time. Then she presented me with her hand print in gold... her little hand that fits so perfectly in mine. The hand that touches my face when she says, "I love you, Mommy."

And yesterday Alex and I went on a date to the Mother's Day Luncheon at his school. He sat front and center on the stage and sang his heart out. He was chosen to hold up the sign "You" when the children sang our song, "You Are My Sunshine." He made me a plate where he drew us as a big sun and a little sun , because he always "wants me to remember our special bedtime song." Like I ever could forget. I can't describe the joy I felt when I realized that not only is he the light of my life, but I am his...

Some days are tough, some times I get frustrated, being a mom is not always easy...but it is SO worth it. As the Chinese writer, Lin Yutang, said, "Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." I believe this with all my heart. Like my mother, I was born to be a mother and my children are most amazing gifts that I can give the world.

Happy Mother's Day!

Disney World

I can't believe we have been back from Disney World for a month and I am just now writing about it. It has just been in the past week or so that I have recovered. Disney is not a vacation - it is a trip. We didn't do much relaxing, but we had an amazing time. We didn't miss a thing! The seven days were spent dining with the princesses and Mickey and friends, riding rides, watching shows and parades, and walking and walking and walking. The kids were such troopers - getting up early and staying up late! Alex's favorite things in Disney were the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, being transformed into a pirate, and The Great Movie Ride. Isabella's favorites were the princesses and the fireworks. My favorite part was seeing the magic and wonder of Disney through their eyes. They loved every minute and marveled in everything they saw! They have already been asking to go back!

Here is a link to our photo book.
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=a8b9a7e548040d716cdd16a80fdf8c46&sid=8KbM2Lhq2f--

Alex's Love List

Today Alex told his teacher, Mrs. Shipley, he wanted to write a list - a LOVE LIST! I love my sweet, sweet boy.

Marriage

Alex: Mom, how does this whole marriage thing work?

Me: What do you mean?

Alex: Who picks who? Does the girl pick the boy or the boy pick the girl?

Me: It works best when they pick each other?

Alex: What if I pick a girl and she doesn't pick me back.

Me: Well...

Alex: Never mind, I am just going to let the girl pick me - it will just be easier that way.

Smart, smart boy!

Happy 80th Birthday, Grandma John

Dear Grandma.

Can it really be 5 years ago that we celebrated your 75th birthday? Your kids took you to Charlestown - remember my dad won all that money? And a bunch of your grandkids and three great-grandkids went to the mall and got a portrait taken for you. We could barely stop laughing long enough to get the perfect shot.

I miss you so much. You may be out of sight, but never out of mind. Actually, you are not out of sight either. I keep a picture of you on the visor of my car. I talk to the kids about you all the time. I tell them stories of how I used to have sleepovers with you and how one of my favorite places of all times was your house on Deer Park Road. I remember your kitchen most of all - I used to love washing dishes with you. (I still have the phone number memorized - 922-9118). I tell Alex how when Pop and his brothers were bad you were known to pull an ear or two to get them to behave...he thinks that is hysterical. I tell them that I wish you were here to come to all of our parties because you loved to be around people. And I know you would get so into helping me plan. Remember the little cheesecakes that looked like black-eyed Susans we made for Nicki's wedding shower? And then there was my wedding. You helped me make the details so perfect - the ribbons on the favor boxes, the chocolate truffles, my bouquet. There are so many times I say, "I wish grandma was here to help." (You would be so proud of your daughters - you should see the capes they made for Alex and his friends for his 4th birthday). I tell Alex that you were the one who bought his baby book and found the undershirts with the snaps for him to wear until his belly button healed. I remember the night before I had him, I was talking to you the phone and I was complaining about being so big and pregnant, and you said to me, "Love. Babies come when they come." And I tell him that you called him Prince Alexander and that you named Luke (Cool Hand Luke). I wonder everyday what your nickname for Isabella would be? I can only imagine what you would think of my little wild woman...

I tell them that you are our angel and that you can see us from heaven. This morning we were talking about how today is your birthday and Alex said, "I am glad you have that picture of Grandma John because when I get to heaven I will know what she looks like. I am going to heaven when I get old and wear glasses, because old people wear glasses. Except for Gabrielle, she wears glasses but she is a teenager." And last night when we were saying our prayers he said his usual prayer and then at the end he added, "Hey, Grandma John. Mom loves you and she talks about you A LOT." Then he said, "Are you sure she can hear me?"

Yes. I. Am. Sure.

Happy Birthday!

I love you,
Jamie

When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna walk with my grandma,
and she'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell her how I missed her,
every minute since she left.
Then I'll hug her neck.

Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.

-Brad Paisley

Two and a Half...

Dear Isabella -

Today is March 1st. You are two and a half. I can't believe it - where did the last 6 months go? I feel like I say that a lot, but it is so true. Time is going by too quickly.

You talk from morning to night. Each morning, your voice is the first thing I hear. You call your daddy or me to come and get you out of your crib. The first thing you say is, "I go downstairs." And you talk, sing, laugh and boss us around all day long. At night, I put you in your crib and cover you up with four blankets because your feet are "told" (cold), turn on your music, and fill up your water cup. Then I say, "May God bless you." And you say, "Goodnight Mommy. Turn off the light."

You and Alex play together so well. Your love to build forts and play Power Rangers. You are always the Pink Ranger. You always want to be where ever he is...

You love to dress up and you walk around with your crown and wand saying, "I am a fairy princess." You are learning all about the Disney Princesses too - just in time to go to Disney World in a few weeks. Your favorite movies are "Beauty and the Beast"and "Toy Story."

You are getting so tall. But I still can't call you a big girl. And whenever we talk about potty training or giving up your nippy, you say, "I am not a big girl yet. I am your baby." Of course, it is another story when you want a piece of gum or are resisting nap time. Then all of a sudden you a big girl...at least until I give into you.

You call yourself a baby, but you seriously could run the world (or at the very least your preschool). You are always on a mission. You are the most stubborn child I have ever seen. You know what you want and you never give up. You don't back down...ever. And you don't listen worth a darn. If it is possible for a two (and a half) year old to possess self confidence, you do...in fact I think you have enough for the whole state. I am so excited (and a little nervous) to see what you do with that strong personality of yours as you get older!

You have started calling yourself Izzy. You are learning to spell your name (Isabella). You love to jump on the trampoline at My Gym. You call Alex "Brother Ally." You want to paint all the time. You drink at least three yogurt drinks a day. You have tons of friends already. You still love Gigi most of all. You don't like Daddy's whiskers, and you tell him to take them off. You can pout like a teenager. You think splashing in puddles is so much fun. You went for your first pedicure with your big cousin Sophie. You are like a celebrity with the big girls in the neighborhood. You have the gift to make people smile everywhere you go....People stop me all the time and ask, "Don't you just crack up at her all day long?" I usually respond, "Uh, no." But I am joking, because you bring me so much joy and laughter everyday. I would be lost without you.

Love you (with all my heart),
Mommy

Prequel to Disney World

I can't believe that we will be in Disney World in a little over a month. Isabella is so excited about Disney World. It is all she talks about. Anytime I tell her we are going somewhere, she says, "I don't want to go to Wegmans, Target, the gym...I want to go to Disney World." Today we had a little prequel of Disney. Isabella and I went to Disney on Ice - Princess Wishes - with Sarah, Kaitlyn and Kaitlyn's Grammy. Or I guess I should say we took Snow White and Cinderella to the show.

The girls were as good as gold. They were riveted as they sat in their seats with their snow cones and popcorn. It was a dream come true - real live princesses right there in front of them!

When we got home Isabella said, "Mommy, I know how to ice skate like a princess. You just put on your skates and go 'round and 'round!"

My Little Valentine

Alex learned a new way to say I LOVE YOU 2! What a sweet, sweet boy.

All in the Family

This picture just makes my heart smile. And although I am only the mom of two of these kids, all five belong to me. And each one belongs to the each member of my family. Anyone who knows me knows that I am the oldest of five kids. And we were raised by the most amazing and selfless parents in the world. My youngest brother, David, always jokes that he had three mothers and two fathers growing up. And although he says it in jest, it is absolutely true. In my family, we take care of each other. We tease in a way that can only mean we are absolutely confident in our love for one another.We love fiercely and with a loyalty that doesn't exist in every family. Sure we fought growing up...phones were taken away (literally), little sisters were left out, brothers teased and were punished by having to sit on the side of the pool (now it would be called a "time out"). Oh and dinner time. As any parent can tell you, that is the witching hour. We argued over who sat where, who got to use the red cup and who was looking at who...we couldn't eat our dinner fast enough and get away from that table. As adults, we look back on those memories with affinity and humor. They are part and parcel of our history, and along with the good memories,we have grown into the cohesive unit that we are today. And now on any given night when we are all together, dinner will long we over...plates will be empty, wine glasses or coffee cups will be full...and there we are sitting at that table talking and laughing until we cry.

Growing up in a big family is hard to explain. Although each of us experienced the same things, we often times experienced them differently based on where we were in the line-up. We all have our roles to fill, but they are not as clear cut as one might think. Yes, I have very fondly been called the bossy oldest sister, but my other siblings also take on some of the typical attributes of the oldest child. They are strong-willed, they are protective, they are leaders. It is uncanny how well we know each other's needs at every given moment and are able to step in and fill the role of listener, advocate, defender, and above all best friend. My brothers, sisters and my parents make up my past, love my new family and are my best friends in my present, and will be by my side and in my heart and we continue on this journey called life.

This brings me back to the picture. I see history repeating itself in these five children (and I am sure it will be more as the rest of us find our true loves and start families). The bond of these five is already a force to be reckoned with...they love being together - can't you tell by the smiles on their beautiful faces? And I sleep well at night knowing that no matter what they will always have all of us to love them and take care of them. And even better...they will always have one another. And I know that one day they will be the ones who never want to get up from the kitchen table.

I Couldn't Make This Stuff Up....

Isabella: I don't want candy hearts. They are just not tasty.



Me: Alex, do you love me enough to give me a kiss?"

Alex: Mom, I love you so much that you can have a kiss AND one of my skittles.



Alex: Mom when I grow up and become a dad, I am really going to miss you.



Isabella: My nose turned to jelly (she had a bloody nose).