Happy 2008!!!

Lots to write about...Christmas was incredible & magical & perfect! I hope you all got everything you told Santa you wanted...I did- & I got so much more than that too!

Barry left no stone unturned when searching for the little things that make me happy! It's taken this long...but I think he's been paying attention! & I even managed to get him some surprise gifts- always difficult with him, but so worth it to see his reaction!

Brandon & Katelyn must have been very good this year- they too seemed to get every last thing their little hearts desired! Down to the stuffed cat & Tootsie rolls! They were both so incredible to watch...from Kate yelling, "Ta-DA" as she opened every gift to Brandon crying when he opened his James Bundy autograph! It was the best ever!

New Year's Eve was also incredible... champagne & snacks with a few of our very favorites is always sweet. Enjoying a nice warm fire, the laughter & the memories with people we truly love makes welcoming in a beautiful new year so perfect! I can't wait to do it again in 2009! Nothing sweeter than laughing all nite & kissing your loveys at the start of another fun filled year! Brandon & Katie LOVED banging their pots & pans & being able to say they watched the ball rise in the morning & drop at midnite...it was a great party...I just love a new tradition!

I hope you all made some cool resolutions & that you can stick to them...I made a few & look forward to seeing them through! Happy 2008...wishing you all the very best this year has to offer!

CHEERS!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Barry's last gift came, all my wrapping is done...now we're just in celebration mode...WISHING YOU ALL & YOUR FAMILIES THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS & A BLESSED 2008!!!

we love you all!!!

hectic...

We're all ready for Santa...I'm trying to fight off a cold & avoid the kids so I don't give it to them...hoping this Christmas no one in our house is sick! Barry & I got all our wrapping done this past weekend- I just have to wrap a few more things for him & I can sit back AND RELAX!!! Just waiting for his last gift to be delivered...I did print out a color photo of it from the internet in case it doesn't arrive in time...& I'm really not stressing at all about it coming or not- it'll get here sooner or later. This is the first Christmas in YEARS...that I'm actually welcoming with no stress at all.

Are there things I could be stressing over...sure...I haven't baked a single cookie (which is my own holiday tradition), there never seems like there are enough gifts...or enough money spent...but REALLY...I think something in me told me to chill out.

I guess maybe it had to do with Gregg's funeral...I realized there are just much bigger things in the world then trying to buy the perfect gift...So, I'm comfortable & relaxed and HAPPY...I'm going to enjoy this holiday with all of my very favorite people & I'm going to love them & laugh with them & let them know I think THEY are my perfect gift...although I'll always accept something wrapped beautifully!! LOL!!!

& sometimes...the perfect gift is just a smile, a hug & a home cooked meal...& it takes the PERFECT PERSON to think that...I love you all...Merry Christmas!!!

Enjoy my MOST PERFECT GIFTS EVER...how cute are these kids????? :)

Happy Birthday, beautiful girl!!!

Happy 33rd birthday, Mooshie!!! We love you to pieces & hope the next 33 are just as beautiful! We are so lucky & thankful to have you in our lives! It was an incredible weekend...thank you for going to the Giants game with Barry, Zach & me...it totally ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you more than you could possibly imagine!!! You are the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for letting us share one of the greatest days in HISTORY with you...33 years ago on 12/8...I was given an incredible gift that I wouldn't find until junior high...I'm so glad I had to go to speech class for you...MAWGIE MOYAH! Sending you millions of hugs & kisses on your perfect day!!!

Just take the damn test already!

I wanted to fill you all in on Brandon's first sleepover, the birthday party we went to with Josh & Dawn for Brandon's little friend Danielle, my Christmas shopping adventures, how I made an ass out of myself by screaming with excitement to Katie over the phone while at work because she went poopie on the potty, how excited the kids are to be seeing Santa tonight, how excited I am to see their little faces on Christmas because I got Guitar Hero, James Bundy's autograph & Ponyville...but I can't! There's something that's been eating at me...

It started Sunday night when Red called me to tell me that Gregg had passed away & what she'd been told of the tragic circumstances of his untimely passing...my heart sank & that feeling was back, one I thought I'd gotten over (mostly). One I thought I'd placed in a dark corner of my heart only to re-visit when thinking of how Sammy had gone...& wondering if there were something I could have done to reach out better, or to try to wrap my mind around it all. I just can't...still.

But, I was there again...wondering all of those very same things, still feeling inadequate when it came to explaining to myself...wondering how a person just feels so much pain or worry or sorrow...wondering what they were feeling at all...something I'll never know.

I put it out of my head as best I could...but then last night as I stood there with a best girl on either side of me, my Red & Mooshie right there by my side as always, holding my hands...looking at this boy I once knew, who I shared so many laughs with, who got me into trouble & I didn't mind; because we were having fun & we were in a class we both loved...the moment took my breath away. I knew I couldn't have done it without those two girls...but I still couldn't walk away; I didn't want to leave him there like that, I didn't want to say goodbye.

I wanted to get another Merry Christmas email filled with the details of his children's faces when they opened gifts. I wanted to hear him complain that he's gaining weight, or he's too tired from working so much. I wanted to read the words he closed every single email with...Great to hear from you keep in touch! I wanted to keep in touch.

So, we sat...& I saw a tall man enter the room & it suddenly clicked...LIFE IS A TEST. I'm not a religious kind of girl...but it really did come to me from someone!! John Gamble walked in, this strong educator whom I admire greatly. He was moved by this event & he was gracious...when I graduated almost 15 years ago, I admired him. Knowing that he remembered us 15 years later & was happy to see we were well but wished we'd bumped into him under different circumstances- it touched me. He didn't need to be there, he didn't need to love his students, but he just did...that was Mr. Gamble always & he moved me to tears. But I really did hear it...LIFE IS A TEST. To stop myself from crying at my desk...I just thought...maybe Mr. Gamble is the second coming of Christ & he actually spoke those words to me...I know I have a sick sense of humor....but it is funny & that would be kinda cool! :)

So, I've been thinking...it's not a pass or fail kind of test, but I know there are definitely wrong answers. I'm not sure how I'm doing on my test...I know there are moments when I'm getting every answer right! I see that in my children. I looked at Gregg's children 2 of them upset & 2 untouched by the gravity of what was happening around them...based purely upon the fact that the # of years they've been taking their tests is just a small one...they'll never know their Daddy...that hurts my heart...he was a fun guy & a proud Daddy...I hope someone tells them that!

I know there have been moments in my test when I needed Cliff's Notes...there have been moments that required 2 friends & a phone book, moments that I needed Jody Carr to hold my hand in her daughter's room & tell me I answered that part of my test correctly, moments that required me taking a long drive across our country only to be rescued by Melissa Hall, moments that required my sister beating down doors to get to me, moments that required me taking my baby sisters to the police station...I'm not sure how I did on those parts, I guess we'll see.

But there are my moments...when I've reached out to a long lost friend to be given a best friend back for the rest of my life, moments when my best friend was there to hold my newborn & to rescue his Daddy at Burger King, moments when we as sisters in our hearts have loved each other through a loss of a loved one...seeing those 2 faces when all hope is gone...those are moments I know I'm rocking the HELL out of this test.

I was never very studious, good grades just came naturally to me so test taking isn't really an issue. I love tests & I love a challenge even more...& yes, life is a test. There are hard parts & easy parts. Parts where I don't know the answer but I can certainly phone a friend. I'm not against "cheating" at this test...sometimes more people need to help me with my test. And sometimes I just want to look away from my answer sheet & play with Play Doh & my babies all day! However, my one option I KNOW is NOT to stop taking this test, it is a test I am thankful for, even when I can't read the questions. It is a test that has blessed me with so much.

I do want all of you- wherever you are, to know that my solemn promise to you is...if at any time, day or night...you think you just can't take your test anymore...CALL ME...I will come running...I will bring my cheat sheet, or a bottle of wine, or 2 arms to hug you tighter than you could possibly imagine...I WILL TAKE YOUR TEST WITH YOU!!! I mean that more than you can ever know! The questions I have in my heart are too many to bear another unknown loss. I will be there, I swear...don't stop believing in US, we can get through anything together.

I love you all completely...with all that I am...LOVE YOURSELVES!!

AND TAKE THE DAMN TEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so busy...

Well, I can't honestly say nothing new since I last wrote...we've just been so busy!!! Brandon was sick over Thanksgiving, WHS lost to Paulsboro, I'm now sick...Grandmom & Pop Pop are in Florida on a beautiful & well deserved vacation (which leaves Barry & I with having to REALLY be Mommy & Daddy...something we're not used to at all!!!) Meggie got her VERY FIRST CAR!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of her...it's adorable & it's I'm Not Really A Waitress red...so cute!

All I can say is THANK GOD for my in-laws...they spoil us rotten...we've been driving ourselves insane with picking Brandon up from the bus & getting Katie from school...things they do which we honestly fail to realize is SUCH AN ENORMOUS HELP!!! Red has been taking care of Brandon after school...another ENORMOUS HELP!!! I just feel completely lost...it's a little scary!

We do, however, have our Christmas tree up & it's completely beautiful...if I do say so myself! It's a stinky picture from my stinky phone...but you get the point...I'll be taking more with my camera this weekend! & I have adjusted the positioning of the tree so you don't see that cord of lights leading to the wall...that pic is when I was still playing with the tree...LOL! I can hardly wait for Christmas this year...Brandon & Katie are so excited...it's all they talk about & I'm threatening them constantly..."Don't make me call Santa!" The fear that strikes into a child is a glorious thing...although...Kate keeps saying..."Do it, do it!" I don't think she has the same fear that my beautiful Brandon does...LOL! That's the beauty of my ladybug though!!! :) NO FEAR! :)

I fell asleep in the recliner again last nite...Barry tries to no avail to wake me & then I end up sleeping in jeans...& then bitching at him for letting me sleep in jeans...I think it's like the 4th time that's happened since he started making nightly fires in the fireplace...I can't resist the snuggly feeling of that chair & my blanket...the heat of that fire & the smell of burning wood...a fireplace was always something I adored as a child & so I'm addicted now! So...I keep sleeping in the basement...LOL!

November is OVER today...good LORD! This year has been incredible...& it's almost gone! I wonder what 2008 will bring...hopefully only more beautiful things!!! Happy Friday, my loves!!! I've got TONS of Christmas shopping to do this weekend...wish me luck!!!

& Red...THANK YOU for dinner last nite & for helping me this week...you really are the very BEST!!! I'd be lost without you!!!!!!!!

6 words...

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??


Hoping the Herd does as well this Saturday as they did last Saturday! FYI...that's Jimmer & James Bundy (James is the kids FAVORITE player & Jimmer was mine!!!) #5 in the middle is James doing his THING!!! & the last pic is of me, Kate, Bran (he is the brown hat & orange coat) & Kelly at the game this past Saturday...we were on the front page of the Courier Post!! GO HERD!!!!!!!

been meaning to blog...

just haven't found the time; but I'm taking the time now...Margie is in Florida & leaves for the Bahamas tomorrow- she's having a total blast. Tomorrow starts my Cole duty...Bran & Kate can't wait!

This past weekend...one of the coolest I've had in a while. Tia & I took the kids to a WHS football game- the HERD crushed Audubon & the kids had a great time. I really love high school football- there's just something amazing about kids just playing because it's something they love. I got goosebumps hearing Mr. Dickson's voice say, "James Bundy on the carry!" & "Touchdown, James Bundy!" it took me back to those days when I was in junior high & he was talking about James' dad, Jimmer.

I guess you had to be there..or you have to love WHS football as much as I do...but I know I was witnessing something great...I was watching this game through Jimmer's eyes...seeing him stand there on the sideline beaming with pride as his son had the same incredible accomplishments on that very same field that he had so many years before with the same man calling the action...IT ROCKED. It was one of those moments that sucks the air out of you as a parent...when you realize the magic that another parent is living. It also made me think about WHS's biggest fan, Bill Moyer...& how excited I know he was to be seeing it too...he was appreciating it as much as I was...I'M CERTAIN!

So...great afternoon...followed by a REALLY great nite! Dawn picked me up for a nite out with my girls...& it was different girls...I was a little nervous I admit...I just wanted no drama & to see these girls that I knew years ago & I wanted to have fun with them, to love them...like I did over 15 years ago...& you know what???? I DID! We laughed & caught up & talked about our babies & our girlfriends & what makes us the women we've become. And I loved it!!! Dawn was completely charming & relaxed...& we laughed...and had a 2 a.m. Wawa run...followed by a little road trip!! ;) I haven't done that in years!!!

Margie texted pics from Florida that morning so we all got to look at her adventures & hope that she brings us home some WARM WEATHER! Red had a headache & didn't make it. They were both missed & I filled everyone in on them. I hope we all get to do it again real soon...& that Moosh & Red will be there...they missed an incredible evening!

Dawn, Kristen, Tia, Algina, & Mrs. Twig...thanks for a super fun nite! Looking forward to doing it again real soon!!!

Sunday, Barry & I took the kids to Toys 'R Us to spend their gift cards they got for their birthdays...we were there for almost 3 hours...Bran walked in & knew what he wanted...Mommy's princess...she had to look at EVERy toy on EVERY aisle...there might be something better around the corner...THAT'S MY GIRL!!!!!!! I can't wait to start really shopping with her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last nite I talked to Moosh again...she's loving life...I'll talk to her again tonite & then not again until SUNDAY...no chatting at sea! Bon Voyage sweet girl!! OH...& tonite...Dawn is going to learn her way to WHS so she can meet us on Saturday to get her football game on (Josh has soccer until 12:30 & I can't be late for kickoff...I have issues, I'm aware!) ...& I'll show her the Woodbury spots...no kids...just smoking & touring Woodbury...just like the good old days...that was before kids though...& I didn't have a license...LOL! A little stalking route anyone...LOL!!!!!!??????????

CONGRATULATIONS, MEGGIE!!!

THIS IS THE FACE OF SOUTH JERSEY'S NEWEST DRIVER!!!!!!!!!! WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU MEGGIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAY TO GO...WE KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Halloween...

The perfect night, perfect weather & the PERFECT costumes! They both were gorgeous & did a GREAT job saying Trick-or-Treat! They thanked everyone & told them Happy Halloween...Barry, Margie & I loved taking them out, just like last year! Being back in the old neighborhood was perfect, ran into the old neighbors & had many, many laughs.

Halloween is always a fun night, they get so excited! They got way too much candy from Donna when we stopped up at Daddy's shop to say hello - she absolutely adores kids. It's really nice to work for someone who has as much enthusiasm for her workers families as she does for the employees themselves. Barry got lucky in going there. They're all genuinely sweet people. It's always a pleasure to spend time with them.

Then we went to Aunt Red's & Uncle Steve's to see Trevy as a puppy & Tyler as Shrek- they were beautiful! We got the added bonus of seeing Aunt Jody & Uncle Al...always a treat!!!

They ended their evening over at Club Gill...where Bran got to play with his good buddy Ethan & Mommy & Daddy got to have a few beers wit h Zach & Dezi & Mr. & Mrs. Gill...the perfect way to end out Halloween!

Mischief Nite...

Ok, I'm an old lady, we've established this fact...how is 2007 almost over though?? Tonight is mischief night...it used to be so much fun as a child...what did I do for mischief night 2007??

I planned the rest of my Halloween costume (for work only...I can't be seen in public embarrassing myself...just around these guys...I'm sure I'll post pics of our work party!

I chatted with Tia over our plans for Saturday...we're taking our babies to WHS to see football...Bran has been there but doesn't remember...Kate & Drew are going to their first games! We decided what time we're meeting for drinks later that evening...& chatted about how we can't wait to not be called Mommy for a few hours...& that looking at Brent will be fun as usual!

Chatted with Barry...they got pics taken today for some magazine...he said it felt like school picture day! They're competing for the #1 Honda shop in the NATION...so...he's gonna be famous...LOL! I can't wait to see! I hope they win!

Finished planning our Trick-or-Treat festivities...so many places to go...hoping to have enough time to do it all!

Eventful Mischief Nite...for an old lady! Don't get your trees tee-peed...if you do...& you hear wild laughter & snorting from the person running across your lawn...well, it might just be ME...if I can stay awake until dark!

Happy Birthday...to one of the very best friends a girl could ask for!

Happy 32nd birthday to my very favorite co-worker!! I wish you millions more birthdays! I hope this year is as perfect for you as the last was!

You rock, Norton! Happy Birthday to YOU! Thanks for making my Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays SUPERB!


Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Norton, Happy Birthday to you!!

It's not as good as the other blog...but I tried! :)

the sweetest, most magnificent boy i know...Happy Birthday, Brandon!

Let me begin by saying...Pop had a beautiful birthday...we surprised him with cake & ice cream! 10/19 was his birthday & he again reminded me that all he wanted for his 60th birthday was my baby to be born & I couldn't deliver...but I gave Kelly a baby on her birthday 4 years later...LOL!

Saturday came & it was perfect...the weather was incredible, warm enough to run & play in the afternoon with just long sleeved shirts & cool enough in the evening for a light jacket. I always get perfect weather for Brandon's birthday...it's like God's birthday present to him!

The usual insanity occurred this weekend...Aunt Mooshie's car oozed steering fluid all over on Saturday morning & she couldn't steer it...by the grace of God, this happened in our driveway & not out on the road...Pop Pop & Barry saved the day as usual...Barry was there to laugh at her & chase her with gunky car parts & Pop ordered what she needed to get driving again! That man is a miracle worker...& the sweetest guy in the world! He always comes running whenever we need him!

We had an incredible time at Creamy Acres with all of our very favorite people. We missed Uncle Brucie & Celie...we hope he feels better soon! Brandon kept saying Saturday night when we came home for dinner with Red & Steve (his Godparents) & their adorable children how great his 7th birthday was...he was so excited talking about the petting zoo, the playground & the hayride...not to mention picking pumpkins!

I remember only 2 birthdays from my childhood...my 5th...I spent it in Underwood & my 16th- a very sweet friend & Heatho threw me a surprise party. Those are it...& I know just by how he spoke of his incredible day...this is going to be one of those birthdays he can remember at 33! It's my goal every year to make them realize that I celebrate them...that the people we love celebrate them too...that I am so thankful for them & those 2 days...they're my own personal holidays! My 2 favorite days of my entire life!

Brandon loved waking up on his birthday (Sunday) to his "Birthday Pancakes" & he got to play DS for as long as he wanted...that's the beauty of having your party NOT on your actual birthday, you then get 2 days to be the ruler of Mommy's universe! It was a perfect day....the perfect way to celebrate one of the true loves of my life!

He's a sweet boy, all I could ever hope for in a child. He loves with all that he is. He is generous and kind he is going to be a remarkable man; this I know! He loves his Mommy & makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have the pleasure of being her!! I honestly can't believe it's been 7 years since I saw that sweet little face & heard Barry say...,"He's got your chin!" The very first words ever used to describe my little man...he's got so much more than my chin...he's got my heart, FOREVER!

no time

to blog today...but I'll post pics & tell you the tales of Brandon, my beautiful & glorious son's birthday weekend tomorrow!

I LOVE YOU, BRANDON!!!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Haller, the vacationers, the DuBrinks & the birthday boy...(when he was just my little sweet baby!!!)!! (pics for the blog below!!)