So now I have one!!Yayyy :)
Isn't awesome?? Look, it matches my curtains :) hehe
Thursday, August 16, 2012
my new toy...
my husband said he was going to run out to the store to get something for me...I said "What is it?" He said "don't worry about it, you will see it later!" So, I continue on with my day with work & later he & our daughter comes back & brings in this big box. I was so excited!! It is a popcorn maker. I have been wanting one of these for a very long time.
So now I have one!!Yayyy :)
So now I have one!!Yayyy :)
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
sweet note :)
That just made the start of my day just beautiful ♥
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Greek Yogurt Smoothie-De-lish
My daughters' saw a preview on one of their favorite tv shows "Shake it Up" on eating healthy. They were talking about making smoothies with Greek yogurt. My girls do not like greek yogurt (I love it) but they wanted to try it in a smoothie. So of course I was on board with this....eating healthy & wanting to try something new. Ha!. They eat yogurt everyday, usually yoplait or gogurts. This would definitely be something different for them to try.
Greek yogurt is so good for you..very high in protein and that is why I was happy that they wanted to try it. I googled a simple recipe on how to make it. You can add frozen or fresh fruit, but in our case we used fresh fruit.
6oz of plain or vanilla greek yogurt
1 c of fresh strawberries
1 med banana
1.5 c lowfat milk
1 tsp Pure Vanilla (optional)
Blend all to desire thickness & ENJOY!!
fyi: for 16 o, it's 240 calories
It was so de-lish. My daughter didn't like it so much because of the strawberry seeds..so we will try other fruit. My other daughter loved it. It was filling & you get your good balanced meal. Hey, I might even have it as a snack too :) lol
If you have a smoothie recipe you want to share, please feel free to share :)
Greek yogurt is so good for you..very high in protein and that is why I was happy that they wanted to try it. I googled a simple recipe on how to make it. You can add frozen or fresh fruit, but in our case we used fresh fruit.
6oz of plain or vanilla greek yogurt
1 c of fresh strawberries
1 med banana
1.5 c lowfat milk
1 tsp Pure Vanilla (optional)
Blend all to desire thickness & ENJOY!!
fyi: for 16 o, it's 240 calories
It was so de-lish. My daughter didn't like it so much because of the strawberry seeds..so we will try other fruit. My other daughter loved it. It was filling & you get your good balanced meal. Hey, I might even have it as a snack too :) lol
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
wanting to date.......my girls at 10? Not Happening!
Our girlies are 10 years old....& are in 4th grade! There has been this situation going on at school for the last few weeks that has us very concerned! The school is hosting a 4th grade graduation luncheon & there will be a DJ & dancing. Apparently the boys think they have to get a date. Seriously??? Ah yeah..NOT happening with my two.Why is this even thought of in a 10 year old mind? You are 10!! You are suppose to be thinking about playing ball, skate boarding & hanging with friends. Better yet...play your freaking nintendo games!! Not worrying about dating or having a girlfriend!!!
We raise our daughters' on what is important in life, focus on school, having self respect & what is expected of them. Not worrying about boys right now! Did I mention that they are ONLY 10 years old? We are really concerned on what these boys are thinking? Where are they learning this stuff? What are their parents teaching them? And you wonder why we have so many teenage pregnancies & sexually transmitted diseases. Believe me when I say I know girls can be promiscuous...but we as parents need to teach our children that having girl/boyfriends is not necessary at this age. It's not even cute or acceptable!
Here is a story to share with you that happen one day when my husband went to pick up our girls from school!
There is this boy that really likes our one daughter, he has liked her since 1st grade. Nice young man I might add. This boys mom was making small talk with my husband & she came right out & said that her son told her that our daughter has a nice butt!!!! WHAT?? All my husband could do was look down & shake his head. I was ticked. I can not believe this parent actually thinks it's ok for her child to think that way. And why would you think to tell the girls father that your son likes. Kids at this age should not be thinking about this & the parents certainly should not be encouraging it either!
I am not naive to think they won't start to like boys...but that is it..... LIKE! Not wanting to have boyfriends or making it known that they like them. We want our girls to be kids not worrying about this stuff right now. They are too young & they have their whole life ahead of them.
The situation at school was aware of it but was letting it go until we called to let them know what was going on & then to our finding so was another parent. She was not happy about either. The teachers are taking care of the situation & making it known that this dance is not a date dance. I am so glad this is being resolved at school & our girls know it too!
We raise our daughters' on what is important in life, focus on school, having self respect & what is expected of them. Not worrying about boys right now! Did I mention that they are ONLY 10 years old? We are really concerned on what these boys are thinking? Where are they learning this stuff? What are their parents teaching them? And you wonder why we have so many teenage pregnancies & sexually transmitted diseases. Believe me when I say I know girls can be promiscuous...but we as parents need to teach our children that having girl/boyfriends is not necessary at this age. It's not even cute or acceptable!
Here is a story to share with you that happen one day when my husband went to pick up our girls from school!
There is this boy that really likes our one daughter, he has liked her since 1st grade. Nice young man I might add. This boys mom was making small talk with my husband & she came right out & said that her son told her that our daughter has a nice butt!!!! WHAT?? All my husband could do was look down & shake his head. I was ticked. I can not believe this parent actually thinks it's ok for her child to think that way. And why would you think to tell the girls father that your son likes. Kids at this age should not be thinking about this & the parents certainly should not be encouraging it either!
I am not naive to think they won't start to like boys...but that is it..... LIKE! Not wanting to have boyfriends or making it known that they like them. We want our girls to be kids not worrying about this stuff right now. They are too young & they have their whole life ahead of them.
The situation at school was aware of it but was letting it go until we called to let them know what was going on & then to our finding so was another parent. She was not happy about either. The teachers are taking care of the situation & making it known that this dance is not a date dance. I am so glad this is being resolved at school & our girls know it too!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
my heart still aches...
So much has happened in the last few months...I have been wanting to update my blog for awhile, but just couldn't bring myself to do it!
Me & family went through hell a 6 months ago! And we are still struggling with this realization of what became a nightmare & reality all at the same time.
On September 10, 2011, my baby brother Pauly died! He was only 29 years old...so young! This has been so difficult to deal with...as well for my family & his friends. Me, my sisters' Sherry & Sandra & my brothers' Paul & Charles were always close. We talked all the time...we love each other so much & people can tell that we have a close nit relationship.
Pauly was sick! He was obese. He had other problems that stemmed from this disease. He struggled with his obesity that took over his life. He could not leave the house, he struggled to stand up...& he struggled to breathe!
He was fighting demons that were beyond our control. We tried to help him...at least we tried too! He was hospitalized before & almost died. We all thought that would scare him enough for him to lose weight. He struggled with this everyday, every second of the day. Obesity is a disease, it takes over your life.
People would make comments like "why didn't he just stop eating?" 'Why not just kill yourself & get it over with?". WHY??? Why would some people would make awful comments like that? He was a loving, musically talented, compassionate & handsome young man that wanted to live his life, marry his fiance Jessy & have children one day! Oh, How he loved children!
He would say to me, "I can't wait to be a Dad!" & I would tell him, "One day you will!". He would of been a great dad too!
Pauly was loved by so many! He had a gift for music! He use to DJ at a local club when he was able to work. He was know known as DJ Que! He also played the guitar & sang. He truly loved music. He took online classes for Graphic & Web design. Him & I would talk about it b/c I do graphic design as well & he would tell me the things he was learning about. He loved it.
I can't stress enough how hard this is knowing he left us too soon. He had demons that was hard for him to deal with. Every day that goes by, his name is mentioned, or we are thinking about him. I miss him! Why did he have to go so soon? I want him here with us, I want him to make his dreams come true! I want him to be here to accomplish all the things he wanted to do in his life. I am pissed! I am so pissed that I could just scream.."WHY?" Why Pauly? He was so young...it wasn't time for him to leave! He is supposed to be here with his family & friends. Sharing his gift of music! I am just beyond pissed! I am angry, I am hurt, I am heart broken! There is a whole in my heart that will never be filled! He wasn't just a brother, he was a Son, he was a friend, he was Jessy's fiance', he was loved by so many & he was taken from us too soon.
I saw him two weeks before he was admitted to the hospital. We were there for our nieces' adoption celebration. Because of Pauly's disease, he was not able to attend. We visited him, he was so happy to see us, b/c we haven't seen him in 4 years or so when he came to PA to visit. We took some pictures while we visited. Oh I am so glad I did!
My Dad said he had put a lot more weight on & to be prepared, b/c he knew that I would be upset. I did know he did, b/c we talked all the time, so I wasn't surprised. I was sad for him though. He was confined to a bed where he could not stand but only sit down on his bed. He looked so happy to see us & we were happy to see him too. But, who would of thought that would of been the last time I would ever see him alive again. Who would of thought that later that week he would be admitted into the hospital & be in a coma on a ventilator.
As he was struggling for to survive, we keep in touch with his fiance, my parents & my sister who kept us informed on what was going on with him. We just thought this was just another one of those times in the hospital because of his disease. He was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks being in a induced coma & on a ventilator. When he asked be on the ventilator, he knew what it meant! He knew that this was it, he was going to die. We got a phone call from our sister that he was suffering & we had to make a decision in what was best for him. Me, my husband, my sister Sherry & her husband made plans to leave that night to drive the long heart wrenching 8 hour drive to North Carolina. I never cried so much in my entire life. Knowing what we were going to NC for was so hard to deal with. I did not want to witness my brother leaving us like this.....I wanted to tell to him to fight & stay here on this earth with us....but...he was tired! He was done fighting..he gave up! He could not live his life to the fullest like he should for a talented young man he was.
Yes I know I am selfish for wanting my brother to be here but he was too young.....way TOO YOUNG!!! He did not deserve this. I am angry as hell. I want o pick up the phone to call him & hear is voice one more time.
I miss him everyday & I will for the rest of my life! I will miss our chats, his laugh & him teasing me. I will miss him being here with me & rest of those who loved him so much.
Dear Pauly,
Words can not convey I how I feel the pain of missing you every second of the day. I know you are playing your guitar for the Lord & he is smiling knowing what a beautiful soul you are. I pray that you are at peace & know that you are truly loved by so many.
I love & miss you everyday & I will for the rest my life.
Love your big sis, ~Debbie
Me & family went through hell a 6 months ago! And we are still struggling with this realization of what became a nightmare & reality all at the same time.
On September 10, 2011, my baby brother Pauly died! He was only 29 years old...so young! This has been so difficult to deal with...as well for my family & his friends. Me, my sisters' Sherry & Sandra & my brothers' Paul & Charles were always close. We talked all the time...we love each other so much & people can tell that we have a close nit relationship.
Pauly was sick! He was obese. He had other problems that stemmed from this disease. He struggled with his obesity that took over his life. He could not leave the house, he struggled to stand up...& he struggled to breathe!
He was fighting demons that were beyond our control. We tried to help him...at least we tried too! He was hospitalized before & almost died. We all thought that would scare him enough for him to lose weight. He struggled with this everyday, every second of the day. Obesity is a disease, it takes over your life.
People would make comments like "why didn't he just stop eating?" 'Why not just kill yourself & get it over with?". WHY??? Why would some people would make awful comments like that? He was a loving, musically talented, compassionate & handsome young man that wanted to live his life, marry his fiance Jessy & have children one day! Oh, How he loved children!
He would say to me, "I can't wait to be a Dad!" & I would tell him, "One day you will!". He would of been a great dad too!
Pauly was loved by so many! He had a gift for music! He use to DJ at a local club when he was able to work. He was know known as DJ Que! He also played the guitar & sang. He truly loved music. He took online classes for Graphic & Web design. Him & I would talk about it b/c I do graphic design as well & he would tell me the things he was learning about. He loved it.
I can't stress enough how hard this is knowing he left us too soon. He had demons that was hard for him to deal with. Every day that goes by, his name is mentioned, or we are thinking about him. I miss him! Why did he have to go so soon? I want him here with us, I want him to make his dreams come true! I want him to be here to accomplish all the things he wanted to do in his life. I am pissed! I am so pissed that I could just scream.."WHY?" Why Pauly? He was so young...it wasn't time for him to leave! He is supposed to be here with his family & friends. Sharing his gift of music! I am just beyond pissed! I am angry, I am hurt, I am heart broken! There is a whole in my heart that will never be filled! He wasn't just a brother, he was a Son, he was a friend, he was Jessy's fiance', he was loved by so many & he was taken from us too soon.
I saw him two weeks before he was admitted to the hospital. We were there for our nieces' adoption celebration. Because of Pauly's disease, he was not able to attend. We visited him, he was so happy to see us, b/c we haven't seen him in 4 years or so when he came to PA to visit. We took some pictures while we visited. Oh I am so glad I did!
My Dad said he had put a lot more weight on & to be prepared, b/c he knew that I would be upset. I did know he did, b/c we talked all the time, so I wasn't surprised. I was sad for him though. He was confined to a bed where he could not stand but only sit down on his bed. He looked so happy to see us & we were happy to see him too. But, who would of thought that would of been the last time I would ever see him alive again. Who would of thought that later that week he would be admitted into the hospital & be in a coma on a ventilator.
As he was struggling for to survive, we keep in touch with his fiance, my parents & my sister who kept us informed on what was going on with him. We just thought this was just another one of those times in the hospital because of his disease. He was in the hospital for almost 2 weeks being in a induced coma & on a ventilator. When he asked be on the ventilator, he knew what it meant! He knew that this was it, he was going to die. We got a phone call from our sister that he was suffering & we had to make a decision in what was best for him. Me, my husband, my sister Sherry & her husband made plans to leave that night to drive the long heart wrenching 8 hour drive to North Carolina. I never cried so much in my entire life. Knowing what we were going to NC for was so hard to deal with. I did not want to witness my brother leaving us like this.....I wanted to tell to him to fight & stay here on this earth with us....but...he was tired! He was done fighting..he gave up! He could not live his life to the fullest like he should for a talented young man he was.
Yes I know I am selfish for wanting my brother to be here but he was too young.....way TOO YOUNG!!! He did not deserve this. I am angry as hell. I want o pick up the phone to call him & hear is voice one more time.
I miss him everyday & I will for the rest of my life! I will miss our chats, his laugh & him teasing me. I will miss him being here with me & rest of those who loved him so much.
Dear Pauly,
Words can not convey I how I feel the pain of missing you every second of the day. I know you are playing your guitar for the Lord & he is smiling knowing what a beautiful soul you are. I pray that you are at peace & know that you are truly loved by so many.
I love & miss you everyday & I will for the rest my life.
Love your big sis, ~Debbie
Monday, August 1, 2011
I {LOVE} my jobs ;)
I can seriously say I LOVE my jobs! Even though photography is a bit slow right now, I love it! Capturing moments it what I feel compelled to do....it's like it's part of who I am! My daughters' are always having the camera in hand now..lol It is quite comical...especially when they use my "pro"camera. It is so huge up in front of their face! I am so happy to be passing this gift to them & showing them when they are capturing memories..it is for a lifetime!
My daycare job is just wonderful! I have the BEST group of daycare families. How is it that I am so lucky to have them in my life...my family's lives! The kiddos can stress me out at times...but hey, I am human! These kiddos have become part of my family....their parents are just awesome! The kiddos love my girlies, they get so excited to see them...they forget about me, lol :)
The parents are always so thoughtful & helpful to me & my family! I truly love them & I can honestly say that they are more than my daycare families....they have become our friends!!
I thank God everyday for my jobs!
My daycare job is just wonderful! I have the BEST group of daycare families. How is it that I am so lucky to have them in my life...my family's lives! The kiddos can stress me out at times...but hey, I am human! These kiddos have become part of my family....their parents are just awesome! The kiddos love my girlies, they get so excited to see them...they forget about me, lol :)
The parents are always so thoughtful & helpful to me & my family! I truly love them & I can honestly say that they are more than my daycare families....they have become our friends!!
I thank God everyday for my jobs!
Friday, July 8, 2011
I know it's been awhile..... :->
I know I have not been updating our family blog lately…but…It has been a very busy, stressful few months.
Mark had to go on disability beginning of March due to his ankle. He has been in so much pain. He just had surgery(scoping)on it to remove some arthritis from it. It is to help levitate some of the pain he has been dealing with. Even though he has had this done, he is still in so much pain. He has no cartridge between the two bones in his ankle, so when he walks for any amount of time, he is in pain. Not sure what the next step is..except pray that he can through day by day!
Mark just turned 50 years old in May! We had a surprise for him & he was definitely surprised! It was a great party! You know how hard it is to plan a surprise party when he has been home?! OMG, thank God for our family & friends that has helped me pull this off!They ROCK!! I could not thank them enough!
My sister Sandra & her crew came to visit for Easter. It was great! We had a wonderful time. I was finally able to do their first family photos. Because of timing & worried about the weather, we did them in my sister Sherry’s backyard. There is a lot of greenery there & it made a very nice background for the photos. They were so happy with them all. Their daughter Isis is a beautiful little girl. She is full of energy & always smiling. I love seeing my sister as a Mother. She & Marion had waited so long for this. They are wonderful parents. I wish they live closer so we can raise our kids together. We are always missing them.
My brother Paul is still keeping positive in losing the weight. It is a struggle everyday for him. He has hospice to come out to help him move around. He has his days when he is depressed & then he has days where he is in good spirits. It is a struggle for him to stay positive everyday! Of course we worry about him all the time. He has started a blog to share his feelings or just post some poetry. You can check it out here.The girls are getting so tall & more beautiful as they get older. We just love the funny things they do & say! They are definitely different with their personalities. They have their fights…& believe me they can fight! But they are very close. I love hearing them in their room playing & then all the sudden you hear “giggling”. Mark &; I start to laugh! It really is cute! I do hear them whisper here &; there…then you hear the giggling again. I will walk in their room & ask them what is so funny & they may or may not share. But that is ok! I hope the bond they share will always remain with them. They are just sweetest girls & we love them more than words can say!
The girls finished 3rd grade & they are so thrilled to be done with school & ballet for the summer. ..oh yea, we can't forget about Girl Scouts! I am quite happy for the break too! We all needed a break from the routine. Gabriella received the “Bear” award at school. They only choose 1 child from each class. We were ecstatic when we heard that she will be receiving this!! Miranda & Gabriella also received the Star student awards. We are so proud of our lil’ beauties
The girls also had their annual Ballet recital. They were fabulous! They were in two dances & they worked so hard at it. Their teacher Miss Sam is an awesome gal. She loves the girls & they love her too. We will miss dearly her when she moves to Colorado. There are only three girls in the class. My two & their friend Madalyn. They have become very close & they just love being with each other :) Not to mention her mom & I became such good friends.
Johnny turned 22 years old last week…omg, where did the time go!? It seems lyesterday that we were changing his diapers. He is still in the reserves for the Army. He is looking for a job but can’t find anything. He is doing well. He is living his life to the fullest by partying & having fun with friends. He knows to be responsible when he is drinking….& I do ask him all the time!! My handsome baby boy is growing up!
The boys, RJ, Jordan & Stevie are getting so big & so handsome too! They are doing & doing good in school. They always keep Leann & Ken on their toes. lol
I have been crazy busy with my two jobs. Daycare is really good! I have the most amazzzzing daycare families. They have are so supportive & sensitive to my family needs. Always asking how Mark is, how I am doing, how are the girls…. & so on! When Mark couldn’t drive b/c of his ankle, they would offer any help that I needed. I thank God every day for them.
Photography is good too! Sessions are coming along. I have been busy with revamping the look of my branding. I am also working on creating templates for Photographers to purchase. I am hoping to have this ready by the end of the year. I love graphic design & found that I enjoy creating!
I was recently featured on Erica Shurter’s Photography website..It was such an honor!
I also had the pleasure to do an amazing session with a dear friend of mine who is battling cancer. I had written a post about it on my website.
I can complain or even cry about my crazy life…but let me say this!
When I spoke with Ally’s sisters’ & parents…you put things into a whole new perspective! You can never imagine what they are going through unless you have been through it! I see her family exhausted, scared & worried what is going to happen. They know what is going to happen…& you pray that it doesn’t. All they can do right now is love & be there for Ally.
What you may complain about, is nothing compare to this! Don’t get me wrong, we all need to vent…I vent everyday & have friends & family that are going through a difficult times with things in their lives, but just remember, there is always someone going through something that does not compare to what they are going through! I am tired every freaking day, but its life...And I deal with it! I have a family that depends on me & when I need a break, I take it!
~Please don’t take what I am saying is be chalice...I am just saying is all!
I wish I could take the pain away from what Ally & her family are going through. They will be forever in my heart & prayers.
For now we are enjoying our summer & creating more memories! Hopefully I will make more time to update the blog…yeah right! Ha!
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