Wordless Wednesday

Rest in Peace Little Man

My heart is filled with sadness. A friend of ours lost his 8 year old son last night to year-long battle with spine and brain cancer. The worst part was that Little Jacob was in Germany getting treatment with his mom while his brothers and dad were here. They never got to officially hug him good bye. I know God has a plan, but it is hard to comprehend. Please pray for peace and understanding for the Grecco family.

Jacob- You fought the good fight little Superhero!

You have earned your wings and a place in heaven!

Jacob Austin Grecco

Rest in Peace Sweet Angel

My Dad is a Married Man

The kids and I traveled this past weekend to attend the wedding of my father and his fiance Butch (Not her real name- her nickname that she prefers) . It was a lovely day and I was blessed that my kids could be a part of it.

Dad and Butch

 Miss M, Butch, Dad and J. Miss M was the cutest flower girl  and J was the Ring Bearer.(or Ring Bear as M called him!!)

 We also got to visit my Great Aunt Hilda and Irene, my pop-pop's cousin. Aunt Hilda is 92. She is the one in the lavender suit. She is amazing! She is full of spunk! I love her to pieces!

Julie, Irene, me, Aunt Hilda



I am so happy for my dad that he met someone who loves him and cares for him!

The happy couple cutting the cake!

Congratulations Dad and Butch! 

Crying over spilled Milk

Me. I cried over spilled milk. why you ask? Because Little Miss M spilled it in my car. all over the car seat. and the seat. and the seat belt. every nook and cranny was covered in chocolate milk.
Now I know what your are thinking. Whay on EARTH would you give a 3 year old chocolate milk in the car? Well, It was sealed and unopened with the direction that yes, you may hold it but leave it closed until we get home. My bad. M isn't trustworthy. I should have known. So after I got home, bathed her, washed her clothing and spent 45 minutes cleaning the car and seat, I came in the house and cried. Real tears.

You know, Paul works all weekend, every weekend and sometimes, being a single mom all weekend just sucks. (I know, I hate that term too, but it fits here) Sometimes it is too much and I get frustrated and today was it.
So yeah, I cried over spilled milk today. and I am not ashamed to admit it!

Our Morning

Miss M and I had a mom and daughter day the other day! I heard about this place that has cute kid pedicure chairs so I decided to treat us to pedis! It was as if she had done it before! She went in a grabbed the bottle of pink polish and said, "I want this one!" too funny!

The bubbly water...

She got a little apprehensive so we held hands for a bit.....
The lady decided to ask Miss M if she wanted her nails painted too....That wasn't the plan but since we NEVER do this type of thing I thought, what the heck!

Almost done!

Letting them dry.....

Mommy got bright pink and Miss M got light pink with colored polka dots....(more $$)

We had so much fun. We walked to Panera for a bagel and she decided that a polka dotted cookie matched her toes so she got one! What the heck right?

We had so much fun. It will probably be the last time we do this for another year, but it was well worth the $$! I love having a girl!

The Stomach bug

The stomach bug hit J yesterday. Went home from school early, and was sick all day. Nothing makes a mom's heart hurt more than to see their kids sick. Poor thing. He is pale, weak and miserable.
And his sister is no help.
Miss M is jealous of her brother getting the attention. Wants me to sit with HER! Wants me to get HER some ginger ale. Wants ME to run her a bath. ug....She is more hassle than the sick one!

Praying that she doesn't get the ick!

Hard Week

J and his teacher and my friend, Mary

About 10 years ago, I had to teach a 2nd/3rd grade spilt class. This is not easy. So to help with this my principal hired a part time teacher who taught math and science to the second graders in the afternoon. Her name is Mary. The following year, Mary was hired full time at my school and has been there since. She is older than me by more than 10 years but we have formed a sister-like bond. She came to the hospital when Miss M was born, she calls me (and I call her) all of the time. We became close friends.
Last year, J was put in her first grade class and this year she moved up with him to teach 2nd grade. She is the best teacher! All of the kids love her. Everyone loves her.
In April, her husband was diagnosed with a virus that was hardening his kidney from the inside. Through the past few months, he has been ill, but holding on. He was approved on January 10, 2012 to get a kidney transplant, after MONTHS of testing, setbacks and issues. His sister was to be his live donor. Through this hardship, Mary kept going. She went with Steve to every doctor visit, hospital stay, etc. She is a rock. We prayed together, cried together knowing that on February 20th, her "old" Steve would be back. A new kidney. A new chance .

This past Tuesday, Steve suffered a massive heart attack and died. They believe it all is related to his kidney issues. I had taken off that day for a doctor visit and afterward, when I talked to Mary, she told me that he was on life support and had no brain activity. They were taking him off of it as soon as his family arrived. She told me to come to the hospital. I sat with my friend as she lost the love of her life, her best friend. I sat next to Connor, their 17 year old son, who looked at me with sadness in his eyes and asked me, "So what do we do now?" I held my friend who just sobbed.
As I said, it has been a hard week.
I went back to work on Wednesday where we were a school in mourning. Mourning the loss of Steve, grieving for our dear friend. I cried all day. I asked God WHY??? Why Steve?? 13 days till his transplant? How can he allow this to happen to my friend?
I attended the viewings, and yesterday, the funeral. Mary spoke--the most eloquent words. Words filled with love, sadness, and of course, humor. Oh yes, Mary is a funny one. Humor is how she copes. We cried and laughed together.
I guess the reason I am sharing this with you is so you can pray for Mary and Connor. Pray for peace, understanding, strength. I know God has a plan, although we don't know what it is yet. I know that Steve's passing is part of it, but Why? I appreciate your prayers.