Can This Be?

Tonight I watched Matt's drive off in our beautiful red T-Bird with his girlfriend Johana.  They were going to their senior prom.  He looked so handsome, and her so pretty.  Its strange.....I was really excited and happy for him, yet a little sad.

Sad to think his high school years are coming to a close, sad to think he will be going to college in September, and he isn't my "little boy" anymore. But....I am so very, very proud of him.  Its like I am watching step into this whole new world.  Watching his dreams beginning.  

Good Job Matt....we love you and are so proud of you!

Celebration for Mrs. McGirr

Yesterday I hosted a celebration lunch honoring Krissy.....who is now a certified elementary school teacher.  She finished her credentials program last week!  She is done....finished....finito.....no more school!!!!! Now the easy part, finding a teaching job (haa-haa-haa).

It was a really fun afternoon.  We had lunch, presents and lots of laughing.  We attempted to take a couple of pictures, but NONE of the kids wanted to cooperate, so we snapped photos anyways. 

It was a beautiful day with people who are very special to me.  Needless to say, I am beyond proud of Krissy.  She worked her tail off to over the past few years, and never gave up.  She will be a fabulous teacher, and I cannot wait to be volunteering in her classroom.  Who would have ever thought....ME the mother of THE TEACHER (not a student)    

 : )

CHOC WALK 2008

Me, Dave, Krissy & my sister Sheri took part in CHOC WALK 2008 this year.  It was one of the most awesome, inspiring, uplifting days of my life.  We walked in honor our our sweet little friend Timmaree and her family, who have benefitted from all that Childrens Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) provides and does.  We were part of Team Timmaree, which was one of the largest groups walking (I think we came in 2nd, only under Disney).  The morning started very early.  We arrived at Disneyland at 6:00am.  It was already buzzing when we arrived.  Dave was one of the "sign holders", which lead the team.  He took his job very seriously : )  He and our friend Mike (the other sign holder), made the walk so much for fun.  I think they were both flag twirls in a previous life....haa-haa.

This was truly an incredible event, and I would highly recommend EVERYONE taking part next year.  I can tell you that we certainly will be.

GANGSTA NERDS

This year the annual Halloween NERD party that we go to was GANGSTA NERDS.  We had a blast as usual!  Boyd and Venus (our "nerd" names) were as gangsta and gangsta could be (for a couple of nerds : )

The really sad part of this is, that most of the time we have all we need to pull our costumes together right out of our own closets.  

Its hard to believe Halloween is over and now we are heading into Thanksgiving!!!  

I hope everyone has a wonderful November!!!

DEDICATED TO MY SISTER SHELLEY

This post is dedicated to my older sister Shelley (she is sitting in the front/middle of this picture).  I am the birthday girl in the back with the crown on.....who for some reason doesn't look too happy.  Maybe because my older sister Shelley is focus of the picture...hee-hee.

Here are a few of the reasons why I love my sister Shelley:

1)  She has a GREAT sense of humor.

2) She is a blast to go on vacation with.

3) She has raised two of the greatest girls I know, Nicole & Heidi.

4) She chose a husband who I love as much as I love her.

5) She has a caring heart!

6) She is ALWAYS willing to meet for lunch (or dinner or breakfast : )

7) And last, but not least....she calls ME for cooking questions!!!!!

I am truly blessed with 4 of the most super siblings a person could hope for.  I just wanted to highlight Shelley today.

Super Fun!!!!

Last week, my sweet niece Nicole, hosted a fun little lunch for her Mom and Aunts.  She fixed a beautiful lunch that would have made California Pizza Kitchen totally jealous!!!  It was fabulous!  Now let me add that she did not let us bring ANYTHING!  It was so sweet, because she is a VERY, VERY busy girl taking care of my three adorably cute great-nieces and great-newphew, Kate-Elizabeth, Vince & Gracie.    We worked hard trying to get all the kids to look at the camera.... so we just snapped pictures & they turned out GREAT.

We missed sweet Heidi & Krissy!  Heidi was vacationing in Mexico, and Krissy had school.  

Next luncheon is at Aunt Georgia's house......ok??????  Date to be determined!

Georgia'ism #5  LIVE...LOVE.....LAUGH (ok its not mine...but I love it)

ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Yes it is.....its the most wonderful time of the year.....BACK TO SCHOOL.

While most years I would be belting this song out, this year is a little different.  Maybe because I have a freshman and a senior this year.  It just seems to be going by way too fast.  Its hard to believe that this is Matt's final year at Fullerton High School.  It seems like it was just yesterday when I was dropping him off as a freshman.  I felt like I was feeding him to the sharks.  Now...he is the big man on campus.  

And then there is Gina.  While I didn't cry this morning, after I dropped her off at school with her friends, I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a grown up little girl going off to Troy High School.

While I don't have a picture of Krissy on her first day back to school it amazes me that she is beggining the "final countdown" to becoming a teacher.  Its been incredible watching her "master" the art of a crazy school schedule, work & a wonderful marriage.  That alone makes a parent very, very proud.

While I know its a few years off, maybe I am mentally preparing myself for the empty nest.  I don't know.  I am just feeling a bit melancholy today.  Its the strangest feeling...... happiness that school is back in session, yet sad how time flies by so quickly.

As a mom I feel so blessed to have such great kids, that I love so much!

CAN THIS BE????

WHERE DOES TIME GO?????

It seems like it was just a few days ago, when Gina was a small girl, sucking her thumb, and dragging around her little "blankie".  Then....off to kindergarten with her best buddies, Billy & Nathan.  Now.....she is a freshman at Troy High School, on the Frosh-Soph volleyball team, and going to dances.

Can we go back?  Sometimes I miss her being my little tag-along!    It amazes me how fast time goes.  It seems so cliche, but it does whiz by.

Georgia'ism #4......Savor every moment!

New York....New York

Matthew and I just arrived home today from a 5 day trip to New York.  We went with my sister Shelley & my sister Sheri, and my two nephews Jacob and Joshua.  We stayed at the Marriott Marquis in the middle of Time Square.  Wow.....lots going on there.  We had a blast!

Here are a few of the things we did:

1) We celebrated my sister Sheri's 51st birthday by having dinner at Tavern on The Green in Central Park.....so much fun!  And the food....unbelievable.

2) Harbor tour of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Manhattan skyline at dusk (so pretty).  It poured rain, and tons of thunder and lightning, which added to the excitement.  We don't have that often in California.

3) Went to the 102 floor at the Empire State Building.  WOW.....what a view.  The day we went, was perfectly clear.  The elevator ride was a little wild....but fun!

4) The boys all took the subway to a Yankee's game.  They had a ton of fun.  Their Aunt Shelley & Uncle Serg gave them $$$ to buy an official Yankee's baseball hat.  They loved it!  It was a really special day for them.

5) SHOPPED, SHOPPED, SHOPPED.  The shopping was incredible.  Knock-off central.  It was an experience like no other.  We came home with TONS of stuff.

6) Visited China Town and SoHo.  

7) THE FOOD.....what can I say about the food.  It was FANTASTIC!!!!  Back to Weight Watchers.  I probably have a good 5 pounds to take off, but it was totally worth it!

8) Took a beautiful carriage ride thru Central Park.  It was so beautiful....with so much to see.

So many incredibly fun times with my sisters, my son & my nephews.  I am truly blessed to have had such a wonderful vacation with my family.

The Red Shoes

As a young girl growing up in a Catholic family, making my First Holy Community was a big deal!  Me being the youngest of 5 kids, my sweet Mom had learned to not sweat the small stuff.  As you can see, I wore a traditional white First Communion dress, all white.  ALL of the other girls (minus me), wore beautiful white socks & white shoes to complete the "look".  I had a pair of beautiful RED patten leather shoes that I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED!  I wanted so bad to wear these shoes at my big event.  Would my Mom allow me to wear such a colored shoe to my First Communion????  Would I fit in????  Would I be happy?????   Of course my Mom would let me.  Remember....I am the 5th child!  My Mom learned to "not sweat the small stuff".  Now I realize that its only a pair of shoes.....but this made me very happy!  I can only imagine what the Priest thought!  It didn't matter.....I was a VERY happy little girl.

Such an important lesson in these red shoes.  When it comes to school pictures, family photos, weddings, etc.  Arguing over hair, clothes (within reason), etc......NOT WORTH IT.  Its a very hard lesson to learn as a Mother, but a very important one.  I try always to remember the red shoes.  My Mom was a very wise lady.  I miss her every day!  I strive to be like her daily!

Georgia'ism #3.......Do Not Sweat The Small Stuff (and most of it is small stuff)

The Boys (and Sophie, too)

Recently we went to a fabulous BBQ at our great friends the Boyer's.  The girls were all in the kitchen doing something (can't remember what.....probably nibbling on something), when we looked outside and saw this photo opp.

As a wife, this picture made me very happy.  Dave and his buddies, Mike, Mark and Wayne. Along for the fun was Sophie Georgia (thats what I like to call her) their sweet dog.  Out in the yard, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, BBQing.....and goofing around.  What could be better?

Georgia'ism #2.......LIFE IS REALLY GOOD.....ENJOY IT!

Doing Time

Today we took Fumi, Takao & Kaku to "do a little time" in the Fullerton Police Department jail.  Two great Fullerton police officers took us on a tour of the entire department.  It was very interesting.  I am not sure how much the students understood, but the rest of us loved it!!!!  The highlights were:

1) the jail

2) the stun-gun/guns

3) the motorcycles

and last but not least (drum roll please..........)

4) the spike strip 

For those of you who don't know this about me.......here goes.......I am addicted to watching car chases on t.v.  If there is a chase on, I am glued.  I mean totally glued.  I miss dinner, don't go to bed, etc.  Embarrassing but true : )

All in all it was a great day!  After the police department, we took the kids to a Rotary Luncheon, then they went off to Fullerton Airport to get a plane ride over Orange County.  Matt & Dave were able to tag along!

Love and Laughter

Love and Laughter.....two wonderful lessons that my parents taught me.  I recently came across this picture of my parents, and it proves just what they taught me......

Look at my Dad with those crazy-eyes glasses on, and how lovingly my mom is looking at him.

While at 44 years of age, I feel way too young to not have my parents anymore, but I also feel totally blessed to have had such wonderful role models on how to live my life.

Georgia'ism #1  Life is short.....love and laugh as much as you can!

My 3 New Japanese Sons

If I haven't already told you, I have 3 Japanese students that are staying with us for a few days.  Its part of the Rotary exchange program.  They are from Fukui, Japan (Fullerton's sister city).  Fumi, oldest is 24, and speaks fairly good english, the middle one, Takao, is 16 and is a typical teenager, and the youngest, Kaku, is 15 and  speaks no english and is VERY shy.  This makes our communication very difficult.  I was nervous about having them, but have been pleasantly surprised!  They are so much fun.  We have gone to Balboa, and had dinner at Ruby's diner on the pier, and they loved the beach.  Their beaches are covered with rock, so they loved the sand.  We also went to the fun zone, and across to Balboa Island.  

Thursday night, Dave and I hosted a Welcoming Dinner for them, and quite a few Rotarians.  It was a fun event.  It was catered with incredible Italian food (which they LOVED).  They had a blast playing ping-pong (which is VERY popular in Japan).  Dave played quite a bit with them, and we all think he was cheating....haa-haa.

This morning at 6:00am, Dave, Matthew & the 3 students along with quite a few other Rotary people left for Yosemite (despite the fires).  They are staying at a beautiful lodge and will return home on Monday.  

And with all that excitement going on, Gina had 4 wisdom teeth pulled out on Tuesday.  Her poor face is puffy, and its a little painful.  She developed "dry-socket" this morning, and was in tons of pain.  Fortunately, she was able to get into the doctor today and get medicine.  She is already feeling better, and is sound asleep.