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!