August 27, 1994

14 years ago today Joe and I got married. From that union we have 2 beautiful children, Danielle (8) and Joseph (6) and a life together that I wouldn't trade for anything.

I can clearly remember our big day - and even some of the smallest details. Last night I was thinking how 14 years ago on the eve of my Wedding I spent the night with my brother Danny and sister Colleen and we watched the movie Grease. We did that many, many times growing up and it seemed like the perfect way to end my time living at home with my family.

My brother "gave me away" and my sister Colleen was our Maid-of Honor. Joe's brother, Steve, was our best man and my two sister-in-law's were bridesmaids. We had a large bridal party - 16 people plus Joe and I. 14 of our closest friends and family members - many of them married couples and our beautiful niece Christina was the flower girl and my cousin Russell the ring bearer.

It was one of the HOTTEST days ever - and I mean ever!!! But it was exactly what I had dreamed of. I wanted outdoor pictures and we got them, I wanted a symbolic ceremony at Church and we had that, I wanted a reception where everyone would have a great time and we would start our life together on a happy, joyous note - and we did. I love watching our wedding video and reliving it all - and no matter how many times I watch it - it touches my heart each time. The only thing missing was both of our dads - but we knew they were watching from Heaven and having just as much fun as we were.

What Joe and I have is a strong foundation - we met when we were 18 and dated for 7 years before we got married. Lots of family support. A deep rooted friendship that helps us through difficult times. I will not sit here and say we never argue - but I will say that we both value the things that brought us together and keep us together enough to know that an argument here and there is not going to break this relationship. We have many common interest and love to do things together but we are secure enough to know time apart for individual interests is good for us as well.

We are both turning 40 this year so at this point we have been together for over 1/2 our lifetime - I wouldn't have it any other way......


Trip to Jamaica to Celebrate Our Anniversary

First Day of School 2008

Where does the time go??? Seems like just yesterday we had 2 kids in diapers - now we have a 1st grader and a 3rd grader!!! I hope Joe and I continue to make the time to soak it all in with Danielle and Joseph as they really are AWESOME kids!!!


Our Beautiful 3rd Grader


My Baby - oops I mean My 1st Grader




Joseph, Brianna and Danielle - How cool to be able to see your cousin everyday at school

Awesome Friends + Jamaican People = Awesome Vacation

Joe and I went to Sandals Dunn's River 8/10 - 8/16 with our good friends. I have known Tom for 28 YEARS and his wife Lisa for 9 years. Daryl was the first person Joe and I met when we came to Charlotte in 1997 to see if we wanted to move here. She worked at the Verizon Store with Joe and her and her husband Andre are now "family". We met Mike & Sally a few years ago - and they fell right in with this crazy crowd!!!

I have to say the people of Jamaica are unbelievable - they are warm, sincere, giving, kind, funny and just so happy. They have little and they are better for it. Sandals does not allow employees to accept tips so we chose to bring gifts instead for our favorite people. When we give them a gift - it is like they are winning the lottery. They TRULY appreciate what ever it is (especially CHOCOLATE) and they are so thankful. The best part of the trip for me is giving out the gifts. Don't get me wrong the Country is beautiful and the food, sites, etc... are all wonderful - but for me it is the people that make me want to go back again and again and again.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the trip:


The waterfall in the pool


Daryl & Joe - Forever Friends


All The Ladies


Romantic Dinner


Our new friends Marlon and Machel

The Best Grandmother in the World

This is my grandmother, Concetta Casertano, AKA Nanny Connie. She was absolutely the worlds best grandmother. She had 6 grandchildren and she treated each of us equally and like GOLD. She did not have a lot of money - but she had riches worth of love to give us. She had 8 great-grandchildren, that is my son Joseph you see her with. And again - she loved them like they were each the only one she had.

Sadly we lost her just a little over 2 years ago - and although she lived 90+ years and I saw her daily as I was blessed enough to have her live with us - I am still sad over my loss.

Today is an exceptionally hard day - usually when I think of her I can smile and laugh - today I miss her too much to smile. How did this come on today you might ask - I will tell you - my mother took out Nanny Connie's pin cushion from my Nanny Connie Memory Box - she was sewing something and needed a needle. It was sitting on the counter of my kitchen and at first I saw it and smiled. Today driving to work I thought of the pin cushion and all it represents - my grandmother was a seamstress, not until her death did I need to pay for alterations. She made us dresses when we were little. She made all of her great grandchildren knit sweaters with matching hats when they were born. She made me, my sister and my brother knit blankets that we still cherish - we were adults when she made them - my sister Colleen's is probably full/queen size and each square is a different color all sewn together with Nanny's love.

The 2 pictures are from the last vacation she took with us. We were at Myrtle Beach in June 2006 - she passed in July 2006 - leaving behind many broken hearts but even more glorious memories and life lessons.

I may feel sad today - but I do know that I am a rare person who was blessed to have her grandmother for 37 1/2 years and whose children got to live with their great grandmother who was in perfect health until the Lord called her home. We had 4 generations under our roof for just about 4 years - the house sometimes feels a little empty without her - but her love still fills the rooms.

Songs = Memories

We all have songs that know matter when or how many times we hear them remind us a special person in our lives. I heard one of those songs on my way into work today which is what prompted this post. Here is a list of some of mine........

Daniel (Elton John) - my dads name and the song I heard this morning. Every time I hear it I look up at the clouds towards Heaven and think of him.

From This Moment (Shania Twain) - my niece Kayla. Back in 1998 we met her family in Disney World and she sung the song for me - I asked her when she got home to call my house and sing it in my answering machine (she was only 4 so I was really asking Regina) and she did. I played it daily until the machine gave out - it was such a sweet way to keep her close to me. I still, here in 2008, can not hear the song without crying.

Follow The Leader (Soca Boys) - my daughter Danielle. This was her Hip Hop song for her recital this year - and this was her break out year. Such a fun and upbeat song but I cried everytime - tears of a proud mother!!!

Temperature (Sean Paul) - my son Joseph. He loved this song and everytime it played he would stand in front of our television and watch himself dance.

In Da Club (50 Cent) - Andre. This is mine and his song to dance together - no matter what is going on.

Ignition Remix (R Kelly) - Daryl. I love the way she "bounces" her shoulders when she hears it.

Mo Money/Mo Problems (Biggie) - Danny DoCabo. We were out for New Years Eve and dancing all night - we were ready to go and this song came on and he was like - ONE MORE SONG - I can still see his expression in my mind.

Hey Ya (Outkast) - my niece Christina. We were at Kim & Kevin's Wedding and I had such a good time watching her dance to this song.

Strokin (Clarence Carter) - my sister-in-law Maria. She knows why.......

Unwritten (Natasha Bedingfield) - my niece Amber. When it was at its most popular she would sing this song word for word her face almost turning purple so she wouldn't miss a beat.

Push It (Salt & Pepa) - my sister Colleen and her BF Joanne. This played at my brother's graduation party and they had a whole dance routine!!!

Yeah (Usher) - Kim. She knows why.......

I Believe in You and Me (4 Tops) - Steve & Regina. When they dance to this song the love between them is so OBVIOUS and heartwarming. And Regina sings too him....

Through the Years (Kenny Rogers) - Uncle Matt. (I am crying again) He danced to this song with my Mother-in-law when she got re-married 16 years after his brother died. The words have so much meaning for their family and what this incredible man did for his Sister-in-law and niece and nephews "Through the Years".

I got you Babe (Sony & Cher) - my parents. The words matched their love.....

Any REM or Midnight Oil - my brother Danny.

The following people have a few songs that always make me think of them:

Suzanne - Brown eyed girl (Morrison), Who's Crying Now (Journey), Crazy Train (Ozzy), Better Man (Pearl Jam), I'll be there for you (theme song from friends).

Tom - Follow the Leader (Soca Boys) - the happy ending dance in Jamaica will forever be a classic!!! I Love Rock & Roll (Joan Jett), I'll be there for you (theme song from friends), You shook me all night long (AC/DC).

Joe - My own prison (Creed), December 1963(Frankie Valli), Everybody Dance Now (C&C Music Factory), You're Still The One (Orleans), Time of My Life (from Dirty Dancing) and of course After All.

I will end with the fact that my sister Colleen needs a whole post on this topic - she is very musically connected and so many memories I have that include her have songs tied to them. That will be a whole post on another day.