A True Gentleman and His Proud Mom

Today I went to have lunch with my son Joseph. He is 6 years old and in the first grade - those that know Joseph well, know that he is less of a rough and tumbling boy and more of a conservative/passive type of kid.

While we were on the lunch line Joseph was introducing me to his friends in his class. When we moved from the food line to the cash register a friend of his (a girl) was in front of us and her tray fell off the counter. I was on the floor helping her pick it up and telling her we would go get another lunch for her, I told Joseph to go ahead and pay for his lunch and I would be right there - well in the process of that 2 boys on the other side of the cash register started laughing at the little girl - much to my surprise - but extreme joy - Joseph told the other 2 boys to stop laughing because it wasn't funny!!!

Not until after school when I was telling him that I was proud of him for doing the right thing did I find out that the other 2 boys were not even boys in his class and not boys that he knew!!! I am not sure why but that seemed more impressive to me - I originally thought he was just telling other classmates to knock it off - but to know he would say it to a total stranger was just amazing!!!

He told me that what they did was wrong because we should all treat each other the way we would like to be treated.

I LOVE MY SON!!!!

Forty and Fabulous!!!

Joe will turn 40 tomorrow!!! I may be biased but I think he looks great. And of course our daughter thinks so - in the card she made him she said he doesn't look a day over 20!!!

Here are a few shots from our family dinner in his honor on Saturday night:


Danielle and Dad


Joseph and Dad


Nanny Pat and her BABY


Another one of Regina's Masterpieces


Joe with all of our niece's and nephew's

Your Personal Faith Walk

I was listening to an interesting conversation last night about Churches, Pastors, Preachers, Priests etc.....

We are all aware there are differences between denominations as well as individual Churches. We are all also aware there have been a few "bad eggs" in each denomination that make people doubt the AWESOME work others are doing.

I am not going to "preach" to you here today - I am simply going to say stay on your own personal faith walk, don't let peer pressure or the media push doubts into your mind and most importantly remember that God might be putting you within hearing distance of the doubters so that you can either reaffirm your faith or say something to them that may make the "lightbulb" go on in their head.

The next generation of friends

Growing up my parents owned a 7-11 on Long Island that was next to a Horse Farm. The horse farm was owned by the DellaRatta Family and it wasn't long before my parents and the DellaRatta's were best friends. From that me and my siblings became very good friends with their kids Tom and Jenn. Tom and I are still Best Friends and we see each other as often as possible and we travel together with our families as well. Danielle, Joseph and his daughter Alexa are literally growing up together - just like we did. We went to see them Labor Day Weekend and we took our niece Amber with us (my sister Colleen's daughter) and Tom & Lisa had their niece Chloe come to their house for a few nights (Jenn's daughter). So that gave us the chance for some great photo ops (something I LOVE). So here you have the 3rd Generation of friends!!!


Amber, Chloe and Danielle - the girls daughters!!!


Amber, Chloe, Danielle, Alexa and Joseph - it is tough being the only boy!!!

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