Tag Archives: Family

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Neighbors who are family

Traditions bring calm, joy and feel like a big hug of love surrounding you. We were lucky to begin a new tradition once Giovanni and Isannah were well enough and at home to be a part of it. Every Christmas Eve, thanks to our beautiful friends/neighbors/family really, they began coming over to our house with their youngest son to exchange presents for the little ones. We got to share hugs and conversation. It was the best having them in our home which allowed me to begin another tradition of taking pictures with the kids together and with the Falcone’s together. That made me so happy to be able to capture those moments. Each year this happened even when they welcomed their daughter who joined the tradition with us. The tradition continued for all the kids up until their son who started it all with us got older. He was 10 years or so and stopped coming but the tradition continued even through COVID. Although not inside our home or by our Christmas tree we still meet outside. The feeling is still the same because we get to share the joy of giving and the love of friends. 

Now my kids are turning 11 years old, about the age that their son was when he stopped joining. I’m hoping that no matter the age or the years that pass this tradition carries on. Maybe not with exchanging gifts but with the love of friendship that has grown stronger as each year passes. The fondness of friends that are now our family. 

Right now they play outside when it’s warm and even when it’s cold. They laugh, they scream, they get out of control but they still play together and I love hearing and knowing they are there. 

Giovanni and Isannah will start middle school next year but I hope the friendship they each developed through the years will be remembered always no matter the years that pass by. Maybe they won’t be playing on the streets all together like they do now but the respect and love will always be there. 

Until the ages start to show, I will enjoy every moment that we have now.  

My heart is so happy that the friend I met in elementary school is still a constant in my life. She gifted all of this to me and my family and I am forever grateful.

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Christmas is here

The anticipation and excitement leading up to Christmas was all worth it to see their faces come Christmas morning.

It all started when the Elves Clementine and Michael returned for their daily surprises and mischiefs. From hanging on the chandelier to hiding in the rolls of wrapping paper. Then hanging on Santa’s chair in the window display and so much more. They brought some ugly sweater cookies to design on Ugly Sweater Day at school and chocolate lollipops to enjoy. It was all fun and games until the night Giovanni and Isannah had to say their good-byes to Clementine and Michael until the next year.

Then all of the sudden this happened: When the kids woke up on Christmas Day the elves were still here. Hiding in our Christmas tree with a note they wrote. The kids were older now and could take care of their elves so instead of flying back to the North Pole they let their magic go with Santa and stayed behind to enjoy with Giovanni and Isannah. It was time to share their magic with younger kids starting the excitement of the Elf on the Shelf. Although the kids were sad that the elves lost their magic they already created beds and rooms for Clementine and Michael in our home.

It was a magical Christmas but what made it more special is that we got to share it with family. We hope that the magic of Christmas lives on in your home and that the love of this holiday season is able to carry you along into the new year.

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Nutcracker Weekend Ends

This weekend is coming to an end and now I can sit back, take it all in and exhale. It was a beautiful weekend that began with Isannah’s rehearsal. Then family and friends came together to watch Isannah light up the stage with all the amazing talent at the Ballet. My husband and I were able to enjoy time in the city in between shows. It was as though we were years back during our dating phase when we were able to just be. Enjoy the city, lunch and each other’s company. It was a little “us” time. 

Then time was passing and another show was getting ready to start. The excitement was real and my eyes began to water once again. I could stare at her all night long. Performing, smiling behind the mask and showing so much emotion and excitement through her eyes. She was in her element and I was the beaming proud mama in the audience. 

When the show was over we saw some more family and a special friend that came out to support her. It was beautiful coming together. Isannah came out all smiles and met with all that were present. Asher, Isannah and I drove back and talked all about the shows. She was tired but excited. Still flying on that performance high but she was slowly coming down. 

We arrived home to find a little Christmas mishap with the dog and our window decorations or lack of them. 

Isannah rested a little before she and I headed out to pick up Giovanni who was with my parents visiting Santa and enjoying some popcorn at my father’s club. Isannah and I pulled up and saw the snow filling the sky from a snow machine for the special event. We could hear the happy live Christmas music from the car and once we opened the door and got out we were surrounded by smiling faces, laughs that you could hear from a mile away, the smells of hot chocolate, buttered popcorn and cotton candy led the way. The sounds and smells of Christmas were hugging us as we walked.

The closer we got the more we could see him. The loud sounds of Santa with the biggest belly laugh and horses moving around towards him. I guess reindeer and a sleigh couldn’t walk the streets of downtown BK. 

I looked past the big red and white suit and saw that sweet boy face in the middle of it all. Giovanni was smiling and skipping around with snowflakes in his hair. He ran over to us with excitement on his face and hands filled with treats to give to his sister. He showed her around while Nonno and Nonna were making their way towards me. It was a beautiful scene like in an old Christmas movie but while looking up it seemed as though someone shook the snowglobe and we were all in it. 

The snow is still filling the air around us. The kids danced with Nonna and Nonno and we all hugged before walking away with jingling Santa scarfs, treat bags and yummy popcorn. 

It was a beautiful weekend which ended as it began with smiles and family.

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Traditions

Traditions are so important to me especially when they bring family together. Making special memories with my mom walking each procession every year. Bringing Giovanni and Isannah with me, so they too, can experience these moments with their Nonni and all the family that comes together. Moments that become memories that will grow each year as they do. Bringing Giovanni and Isannah to church with me to experience the beautiful services. I love knowing that they can listen to the messages and allow it to carry in their hearts. All the traditions big or small, they are lasting and remain in our heart and memory. 

They lift us on the days when we are feeling down. They bring a smile to my face when I find it hard to smile on my own. 

Traditions for and during the holidays. The same foods, the decorations, the family games, music and laughter that are always present during this time. Even when the year is hard and the fear is great, or when there is an empty place or two at the table, the comfort and love of the holidays bring us hope for a better tomorrow, all while embracing and appreciating what we have now. I look out and see faces staring back at me and all I can do is smile because this will be a new memory because of these traditions. 

There is another new one that is very special and dear to my heart. It started when Giovanni and Isannah were just born. My childhood friend and her family, who we are blessed to have as neighbors too, came over at Christmas. They brought gifts for the kids and stayed with us for a little. This became a beautiful tradition that still happens every year because of the kindness and heart they share with us. All the kids open their gifts and share a moment together. We take family pictures by our tree and just feel the warmth and happiness of their company. They are friends who are family and that will never change. 

This year was different thanks to 2020 but it didn’t change our tradition. Our friends made it happen again. Thankfully the weather held up and we were able to meet outside with masks and distance. We stayed safe and just had our special time. The kids played together and laughed. I stared out at them and couldn’t believe how big they all are now. How small they were when it all started. Their daughter wasn’t born yet but their younger son was always with us. Now their son has grown and their daughter took his place in our tradition.I still have the first gift that our friends brought for the kids. Two little picture Christmas Stocking ornaments. One pink one and one blue. To this day they hang proudly on our tree with a picture of Giovanni and Isannah in each one.

Traditions mean the world to me. I hope Giovanni and Isannah will feel the same and keep every memory in their heart so that they will carry these traditions as they grow each year. 

We all have different beliefs but traditions are what you make them to be.  

Create them, old or new, carry them and keep them going and growing.

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Eve of Christmas 2020

On this Eve of Christmas, my mind drifts to family gatherings of years past, and my chest feels heavy. Remembering all the hugs we were able to receive and give. The laughs that filled the houses we visited. And the laughter of generations of family members all under the same roof. We could see the many expressions on their face. Faces that I have been missing. All these moments that turned into memories blurred my vision of what was directly in front of me today.

This year we took a hit, some more than others, but a hit was felt all around. The sadness and fear leading up to the holidays could make your body tremble. Knowing that people would be missing at the table. Less noise and laughter, fewer generations under one roof, made my chest close and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I had to take a moment to step away from my memories and be present. Yes, the holidays have felt a little lighter and leading up to today, Christmas Eve a little scarier, but we are still here. We are healthy and safe. Things won’t be the same but are they really ever exactly the same? We do the best with what we have every year because that is life. We want to bring family together for our children. We want them to experience all the magic of life and the holidays. We do our best to make things seem better than what they are at times.

Although our group was smaller than before, it was perfect. Being able to see Giovanni and Isannah sing, dance and laugh because of their Nonni is priceless. The way the kids light up when Nonna comes through the door is what the holidays are all about. This year we may be lighter but our home felt full. We are here. We are healthy and we are safe. There’s so much to be thankful for, and family is the most important of them all.

Wishing you and your family a magical Christmas. Hoping you can find the blessings that surround you and allow love to fill your heart.

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Family Bike Ride

We had a little break from COVID fears, school heartbreak and confusion just to be together as a family. Smiling, enjoying being outside together (with masks) and just experiencing the beauty that is still around us. Today was the first time we went on a bike ride, all four of us, together. It was the first time the kids rode in the street with us the entire time. Asher was the lead then came Isannah, Giovanni and I was the back end. I had the best view. I got to enjoy the little legs pedaling trying to keep up with their dad. I heard the laughter and saw the happiness of biking just by their body language.

It was a beautiful experience. One that was overdue.We got to bike along the piers and took a break to look around and take it all in. There in front of us was the city’s skyline. Home in Brooklyn but a view that can make anyone smile of the city. It was a beautiful sunny day with a hint of a cool breeze. The perfect weather for a family bike ride and a perfect day to spend together outside. It’s days like this when the stress of forced decisions being made evaporates and the love of life and family are present.

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Here’s to 12 years!

Monday, August 10, 2020 we celebrated 12 years of marriage. Several years ago we were gifted the time to travel on our anniversaries. We were able to celebrate just us again. Each place we traveled we laughed, loved and lived. We escaped to new places to get back to the place we said, I do. That day brought two souls together and grew two hearts. It was a day of new beginnings and a day that lit the way to our new journey.
Whether we were traveling to The French Riviera or driving Highway 1, we have been blessed to see things through a different lens. We learned and grew.
This year we were unable to travel because of COVID. Instead, we celebrated it together as a family. Our children sang a Happy Anniversary song to us. My husband drove us to Sonic Drive In. This was a big moment and treat. He knows I love Sonic from my way back Texas days so this was our travel adventure. It was our children’s first time eating there and LOVED it. After enjoying coneys and slushes with happy full tummies we headed back home.


Not more than 20 minutes after we arrived a tornado siren went off. Next came the beeping on phones with tornado watch warnings and TV tornado warnings telling everyone to go to the lowest floor of the house. My husband grabbed flashlights and our dog Griffin. Giovanni, Isannah and I followed him to the basement. It was the kids and my first time in a tornado watch so it was quite the experience. As we were in the basement, I couldn’t help but stare at all of them. My children, my husband, and our dog were curled up on a beam bag. During all that has been going on this year and all that was going on in that moment, all I could do is smile. This was 12 years. This was family and this always will be.


My husband and I managed to have alone time during Griffin’s walk. My husband, Griffin, and I went for a stroll as the sunset was beginning. The wind was softly blowing while the colors in the sky began changing. The beauty that was surrounding us on our walk made me think of the many sunsets we experienced together and the many more we will experience again.

Here’s to crazy number 12.