Madison's First Day of First Grade

 

This was from last year...First Day of Kindergarten.  

Look how I've changed:

Violin Recital May 2013

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Tennis Match April 2013

Three Generations of Love

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We miss you Opa!

Opa - We are a little in shock right now as your passing was very unexpected and very quick.  We are thankful that you did not suffer, but we wish we were able to say goodbye.  We are grateful for all of the wonderful memories we made together and we will cherish them in our hearts forever.  You are gone, but you will never be forgotten.  We love you.  Until we see you again.....

Happy Hanukkah!!! Merry Christmas!!!

In our home, we have decided to celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. Your mother (me) was raised as a Christian and so was your father; however, your Opa (my father) is Jewish and so is the rest of his family, including your Auntie Auntie Nancy and Auntie Leslie.  It is because of your Opa that we embrace Hanukkah.  In fact, many households celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah, as we've discovered together in the book we read, "Light the Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas". Our Star of David tree topper is an interfaith tree topper - it's our way of showing how we embrace the two holidays.  Of course, we are not "practicing Jews", however because of who we are, this is the way we've chosen to celebrate it! At Hanukkah, we celebrate God's miracle to the Jewish people.  At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Even though our beliefs differ, we respect Opa and his family for what they believe as they respect us for what we believe.  Its called love.  The lesson here: Always be respectful of others, their culture and what they believe.  

Madison's 6th Birthday Party at The Locomo (Roller Skating Rink)

 

Madison, I am truly proud of you, you virtually planned this "roller-skating" party on your own.  Almost everything was your idea, from the venue to the color of the cupcakes!  I enjoyed making the cupcake toppers with you, what fun!  At your party, the face painting was a surprise for you and you were so excited to get your face painted.  You truly enjoyed yourself at your party with your closest friends.  The thing that impressed me the most was that you did not use the 'skate mate' to skate.  You were very comfortable skating without it in your new "birthday skates" (with pom poms).  Your Daddy and I got in on the fun too, to your surprise!  Daddy dressed like, "Don Johnson" from an 80s TV show called, "Miami Vice"; and Mommy dressed like how she used to dress in the 80s when she lived in the Bronx.  Hahahahahaha! Happy 6th birthday my precious, you are growing up to be such a sweet, well behaved and well mannered young lady.  We are truly blessed to have you as a daughter!

Happy 6th Birthday Madison!

Madison you are the joy of my days! On this special day, six years ago, you changed my life. You are a miracle child and you have been a huge blessing to me and to Daddy! We are very proud of you and honored to be your parents.  Stay sweet!  We love you forever and a day!

 

It's beginning to 'feel' a lot like Christmas...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Random Act of Kindness

I am overwhelmed with emotions right now!  I stopped at McDonalds to pick up breakfast and when I gave the cashier my money she's says, " it's already paid for"!!!  At this point I'm baffled!!!  She points to a white Toyota Camry driving away and tells me that lady paid for it!   With the music playing fairly loud in my car coupled with having a tremendous amount of stuff on my mind, I was overwhelmed with emotion and started crying.  The words of the song at that point in time said, "let my heart trust in You, let my fear fall, let Your love carry me through it all and I will hold on to You even through pain".  That one small act of kindness by a stranger made such a HUGE impact on where I am right now!  I thank God for His gentle reminders of just how much He cares about us despite our circumstances!  Now to look for an opportunity to pay it forward!  Madison, I think we'll tackle this one together!

 

 

Election Day 2012

 It's a priveledge to live in a Country where you have the freedom to vote.  Madison and I did it together today!  Make your VOTE COUNT!

Madison holding the ballots!

Life is a Theater.

Life is a theater.  Invite your audience carefully.

Not everyone is healthy enough to have a front row seat in our lives.
There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a DISTANCE.
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of, or at least
minimize your time with, draining, negative, incompatible,

not-going-anywhere relationships/friendships.
Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention.
Which ones lift and which ones lean?
Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?
When you leave certain people do you feel better or feel worse?
Which ones always have drama

or don't really understand, know or appreciate you?
The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you...the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row

and who should be moved to the balcony of Your Life.
"If you cannot change the people around you,

CHANGE the people you are around."
Remember that the people we hang with

will have an impact on both our lives and our income.

And so we must be careful to choose the people we hang out with,

as well as the information with which we feed our minds.
We should not share our dreams with negative people,

Nor feed our dreams with negative thoughts.
It's your choice and your life..... It's up to you who and what you let in it......

Life is a Theater.  Invite your audience wisely.

 

Pink & Orange on a Sunday Afternoon

 Stay sweet Mimi.  Laugh often and live your life to the fullest!

 Remember that Mommy will ALWAYS love you!

 Sometimes its good to let some people or some things go. 

 Be sure to find a time to relax and take time for yourself.

 Don't take life too seriously.  Have fun.  Be yourself.

 Live.  Love.  Learn.  Laugh and skip.

 Your innocence is a gift. Protect it.

Smile, even if everything around you makes you want to cry.

We hope that when you look at us, you feel a sense of pride.