Always remember...

 I should just listen to myself sometimes. 

July

Welp...July was a bit of a bust. That's what happens when you're saving your pennies to pay for that last year of an expensive college. Ugh. We took last week off for a staycation and it literally was cloudy and rainy all week. We did sneak in one day at the beach though. Unfortunately, that beach which is usually so perfect was filled with seaweed and small rocks that hurt. Ugh again. I ended up working most of the week as there wasn't much else to do. So I wouldn't consider that a vacation at all. 

But Julia went to the Cape with some friends and had lots of fun. She's a beauty...

She has a new beau so we don't see that much of her these days. 

What else...hmmmm....my two kitties are very cute and have been keeping me company...

I love Eli's feet...

That's Eli's favorite spot under the window...

I miss Mikey so much it hurts. I still cry just thinking about him. Ugh. Just so unfair. Look how cute...

Love Island was sooooo good this summer!!! It kept me entertained every night! It was so good that I watched all 30 episodes for a second time. Haha! That my friends just shows how little is going on in my life at the moment. The winners...Trinity and Bryce...my favorites!! Genuinely such nice people. Wishing them the very best... 

Sadly, my Uncle Chauncey (my Dad's oldest brother) passed away on July 25th at the age of 96. He lived a very long fulfilling life. I knew he was going to pass soon but of course I didn't know exactly when. But me being me...I just happened to think of my Dad that morning and the thought crossed my mind how happy he was going to be having his brother back with him. Then didn't I get a text that afternoon from CeCe telling me that he had passed that very morning. So crazy. I have lots of memories of my Uncle but one core memory is how he would jingle his change in his pockets. Silly I know. 

Gianna left today for her very last UDA camp in Philly. She is beyond excited that it's the last one! Just not her favorite thing...at all! I've already been getting the "I miss you" texts. Haha! She's so cute! I miss her too. A lot. 

Then lastly, my right eyelid is really swollen, sore and very red. I ended up going to urgent care and found out it's called a Chalazion. Ugh. I hope it gets better soon. 

And that folks just about sums up my rather slow and somewhat dismal July. Although...I really should stop complaining because I love being home and have so much to be grateful for. Right? : ) 

Now moving on to August. Let's hope it's a little better than July. I do have a couple weekends planned with my sisters and girlfriends. That should help with my mood! 

Porch

I'm loving our porch these days. It's so much nicer with the comfy furniture than the way we had it before with that big table. We still have room to eat meals together. I love to sit at the table with my tea and work on the cool mornings...

We're able to watch TV now in comfort...

Graduation Party

We had Nicholas' graduation party on Saturday. It was beautiful day! The weather couldn't have been better! 

I literally took four pictures the whole day. Who was there? The five of us, Haley, Kerry, Dena, Kimmy, Paula, Diane, Breanna and kids, Peter, Geralyn, Patty, Fran and Kymm. CeCe was on a cruise so she couldn't be here. Then around 5:30 a bunch of his friends showed up. Then a different kind of party happened : )  I am so happy he had a great day and his family and friends showed him so much love! 

Alex made all the food...

Julia and I took care of the desserts...

Only one more graduation party to go! Same time next year it will be Gianna's turn. Three college graduations in a row!!!

Little Blessings Preschool "See You Later Alligator" Graduation...

Little Blessings Kindergarten Graduation...

Middle School Graduation...

High School Graduation...

College Graduation...

I wish I could have told my younger Mom self not to worry so much about The Boy. Just look at him now!  

Three Little Birds

I went to the cemetery yesterday to visit with my Grandparents, Mama (and Glenn) and my Dad.  I sat with my Mama for a while and just shared what I've been feeling lately. I told Mama to just say a word or put a thought into my head. I sat in silence and there wasn't anything except the sound of lovely birds chirping and the warm sunshine. I felt very comforted so I moved on to sit with my Dad for a bit, who ironically is just a stone's throw away in that sprawling cemetery. I have to say it's very nice having them so close together and literally almost facing each other. I'm not sure how they feel about that though! Haha! 

Anyway...I got back in my car and realized I was singing a song...but not intentionally. I was like...what am I singing??? So I sang the lyrics again a little bit louder..."don't worry...bout a thing...cause...every little thing gonna be alright". Like what?!? Why would I be singing that? I haven't heard that song in years and years! But I knew in that very instant that it was Mom and Glenn...100%!! Go ahead and call me crazy but I know what I know. My Mama always comes through with music...and I'm sure Glenn loved Bob Marley. So I found the song on YouTube and played it really loud for them to hear! And I sang it nice and loud about four times in a row with happy tears!! Oh it made me feel so much better! Then I went on my way and I've been singing it ever since! 

Like My Mama said in her Superman card to me..."You always come through". Yes! We both do...for sure!! 

]

Don't worry 'bout a thing

'Cause every little thing gonna be alright

Singing' don't worry 'bout a thing

'Cause every little thing gonna be alright

Rise up this mornin'

Smiled with the risin' sun

Three little birds

Pitch by my doorstep

Singin' sweet songs 

Of melodies pure and true

Saying', this is my message to you

Singing don't worry 'bout a thing

'Cause every little thing gonna be alright

Singing' don't worry about a thing

'Cause every little thing gonna be alright

Live in the Moment

This is what I heard today...

How to have a good day

Wake up early

Make your bed

Enjoy the morning sunshine

Set intentions for the day

Speak kindly to yourself

Practice gratitude

Get some exercise

Enjoy some tea

Eat healthy

Talk to family or a friend

Do a craft

Clear your mind

Get some rest

Julia's vase

Look what Julia made me for Mother's Day! She hand painted it! It's so beautiful!! She also filled it with the prettiest flowers. She is a true artist. 

She also made my favorite chocolate chip cookies. She had them warm from the oven all ready for me when I got home from a long travel day. She's the best daughter : ) 

My Newest Creation

This one wasn't too hard. I love doing these! 

Encouragement

Here's some awesome encouragement for the day...

Nicholas graduates from UofL

Four years have come and gone but I have to say it didn't go by fast for me...at all! I feel like he's been in Kentucky for way longer than four years. Danny and I flew there on Friday. Nicholas picked us up at the airport and we went to grab a quick lunch. Then we stopped by his house for one last time. It's a typical guys frat house. He and one of his roommates spent a lot of time cleaning up the kitchen and living room after all the other guys moved out. Nicholas always keeps his room very neat and clean...

Later that night we met up with his girlfriend, Haley, and a bunch of his friends and their families at a really cool Irish restaurant and bar. They had lots of outdoor seating which was perfect because the weather was beautiful. Then Saturday was the big day! His graduation was at 10:00 a.m. in the KFC Yum Center in downtown Louisville. It was one of two ceremonies because there were a lot of graduates. In true Nicholas fashion, he got there super early so he could get a seat right up front to be one of the first ones to get their diploma and make a quick exit. Haha! He was in the second row! 

Nicholas getting his diploma...

He did a photoshoot with his friends the day before graduation. I just love all these pictures. He's so handsome...

I am so incredibly proud of him! From the very beginning, he has followed his own path. Not the traditional path of going right to college after graduation. He knew he needed a little more time and wanted to try junior hockey. It had always been his dream and he did just that! He did all the work himself reaching out to teams and landed a spot on the Vermont Lumberjacks! Then he moved on to the Springfield Pics for his second year. After that, he said he was ready to try college. Again he did all the work sending out applications and visiting different colleges. He finally decided that the University of Louisville would be the best fit for him. Going on his own timeline made all the difference in the world! 

He has accomplished so much playing hockey all these years. Starting with the Vermont Lumberjacks by earning Top Goalie of the Week and then Goalie of the Month...to winning MVP for a game and then making it all the way to the Frozen Finals and playing in net! From there he moved on to play with the Springfield Pics and then earned a spot on the University of Louisville hockey team!  He was in net to beat their biggest rival, The University of Kentucky, and was named Player of the Game and won the game "belt"! He also won the game “belt” after a shut out again North Carolina. Then he was honored with The Most Valuable Player at the end of the season! He earned every one of those! So amazing! Not many can say they accomplished all that! 

His ultimate goal was to earn a college degree and he did just that! He now has his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. From that super rambunctious little boy who found it so hard to sit still in the classroom and focus on his schoolwork...to being a college graduate! Back then I never could have imagined him going to college, but he did it!! 

I've missed his presence in my every day life so much. I'm happy he's coming home. I know it won't be forever that he'll be under our roof so I'll savor the time we do get with him. 

He's shown us that when you do what you love and follow what truly motivates you, you will succeed. I hope he continues to pursue his passions and chase his dreams! 

We are so proud of you Nicholas!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! 

Love you forever and always!! 

Your Mudda : ) 

Oh my heart