Small Towns

As I was driving this morning I passed the houses where my childhood friends used to live. Some of those houses are where their parents live today. It got me thinking of my childhood and growing up in a small town. I remember so many things about growing up...sleepovers, pool parties, getting in trouble for so many reasons, sledding on the ramp of route 73, and so much more. I also started thinking about the friends I had when I was younger, too many to mention, but these were the people that influenced my life and who I still think about today. It made me smile thinking that I am still friends with most of those folks (some thanks to Facebook). Thanks for all of the wonderful (and not so wonderful) memories. These are the friends that I have known since kindergarten, some I did not know well until later, but knowing that I have people in my life since I was 6 or 7, makes me feel so good about growing up in a small town.

When I was in college I truly thought I would never come back to Palmyra. It was such a small town and all I could think about was what I needed to do to never go back. The fact that I was only out of Palmyra for the 4 years I was in college and a few years after leads me to believe that small towns have so much to offer. Having a close knit family that is still local helps too!! Sometimes I take it for granted, but not many people can walk to WaWa, the pharmacy, the bar, my parents house or the pizza shop. Liam can walk to baseball practice and to the local fields to meet up with his friends. These are things that I have to stop and think about, and it makes me happy.

I got thinking about Liam and knowing he is now in the midst of where I was when I was 10. He is forming the bonds with friends that will take him through his entire life. I know we all make friends that we have for a lifetime, but there is something different about growing up together and making lifelong memories in a small town. I am happy he is growing up here, getting to experience all of the wonderful things I did when I was growing up. I hope in 30 years or so he can look back and be thankful he grew up in a small town like Palmyra.

So, thank you to all of you that helped me make memories that would be with me forever!!!

Being a FIGHTER!!!

When I think about the word 'Fight' so many things come to mind. It can have such a negative meaning. You can think about fighting with a spouse or a friend or a family member, which is never fun. You can think about someone getting into a 'fight' at a bar or event, which again is not a fun thing to hear about or witness.

But I had to stop and think about how putting up a 'fight', as hard as it may be, can be so powerful (and exhausting). I think about the 'fight' my sister Christine has been doing for the past 11 years. She has been fighting this horrible disease we know as Cancer. In my family, Cancer is not a bad word. In my family Cancer is on the forefront of our minds along with the long fight that Christine has endured all of these years. I can tell you, it never gets easier with time, as some things do.

With each radiation treatment, experimental treatment, new Chemo treatments, and all of the times having to go to the hospital - it never gets easier. I think sometimes I am being selfish because I am not the one going through this and how dare I get upset or angry. I am not the one FIGHTING!!! If I feel this way I cannot even begin to imagine how she is handling this. I know she puts on a brave face and a smile (most days), but I do know know how she continues to put up the fight. I am so thankful that she does!!

I guess I am writing this on my blog as a means of therapy of sorts, and I apologize if anyone is offended or thinks I should not do this. I want everyone to know how strong Christine is and how much fighting she has done. And everyone needs to know that she is not done fighting.

I also want everyone to know she needs your prayers. Some folks say "I'll say a prayer..." and some folks really do say one. I want everyone to do it. You do not have to get on your knees or anything if you are not comfortable with that, but please out loud when you are alone, out loud ask God to help her. Ask God to help her continue this fight, to beat this horrible disease, and to help her heal. God listens to prayer, I know he does. Even if you are not a true believer in God, please say a prayer anyway, it can only help.

And also know that she does not want pity, this I know for sure. What she needs is support and prayer!! She is a wonderful sister, friend, aunt, daughter, co-worker, supporter and most of all - FIGHTER!!!

Vacation in Cape Coral

Thank you to Linda and Louis for letting us stay
in their house in Cape Coral, Florida. John, the kids and I spent a week in Cape Coral with my parents. We all had such a great time swimming in the pool, going to the beach and just relaxing! We cannot wait to go back again, it is a paradise!!!

Easter '09

Easter was a great day with family and friends!!

Trent's First Easter

As big sister Alexis watched from the sidelines, Baby Trent sat on the Easter Bunny's lap and posed for a picture. He is a scary looking bunny!!!

Liam get banged up!!

Liam was riding his bike when he hit the ground. He wound up in the ER and had some tests run. He has fractured his jaw in three places!!! He is doing well, but looks pretty beat up!!

Vegas, Baby!!!

There is so much to see and do in Las Vegas and no one better to go with than your BFF!!!

Sue and I spent 5 days in Vegas taking in all that it has to offer. We did a ton of walking, which was a good thing so we could walk off what we were eating!!! We had fun gambling, drinking and just hanging out!!

Pictures - the view from our hotel (top), pink flamingos at The Flamingo, New York New York, the sleeping lions at MGM, Sue and the Green M&M and Sue at The Flamingo.

Dora the Explorer!!!

Alexis rode the train to go see Dora the Explorer live on stage with Jimmy and Ava. She loved it!!!

Please Touch Museum

Alexis spend the day at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia with her new friends Colin and Maggie. It was Maggie's Birthday and we had so much fun celebrating with her. Thank you to Stacie for bringing us along!!

2008 Pop Warner 90 lb. Champions

On Sunday, February 8th, the Palmyra Football Banquet was held in the HS Gym. Here is the 90 lb. team on the benches before they were called to get their trophys.

Prince Trent!!

Baby Trent at the Please Touch Muesum for a birthday party!!!

Look alikes...

It is amazing how much Trent looks like Alexis did, will they continue to look the same????

Snow in NJ...

The beautiful snow makes winter more bearable. Not the first snowfall here, but nicer to look at than any others we have had. And no snow day for the schools!!!

With each child, less pictures!!!

I never quite understood why there were never many pictures of me growing up. I look through the photo albums that my parents have put together over the years, not many of me. We periodically will have "movie" night and my dad will break out the slide and the slide projector, yes still the original slides!! Still not many of me.

Well now I understand!!! And what I really cannot understand now is how there are ANY pictures of me at all!!!

I only have three and I have not taken pictures in quite some time of any of them!! It is very true that with each child you have, the less pictures you take.

Thanks to my new Blackberry I can now take pictures with the phone, but not many pictures otherwise.

I want to thank my mom and dad for not forgetting about me completely, which would have been completely understandable with 9 children. And thanks for continuing to take pictures of all of the grandkids, not sure how you keep up!

New Year's Eve

Fun for everyone!!!



New Year's Eve was a fun night that we spent at home with friends. Sue and Anthony, our bestest friends, were there to ring in the new year with us and their God children, Alexis and Trent.

Liam enjoyed the company of Nicholas, Anthony and Dylan who were there with their parents, and our friends, Lisa and Dennis.



I think Alexis enjoyed having Dylan around at midnight, although she did not get a chance to give him a big smooch.

Good times for all of us and a great way to bring in the new year. Looking forward to next year and having Sue feeling better!!! Love you all.

Trent's First New Year's Eve

Trent had a big night on New Year's Eve. The night started out being very alert, here with Aunt Suzie.

And ended here...

First Christmas!!

Christmas Moose (from Uncle Anthony) was one of Trent's favorite gifts...








...but nothing will ever top these things!!!

Christmas Morning - 2008

Alexis and Trent were both sick, but they still seemed to have a Merry Christmas!!

Liam, the builder..

Liam begins building his gingerbread house...

Nothing better than family...

The holidays are the perfect time to get the family together...even when there are so many!!!

Here we are at Paula's Diner enjoying breakfast, all 20 some of us!!

I love this thing....

Trent enjoys some bouncy time in the exersaucer, and he loves it!!!

After all of the fun, it was time to take a break...

Oh, so comfy!!!

Surprise!!!!

John turned the big 4-0 on December 9th and he was surprised to find everyone waiting for him at Uno's to wish him a Happy Birthday!!!

Thanks to everyone that came, it was a fun time...

Daddy turns 40!!

Alexis loves singing Happy Birthday and blowing out the candles, even if Mommy does not have a "real" birthday cake and candles!!

From the looks of this picture she absolutely loves her daddy (no matter how old he is!!).

Trent's First Santa Visit

Really, Mommy, I am not scared!!

Alexis and Liam at TD Bank

TD Bank has a tree lighting ceremony each year to kick off the holiday season. As you can see they create a wonderful Winter Wonderland for the kids to enjoy! What a great way to get in the Christmas spirit.

Should I be concerned??

Alexis and Dylan sharing a moment!!!

Palmyra Panthers 90 lb. Champions!!!

What a season it has been and it was worth it when these kids took home the trophy!! They lost only one game all season and defeated Delran in the Championship game.

They were the only Palmyra Pop Warner team to take the Championship. Congratulations!!!!

Fun at Lisa's

<= Alexis and Sean rocking away!!

Dylan and Trent lounging together!! =>