The Last Week of December 2023!

There were so many grateful moments of my life this year but I have to say that this past week was the best and a great ending to 2023! 

I had all my kids home together and not only did they all catch up on sleep but we also had fun playing lots of games and just spending quality time together. We did manage to eat at canes, play chess, take a lot of BeReals, and Noah played his new guitar for us. He's getting better and better. He's been wanting a new one since he started lessons three years ago and I'm so happy that his big sis Sierra & Sawyer gifted it to him. There are a few more moments that I captured as you read and I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year ahead! May 2024 bring you nothing but joy and happiness! 

Inspirational Thought.

"Like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures. 

These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. 

They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by siblings. 

They are little signs of tenderness, affection and compassion. 

Like the warm supper we look forward to at night, the early lunch awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work. 

Homely gestures. 

Like a blessing before we go to bed, or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work. "

-Pope Francis-

selflessness is the key to my happiness.

Didn't I warn ya about being prepared to see more posts like this? This weather has been too good to be true, and because of the things that I posted about motherhood the other day with time passing by us way too quickly, I want to take the time to enjoy the small and simple things...especially with this little guy.

Going on walks, taking Noah to the park, visiting my sisters from the church to share a spiritual message really puts my mind at ease. It reminds me to be selfless, and it helps make me look at our life at this very moment in a different perspective. I am thankful. I feel fulfilled. I feel loved. I have hope, and I am blessed no matter what. My decision in putting other peoples needs before my own has always been a key to my happiness...especially in times of stress.  I want to thrive on happiness. I want to seek the happiness in every direction whether it's good or bad. I want to be a good example to every person I meet, because first impressions are always important. I find that when I see life's beautiful things such as blue skies, birds humming, seeing my neighbors daffodils pop up renews the spirit in which abides with me, and is a sign from above telling me that all will be well. 

Being a trio at the park the other day without a worry in the world helped us forget about life's stresses for that moment. Instead of having Jon doing all the 'rough' running around with Noah I wanted to have a piece of that action. I decided to cross the monkey bars with Noah on my back. Noah was a bit hesitant to get on. I don't think he trusted me to hold him the way daddy does. I was patient, and waited for Noah to carefully get on my back, but to no avail. Two words...epic fail. My hands felt so weak as he tried to get on. He ended up trying to save me from letting go & falling. Here I am hanging on to these monkey bars for dear life as if it was the last thing on earth to do! All along I was saying to  myself, "I can do this, I'm not out of shape!" I eventually let go. Afterwards Noah kept asking me if I was okay. He was so serious, and caring about the whole thing that he kept asking me that for ten minutes! Laughing and putting all my energy on this family of mine is what keeps me going. 

^^^ Mandatory caption: The look on Noah's face is priceless. ^^^

I observe at the way Jon looks at our life, and he is at peace. He looks at the kids with love, and his heart is filled with gratitude. I am reminded of this quote from President Uchtdor from general conference recently, "Gratitude is a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation." That quote is so fitting for our life right now. So grateful that Jon has a great attitude towards negativity, and has a unique built for strength when it comes to trials. He's not perfect, but he sure knows his limits of frustration. He doesn't take it out on us. He cooks & will read instead.

One thing for sure life is always better when affection is given. These two are the only men in my mortal life, and once again we are taking advantage of our afternoons enjoying this lovely spring weather...just the three of us.  

Yup...no matter what life throws at us, life is pretty darn good! 

Hope your life is too! Have a great weekend! 

Rockaway Beach

Even though I'm not a true new yorker, a brooklynite, or a born and bred "jersey girl" I really feel as if I'm beginning to feel like a true "east coaster" and have become extremely comfortable around my surroundings. My family and I have developed such a strong love for New York for the mere fact that this state has gone through so much heartache throughout the years. From the World Trade Center bombing in '93, to the 9/11attacks in the year 2001, and the devastation of Hurricane Sandy that occurred at one of New Yorks most popular beaches...Rockaway Beach.

I had never been here and have always wanted to check it out, and if I had the time to help the community of Long Island by cleaning up the mess that Sandy left behind I would have, but Sandy also left a huge mess to clean up in South Jersey. 

It felt surreal being at this beach. I never had the opportunity to go before Sandy destroyed it, and it would have been interesting to see how the boardwalk looked like before Sandy took it apart. Luckily our friend google provided us with a ton of pics to peek at to see how it once looked like before. 

This winter has been a little rough in our neck of the woods, and because of it we have been going through major beach withdrawal. Since the weather was gloriously beautifully this past Saturday we decided to go to the beach, and all that was needed was a hoodie. 

We are so fortunate to live in an area where we are an hour away to south and north jersey beaches. We have always gone to Ocean City or Spring Lake, but we heard Rockaway Beach calling our name. 

There were a few people, but not as many as we thought. I could see that they are still trying to rebuild. This area suffered more, and the destruction was brutal. 

I was amazed at how big the parking lot was. Then again I can see why they have such a big parking lot to accommodate millions of people that live in the new york area! Apparently it was filled up with mountains of trash while cleaning up after the storm. Here is a photo from my friend google, and my oh my I can't believe all the debris... it literally looks like the trash in the movie Wall-e. 

^^^ can't believe this is the Jacob Riis parking lot where we were at
Picture via google. ^^^

The kids had a blast and as soon as we got out of the car Noah & Chelsea ran straight to the playground to release some much needed energy form the 75 minute car ride!

^^^ apparently water comes out of the holes not the rings. Perfect for the kids on a hot summer day. ^^^

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They didn't last too long as they wanted to dig for sea shells, and we all just enjoyed walking down the beach and having fun as a family. Captured this moment when everyone is running away from the tide.

^^^ amazed at all the baby swings they have! ^^^

This day was so much fun, and these kids are looking forward to going to the beach more this summer. 

*****

As I was deleting some of the photos on my iPhone I decided to keep this one. It's dark, blurry and grainy but it truly is one my favorites. It reminds me of the good times I had when my mother used to take my sister and I to the park until it way past our bedtime! Swinging in the swings and catching fireflies in between. Running around from the merry go round to the monkey bars & back to the swings. Because that was our favorite thing to do when it was just the three of us. 

Seeing my family as a whole swinging away warmed my heart...too bad I couldn't get in the photo with them!

It was an old school kind of day, and it is going to be documented as one of my most memorable moments in this blog's history. 

Geno's on a cold day in Philly.

I have been really surprising myself lately by getting up in the morning, and getting ready for the day to snap out of the "winter blues" because lets be honest...as much as I love the snow I'm pretty much ready for spring! The winter blues can be a battle for most people, but I refuse to let any winter bring me down! I don't allow it to get the best of me by just lounging around in the house feeling melancholy. Noah truly is my motivator when it comes to the outdoors, and that is a plus when you have a very active boy. Sometimes we need a break from the monotony of being cooped up in the house watching movies, playing games, and getting away from the computer to spend quality time with our son. 

It had been a long time since we had a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich...since like last summer when the above photo was taken. I never blogged about it then because see...and to be honest with you, it's not my favorite type of sandwich, but I know how much the hubs loves them and we decided to go to the one and only Geno's in Philly to satisfy our tummies. Cheesesteak sandwiches are definitely Philadelphia's comfort food, but not mine. I ended up having a pork sandwich. We were lucky to have not stood in line for a long time to get served, and even luckier to have parked right across the street where there was a nearby playground.

Noah definitely needed to let out some energy, and it didn't matter that it was 30 degrees outside. I personally have gotten used to the cold, and if you're bundled up with the right attire then you won't have a problem throughout the winter. 

Still...I am so ready for spring. It was nice having the park all to ourselves, but then I can see how Noah's reaction changes every time he sees another child entering the playground. I knew then at that moment how much he longed to play with another small person. 

Playgrounds in Philly are pretty much all the same. Spiced up with murals, and painted benches. This park was very convenient for the fact that it was right across the street from Geno's. Noah noticed the painted hands, and the heart on these benches. 

There are also some weird gadgets, but we managed to have fun on this twirly thingamajiggy, and Noah seemed to have enjoyed it.

The month of March has been treating us fairly, and in spite of all the hardships or "bad days" that we face seeking joy, and focusing on what makes our children happy is all that matters. Harsh winters doesn't stop me from the fact that I love spending time with this little guy, and my love for playgrounds in the city just keeps growing and growing. 

Happy weekend to you! 

ready for autumn.

You'd think that these kids were at an amusement park or something the way they were riding the rides on the playground, and by the looks on their faces I'd say they were having a really good time.

Even though Lexie is 13, and in eighth grade she still has the heart of a six year old and loves to include herself in playing with her younger sibs.

First of all can I just mention how perfect the weather was this past Saturday. It was ten degrees cooler than it has been since the week started. I think September is having a slight heart attack with this heat we've been having. Luckily today is the last day, and hopefully the temps should be in the 70's by tomorrow! Yay...I am so ready for autumn!

The kids had a blast at the park and were there for about an hour (or more.) I'm not sure...I actually took a little nap underneath some shade on a blanket while Jon took over the reigns for a while.

Lexie took a little break from playing with all the little kids, and grabbed her most current read and found some shade underneath a tree. I love this pic...it looks like something you see out of a Norman Rockwell painting. 

Noah decided to take his monster truck with him, and give it a test drive on the grass. He loves taking his truck everywhere he goes, as well as wearing his green boots. I'd say he's ready for autumn, and some rain!

He then noticed I was laying down, and decided to run over to me to give me a hug in which I've been desperately needing these days. 

Since Lexie was done with her book she decided to capture the moment (with my not so cute face!)Thanks Lexie. 

September days have been pretty cool except for this heat that we've been having. Not that I loathe the heat, and sometimes I wish we could go back to summer, but it is September and I am ready for a change. 

I am ready for the leaves to change, go pumpkin picking, and have my house smelling like autumn spice. Drink apple cider without my stomach hurting from drinking too much, and go apple picking. Have picnics on a flannel blanket in an area where we are surrounded by fall foliage. I love taking Noah to the park in cooler weather so our time there can last longer. 

Autumn brings so much joy just like summer does when it first begins, and now I'm ready for it.

I am ready for autumn. 

**How is the weather in your neck of the woods? I heard it's been raining in Texas....