Tennis Season- Senior Year!

Tennis season has begun for Chelsea and I couldn't be more excited! Even though the US OPEN is over I still get to watch my girl play. So far she has won a couple of matches and her serve is strong! She has improved so much in the past four years of playing in high school. It's bittersweet knowing that this is her final year playing in high school and am so excited to see her play. I hope she wins lots, but most of all I just want her to have fun with the game. 

In Memory Of A.J....

Last Friday a student from Noah's school was killed in a biking accident and today he was laid to rest. It truly This memorial represents his memory and a reminder to me that biking accidents can occur at any time, any day to anyone. Particularly children. Our town has a lot of kids and this accident was literally less than a mile from my house. The location where he was hit is what I call deadman's curve because of how quick people try to beat the traffic to turn on this street. I personally no longer turn on this street because of that purpose. Then again the Peddie bridge is still closed off anyway so I can't even drive through it. That was a shortcut for me on my way home and it no longer is an option...for now. 

Ever since Noah brought flowers to lay them down on his little memorial the week has been pretty somber.   I've been focused more on my time with my kids talking to them and I mean really talking to them and less on social media. It's so nice when you truly look at what's around you that's "real" and to appreciate what's in front of you. I know life goes on and we will eventually adventure on at times but we will never forget this sweet boy or what happened here last Friday evening. RIP A.J. and know that our prayers are with your family and we know that you are looking down from above. 

We Remember....

It was a rainy day on a Sunday afternoon when we drove to jersey city to pay our respects and reflect on those who lost their lives on September 11th, 21 years ago. Going to the Empty Sky memorial is always a somber space where we see people setting up flowers and ribbons on the name space of their loved ones. There was even one woman who caught my eye and after taking her picture expressed my sorrow to her in regards to her loved one. She seemed strong but could see that there were tears about to stream down her face as she was placing the ribbon on his name. 

Even 21 years later we remember. And still shed tears. I didn't even know these humans who lost their lives and yet my kids and I still mourn and grieve for them. Knowing that we live so close to ground zero and having come all the time to pay our respects since we moved to the east is a humbling feeling. We didn't make it to the world trade center memorial this year, but we are Jersey folk and this is our second year going to Empty Sky on September 11th. And it truly was a bittersweet feeling. Here's a little video from last year to reflect....

US OPEN - 2022

Summer isn't quite over yet and September began with going to the US OPEN. I love, love this time of year because it's the beginning of fall to come, my birthday month, and of course - going to the US OPEN. 

Jon took the day off to take me to see a couple of matches and all I have to say is that it was a perfect day! The weather was 75 degrees and I was with my favorite person celebrating an "early birthday" gift. Also, watching Tiafoe play against Alcaraz was amazing. Such an emotional ending to the day and so happy for Tiafoe who has come a long ways a tennis player to be at this point in his life today. Such a talented player with a lot of heart! I know he will win someday and hope to be there again when he does! Love, loved this day and to end this post I will share a few photos. 

12th & 7th!

Today is the first day of school for my last two birdies. Senior year for Chelsea and 7th grade for Noah. I look back at this post and wonder...where has the time gone! I feel as if I blogged about their first years of school yesterday! Wishing the best of luck to them and to all the kids out there who have already returned to school. I pray many blessings of safety upon our children as they enter the halls of their school-wherever they roam. Hoping that they are not faced with any tragedy. Adversity is common among kids growing up and trying to find their way as they get older, especially when it comes to their future. I am thinking of the kids of Uvalde as well and hope that those who survived that horrific tragedy  continue to be resilient and strong as they return back to school. Everyone is built differently and I hope that my kids will remember to always BE KIND, keep their guard up and to live each day as if it was their last! 

Audrey.

“Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end
Waitin' 'round the bend
My huckleberry friend
Moon river and me.”

On the final weekend of August Chelsea and I drifted along the west village where we saw Audrey the musical. It was such a sweet story of one of our favorite icons. So glad we saw this as it was only off broadway for a month! A great way to close out the season before school starts!

The End Of Summer Break!

 

Ahhhh! I can't believe that the end of summer break is here and that this was our last beach trip of the season. I have loved every minute spent with these kids and although I'm grateful for education and that they will be back at school this week I will definitely miss hanging out with them! The older they get the more I want to appreciate their presence and all the things that their heart desires which isn't too much. They are the most agreeable kids and I especially love the way they don't plan and want to do the simple things in life. Going to the shore are moments of fun, sand in our tushes upon leaving, and splashing in the waves while soaking in the ocean. Ahhh yes - I'm sure going to miss these moments...and so will they!

Beach Day!

With summer winding down we are taking advantage of time by going to the beach. We have less than two weeks before school starts and we really want to soak in these final days of summer-literally! I have to say that this summer hasn't really been filled with beach days because of having other commitments and being that it's been soooooo hot would rather go to a movie, museum, or just stay in the comfort of our home watching Netflix! 

We did manage to go to the beach when Jon was off from work and adopted my other son winsley for the day. Sure do love that kid and Noah is always happy when he tags along. As much as he loooooves his sisters I'm sure that he would like some male bonding with his friends from time to time. It's nice that Noah has a couple of good friends that he can have fun with and are like a brother to him. And looking back at this post I can't believe how tall these boy have gotten in one year!!!! I blame it on the pandemic!!

Beach Day From 2021!

In 2021 blogging became kind of blah for me and really had to push myself and be in the mood to write. Unfortunately this sweet beach post never made it in real time so I am documenting it now. Beach days are our favorite and every time we invite Winsley it just makes Noah's day. He's definitely his brother from another mother. Having Winsley around also gives chelsea a little break from Noah- getting the feel of how it is to have "another brother." LOL! She loves her bro and loves Winsley as if he were her bro too and on this day they all had a blast! 

Coney Island At Dusk!

It feels like it was just June yet somehow we are nearing the end of august! We are trying to "live up" of what's left of summer before school starts so last week we ended up going to Coney Island. It's become tradition to go every summer and even though it can be trashy (in a good way) we love going! We don't mind the smells of weed or trash because let's face it, it's legally part of the world now but we don't mind that and we just focus on the positivity of this unique experience and just have fun with it! 

We always always ride the cyclone and the wonder wheel! They are both old rides and I swear I felt as if I was going to fly out of the roller coaster every time it took a curve. We screamed and cheered and upon rolling up to the top before dropping down the guy sitting behind us said, "welcome to hell." I totally had a final destination moment but nonetheless chelsea and I had a blast screaming all the ahhh's and I even said, "shiiiiiiiiiiiiT" once while riding this 95 year old roller coaster. Don't regret it and it's definitely worth the 10 bucks!  

It was a low key fun afternoon and stayed until late in the evening. I'm so glad I made this reel at dusk when the lights turned on because it truly does look magical. 

Tender Moments...

Two days have past since Lexie flew back to Utah and we already miss her something fierce. I know that time will pass and that we will see her again during the holidays but when you're getting up there in age and have two kids left at school-you just want to relish all the time with your kids and honestly at times don't want them to leave. These tender moments in pictures of Lexie saying bye to us are priceless. I am so grateful for the time she took to come home and visit and spend three weeks with us. We had such a great time and wish she could have stayed longer but school for her starts at the end of this month plus we need to wind down and get the rest of the kids prepared for another school year come September. So glad school starts after Labor Day here in the east so we can have more time for one last little hurrah of summer.