18 years ago you made me a mom. Actually I’m still becoming a mom because with every year you get older, I become a different version of myself. Ive had to learn to be a mom of a one year old, a 2 year old, a mom of a 4 year old with 2 younger siblings, a mom of 4 children balancing a full life. Each year as you and your siblings gtow, so do I. And I love how youve raised me and the mom Im becoming.

I LOVE AND ADORE YOU! You have turned into a beautiful young woman and I am so proud of everything that you do. Enjoy the journey up ahead, because life is a journey not a destination. Enjoy ever step. And every stop. Enjoy the dead ends and the new beginnings. Above all, enjoy the people you meet along the way. Happy birthday Ibeeea!!!!

I know no matter what, these four love eachother more than anything in this world. What a blessing to have one another. Bels off to Disney and she’s already so missed. We are a full house and when one is missing we all feel it.

The other night while snuggling in bed and reading to Liam I said “Liam, this is my favorite part of the day, when we snuggle and ibread to you, what am I going to do when you start reading and don’t need me to read you books anymore?” And he responded “mom, then I’ll read to you!”And so he did the next day while eating olives and using a toothpick as a pointer. Whatever works!!

My favorite part of raising these kids has been reading over thousands and thousands of childrens stories together. We’ve gone on so many adventures and learned so many things together.

I love winter! I love the month of January. It’s a newfound love, maybe the past several years as I’ve learned to understand what winter really means. I’m beyond hoping the days will pass so that the Spring or summer would arrive. I’m past trying to fill and plan the days so that they are full and time passes. Now I want to be inside of winter, just like a child. To fully be present and appreciate all that winter brings.

Nonna turned 80! We saw a solar eclipse. Lia started homeschooling. Isabel and Andrew were crowned king and Queen. We lost sweet little whiskey. We hatched our own chicken eggs. Isabel entered her senior year of high school. Lia got a bat mitzvah. Melina turned 15! And entered 10 grade. Dad started surfcasting, and Liam started kindergarten.

Oh, and I forgot my little free library we put up in the neighborhood!

May we always have reasons to celebrate together!

A real queen! She is the queen of our hearts, the center of our family. Happy 80 years of really being alive. She lives and enjoys every moment to the fullest. Cheers to you mom!

A love and hate relationship…love wins this time!

Born to catch, throw and play ball. He wants to be a MET player and I believe he wil be. 

Just another day, only a little more special because shes in it.