Just a Note..

Dearest Bryan,

I am in complete and total awe that it has been five years since you left this earth. It seems like yesterday and 100 years ago at the same time. I remember so many details and forget so much at the same time.
I don't wake up thinking of you and go to bed thinking of you anymore. I packed away my picture frames and put my scrapbooks in a drawer somewhere. A stranger wouldn't find you in my house, but I want you to know that you are always here in my heart.
Sometimes I worry that Matt will get angry or hurt that I still think of you often, but I hope he understands how instrumental you were in changing my life and in turn, leading me to Matt.
I didn't understand my self-worth... I don't even think I believed I had self-worth... Lots of terrible relationships taught me a lot that I never processed... until you.
I wish I could see you just one more time... to explain to you how thankful I am for you being in my life... how thankful I am for the short time we had together... how much everything you taught me meant to me... and how happy I am now... Some people asked me if I was angry that God took you from me... and I was at first... but I think it was meant to be. I think God knew he was going to need you, but that I needed you first... I don't think it ever would have lasted with us... it wasn't meant to be... You were meant to lead me to the end of my broken road.. to show me what I deserved...I thank you for leading me to the end of my broken road and to Matt.
You'll always have a special place in my heart.

Baby Livi's Christening

Old & New Traditions: Friendsgiving

Every year, one of my favorite get-togethers happens around this time. Since before I met Matt, his group of friends has gotten together each year around Thanksgiving to hold a tradition they call Friendsgiving. It's a time for the friends to get together and have their (our) own Thanksgiving dinner with our "other" family.

This year, I planned one for my group of high school friends. I hope it carries on each year. It's nice to know that at least (hopefully more) once per year, the whole group of us can get together with our significant others and eventually our families so that we can remember to be thankful for everything we have. Here's to traditions - new and old.

Pumptoberfest 2010

Another successful Pumptoberfest! Can't wait 'til next year!

Andi, Marissa, Diane, Mariel, & I in the apple orchards

Al in the pumpkin patch

The Leonard family in the corn maize

Mariel, Jon, Paul, Marissa, Andi, Mia, & Diane in the Maize

Matt, hiding in the corn

Carving Pumpkins


Dahla chasing darts

Not quite the turnout of last year, but there's always next year!

First Sox Game Together!

Best Surprise Ever!

Matt and I went to the UFC Fight Expo with Rey & Tina yesterday at the Hines Convention Center. I hoped that Chuck Liddell would notice me while I was there and pull me out of the crowd but somehow, he didn't see me! Regardless, Matt and I did get to take our picture inside the octagon! Better yet, when we came home, I found that I have the most fantastic fiance in the world, and he threw me an amazing surprise 27th birthday party. I was completely blown away. I went down to the basement to get something out of the freezer and about fifty people were in my basement.
I have to thank my friends and family for helping Matt with the planning and for keeping their mouths shut and not letting it slip for the six weeks he planned it! It was so fabulous to have so many important people there for me. For those that were there for me, I can't tell you how much it meant to me to have each and every one of you there with me! Thank you!

Me & Joshy - my bestest since Kindergarten!
Di, Jax, Riche, & I
Cassidy
Sam definitely gets the award for traveling the farthest in one night!
Langs, Joshy, Mel, Cole, Di, & Mike
UFC
Me & Cole

Joshy, Cole, & Jax: Typical Party Animals

Kid Rock & Bon Jovi

Matt and I don't go to many concerts, but we had the opportunity to see Bon Jovi for pretty cheap and couldn't turn it down. What a show he puts on!

Tailgating with Jax & Mel in the truck
Matt avoiding the rain
Joshy & Mel

Happy 1st Birthday, Abbi!

I don't have any brothers or sisters (biologically speaking), but I do have some great girlfriends, one of whom has given me the most beautiful niece (and another on the way!!). Although Abbi lives in Tennessee with her Mommy & Daddy & their dogs, I was able to see her on Father's Day for her 1st birthday party! I can't believe last July, she was just this little itty bitty thing. I can't actually believe that we're old enough to be having babies and houses and weddings and whatnot... but I guess we are. She's proof!

Last July
This June - at her birthday party!

Happy Birthday Lang!

Langley turned 27 this month, and our house became the place to be again. It's really nice having everyone together, & I'm really thankful that we were lucky enough to find a house with the space for our friends to come & visit.

New York, New York

Every year, my eighth graders go on a class trip. For at least the past four years that I've been teaching, we've gone to New York City. I am lucky enough to chaperone this trip each year. In just 3 short days, we visit the Museum of Natural History, Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Madame Tousead's Wax Museum, South Street Seaport, Ground Zero, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center, NBC Studios, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Irish Hunger Memorial, the African Burial Ground Memorial, Winter Garden, Chinatown, Mars 2112, Hard Rock Cafe, and see The Lion King on Broadway. It's a busy, busy three days, & I spend most of the time running around & the rest of the time missing home. I work with a great group of people who all attended this year's trip with me & here we are at Top of the Rock.

The Simpson Wedding

Congratulations to the Simpsons! E & Z had a beautiful ceremony on the water at the Oceanview in Nahant last night. Good luck guys!

Happy Birthday Spikey Jon!

Spikey Jon turned 27 and moved to Boston so we threw him a little party.

We converted him to a Sox fan.

Rindge Tinge makes a guest appearance