This Weeks Hot Holiday Deals-3

CVS: Buy 2 toys get 1 free  http://www.cvs.com/

Old Navy: Women Wool Pea coats $30 http://www.oldnavy.com/

P.C Richard: 42" LCD HDTV $493.56 save $306 http://www.pcrichard.com/

Petco: Aqueon 14 Gallon Fish Tank $39.99 save $50 www.petco.com/holiday

Staples: Cannon Powershot Camera $109.99 save $70 http://www.staples.com/

Walmart: Nikon Coolpix Digital Camera $129 http://www.walmart.com/

Happiness Quote

"The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet." James Openheim

Don't Wait Quote

“If you wait to do everything until you're sure it's right, you'll probably never do much of anything." Win Borden

This Weeks Hot Holiday Deals-2

Old Navy: Kid and Toddler Jackets $20-$25 http://www.oldnavy.com/

P.C. Richard & Son: Sony HD Flash Camcorder $279.97 save $120.00 http://www.pcrichard.com/

Rite Aid: 50% off Holiday Cards http://www.riteaid.com/

Staples: TomTom GPS $119.99 save $140.00 http://www.staples.com/

Walgreens: Sony DVD Plater $29.99 http://www.walgreens.com/

Gain Something Quote

"For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Feel Good Song: V V Brown

    That's for you CC...shooting stars 2010

Happy or Unhappy Quote

“It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.” Dale Carnegie

A Day in the Life of Being a Mom

Growing up I never understood why my mom always showered with the door open. Once I became a Mother myself I understood perfectly well why!

So the other day I am in the shower and I keep popping my head out to check on my daughter. I am lucky that I am able to see into my living room while I am showering. I pop my head out and notice she is holding a pink ribbon.

100 thoughts were going through my head, I could not figure out where she got the ribbon from but I knew I better hurry up in the shower to find out. Just then it dawned on me that the ribbon was part of the chocolate favors my sister gave away at her wedding.

All I envisioned was this box of chocolates all over the floor and my dogs eating it. So what did I do, I did what every mother would do, I jumped out of the shower, ran into the dining room, soaking wet with shampoo still in my hair and cleaned up the box of chocolates on the floor. Luckily I got there before the dogs noticed.

Yep, that is just another example of a day in the life of being a mom!

Feel Good Song: Ne-Yo

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This Weeks Hot Holiday Deals

Best Buy: Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player $159.99 Save $90 http://www.bestbuy.com/

Kohl's: Food Network 10 piece Cookware Set $129.99 save $70 Sunday & Monday Only http://www.kohls.com/


Old Navy: "Jammies" only $8.00 http://www.oldnavy.com/

Walmart: Xbox 360 $299 and get a $75 Walmart Gift Card http://www.walmart.com/

Your Life Quote

"One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.” Similar Quotes

Easy Recipe: Chocolate Truffles

These truffles are amazing and great to stick in a little baggy for holiday gifts!

• Bag of chocolate chips- Ghirardelli are best
• Shot of espresso

Use a double burner to melt the chocolate. When melted add a shot of hot espresso or coffee. Mix, once cooled spoon out little balls and roll in nuts, smashed gram crackers or sprinkles.

Quote

"Nothing makes a girl feel better than a new purse, or shoes or both!"

Holiday Song-Rob Thomas

Easy Recipe: Goat Cheese Spread

I love this spread, and never thought I liked goat cheese until I had this spread. It is a little costly to make but it is a crowd pleaser!

• Goat Cheese
• Cream Cheese
• Pesto
• Roasted Peppers
• Pinoli Nuts (optional)
• Bagel slices, chips or crackers

Mix cream cheese and goat cheese together, set aside. Chop up roasted peppers to bite size. I like to use a round Tupperware and line it with plastic wrap. Now layer up all the ingredients. Start with the cream cheese/ goat cheese mixture, then roasted peppers, cheese/ goat cheese mixture, then pesto and repeat. Set aside in fridge over night. Next day flip onto a plate and serve with toasted bagel slices, chips or crackers. The colors of the layers are perfect for this Holiday Season! Enjoy!!

Regret Quote

“Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for

the things we did not do that is inconsolable.” Sydney Smith

Never Live in Regret

I am sure we all have done plenty of things in our time that we are not happy with but what we fail to realize is that at the time there was a reason why we did what we did. At the time it felt like the right thing to do or say.

I am a true believer in never living in regret. I am happy to admit that I do not regret anything I have ever done and said. Now with that said it does not mean I wish certain things did not happen or that I wished I handled certain situations better, but I have learned that the results of all our actions make us who we are.

You hear stories of people who get divorced and say they regret meeting the person they married. What people fail to admit is that they would not be who they are after the divorce if the marriage never happened. They experienced love, they experienced sharing their life with someone else and what compromise is all about. Some people had children, they got to experience being a parent. Some marriages fail because people find someone else they felt they were meant to be with. Other marriages fail because people can not get along. Yes, in the end it did not work out and no one wants to get a divorce, but you can not regret the lessons you did learn from it.

Another example is some people say they regret staying at the same job after getting laid off, but we all know we all are creatures of comfort and change is hard. Our job becomes a big part of our routine. Most of the hours of our lives are spent at our job. How many of us can really say we have a resume filled with different work experiences because we choose to? Not many, most of us left our company because of a reason, not to expand on our experiences.

We can not live our lives regretting things we have done in the past, the goal is to learn from the things we have done and move forward.

Wishing we did something different is not the same as regretting it happened. Look at each experience in life as a lesson. Maybe good things will come out of it down the road, maybe not. Maybe we will see the results of our actions maybe we won't. But never regret anything because the reality is it's too late to go back and fix it anyway and you can only change going forward!

Fate Quote

"Sometimes you gotta just let things go and let fate screw it up." Dane Cook

My Lil Lady Feel Good Song: Laurie Berkner

My daughter loves music and when I am posting on my blog she'll sit next to me
and say "Song...1-2-3 Day" so this video is for my lil lady.

Did You Know: Vitamin C Helps Improve Moods

I was reading this magazine my husband picked up on fitness and health and there was an article from the journal Nutrition, explaining how they did a study on Hospitalized Patients and Vitamin C. It states that they noticed a reduction in mood disturbances when they increased the amount of Vitamin C the patient received. I found this to be very interesting. Read full report here.


I extended my research since recently I have been giving my daughter a lot of oranges since she loves them so much and I started having a glass of Orange Juice every morning with breakfast.

Below is what else I found.

• There are 45 mg of Vitamin C in your average sized orange. This is about 75% of your recommended requirement . Read more here
• An adequate intake of Vitamin C may protect against stroke and heart attack. Read more here
• Large amounts of Vitamin C will lower Manganese levels and aid greater insulin which may be beneficial for Type II diabetics, but it would worsen people suffering from hypoglycemic. Read more here 
• Taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C twice daily will help boost your immune system, but beware it may upset your stomach Read more here
• One glass of Tropicana Pure Premium OJ has 120% of your recommended daily Vitamin C in take. Read more here

So today we learned if you need a mood boost have some Vitamin C, not only will you be a little happier, but your heart and immune system will be too!

Holiday Song- Beatles

SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS

Who I am

If you happen to bump into me on the street you may only see me for what you think I am. If you come into my home you'll have to watch your step because there will be blocks, and toys in your way. You'll notice my office is now a play room filled with toys. If you sit on my couch I am sure if you lift a cushion you'll find goldfish or Cheerios hiding below.

I never watch the news nor know what the weather is like because Nick Jr or Dora is always on. My cabinets are filled with tiny forks, sippy cups and plastic little bowls. My pantry is filled with snacks that are bite sized.

Every night before I go to bed I pull up the sheets and find a tiny little sock or a Dora doll. On the nightstand where my books once where now have toddler books stocked up high. I fall asleep watching the baby monitor and every morning instead of waking up to an alarm clock I wake up to a tiny voice calling my name.

See I am a mother, those gray hairs on my head are from old age and bags and wrinkles under my eyes are not from being "me", they are from being a mother, they are my marks from laughing so much and the smile my face always has on when I am with my daughter.  I am a mother, and when I am not home or when I am alone I can be "me", but that is not who I really am. I am really a mother who has been blessed with a child.

So if you see me on the street and I happen to not smile, it is not because I am not happy, it is probably because I am thinking of my daughter and all the things I have to do before I get home. From the day my daughter was born I was no longer "me" I became a mother and I am grateful for that everyday!

Goya Yellow Rice- Great Side Dish

I love arroz con pollo, for some strange reason I crave it once in a while and this dish helps satisfy my craving- now the best arroz con pollo I ever had was at my buddies' house in high school. His family would always make it at their gatherings so this recipe does not do theirs justice but it is the closes I can get to making a quick and easy sided dish/dinner.


Side Dish Recipe:

• Package of  Goya Yellow Rice
• Half a bag of frozen peas
• Chopped up onion- about a two tablespoons
• Tablespoon of Olive Oil

Saute' the chopped up onions, add peas, salt and pepper. Once cooked pour into the yellow rice mix before you cook it. Follow instructions on  back of the Goya Yellow Rice package. Serve as a side dish with any meal * You can always add shredded chicken and this side dish is now a complete meal, making it taste even more like arroz con pollo! YUM!

Feel Good Song-J.Cole

Holiday Deals This Week-2

Dell: Canon PowerShot Digital Camera $249.99 save $50.00 www.dell.com/camerastore

P.C Richard & Son: Wii Sports Pack $149.96 save $50 http://www.pcrichard.com/

Rite Aid: Toys and Plush buy one get one Free http://www.riteaid.com/ ALSO PERFECT DEAL FOR TOYS FOR TOTS

Staples: Flip Mino II Camcorder $149.99 save $20 http://www.staples.com/ (If you do not own a flip, you need to buy one, I love it and it is so small and easy to use. Every mother should have one!!)


Sales good until December 11th

Friends Quote

"Good Friends don't bail you out of jail...they're right there with ya!"

(That's for you KG xo)

Fat Ass Fudge Coupon

I love this fudge and I especially love the name of the company! So if you're looking for a great gift to send to a loved one, friend or colleague this is the gift to give!

Coupon below:

Fat-Assfudge.com is offering 20% off of your next purchase. Order online to receive the discount and enter FUDGEFAN at checkout. Order $100.00 worth of products, and get a Free Fat Ass Fudge mug!

Holiday Song: Transiberian Orchestra

This is my all time favorite holiday song!!!

200th Post

WOW This is my 200th post and I must say it is great to have a place to share my life, experiences and great deals and recipes with everyone. Thank you to all my readers and for following.

Here's to another 200 posts and sharing my life with you all!

Walgreen's HOT BUY Perfect for Toys For Tots

Walgreens special this week is buy 2 toys for $6.99 get one free. This is perfect for giving items for Toys For Tots! Check out your local Walgreens today and help give to back to the children this holiday season! http://www.walgreens.com/

This Week Holiday Deals

Best Buy: $40 off Nikon Coolpix Cameras, save $90 on Garmins http://www.bestbuy.com/

Kohl's: 40-50% Frames http://www.kohls.com/

Old Navy: Buy One Sweater get one Free http://www.oldnavy.com/

Toys R Us: 30% off Games, Buy 1 get 1 50% off all Video Games http://www.toysrus.com/

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Song: Mariah Carey

All I Want For Christmas Is You

Patience

I read the chapter today in "One Day My Soul Just Opened Up" about Patience and it was right on point. I lack patience, I am a reactor, I do a lot of things without thinking first and later try to go back and fix what I have already done.

Patience is more then giving things time, it is about looking at the situation and processing what is really going on to really realize what the outcome will be. I would love to believe that at my age I would have already known what is right and wrong for me, but I don't, I am still learning, reacting and growing.

I thank god for my mother, she is my "go to person" with every conflict I have encountered in my life. I always tell her "too" much but she helps guide me in the right direction, most importantly she makes me see things in a clear picture. I always feel bad when I vent to her because I know, even though she won't tell me, it stresses her out. But I am a talker and when something is bothering me I need to talk about it, even though deep down I know what the right thing to do is.

It is like when you were a child and you wanted to touch something hot, you knew you would get burned but you did it anyway. As adults we still do things like that. We do things knowing what the outcome "will" be even though we want them to be something else. We know if we play with fire we'll get burned.

I do that with work too, I know if I do not meet deadlines or follow up there will be disappointments, I know what the outcome will be before I even do it and yet I still press myself for time. It is as if we are so caught up in the moment that we do not want to realize that the end results will not be in our favor.

So I know what I need to work on and I know at my age I have to use better judgement and know that a plan is a plan, we all have a plan in our life, whether we try to alter it or not it will play out the way it should play out!

It's the Holiday Season

Happy December 4th! I can't believe Christmas is 3 weeks away! We had our first Holiday gathering with friends last night and it was a great way to start off the Holiday Season. We have four more Holiday gatherings prior to the big day!

My husband is like Clark Griswold and put up all our holiday lights outside. We even have a music box to have the lights synch to the music playing. It is pretty awesome. He has the patience to put everything up, I am usually inside making him coco.

With the busy weeks ahead of us it is great that most radio stations are filled with the holiday songs, old and new. So to help our readers get in the spirit I will be posting some of my favorite holiday songs and deals!

Enjoy and try not to let the stress of the season get to you.

Feel Good Song - O.A.R.

Shattered - A Romantic Movie/TV Music Video Montage

Children Quote

"While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about." Angela Schwindt

Feel Good Song - Israel Kamakawiwo`ole

First Day of Preschool

Today's my daughter's first day of preschool. We decided to enroll her in a preschool program once a week so she can be with other kids and learn different things from what I am teaching her at home.

I am overwhelmed with emotion. At first I did not make a big deal of it until it hit me she is getting so big so fast and after this will be full time preschool, then school then....ok I know I am getting in over my head now but today will be the first time she goes some place without me or someone she knows.

She is with me or my mom throughout the day so now I am trusted her with someone else. Luckily she is going to an in house preschool and I have known the woman for years and trust her. When I dropped her off she gave me a kiss and said "Bye Mamma." I was happy to see she was happy to be there.

So I will sit tight by the phone in case it rings but from the look of it I know she will be just fine and so will I!

Easy Dinner-Baked Ziti

I know what you are thinking, "how is baked ziti an easy dinner" well I made it tonight and between making the fresh sauce, cooking the pasta and baking it my dinner was ready in 45 minutes.

• Can Tomato Puree
• Box of Ziti
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt

Marinara Sauce:

In a pot pour olive oil in the pan, saute chopped onion and garlic. Once a little golden add the can of puree. Using the puree can fill it up twice half way with water and add to the pot (by doing this you get the extra puree that is still in the can) add salt simmer for 20 mins.

Pasta:

While sauce is simmering boil water, add salt and pasta. Cook until 'al dente' about 15 mins. Do not over cook pasta since we will be baking it.

Combine sauce in pasta, chopped mozzarella, mix, add in a baking dish which I spray with cooking spray first to make clean up easier. Top with extra sauce, parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella. Bake at 350 for 25 mins or until sauce is boiling and cheese is melted. YUM!

Serve with garlic bread and salad. See dinner was ready in 45 mins. Enjoy!

Signs

I am a true believer of signs, sometimes we don't realize what they mean, other times we tend to over look them but after today my belief is even stronger.

My husband and I have been talking about having another baby. Our daughter is two and it is about time for her to have a sibling. Two nights ago I dreamt of a little boy. He is my little boy in my dream. He was so cute and happy. He had black hair like my husband and my hazel eyes. He is playing with my daughter who looked a little older and the dream felt so real that I did not want to wake up. The little boy made me feel overwhelmed with joy.

So today I am meeting a client for coffee and as I am waiting for a parking spot a little old man backs out of a spot and hits my car. For those who have never been in a car accident I have to tell you no matter how bad it is it is not a fun experience. The police came, we exchange numbers and I hurry home to get ready for my next appointment.

At my next appointment I am sitting there still a little annoyed about the whole accident when it dawns on me that 2 years ago before I got pregnant I was involved in a car accident. Now I am not pregnant, I know that for a fact, but the feeling of knowing that I will be soon made my whole mood change. Maybe the dream and the accident are both signs, maybe not. But it has made me a stronger believer that good things are around the corner and instead of mopping around about the damage of my car, I am getting excited that their may be a baby in my future!

Don't overlook the signs when you see them. Listen to them, follow them, they are their for a reason. You may not know why when they happen but you soon will find out!

Feel Good Song-Good Charlotte

March On


Inspiring and beautiful lyrics.

Quote

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." Marcus Aurelius

Feel Good Song-Bruno Mars

Just The Way You Are

The Blackberry Addiction

For years, before I started to work from home, I had a simple cell phone, no email, I never texted, you were lucky if my phone was even on. Since I started working from home and bought my blackberry it is amazing how much use I get out of it. Good and bad news is that I am constantly on it.

I have 5 emails accounts connected to this one device-for work and personal purposes- and it is constantly going off. The good thing is that I am always connected to clients no matter where I am. The bad news is that I expect a fast response from others since I give a fast response.

I even work on Marketing emails for clients and make sure that they are PDA accessible.  The reality is that most of us have an iphone or blackberry and hardly go on our desktop to check our email.

One day I was laying in bed and my husband got mad that I turned my blackberry on to check my mail. He thought it was ridiculous, I on the other hand made it so much part of my routine that it is normal to me. With our phones we communicate with one another at all hours of the day, around the clock we are working, checking our emails, scheduling meetings, reconnecting with friends, it is crazy how years ago I had a simple plan and today I am constantly upgrading because I am running out of minutes.

I use my phone so much that even my daughter yells at me when I am on it. It is always on, always charged and always full of unread emails that I am trying to catch up on. This blackberry addiction is insane! It is so insane that I sometimes have to turn it off or put it on silence just to distress.

Feel Good Song-Nelly Furtado

Powerless-Live

Easy Dinner: Greek Pitas

I love Greek food, I love it so much that my husband thinks I was Greek in my past life. This is a VERY easy recipe and VERY yummy!

• Grilled chicken
• Pitas
• Salad
• Feta
• Black Olives
• Balsamic or greek dressing

I usually grill the chicken or you can use the Perdue already cooked grilled chicken. Make a salad, add the chicken, black olives, feta and salad dressing of your choice. Mix well. Stuff in the pita. YUM and Refreshing too! Serve with fries, rice or salad on the side. 

Quote

“Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” James Dean

Feel Good Song- James Blunt

You're Beautiful (Live at the BBC) Not Edited!


I love this song and the story behind it. He really did write this song about a girl he saw with another man and he was struck by her beauty. The reality is that he knows he would never be with her but for some reason she struck him to inspire him to write a song about her.

Now I am a believer of old souls, soulmates and love at first site. Maybe this is one of those situations! I mean how many times do you meet someone who you do not know and can't get them out of your head?! When and if it does happen it is a pretty crazy experience. Your not sure why, but they were placed there for a reason. Like that person somehow was meant to be in your life. It is like you are connected but you don't know how or why.
This girl was one of those for him. He wrote a hit song just from his encounter with her! Amazing!!

How Old Are You "Toooo"

I love when I ask my daughter how old she is and she says "Toooo" she doesn't say two, she drags out the "ooo" It is amazing that she is two. Two years ago I could not image what kind of Mom I would be or person. She has helped me grow these past two years into a more patient, understanding person. She has helped me see life in a totally different and new light.

Being a mom and watching your child grow into this amazing little person is the most surreal experience. I see alot of myself in her although she looks just like her father. She brings out this kid in me, this person who wants to conquer the world and see life differently. I never get angry if I am up all night with her, I try not to yell at her unless she is really doing something wrong. She is this little person eager to learn and see what life is about and I love being her 'teacher.'

I can't wait to see what the next year and years bring. I feel like we are growing together and it is truly a blessing. I love the person I am when I am with her.

Happy 2nd Birthday Baby Girl and thank you for picking me to be your Mommy!

Minnie Mouse Cake

For my daughter's 2nd birthday this year I wanted to do a Minnie Mouse theme. Even though the whole time I shopped with her she was fighting me for Dora-which I did for her last year-I managed to convince her to have a Minnie Mouse theme party.

I was able to find Minnie Mouse balloons, plates, invites, and candles but I could not find a Minnie Mouse cake pan anywhere. I searched for Minnie Mouse molds, pans, cake pans, and had no luck! So I bought a Minnie Mouse candle and decided to make my own Minnie Mouse cake. It didn't come out exactly how I planned but it was really cute!

It was a small cake, but we took our sisters and parents to brunch and after that huge meal who really was going to eat cake besides the kids?! Below are some pictures.

            

Chocolate Mickey lollipops

While most of my friends were out partying I was home making these awesome Mickey lollipops for my daughter's 2nd birthday. I wanted to make Minnie lollipops but I could not find the mold.

It was soooo easy to make and fun!

• Molds
• Lollipop sticks
• 5 bags of Ghirardelli semi sweet chocolate chips

Wash molds, let them air dry. Spray with cooking spray. Melt chocolate, I like to melt it on the stove top using a double burner. Spoon into molds. Place lollipop sticks in mold. Freeze for 20-30 mins until dry and dull.They should pop right out. Makes 45 lollipops

Wrap in plastic and tie a festive ribbon around them . The left over chocolate I dipped tangerines into them and used them as a toppings for the cupcakes!


Pictures below....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! This year I am especially grateful for everyone in my life,

everyone who have touched my life, and everyone who I love and cherish.

I wish you and your family and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Eat up and enjoy your day!

Feel Good Song-Train

Hey, Soul Sister (This is my daughter's favorite song)

Turkey Day

I love Thanksgiving, I always have but I especially love it since two years ago on Thanksgiving is when I went into labor. It was funny too that the doctors told me I was due on Thanksgiving, my husband and I always loved the holiday-then again I am not sure how many people I know who DON'T like Thanksgiving. You hardly reach your "due" date so I never imaged I would actually go into labor on Thanksgiving.

I remember feeling off that day and came home early from having Thanksgiving lunch with his family and took a nap. I woke up, ate leftovers-big mistake- and by 10:00 that night my water broke. Man, I will never forget that night, I kept wishing I never ate those leftovers. But the next morning- 6:00 am- my bundle of joy was born. Yep, she was born on "black friday" the busiest shopping day of the year...that is probably why she likes to play with my credit cards whenever I pull them out.

How lucky am I to always have this wonderful memory of my daughter being born every time Thanksgiving rolls around!

Happy Turkey Day to you and your family!

EZ Sox- Training Socks for Kids

These are the cutest socks I have ever seen for Toddlers. EZ Sox, the first and only training sock on the market today for children ages 2 to 5, come with two grips on the top of the socks making it easy for kids to pull their socks on. When my daughter first saw them she said "Aww so cute. " She loves her cat socks!

The best part about these socks is that they come in 10 different designs so matching socks are very easy- you can also purchase them in solid colors too.

Check out their site to order a pair today!

Feel Good Song-Sara Bareilles

King of Anything

Love

As a child I always thought falling in love would be having my prince charming come sweep me off my feet. I believed in love at first site. As you get older you realize that love is a wonderful feeling you have for people you care about. Falling in and out of love happens fast but when you find that one person who makes you feel good about yourself and helps you become who you are and who you want to be, that is when falling in love really makes a difference.

Someone once said when you are with the person you love does anything else matter? Yes, reality of life is that some many things conflict with what matters. Problems occur, people grow and change. But love should remain the same. We get caught up in our daily routines; we get caught up in what we have to do. But when you are with the one you love you have to work through it. Falling in love and loving someone are two different feelings, two different ways you feel. Everyone should experience falling in love; it is those who stay in love who really get to appreciate what it truly means! So I came across some 'Love' quotes since I am feeling in a 'Love' kind of way.


“Trying to make someone fall in love with you is about as pointless as trying to control who you fall in love with.” Similar Quotes

“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.” Similar Quotes
“Every man is afraid of something. That's how you know he's in love with you; when he is afraid of losing you.” Similar Quotes

Feel Good Song-Train

If it's Love

Easy Dinner: Paninis

Who does not enjoy a yummy Panini once in a while! I love making Paninis out of leftover cold cuts I have in the fridge.

• Cold cuts- prosciutto, salami, provolone are the best
• Arugula
• Italian bread- rolls, wedges work too
• Balsamic vinegar

Spray your griddle or pan with cooking oil, stuff the bread with all the ingredients, sprinkle balsamic on it, top with bread. Spray the top and bottom of the panini. Place on hot pan. If you do not have a panini press use another pan to apply weight, or a brick wrapped in aluminium foil. Once golden brown and cheese melted serve with a salad and fries. YUM!!!

Happiness

It's a hard lesson in life to learn and to accept but the truth is you can not,
 no matter what, make everyone happy!

"To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing."
Elbert Hubbard

Feel Good Song-Mary J. Blige

Just Fine Video

Best Day of Your Life Quote

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” Bob Moawad

Feel Good Song: Seal

Amazing-Live

Indeed.com Great Job Search Site

Although I do believe the economy is getting better everyday, there are still people without a job. With the holidays coming it only makes it tougher emotionally on those looking for work. I must say I have been unemployed around the holidays before and although you may think people will not hire they will. I actually got a job offer beginning of January when I was seeking employment so sit back and enjoy the holidays and pick up your search after but you will find the right position!

In the meantime this is a GREAT site and resource for job search in your area. http://www.indeed.com/ combines all the job posting on other sites into one. Type in your area and job description and it will pull your matches from all different sites. I love this site and actually found my current position on Indeed.com so I HIGHLY recommend it.

Happy Hunting! 

Sometimes you have to just laugh it off!

Feel Good Song: Nelly Furtado

I'm Like A Bird

Life

In life women tend to need certain things to make them happy. Some people need a lot of money, some people need a lot of material stuff, some people need a lot of attention and others need a busy social life. It is funny that we are never 100% fulfilled with what makes us happy. If we make more money we still want more, if we have a lot of stuff we still go out and buy more, if we are in a relationship we always second guess if it is going ok, if we always have plans we find ourselves double booking ourselves. It is as if we crave to fulfil  a void in our lives.

I think women in general have a lot of emotional issues, I mean that as kind as possible. I mean our hormones play a huge role in our life and men and women are completely different. Men do not read into stuff like we do, they want something they go get it, they crave a burger they eat a burger.

Girls over look and over think things. We make plans and change them over and over again, we look at every situation from every possible angle and analyze it and usually vent to a couple of girlfriends about it- asking for their opinions and what they would do, we crave a burger and end up eating something healthier and still end up craving that burger.

Being with my husband for as long as I have I kind of envy how guys are. They don't stress the small stuff, if they are not happy they fix it, they don't overlook situations-they see things as they are, not all the "fluff" around it. I mean I can be upset about something for weeks and my husband can't understand how I can't get over it. The reality is why can't I get over it? How can he get in an argument settle it and an hour later be ok with it? I on the other hand, get upset, we talk about it, we talk about it some more and when it settles I am still upset about it. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

I guess we are always too busy analyzing the life we are that we need to stop and be happy for the way things are now. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?! We all know we can try to plan for it but that doesn't mean it will work out that way.

I think women are so afraid of missing an opportunity or staying in a situation we are not 100% percent about. We always think about long term, not short term and we end up missing out on all the good that is happening in the current time. I know I do it and I am sure you have to.

So we all know no one has the answers in Life and no one can change something we are unhappy about in our life except for ourselves. We need to stop analyzing and confusing our lives. We need to try to let go of the things we have no control off and enjoy today! We need to focus on the core problem we are unhappy with and stop trying to fulfill it with material things or relationships or money.  Before you know it will be too late and it's over before we know it! “Life's a journey, not a destination” Steven Tyler

Feel Good Song: Katy Perry

Firework

Music

It is funny how music soothes the soul. I love to sing to my daughter and with her. So it is funny how the songs I choose to sing to her are feel good songs. I always compliment my daughter and when I put an outfit on her ask her if she feels beautiful.

I am 1 of 3 girls so we grew up relying on ourselves and were taught to be confident and strong women.  I notice I push those traits on my daughter even though she is so young I want her to grow up to feel confident in who she is and how she looks regardless of what others around her may say. I want her to depend on herself and be self sufficient. I want her to marry someone one day because she wants to not because she depends on him financially or emotionally.

My father always made sure whenever we went on a date we had money in our pocket and didn't expect anyone to pay for us. He wanted us to depend on ourselves. Those lessons stuck with me through my whole life. I mean after all I was not elected class feminist for no reason, I am a believer in equality and women rights.

I also believe we all have this vision of who we should be and not who we really are.  We all need to realize that "Life is not about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself."George Bernard Shaw

So I will posting some feel good songs that I think you too will enjoy! Please feel free to suggest any feel good songs you enjoy and I will post them! Thanks!

We Go Outside?!

My daughter loves to play outside, no matter what the weather is like outside she is constantly asking me to go outside. I noticed that she is repeating me alot too. I have two dogs so I am constantly asking them if they want to go outside. So my daughter's daily new habit is to ask me every morning and after her naps "We go outside?...We go on slide?...We go on swing?" Normally my answer is no not yet it's too cold or it's dark out. But when I do say yes her face lights up and she runs off to get her shoes.

It is funny how relaxing it is for me to play outside with her. Normally we jump around from the baby swing, to the slide, to the kid swing, then the tire swing. She sits on my lap and asks me to sing to her while we are swinging away. It is those little moments I cherish...mommy and daughter hanging out on the swing together and it is sooo peaceful.

She loves to explore too. She will run down the hill and pick up pine cones or play in the leaves. She is totally an outdoors kindof girl. Now that the weather is getting colder once the sun is out we run out there for 20 minutes until I notice her little hands and nose turning red from the cold.

Joke of the Day: The Italian Secret to a Long Marriage

At St. Peter's Catholic Church in Toronto, they have weekly husbands' marriage seminars. At the session last week, the priest asked Giuseppe, who said he was approaching his 50th wedding anniversary, to take
a few minutes and share some insight into how he had managed to stay married to the same woman all these years.

Giuseppe replied to the assembled husbands, 'Wella, I'va tried to treat her nicea, spenda da money on her, but besta of all is, I tooka her to Italy for the 25th anniversary!'

The priest responded, 'Giuseppe, you are an amazing inspiration to all the husbands here! Please tell us what you are planning for your wife for your 50th anniversary?'

Giuseppe proudly replied, "I gonna go pick her up...."

Tate's Cookies Coupon

These are by far the best cookies out there.They are light and crunchy and always taste so fresh. My favorite are their wheat chocolate chip, my husband loves their chocolate chip cookies. I am also a fan of their oatmeal and sugar cookies. The only place we used to be able to get them was in the Hampton's but now you can buy them online at http://www.tatesbakeshop.com/ or at Whole Foods and Balducci's.


To receive $5 off visit their site http://www.tatesbakeshop.com/ and use coupon code THANKS2010 Good until Nov 25th so hurry and order some soon!!

Party Quote

"Never be the first to arrive at a party or the last to go home and never, never be both”  David Brown

Event Planning

I LOVE TO PLAN EVENTS! I love throwing parties and gatherings. I think that may be my next calling in life. Don't get me wrong it is a lot of work and stressful but I love to party, and most of the time they turn out great!

My friends always joke that they need two days to recover from one of my parties. I am like a social butterfly and like to connect with people in different locations and areas so whenever a party comes up I can refer them or work with them.

I love being a resource to where to go or eat or book a party. My husband's friend contacted me yesterday to provide a list of locations for his company's holiday party. He knows I have been to a ton of places so I sent him a list of places to look into for his holiday party. My friend came back to town for dinner and she was going out with a girlfriend and texted me for suggestions of where they should go. Within minutes I provided a list and my favorite dishes at each place. She ended up going to my favorite restaurant-Brasistas and they loved it! My girlfriend just got engaged and asked me to email her a list of places she should look into. She was cracking up because within 20 minutes I sent her a list of 10 venues and what I liked and did not like about them. I have a very busy social life and go out to dinner almost once a week. I always seem to take in everything around me, and love chic places. I am very observant and like details. I also like to try new places, yes I do go back to the ones I like but for the most part I like to try new restaurants and new places.


As a Virtual Assistant I have to work with so many different people at different levels so my comfort level with communicating with others is pretty high. I also have learned to ask the right questions when picking venues for my client's events since I am not local and can not see the venues for my self.

I think I am a great communicator, people may say I complain a lot but the fact is I like to express my opinion-not that it is always right but I am very open about what I like and do not like. Yes, at times I should keep my opinion to myself but most of the time I have a loose tongue!

So for any of you out there who need help with planning an event or need ideas for locations please feel free to contact me. I will be sure to give you my honest opinion and would be more than happy to help!

Quote

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson

Fruit Nut!

My daughter is addicted to fruit. Every morning she wakes up and goes to the counter and says "BANA" I used to think she was saying "Pane'" which is bread. Nope she wants a banana every morning. Then at breakfast she will have pancakes or cereal with either a baby bowl of strawberries or grapes. Throughout the day she will eat another banana, watermelon, grapes, and or strawberries. Her new obsession are oranges and tangerines. Sometimes she will ask for applesauce. Sooo being the curious mom I am I decided to do my research on the fruit she is eating.


Fun Fruit Facts:

• Fruit and your brain: it makes you think faster and recall information more easily

• Fruit is full of fiber and a diet with lots of fiber can help against  high blood pressure, and other factors that increase the chance for a heart disease.

For more Fruit Facts visit: http://www.thefruitpages.com/whyfruit.shtml

Easy Dinner: Chicken Wraps

I am all about the PERDUE Fully Cooked Short Cuts Chicken. For $5.00 or when they are on sale you get a pound of chicken already cooked and seasoned. I love to use these for chicken wraps.

• Package of PERDUE Fully Cooked Short Cuts Italian Seasoned Chicken
• Wraps
• American Cheese
• Barbecue Sauce

Directions:

Assemble wraps with chicken, top with American cheese and barbecue sauce and roll. Bake until golden brown at 350 degrees.

Serve with fries and a side salad. This is a great product to even toss in a salad, or if you are short on time mix with lettuce and Caesar dressing and make wraps with it. Enjoy!

Destination Wedding

When my sister first got engaged she told me that they wanted to do a destination wedding. My thoughts at first were a little uneasy!  Image 100 people you know on vacation together, flying with a wedding gown, tuxes, all your wedding items, favors, meeting vendors through the Internet and unsure of how it will all turn out all seemed a little too overwhelming to me.

I had a traditional wedding, I got married in a church had 300 guests at a country club in New Rochelle. So when I think of weddings I relate it to mine, so it was hard to relate to my sister's when she said she wanted to do this. We all went along not sure what the outcome would be...there were date changes and vendor changes that gave my sister second thoughts about what she wanted to do!

When she finally booked it and finalized a date we all were pretty excited about it. It was something new, and different. At first it was hard to help her plan, pick menus, flowers etc...when we could not envision the hall, food, island.

But with that all said it was a really cool, easy, unique, amazing experience. Forty  family members and friends all stayed at the same resort, we partied every day, we gathered together on a private island to witness two people who we all love dearly exchange vows to love and honor one another on a white beach, with the ocean two feet from us. Best of all my husband, daughter and I were all in the wedding, our close family and dearest friends were all there, and I finally got a chance to see Aruba!

The wedding was amazing. We took a private boat to a private island. They exchanged their vows while flamingos were walking around the beach. I loved how you could hear the ocean in the back ground. Their pictures look like they came out of a magazine. We danced in the white sand, surrounded by palm trees and we all; bride, groom, wedding party and guests ended the night dancing in the ocean, with their tuxes, gowns and all under the stars.

So for all of you out there who are engaged or are thinking of getting married keep all options open and best of all do what works best for you! My sister and I both had equally amazing weddings but completely different from one another. I am proud of her for taking the initiative to do what made her happy, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience for all of us!

Aruba September 25, 2010

Jess & Pete

                                                  

'Tis the season

With Christmas 6 weeks away...yep only 6 weeks away, I have decided to get organized and begin my holiday shopping. I have about 30 plus people to shop for so I took out my spreadsheet from last year and started on a clean slate.

I am usually good with preparing a head of time so I started to take out all the outfits and toys I have already purchased and realized I have about 24 people to shop for, 6 down 24 to go.  I always feel I am crunched for time since my daughter's birthday is around Thanksgiving and my mind is focused on preparing for that.

It is amazing the sales that stores have going on. I have said this before and I will say it again, spend the $1.50 on Sundays and buy a newspaper. It is filled with circulars and coupons, deals and specials.

The Internet is filled with deals! Whenever I shop on-line I always Google coupons for the stores I am shopping at and 9 out of 10 times there is a coupon online. No one should have to pay full price and no one should feel stressed financially when it comes to the holidays. It just takes some preparation and organization and you will find that the holidays can be enjoyable after all!

Need help organizing a spreadsheet then click here!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Easy Dinner: TACOS

I cook a lot, I probably cook at least 3 to 4 nights a week...I know some people cook everyday but for those of us who want some easy, cost friendly meals I will be adding some easy dinners to my blog to help make your night more enjoyable with spending less time in the kitchen.

• 1 1/2 lb of ground meat or turkey meat or meatloaf meat
• 1 package of Ortega taco family pack- this includes taco shells, cheese sauce, taco sauce and seasoning

Directions:

Brown meat, drain, add taco seasoning with water (follow directions on package) I like the taco shells crunchy so I bake them for about 15 mins in a 350 degree oven.

Serve with salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese-moteray jack is good, chopped tomatoes and chopped lettuce.

I love side dishes, so I served this with white rice, nachos ( just use Tortilla chips and top with shredding moteray jack and put in microwave) and a salad.

I would say this dinner costs no more than $7.00 for a family of four. You can get fancy and add as many toppings as you like but I like to keep it simple. These left overs are great just mix the taco meat with white rice and snack on it with the left over tortilla chips.

Who said making dinners had to be complicated?! ENJOY!

Everyone needs a Best Friend

I have been blessed with so many wonderful, strong, successful women in my life. I also have been extremely blessed to say I have a best friend who I have been friends with for 24 years-wow 24 years and we still could talk for endless hours at a time.

Throughout our friendship we have had our ups and downs, we moved away from one another and took different turns in our lives but we always seen to make our way back to one another. She brings out the good in me, she makes me laugh so hard that it makes me want to cry. She is honest without hurting my feelings and she has always had my back. I love her like my sister and feel God gave us one another to get through the good, the bad and the tough times in our lives.

I am glad to know that we will grow old together, we"ll stay young together and we'll always be there for one another even when things get too rough, tough or when we need a shoulder to cry on, laugh on or just because. I think everyone needs that one, special person to turn to, to laugh with and cry with and even "jump around the room with and sing into the back of a hair brush" with!

I hope one day my daughter finds that one special person, of course she'll always have me, but she needs that one person she could rely on to help her be a better person. I am glad I do and I honestly believe that my best friend is a part of me and I am a part of her!

GIVEAWAY

Tell me "How do you make your busy morning routine special for your family?"

and you could win a prize pack from Kix through MyBlogSpark.

Respond to this blog post by November 15th for a chance to win a prize pack including a 24-piece counting-themed floor puzzle, fun learn-to-count flashcards, a sippy cup, a portable snack container and a box each of Original Kix and Honey Kix cereals.

Prize pack was provided from Kix through MyBlogSpark.

True Intentions

I have this one person in my life that is not quiet happy for anyone unless they are happy. I hate to admit it and personally think it is a sad thing. For a while I thought deep down they had good intentions but don't know how to really show it, so they behave in a strange way.  Well I notice they are coming around more and it just so happens that things are looking up for them. It is tough not to look past the things they have done in the past when they were not in a good place and to restart a relationship. Even though their current actions are kind I somehow can not help to think their intentions are not true.

Then again I know we are all guilty of it. How many of us do things without the right intentions in mind?!  How many of us do things without the intentions of it resulting in a negative way? Sometime we do things without really knowing what our intentions truly are!

"We judge others by their behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions.” Ian Percy

Reading: One Day My Soul Just Opened Up

I decided to do some Soul searching. From reading my previous posts you can tell I am a believer of signs and happiness and I have been in a little funk and thought it was time to do some Soul Searching.

We all come to a point in our lives when what we have just does not seem to be enough or where we are at is not where we thought we would be or for some reason even though we have so much we still feel like we are missing something. I mean maybe it is a better job, a bigger house, more children, or just more happiness in our day-to-day routine.

So I began to reread One Day My Soul Just Opened Up by Iyanla Vanzant. By rereading I mean a couple of years ago before I had  my daughter I was in a funk, I lost my job because my company closed, I was involved in a really terrible accident-luckily no one was hurt too bad and I could not get pregnant. I needed a reminder that I was in charge of my happiness. So I read this book and followed their steps and woke up knowing that things would get better and by having that mind set things did get better.

I just started to reading this book again and already realized that I love to write and stopped looking for publishers for my two novels and am down on myself about it so I want to start that up again- also I need to finish the other two I started to write. I realized that I do want another child- my daughter needs a playmate and she would make a great big sister. I realized that I need to have a better work schedule, I need to go to the gym more- I have been only going two times a week and that is not enough. Most importantly I realized that I need to  find things to do on the weekends with my family that involve us three as a family.

If you need a reminder of how to deal with things or some inspiration then this is the book to read.

Stop * Breathe * Smile

I can't get over that it is already November, that Thanksgiving is only two weeks away, that my daughter will be two soon and I have hardly put a dent in my holiday shopping. When I think of all of this I just want to crawl into my bed and sleep it away. What I tend to forget is that this is just the reality of life, everyday will be something. So I force myself to stop, breathe and smile. And take it one day at a time!
This song always seems to help me!

Mommy you K?!

I LOVE laying in bed with my daughter. I lay in bed with her at night and watch her Dora before I put her to bed and the first thing I do when she wakes up is put her in bed with me.


So this morning I am laying in bed with her, she rolls over on her belly, and cups my face with her two tiny hands. I could feel her breath on my face and she says "Hi Momma, U K?!" I swear I almost teared up because it was the cutest thing ever! I started to laugh, so she laughed and it was the best way to wake up this morning!


I wish every morning I could start my day like that! It's those little moments in life that are good for the soul. My daughter is good for my soul!Needless to say it was a great day!

Kix Cereal YUM

My daughter always gave me trouble when I tried to switch her milk from a bottle to a sippy cup. Since then she refuses to drink milk so I turn to cereal with milk everyday to help her get the calcium she needs. Her new favorite cereal is Kix.

I like to mix Kix cereal  flavors honey with original. I even find myself munching on the crunchy little puffs. As a kid I loved Kix as a snack so the slogan "Kid-Tested Mother-Approved®" seems fitting when I feed them to my daughter.

As a work from home mom I find it difficult to make pancakes every  morning, so cereal is usually the first thing I start my day off feeding my daughter. We sit down together and I make sure my blackberry is turned off to avoid any interuptions. I think that 20 minute bonding time makes a huge difference and it helps us start our day off right. Tell me "How do you make your busy morning routine special for your family?" and you could win a prize pack from Kix through MyBlogSpark.


Respond to this blog post by November 15th for a chance to win a prize pack including a 24-piece counting-themed floor puzzle, fun learn-to-count flashcards, a sippy cup, a portable snack container and a box each of Original Kix and Honey Kix cereals. Prize pack was provided from Kix through MyBlogSpark

Mommy's Mood

It's funny how I have noticed my daughter has been a little aggressive lately and moody. She is reaching the terrible 2's but I noticed there is much more than that. The reason has been me. I have been moody, so she's been moody.

I never realized it until today when I decided to put my butt in gear and be happier around her and she softened up a bit. My mom always told me that when we were younger whenever she was in a bad mood, we were in a bad mood.

Funny how kids react to the way we do, the way we feel and the way we act. Although my mood is just something that will pass, hormones, over worked, lack of sleep...I know now that I must pick and choose how I want to feel so my daughter won't be affected by it!

So when we have bad days, they will have bad days. Pick and choose those bad days because at the end of "every hurricane there is a rainbow!"

It's Minnie

Halloween was great! My daughter loved trick or treating! For the houses that had lights on but did not respond she would shout "Come on..." So funny the personalities they develop so young.

She was Minnie Mouse this year and looked sooo cute. So I figured I would do a Minnie Mouse theme for her 2nd bday and headed to Party City with her to buy invites. Well, the whole time she was screaming for Dora. I couldn't help but laugh. Here I was trying to do something different and she wanted Dora.

I stuck to my guns and bought all Minnie Mouse decorations and figured if she gave me trouble again we could do Dora for her 3rd birthday. Below is my lil Minnie Mouse!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Wow, is it just me or did Halloween come fast this year?! I usually am on top of my game with making a costume and putting out my decorations. This year I finally put away my summer clothes just to take them out again...Indian summer in my area.

This year I handed two costumes to my daughter and she decided to pick the one off the shelf. It is really cute and yes it's a surprise...I will post pictures next week. We finally took her pumpkin picking where all she wanted to do was play with the kids running around the farm. We finally choose two pumpkins and all of our pictures are of her looking the other way. Yes, she is almost two so for her to sit still is almost impossible!

My husband and I will be hippies and attending a housewarming/halloween party Saturday night. Kind of fun to dress up. There weren't too many appealing couples costumes out there but the ones we choose are fun and hip. Plus cheap and comfortable.

With all that said I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween!!! Pictures to come. Stay tuned...



Hippie <3



Yogurt Smoothie YUM

Ever since I switched my daughter from her  baba to a sippy cup she refused to drink her milk. I usually give her Cheerios and milk and she will take it that way.  The other day I was feeding her yogurt and decided to make her a Yogurt Smoothie and she kept saying YUM the whole time she was drinking it.

*1/2 cup flavored yogurt-peach/strawberry/strawberry and banana ect...
*1 cup milk
*2 ice cubes

Blend-or put in Magic Bullet and serve with a straw. I am sure your toddler will be saying YUM too!

HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Romano's Macaroni Grill YUM!

I have to admit this was a YUMMY dish and it only took 15 mins to make. Just add milk, cover and dinner or an excellent side dish for dinner or lunch is served! The smell filled the house, and the chicken was so tender! Even the baby loved it. Check out my pictures:

YUM!

To receive a sample please contact me and I will be glad to have it sent to you!!!

Please note the sample, prize pack and giveaway were all provided by

Macaroni Grill through MyBlogSpark.

Summer in the Hamptons 2010

I'm Back

Wow, it's been a while since I have posted. It's been a very busy August. I have been spending many of my summer days in the Hamptons, enjoying a wonderful house in Sag Harbor. There is something about going away that makes you focus on your life and your needs and of course relaxation is always key.

My daughter who is now 20 months was loving every second of her vacation. She loves the ocean and the pool at the house. She tried everything we ate and of course approached anyone eating an ice cream cone in hopes that they would share it with her. We learned early on NOT to give her any ice cream before bed time.

On our cloudy days we went to Montack and Shelter Island. We shopped and ate in East Hampton, Sag Harbor and Bridge Hampton. The week and weekends do fly by but the time there is well spent. We started going to the local Farm Stands which carried the sweetest grapes I have ever eaten.  We found an ice cream shop that sold non fat vanilla peanut butter ice cream that is to die for!

One of our favorite sandwhich shops is Espresso's, after a week of eating their foccia bread we realized they made wheat foccia bread- which is sooo yummy! Overall, I think I lost weight from lugging all my daughters beach toys back and forth. Our favorite beach is Mecox and for those who have been knows all the sand dunes that do not make lugging stuff easy to do.

Yes, vacations are so different when you have a child. We no longer stay at the beach for endless hours and my husband was amazed at how often my daughter ate. 8:00 bedtimes allowed us to relax outside with a nice bottle of wine from the vineyards. I saw 4 shooting stars in one week- not bad! My mom found a four leaf clover in the yard-guess we are magnets for luck!

 I am not putting away any bathing suits until after Labor day! I am not ready to let the cold get the best of me yet! As Summer comes to an end for all of us I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I have.

Daddy and his Daughter

When I found out I was pregnant I would have been happy either way with what I was having, but once I found out it was a girl all I could do was think about what a great Daddy my Husband would be to her.

I love the relationship my husband has with my daughter. This tough guy melts everytime he sees her and she adores him like no one I have ever seen. Every night after dinner he sits with her watches her favorite cartoons before bed and puts her to bed. If I go out or go to the gym he'll take her to the store or for ice cream.

I love the father he is with her. If I get frustrated with her he has this calm way of making things better. He is a good dad or "PaPa" like my daughter says and I love the man he is when he's with her. I know they will be buddies for life, and like the great "Pop" I have, I am grateful that she has one too!