Someone said to me today..." you need your mother". She knew I had a sick child and was not really sure what to do. When I told her my mom had been gone for 3 years, in fact three years today, she prayed for me and made the sweetest offer. She offered to boss me around like a real Italian mom :) Sweet, sweet, sweet. I am blessed with so many wonderful women in my life.
It was three years ago today that David's cell phone rang in the early morning. Thus began a long day of packing then driving to a hospital where my mom was being kept alive long enough for me to see her one more time. It was a terrible day.
Now, I choose to not dwell on that day but on all the days before that. The days when Mom was being a funny, loving mom and grandmother. She battled cancer three times and rarely missed a day of work. She was strong and devoted to those around her. She spoiled grandkids with Mt. Dew and bbq chips for breakfast. She made the best cheeseburgers ever (just ask David). She was the youngest of twelve brothers and sisters. She always felt like she wasn't as tough as her brothers, but she was. They will tell you that. There is a bit of a twisted sense of humor that runs in my family, mom was one the ring leaders. She and her sister Marie were known for their grocery store trips that no one else would join them in. If they were together, someone was going to be embarrassed. I loved that about her. She could make anyone laugh. Her life was rarely "easy" but she worked hard. She made the most of life not matter how difficult things were at the time. There are still days that I pick up the phone to call her and ask her what I should do about something. When my babies were all really small, I cried a lot and told God I wasn't supposed to raise all these kids without my mom. He would remind that all my kids were really His children. It was His job to lead me and He knew what He was doing. I know if Mom were here she would most likely tell me she had no idea what to do so I should pray about it.
It has been three years since I said goodbye. I won't forget all that my mom was to so many people. I love you, mom!
Just because I could... love this flower.
David and the little kids take fort building to the next level.
The boys loved climbing instead of watching Alex play football.
Alex has settled in to his new school and is loving it. He played football and had a great season, making new friends and learning the game.
Instructions from the Coach
Is it wrong to call a football player a cutie??
I told you my skills were limited....
This is my son burried under a pile as he recovered a fumble.
I might add...in the opening game Alex had 3 receptions and a fumble recovery on a punt. And yes, I was tempted to charge the field when two rather large kids sandwiched him at the end of one of the plays. I was tempted, but I did not. I simply stood, held my hands in the prayer 
