Friday, January 30, 2015

Give Me Five: 5 Of The Many Things I've Learned From Parenthood!



I have always loved a great Family Drama! It started way back with Family; now I was never a tomboy, but I wanted to be Kristy Mcnichol! :)


Then along came Eight Is Enough! I'm one of seven children, so I could relate to the large family, even though my family was the opposite with 5 boys & 2 girls, they had 5 girls & 3 boys. Yikes!


There have been so many great Family Dramas over the years like Sisters, The Cosby Show, The Walton's, and Little House On The Prairie just to name just a few! And though I've loved them all and they've each been great in their own right, none has been as great as Parenthood! The best show on Television aired it's last episode last night, leaving a huge void on Thursday Nights! I can only hope this is not the end of an era, and that new family dramas will rise to take it's place.


I hope you've been watching (and learning) right along with me. One of the greatest parts of great family dramas, is that they will make you think, and hopefully discuss issues they bring up! Here are just a few of the many things I've learned from watching every season & episode of Parenthood;


1. You need Family! 
They can help you get through the difficulties of life, 
as well as celebrate all the great things that happen!
Look to them, Rely on them!
Be there for them!
Show up for them & let them show up for you!

2. Don't be afraid to Talk! 
Even about the tough subjects! 
And don't be afraid to listen! Understanding begins with hearing. 

Here are just some of the Subjects broached on Parenthood: 

Children with Special Needs
Teen Angst
Dating
Teen Sex/Pregnancy
Abortion
School Choice 
Going away to College
Single Parenthood
Substance Abuse
Unwanted/Surprise Pregnancy
Infertility
Adoption
Starting/Building a Business
Adultery/Unfaithfulness
Betrayal 
Divorce
Homosexuality
Friendship
Relationships
Community Service/Politics
Chasing your Dreams
Religion/Beliefs
Moving
Mid life Crisis
Aging Parents
Cancer
Death
Just to name a few of the great conversation starters!


3. We all need Forgiveness!
 In any relationship, no matter how close,
there will come a time when you'll need to be forgiven.
There will also be times when you will need to Forgive.
Neither is easy.
Both are necessary!
We will be hurt. 
It's up to us weather we hold on to that hurt,
or let it go. 


4. Family Traditions are Important! 
or Let your kids Trick or Treat/Believe in Santa as long as they want to! :)
Family Traditions are the best! The big & the small! 
Holiday's, Game Nights, Whatever you want them to be,
Make them. Keep them! 
No matter the size of your family or the age of your kids!


5. Always Keep Learning & Growing! 
You're Never too old to reinvent yourself!
On Parenthood many of the characters started new chapters in their lives, 
weather that was starting a new business or job, or taking up a hobby.
You're never too old/young/anything to try something new!
Try it and see where it leads you!



Well, there you have it, just a sampling of the things I gained from watching this amazing show that ended much too soon if you ask me. Even though I cried during each episode, I can't wait to get the entire series on DVD when it becomes available. (It's only January and I've already asked for it for Christmas!) :) And the most important lesson we can learn is this, life is short & uncertain, so:

 Cherish Your Family! 

Saturday, January 24, 2015

50 And Fabulous!

 The Day:
The Sweatshirt I wore on my Birthday!
My son asked if I got 2 of them to equal 50! :)

Yes, it's true! I turned the Big Five Oh on Christmas day! I know! I can't believe it either! How could that have happened? Leading up to my Birthday & even the night before, I was pretty down. I mean 50 is Old! Aging made me sad. But then I woke up on my Birthday & realized not everyone makes it to 50. My only Sister passed away 13 years ago at the much too young age of 49. She was 13 years older than me. Getting older is a Privilege, not everyone gets. So I felt Blessed. We should celebrate aging and milestone Birthdays! So that's what we did!

The Party:
Five Oh!
 
 
 My Outfit!
A DVF inspired Jumper from New York & Co.!
Love it!


 
 You've got to have pictures throughout the years!


The Party was held in an Italian Restaurant
where guests could order from the full menu! 
We had a Private Room

Family!

Some Great Friends!
My Beautiful Niece! 
More Friends! 
 
More Family!

For Party Favors we gave out bags of Hershey's Kisses
that said; Thank you so much for coming
and helping Star kiss her 40's goodbye! :)

And since reading is among my Favorite things,
Bookmarks about 1964 being a Great Year!

Photo Booth Fun:
My Dapper Son & Darling Daughter in law!

The Spice Girls! :)


 Looking Good!
 
 
We still got it!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

 
Oh Brother!
 
Sister, Sister!!

My Man, his Brother & Sister & their Mom! :)

 
There is a Fountain of Youth:
it is your mind, your talents, 
the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love.
When you learn to tap this source,
you will truly have defeated age.
(Sophia Loren)
 

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Wedding Day!


My Baby Boy is all grown-up!
And this past October he became a Husband!


Teaching his Father how to tie a Bow Tie like a Hipster! :)



The Guys, looking dapper!



The Pastor, his Dad & his Groomsmen Praying over him.


The Wedding was in his Bride's parents back yard
Her Father built an Arbor for the Ceremony.

 

My Husband and I were Married the same month, just 27 years earlier!


So glad Grandma got to be there on this special day!


Beautiful Bridesmaids!


The Bride's nephew was the Ring Bearer,
And a Groomsman's Daughter was the Flower Girl! Adorable!
 

Here Comes The Bride!
Katie was just Stunning! 


Thank you for the Gift of your Daughter.


 The Ceremony was simply Beautiful!
We Laughed, we Cried!!


For better, or worse.
In sickness, and in health!

 
They did it!  


The Beautiful Couple!
Consciously Coupling! :)


We Are Family!
(The Next Wedding happens in a year!) :)


 First Dance as Husband and Wife!
"All Of Me Loves All Of You!"


 Mother/Son Dance!
"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You!"


Being as it was a morning Wedding,
Catering was done by Waffle Love!


Marriage isn't all fun & games! 
But, it can be!


Corn Hull & Croquette
to name a few!


 He or She?
A game where to answer they had to hold up his or hers shoe!

 

It's been fun! 
Next Stop: Honeymoon in New York City!   
 

Riding on the Trolley that took guests to & from parking!

And they lived Happily Ever After!