Wildwood Beach

A long expanse of clean sand with waves of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and lines of motels on the other, it’s a beautiful place to spend the day soaking in sun, playing in sand, and enjoying the water. Plus, if you are lucky you’ll see a little wildlife as well. The nice thing…

Water Park Fun

I can’t believe that we hadn’t discovered it earlier. I should have known both my children were water bugs. Both had their 5th birthday at a pool/water play area. How did I not realize they were ready for big water parks! This summer, during our trip to the east coast, we hit up two water…

Baptizing My Niece

Baptisms are beautiful events.  While never overtly religious, I was raised Catholic and do believe that there is a higher order that helps drive our lives.  Religion is a beautiful way to celebrate that higher order, and seeing a child welcomed into that religion is always a special event, where you see the innocent life…

Sweet Baby Cuddles

In May, at 39 weeks pregnant, my sister finally went into labor, and gave birth to my darling niece. Born in the early morning, at 6 pounds, 5 ounces, she was the bundle of joy all could not wait to hold and shower with love.    Of course, living on the opposite coast I had…

My Mother’s Wedding

Late in life love – it was something I didn’t believe in. I never had any examples of it in my extended family as I was growing up. My grandmother who got separated from her boyfriend, moved in with us when she was 50 and never dated or married again. I thought that was the…

Getting My Cheer On

Cheerleading doesn’t get a lot of respect. People don’t know the work that goes into it. The hours spent on flexibility and strength training to get those jumps right, to do those incredible lifts, to throw someone in the air, and make sure they are caught safely. The hours spent working so that routine looks…