Be Brave!!!!

Be Brave!!!!

via Pinterest originally pinned by Lauren Hartmann 

A little phrase...

An enormous challenge..

With immense impact!

Today a group of us went to go see 

Disney Pixar's Brave!!!!

It was was Domenic, Luke, Nick and I 

& my brother-in-law, nephew, 

and my mom! 

The boys were all really excited to go see a movie and of course, even more excited that it was Pixar's new film!

WE LOVED IT!

The main story line is about a princess who needs to be brave enough to change her fate! However, it's such a strong message about the relationships between a mother & a daughter!

  

Well....I balled my eyes out! 

Shocking I know...

I cry during many movies...

nevermind Pixar movies!

Up! Wall-e! 

Toy Story 2! 

Toy Story 3!

 The list goes on!

The movie was very sweet with lots of laughs but the ending was so touching! Sitting next to my mom in the theatre, as we both sniffle away, I knew I had my topic for my next post!

 

Mary Catherine Pascarella is my amazing mother! My mom and I are 20 and 1/2 years apart! And while she has always made her role as my parent the highest priority, she has always been one of my best friends!

My mom is one of the hardest workers I know! She works tirelessly either with her job or helping friends and family members and sometimes with very little appreciation! For all the times I've added to your to do lists and given you extra worry....Thank you! I can only hope that one day, people feel that they can depend on me as much as they know they can depend on my mom!

My mom is one of the best listeners I have ever met! She is incredibly approachable and many people around her depend on her for advice. Whether it's venting about a bad day or seeking advice for a major life decision, she has a way of listening and giving advice while also allowing you to make your own decision!

My mom is caring, kind, & hysterical!

She's an incredible singer!

She has such a strong faith 

& a belief in family!

She's inspiring, supportive, creative, 

& exceptionally smart!

My mom has always been an amazing woman, mom, sister, daughter, friend, wife, & one of the best grandmother's around! 

Mom, 

I hope one day I grow up to be just like you! 

I hope I make you proud!

Thank you for teaching me 

all I know about being a mom! 

I know I will need many more lessons!

Thank you for always being a 

role model for doing what's right!

I hope I am brave enough to choose the happiest fate for myself and my family!

Thank you for helping me recognize all that matters....especially Happy Matters!

Love you!

A day in pictures…

A day in pictures…

After really beating myself up yesterday 

about not appreciating my "productiveness," 

I decided today's to do list was going to be devoted to 

being productive with Happy Matters...

And making Happy Memories!

Here's what we did today!

We woke up and were out of bed by 6:45...

Made breakfast...

Worked out....

Showered...

Packed 3 bags....

& Headed out for a fun filled morning! 

( UNSHOWN :) )

1st Destination: Castle Park...It was super hot but super fun!

 I snuck in a minute to lay on a bench...

Look up... 

& BREATHE!

(The kids were on their way up to the top of the castle!) 

Water break! 

...And we were off for Destination #2

(with a quick unclicked stop at Wawa!)

Picnic lunch at Peace Valley Park!

Pure Happiness!

(though very much missing Daddy!)

Feeding the ducks before we leave...

(a.k.a. "Mom we don't need to finish this bread...

Let's help feed the animals!" "O.K.! (sigh)")

After lunch we hit Destination #3

Swim Club!

Arg!!!!

Got everyone home in time for Nick to still nap!

Luke was so spent, he napped to!

...And I got to go get my hair done!

(sorry no pics!)

We had a great dinner and Family Fun Day continued!

Except now Dad was with us! 

HOORAY! It made the night even better!

We drove around looking for new frozen yogurt places and hit some of our favorite Doylestown hotspots!

Of course, we ended up at our favorite 

(Yup! It's may fav now too!)

Yes Please!

Love this decoration they have there!

Hanging crystal waterfall!

(I call it anyway!)

After a day of snapping as many pics as I could...

I realized I prefer to make ugly faces in pictures!

Oh well!

Being cute! 

And photogenic...

Luke had basically had it with me whipping my camera out!

We strolled around Dolyestown with our full bellies!

Nick needed a break! :)

(Again Luke was like 

"Leave me alone with your silly camera lady!")

We hit the comic book shop, the book store, and our favorite...

The Library!

We ended the night with tubbies and good night kisses.... 

Of course, they did pose 2 last times...

(they don't fall asleep that quick...

So yes, they're awake it that picture!)

And finally....

Logging it all to Happy Matters!

Because it doesn't matter What makes you happy....

It just Matters to have Happy Matters!

Side Note:

I loved this challenge!

Definitely a lot of work...but definitely will be doing it again soon!

Try it and see what your Happy Matters of the day are...

Night!

Productivity = Happiness .....for me!

Productivity = Happiness

.....for me!

via yourhomebasedmom on Flikr

And yet...

I am a victim of allowing 

"perfect to be the enemy of good!"

(Like Gretchen and Voltaire)

This is not meant to be a bragging list...

it's merely a glimpse into my corrupt psyche!

via  Eva Fortuny

Today this is what I did:

6:00: Up with both boys

Had coffee and breakfast with the kids

Learned to use a power drill 

(not a screw gun..way high tech!)

Took Nicholas to the bathroom 

more than a dozen times before noon

Put up $130 worth of closet organizers

Tossed the high tech drill 

and used my muscle the "old fashioned" way

Kept the kids safe and busy, 

laughing and playing together while I worked

Made a healthy lunch for me and the kids

Cleaned up from breakfast and lunch

Laid Nick down for a nap

Refilled the closet with all our clothes

Got the bags packed when Nick woke up 

so we could go to the swim club

Got to the swim club and saw lots of friends and neighbors

Taught Luke a new game in the pool 

to get him more comfortable in the pool 

(He's now comfortable putting 

his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears underwater)

Taught Luke to tread water in the deep end!

Got dinner out!

Sat down and started a movie as a family.

Got the kids to bed

Watched a show Domenic & I 

were looking forward to watching

All in all...it was a really productive day! 

I didn't lay around!

I didn't read at all 

(which still would have been productive but falls under relaxing as well!)

And still I feel disappointed that I didn't do enough!

via pinmarket from dribble.com

Enough...

There wasn't enough time to.....

work out!

fold the laundry,

finish the cleaning the closet, 

the bedroom, 

the bathroom 

or the guest bedroom!

Does anyone else have a hard time celebrating what you were able to do some days because what you wanted to do and what you were able to get done don't match up?

Does it matter?

Here's what matters today...

Nick saying, "Mom I have to tell you 1 more thing...I love you!"

Luke saying that I was the best swim teacher ever!

Luke surprise at how well the closet looks!

Domenic and I talking about going on a date!

Thinking about my happiness on a quiet Tuesday night!

Scheduled time for myself tomorrow to get my hair done!

And in the end...perfect doesn't matter!

Happiness matters!

First Friday of Summer....

First Friday of Summer....

via sunnysblog.typepad.com

And the 1st day of 32!

Woke up feeling like I was in a boxing match....and lost! :(

Lazy morning with coffee, my computer, 

and cartoons in the background trying to muster some motivation and positivity!

Saw the Doc. and got some meds!

(Hopefully on the road to recovery 

but still with a very swollen eye!)

Cut some flowers for the kitchen!

via....ME!

Had a great friend stop for a surprise visit!

Took a bike ride with both boys!

Played at the park (the destination of our bike ride!)

And Dad bought a snack! :)

Came home to play outside in the sprinkler!

Barbeque skewer and corn on the cob dinner...delicious!

Boys in bed...
Glass of wine...
Thinking about why happiness matters.....

Happy Birthday to me....

Happy Birthday to me....

The best presents.....

Sleeping in late

Having my coffee poured for me

A pile of presents

The boys ripping through the wrapping paper

Their excitement as they pulled out each gift 

(even though they went shopping with Domenic and helped pick out)

Candy from my favorite candy shop

Jodi's new book pre-ordered

Lotion that takes me right to Epcot and reminds me to BREATHE

Blue dress (striped, sexy, special, and so, so soft)

Purple planner

Bagels at the Castle Park

Walking around Doylestown

Crab soup and salad lunch

Reading on the couch with breezes coming through the windows

Swim club 

Dinner at Friendly's 

(WITH SUPER BIG SUNDAE'S FOR DESSERT) 

Almost being embarrassed at how noisy we were at our table...

laughing, joking, singing...so much fun!

Luke was giddy all day and, of course, 

Nick does everything to be like Luke! 

Such great, cute, smart boys!

Movie on the couch...

writing my blog...

thinking about day 2 of summer break and a super great birthday!