Introducing . . .

Our newest high school graduate!!!  Nyack High School Class of 2014!!  : )  It was an absolutely beautiful night filled with inspiration, incredible words of wisdom from young and young at heart, laughter, tears and hopes and dreams of the future. 

I took this same walk 29 (did I really just type that?!!?) years ago.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Although there has since been a new high school built, the graduation ceremonies are still held at the location of the original school that I graduated from.  I'm not sure how many more years this tradition will continue since our high school will be getting a new stadium in the next few years.  Bittersweet.  : (

The heart of our beautiful old Nyack High School is this gorgeous bell tower.

This gorgeous painting was one of the gifts that the Class of 2014 presented to the school.

The sky was absolutely beautiful on graduation night!!!

The bell tower all lit up.

It's official!!!!!  : )

Trevor and Joe.  They've been best friends since middle school.

Standing between my two men.

There really are no words to describe the pride I feel when I look at my children.  I look at how much my oldest son, Connor, has grown and changed since he graduated from high school three years ago.  No longer a boy but now a man.  Time marches on every day.  Before I know it, son #3 will be graduating (he's only 12 so I have a while, thankfully!!).  And I can't even think about Megan graduating.  I'm not ready to be that age yet!!!  Notice I didn't say "that old yet."  : )

For now, I'm enjoying life, one day at a time, happy that all of my chickens are home to roost for the summer and looking forward to all of the memories yet to be made these next few months before they're spreading their wings and flying once again!!  : )


Many blessings for a happy Monday and a beautiful week ahead ~ Wendy

This Moment . . .

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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Our newest graduate!!!  : )

Many blessings for a happy Friday and a beautiful weekend ~ Wendy

Spreading Their Wings . . .

After weeks of anticipation and more than a couple failed attempts to catch a photo of the babies in our birdhouse, the moment finally arrived . . .

Pretty darn cute, huh?!!?  The nest is now empty and the constant daily visits of two chirping parents is gone.  The babies have spread their wings and flown away.

Speaking of spreading their wings . . .

It's a big day for us today.  Trevor (son #2) is graduating from high school tonight.  So hard to believe!!  We're having a little family dinner tonight before heading off to the ceremony.  When Connor (son #1) graduated three years ago, the weather was terrible so we had to be inside for graduation.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weather holds out for tonight.  The hazy, hot and humid summer days in New York are upon us and today is no exception.  This means there's usually a chance of a late day thunderstorm.  It rained this morning so hopefully that's it for today.  If so, Trevor gets to graduate in the same spot that I graduated 29 (GULP!!!!) years ago.  The days are long and the years are short!!  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Thursday ~ Wendy

Senior Prom Night 2014 . . .

 My middle son, Trevor, and his gorgeous friend, Maria, attended Trevor's senior prom on Friday night.  They made such a beautiful couple!!! 

Trevor and Maria with friends Luke and Jenna.

Going gangsta!!  : )

I had to get a picture of the back of Maria's dress.  It was absolutely gorgeous!!!

Trevor and friends right before the rain started pouring down.

After the prom, a bunch of the kids came back to our house to change and then jump onto the bus that took them into Manhattan to a club for their after party.  The club doesn't serve alcohol so it's safe for under 21 year olds.  Everyone had a wonderful time and they were all at home, safe and sound,  by 5:30 am.  A very special thank you goes out to my incredibly wonderful husband who got out of bed at 4:45 am to meet the bus back at the high school and then transport many of the kids to their home. 

Next stop, Seaside Heights, New Jersey where Trevor and a bunch of his friends rented two houses for a few days of fun in the sun before graduation next week.  So hard to believe my red-headed baby is graduating from high school.  It makes me teary-eyed just typing this.  : (  Roots and wings.  Roots and wings.  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful Tuesday ~ Wendy

Bitter and Sweet . . .

My son just pulled out of the driveway headed toward Hofstra University where he'll be attending his freshman orientation for the next three days. I feel like I'm in a dream and someone is going to be waking me up any minute and he's going to be the baby in the crib in our bedroom upstairs instead of my daughter. I don't think that anything can prepare a mother for how quickly the time goes from when you first hold your newborn baby to when you watch him drive off to the beginning of his adult life.

Roots have been pretty easy. It's the wings part that I seem to be having a little trouble with. : )


Many blessings ~ Wendy

NHS Class of 2011 Prom Night . . .

Our oldest son, Connor, attended his prom on Friday nite. It was a little emotional for me on several different levels but so exciting at the same time. My first born is about to graduate from high school and begin the next phase of his life. He is so ready to spread his wings and fly!!

Aunt Stephanie (my sister) helping Connor with his bow tie. Thank goodness she was there. I'm terrible with this kind of stuff!! : )

This is Connor's beautiful date, Allison. They've been friends since elementary school. Most of his friends went with each other just as friends. I really think that's why they all had such a good time. Less drama that way!! : )

I just had to get a picture of Allison's shoes. They were gorgeous and her toenails matched the color of her dress perfectly!!

My handsome son looks just like his father. Although John was not physically here to see Connor on his special day, I have no doubt that he was looking down on his son with nothing but pride for the young man that he has become.

Connor with his football coach and a few of his closest friends. They were all so handsome!!!

It was a special night, filled with lots of friends and special memories to look back on. Everyone had a wonderful time and made it home safely. Who could ask for anything more?!!?

Next stop . . .

GRADUATION!!!! : )


Many blessings ~ Wendy