Pix

These are pictures of me and my family since people have asked about them. I love my kids and am so proud of them and that we’ve all stayed close and strong through thick and thin and believe me there have been plenty of lean, tough times…

I put in the pix from Florida in 1991. I was only a few years separated and you might be able to tell from the pix they were a handful those boys.

They fought like cats and dogs. They were dramatic and in turmoil, a lot of the time, because of their father and stepmother. They had a tumultuous upbringing but I tried to make it right and create a healthy environment for them and break the cycle of abuse in our families.

They argued a lot as kids and again as teenagers. I wanted them to be close and loving and loyal and many days they just wanted to KILL each other. I just kept playing referee and trying to mediate their differences (they are all very different) and letting them know that they are BROTHERS and I wanted them to care about each other. It felt like a race to the finish line sometimes and there were nights I cried myself to sleep wondering if I was doing the right thing.

Today I am so proud of the fact that they are good, loving young men. This is what a family looks like when they beat the odds. :) We are a happy family and a close family and the boys are very very close. And some days I think that’s a miracle. And I’m very grateful for it.

Out of all the things I’ve done in my life, raising my kids has been the most important thing and the toughest thing.

These pix are from the wedding but other occasions as well.

Who is who in the photos:

Chris is my oldest son, CJ and Derek are his sons.

Michael is my middle son and forever single. :)

Nicholas is my youngest son and it was his wedding. He married Kristen his sweetheart of 6 years. (they are both 25) They are a lovely couple and I’m so proud that they share such a loving relationship. Both her father and I doubted its seriousness in the beginning but they are meant to be together and have such a great relationship. Even though they root for different baseball teams. :)

Gina is my daughter. She is 14. Michael (DiCarlo my husband) was raising her alone when we met and I’ve raised her since she was 2. We’re very close.

Theresa is Michael’s daughter from his first marriage. Samantha is her daughter.

Makayla is Kristen’s niece. She is about 4 months older than CJ. Even though one lives in New York and one in Massachusetts they see each other a lot and were flower girl and ring bearer at the wedding. For two 3 year olds they did INCREDIBLY well and then they danced the night away. They were so funny. CJ keeps asking to go to Uncle Nick’s wedding again. :)

Nick and Michael live in Massachusetts which is where I raised the boys and met my husband (a native Bostonian). We live in New York as does my son Chris.