5 years old going on 20

Tomorrow is a big day.

5 years ago (in about 5 hours to be exact) my best friends husband called my cell phone at 2 am. It woke up my sleeping sister, my worn out college final taking body and my parents. The ring tone that I set specifically for this moment went off. It was similar to a lullaby, but I knew what it meant. My sleepy body instantly got excited and I answered with anticipation. Vinnie sounded exhausted, but said, "her contractions started, but we're just going to wait it out at home for awhile. We want her to be comfortable while she can. I'll call you when we head to the hospital." I think this was the one time that I've run into my parents bedroom at 2 am and screamed, we're having a baby!!!

Please take note, "we" actually stands for my beautiful best friend and her husband. They were having a baby girl. It was during my winter break my freshman year of college. I was so pumped to be a Tia.

A few hours later I got the call that we were moving to the hospital and that I was to come when I could. At 7am, Bucket and I jumped in the car and drove to the hospital where my Jamie was. She looked tired, excited, and in pain, but seemed to be in good spirits. It wasn't too much longer, after a little bit of pain meds, when we were told to go wait in the hall. I can't tell you how excited we were.... we waited, paced, and finally heard a little cry from inside that room. Mia Lynn Bocardo. My beautiful Mia. She came into this world sharing her emotions with that voice and continues to do it to this day. (however, she has a little more sass now.)

I can't believe that she is turning 5 tomorrow.

That seems too old. I still want to be able to pick her up when she cries, yell at the kids that will be mean to her, and secretly give her treats when she isn't supposed to have them... but let's be honest, I will forever do all of those things as long as she lets me.

My Mia, here's to you. 5 going on 20. Stop growing up and if you wont do that, always let Tia wipe away your tears.

Happy Birthday baby.

Two friends, different countries, and peppermint mocha

One of my dear friends writes a blog.

The Peppermint Mocha Chronicles

~ Experiencing the joys of life...one cup at a time.

One of my dear friends, lives in South Korea.


One day they met up via Skype and had a date. I am super uber jealous of this date, but I love reading about it. :)

Date with Nate.

"She wears a scarf and a smile ...

Some people say we have a strange relationship. I usually talk to my mom in some way or form every day, whether it's through text, a phone call, or email. I've grown up watching her bake in the kitchen, I've sat next to her in the lawn chair while we soak up that beautiful thing called sunshine. We've laughed till we cried and cried till we laugh. I will call her if I dont know the answer and I usually will get a "like" on anything facebook related... (she tends to be a stalker)

Recently my twitter feed has been blown up with this thing called a #ViciousPacman - Friends have asked what it is, others knew and have been an incredible support. In May, mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer (or the BC as we call it in our house.) We immediately, or as immediate as it could be, had a plan and had to wait. I can tell you, the waiting game is the worst game ever, but we made it through part of the storm. After rounds of tears, some laughter, a ton of support, a wedding, and chemo we are onto the next step.


Radiation. Today, mom started radiation. One down, Thirty two to go, was what she said to me on the phone tonight. :) 32 to go.




BUT, as frustrating and scary things have been these past few months, some incredible things have happened too. We've had flowers, cards, emails, pre-made dinners, and tons of friends drop by the house as continued support. Unfortunately, with the sisters and I living a few states and towns away we haven't been able to witness it all, but having my mom call and say, "you wont believe..." on the phone, I can feel the love through her voice.

Tonight, after our usual discussion, mom decided to bring up that she got a letter from the hospital where she works today. She tried to remember most of what it said, but the gist of it basically said, "Sandy, there is a fund at the hospital in which employees can nominate or try to help one another out when they are going through something personal. Your coworkers have come together and we are going to support you in this way." This isn't the first time that my mother's coworkers have done something like this over the past few months, but every time something like this happens, my mother is in awe. I can usually hear a few tears in her voice and usually begin to choke up as well.

The best part of the entire letter was the description of my mother from the individuals at work...

"she wears a scarf and a smile and makes sure everyone else is taken care of before herself, so Sandy, take some time for yourself."


Thanks Firelands Dialysis Unit for loving my mom so much. We couldn't have made it to this point without you.
1 down, 32 to go.

wonderful wednesday, favorite things

As I sit here on my Wednesday evening, I'm trying to think of something good to post. Great things happened over this past week. I saw my sisters, best friends, nieces, family. Ate a lot of food, did a lot of early morning shopping and took multiple naps, but I'm still not sure what I want to really focus on. So instead of some wonderful things from the past week, I'm posting some of my favorite things.

So here goes.

1. White Christmas. I love this movie. I grew up with this movie. I fell for the dancing, singing and of course the love story. I usually don't limit myself with a specific number of times I'm allowed to watch this movie, but now that it's close to the Holiday's, I'm prepared to watch it over and over again.



2. A cuppa hot tea on a chilly night. I'm currently drinking a mug of peppermint tea, but last night it was honey vanilla chamomile. I sit with a blanket and hold a cup of tea at the end of the day and it's like instant relaxation.

3. Walking home after a long(ish) day.
I'm super lucky to live .5 miles from my office. I can usually make my morning commute to work in about 2.5 songs on my ipod (depending on how long they are). I really enjoy the walk to work. In the fall, I could step on the leaves as I made my way down the hill. Every morning I get to see progress on a duplex that is being renovated. As important as it is for my morning commute, my evening commute is even more important. It's a time for me to wind down from all of the busy work, wind down from the little things that might drive me crazy, but it allows me to leave work at work... (for the most part)
So, I'm thankful for that half a mile walk home.

4. Gilmore Girls.
End of Story. 7 Seasons of goodness. Mother and Daughter combo. Small town charm. Crazy family drama. What's not to love?!?!




What are some of YOUR favorite things?!?!

wonderful wednesday.

A running list of things I love...

1. letters.
This week, I get to spend each day opening a little letter. It's going to bring a smile to my face.

2. Walking into a house filled with love.
I did that a number of times this week. Joel and I were invited to celebrate my besties new house on Sunday afternoon with a large gathering of people that love the Nitz's. It was so good to see Hannah and Caleb, meet their friends, family and just spend time together. They are amazing people, and their home is beautiful.

Tuesday evening, I left the 'Burgh early and decided to make the drive home. It would give me more time in Clyde to see friends and help mom get the house together. I arrived in Clyde at 10:45pm to find the lights turned off. All of the animals were sleeping along with my parents. However, I noticed that there was a small light coming from a tv in my parents room. I slowly made my way up the stairs to scare the crap out of my father. It was honestly priceless. Even though he was half asleep waiting to find out about the Dancing with the Stars finale, he wanted to show me all of the new things in the house, he wanted to find food for me to eat and wanted to make sure I was comfortable. It was one of the best greetings ever.

Wednesday morning. I have two nieces. They can be angels, monsters, hellains, or the sweetest children ever. I love them. So much. I've helped raise them. Their mommy, is my beautiful best friend. I haven't seen these girls in a few months but they continue to get bigger in each picture I receive. It breaks my heart a little each time. Anyway, I pulled up to their house this morning and opened their back door to be greeted by two dogs and an almost 3 year old who was saying, "Tia, tia. I slept with mommy and daddy last night." I soon look over to see my best friend and her husband with dark circles below their eyes. Yep, she did sleep with mom and dad, but mom and dad didn't sleep very well. :) I think that was my favorite greeting ever. (please note: Mia is holding a picture of her as a baby in a duck costume. When I found this today, I started to cry. True statement. Stop growing up!!!!! PLEASE.)

3. Phone calls from the car.
Last night, I got to catch up with my sister as I made my way back to Clyde. It's amazing to me how relaxing I find driving and chatting. It seems to make my 3.5 hour drive home go that much faster.

4. Black Friday shopping
I dont actually know if this should qualify under wonderful wednesdays. As most of you know, I LOVE my sleep. I NEED sleep. I turn into something horrible without the proper amount of sleep. Ask my mother about the dare lock-in in 6th grade, if you would like a memory of crazy Anna. She get's mean. But once a year, the Pawsey/Berry women take on the morning to go out for bargain deals. HOWEVER, half the time there isn't anything we NEED to shop for. So we just get up early, complain about the cold, get breakfast at mcdonalds and try to keep tabs on our aunt every black friday. So here's to this years black friday.

Here's hoping I'll make it through -- along with everyone else.

wonderful wednesdays. (friday special)

Well crap. I apologize for it being Friday.
I think my Google reminder didn't go off for this week, so I completely forgot about posting. I'm sorry Mom, it will never happen again.

This week was a super super busy one. With a trip to Philly, annual appeal stuffing and a Thanksgiving dinner with the PULSErs, I'm quite surprised that I had time to sleep.


So, I'm going to channel a few friends and their blogs for today's post.

Thanksgiving Dinner according to Sarah , Boyfriend

I flew out to Philly on Monday morning to attend an Americorp session for PULSE. I stayed at a hotel, took the public transportation and made new friends. As I was making my way through the city, I had this strange feeling. I was making it through the city on my own. I was finding my way from point A to point B. I loved it. It made me think about how far I've come since my senior year of college. It's crazy to me how time flies and where one ends up. The conference in Philly went through Thursday, but my time was done after Tuesday Morning. My supervisor and I switched spots and he wrapped up the rest of the week. He's kind of a big deal (he presented at it and all!) But it was a really good way to start a week. I felt accomplished by the time Friday came around, which was a really nice feeling.

So my Wonderful Wednesday post is pretty random this week - - I apologize. :)

But here's to a fun filled weekend and holiday week.

Pinterest.. i love you

Pin.
Like.
Pin.
Like.

That is what happens, every time I log on to pinterest.com

While I was pinning and liking yesterday, I came across this recipe. I want to make these. I remember watching an episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay where they were making Chinese Dumplings. I believe I drooled while watching it.

So here's to another recipe that is once again added to my ever growing pile of, "i need to make this."




Mom, can we make these sometime?!?!?!