Joshy's 25!!!!

My oldest son Josh (aka Joshy) turned 25 on August 1st. This sounds so ridiculous to me...my first born is now 25? In honor of my Joshy let me tell you a little bit about him:

When Josh was born he was HUGE!! I have to be honest and tell you I was a little upset that he was SO BIG! I wanted a newborn for my first baby. But out pops Joshy looking like a 6 month old already. He weighed almost 9 pounds and had a full head of curly black hair (I had to give him a haircut the day I brought him home.) He didn't have the wobbly little newborn head and was as strong as an ox. He'd lift his head up curiously looking through the clear hospital baby bin, checking out all the puny babies surrounding him. He seemed to know that he was already stronger and more coordinated...starting life out ahead of the pack.

Josh excelled at every sport- soccer, football, baseball, and track. Wait a minute...I have to add basketball to the list! The one time he decided to try out for basketball in Jr. High School, even though he'd never played before...he made it! To top it off, he helped his team make school history by beating a rival private school which they'd never done before. They pulled off the huge upset in the final seconds of the game when Josh stoled the ball, passed it to his teammate who threw it up for 3 points at the buzzer to beat the then undefeated team by 1 point. The following year, they did not invite our Jr. High to their tournament.

Josh had an easy going, whatever attitude about his ability. He never was one to show off or talk himself up. He just knew that once he stepped onto the field, track, or court...his abilities would speak for himself. Coaches loved him. They all tried to get Josh on their teams and all star teams. One year during baseball season, Josh was a pitcher. We had gone away on vacation during a holiday break and I decided to work with him on his pitching. He threw sidearm. It was incredibly fast and accurate, but I was worried that he'd blow his arm out throwing that way, so I tried to break his habit. We worked and worked at it, until he no longer pitched sidearm. Well, when we got back, his pitches weren't as fast anymore and the coaches asked me, "What'd you do?" OOPS! Well, the team then got the BEST and FASTEST center fielder they'd ever seen. The coach knew that anything hit into the outfield would be caught. Not to mention his incredible bat speed where he hit homerun after homerun! He was a superstar! One All Star game, Josh was flying all around the field catching the right and left fielders balls as well as his own. I was so embarrassed, wondering what he was doing. It wasn't until after the game that he told me, "Mom, the coach told me he wanted to win and that it was a big game so I needed to catch ALL the balls I could get to even if it went to right and left field." Well there you have it. I bet the coach had no idea that with Josh's speed...there was no where on that field that he couldn't get too. THEY WON OF COURSE!

In track he broke the Frosh/Soph school record in the 400 meter. He was placed on the Varsity team as a freshman after an incredible "heart" performance in his very first meet. He was running the anchor leg (4th) on the Freshman relay team. His team was so far behind it looked hopeless by the time he received the baton. Then he did the impossible. He needed to catch the leader who was already 200+ meters ahead of him. He took off and slowly began to catch him. By the time they reached the final 50 meters, Josh and the leader were now neck in neck. The crowd was screaming. His coaches and team mates were running alongside yelling and cheering. No one could believe that he'd actually caught the leader and had a chance to win. As they reached the finish line, Josh pulled ahead and the other boy's legs gave out and he fell from trying to hold him off. Josh crossed the finish line...victorious.

His sophomore year, he and his relay teammates traveled to compete against the best of the best in Texas in the 4x400m relay teams. They were also invited to the top in the nation, elite, Arcadia Invitational Night meet and went on to win CIF and compete in the state meet. He showed not only his natural talent & speed but also his heart.

BEST OF THE BEST AT THE TEXAS MEET

During his freshman football season, the coaches decided to move him from running back to wide receiver. He looked more like a wide receiver and the coaches thought they could utilize his speed better at that position. He also played corner on defense. After the summer passing league, Josh no longer was enjoying football because he didn't like playing wide receiver and he was ready to quit. He knew he was a running back. He loved that position and had played it his whole life. The coaches talked to him and agreed to rotate him in at running back and start him at corner. In the very first game against San Clemente, Josh didn't get one single carry in the first half of the game, they used another running back instead. Our team was down at the half, 21-0. During the second half kick off, Josh caught the ball and ran it back for a 98 yard touchdown. The next offensive play they put him in at running back. On the first handoff, they pitched it to him. He hit the corner and was gone...80 yard touchdown! He proceeded to score two more additional touchdowns and we won! He set a freshman rushing record with over 1,000+ yards rushing. His senior football season was filled with disappointment when he tore his MCL on the very first kick off return against San Clemente. His team ended up having a great season, and he learned the important role of being a supportive teammate on the sidelines. Trying to lift others up even though he was unable to be on the field to help them.

Josh has had his share of ups and downs, as we all have, and yet, he continues to hit life running. He's learned to weather life's storms, to keep pushing forward and to never give up on a dream. I know that all of his past experiences and the lesson he's learned growing up playing sports has served to show him that no matter what happens...don't quit, the breakthrough is coming.

Josh's birth changed my life! I was blessed with a healthy boy who I love with all my heart (more than I ever thought possible.) As he grew, I wanted him to know that no matter what kind of frustration, anger, disappointment or hurt, he experienced, I would ALWAYS be there for him with unconditional love and encouragement.

I am so proud of Josh for his quiet determination. His perseverance and will to continue to go after what he wants in life. I can't wait to see all that he achieves in his life! The Lord truly blessed me and gave me an amazing gift...my Joshy!

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY JOSH! I love you with all my heart and I am so grateful to call you my son!!!

Joshy Turns 24 Today!

 

I called my oldest son, Josh this morning to sing Happy Birthday to him. After I finished the song it hit me...24...my son is TWENTY-FOUR! When I was 21 I gave birth to the biggest baby, with a full head of dark, curly, black hair. He weighed almost 9 lbs. and didn't exactly look like a newborn...he looked like a little man. The family all showed up to see my little bundle of joy. While peering through the glass window at the hospital, he lifted his head up to look around...he was a strong, curious boy.

Once I was able to take him home, he was very vocal and had colic. I walked the floor with him for hours upon hours trying to keep him happy. He definitely had a set of lungs on him. I thought, "Uh oh, I think he's going to be a loud mouth like his mommy." He definitely grew out of that phase. Now it's hard to get him to talk~lol!

One of Joshy's favorite toys had a string attached that you pulled and it would land on an animal and make the sound of that particular animal. I was always so proud of my little man and everywhere we went I'd have him "show off," asking, "Joshy, what does the sheep say?" His big brown eyes would get bigger as he'd take air into his chubby cheeks and say, "Baa Baa Baa." We'd all clap for him as he'd beam with excitement. Then it was on to the next animal. 

He was quite the little artist too. While his grandparents were watching him, he snuck upstairs, grabbed some crayons and began drawing a wall mural with huge circles over the areas that he could reach. As they headed upstairs to find him...they saw him drawing, he'd slowly step back to admire his creation before coloring more. He was very proud of himself and his grandparents had a hard time getting mad at him because he was so pleased with his drawing.

Josh started playing soccer and baseball at the age of 5. He was faster, stronger and more co-ordinated than all the other kids...

This continued all the way up through high school. He was naturally gifted and talented in all he did. He never let it go to his head though and always remained quiet and humble about his extraordinary abilities. One day during his freshman football practice, one of his best friends Dom asked Josh to let him beat him just once in a race (Josh was always lengths in front of the other boys...no one ever came close to him.) Well Joshy, being the nice, humble kid that he is didn't even think twice about it, wanting his friend to feel good. As the coach blew the whistle for sprints, Josh slowed up and let Dom win. He didn't think anything of it until one of the coaches started to yell at him, "Don't you EVER hold back again and let anyone win or beat you, friend or not...do you hear me?!" That was the first and last time he ever purposely let someone win. Josh didn't like to get yelled at. At his freshman football banquet Josh won MVP and they dedicated a section of the highlight video to him titled, "Number 9 and the O Line." Needless to say, it's been a classic in this household as all the younger brothers watched it over and over again, so proud of their big brother. As a matter of fact...I think Adam was bragging and looking for it to show his friends at the last family get together.

Josh continued to excel in track and still holds a record at Edison for the fastest 400M for a Frosh/Soph. He made it to the State CIF Finals as a sophomore on the 4x400M relay team.

Josh making his move to pull ahead of Compton

State Qualifying 4x400M Relay Team

Josh continues to excel and overcome anything that is thrown in front of him. He is currently assisting the hairstylist who works on the set of  "True Blood." He recently went on set at Nickelodeon Studios to train under the stylists and eventually hopes to open his own shop. I know he will achieve his dreams because he wont stop until he does...not to mention, he gives the best dang haircuts around! SERIOUSLY!!

Joshy and little brother Jullien

Joshy & His Girlfriend Charmaine w/Little Brother Elijah

I'm so proud of my son and I'm grateful that Heavenly Father blessed my life with him. So on his special day, I want to say...I LOVE YOU JOSHY! HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY SON!!

Happy Birthday John-We Miss You!

Today would've been my brother John's birthday. It's hard to believe that it's been 19 years since his passing. No matter how much time has past, we still celebrate the joy, laughter & love my brother brought to our family.

John, Stacy & Me

My brother John (October 5, 1968-July 5, 1991) & baby brother Bryan

My mom said, "I can't imagine what he would look like now."

I can imagine him a little chubbier around the middle, but still working out to keep the muscles he loved to show off. His hair would be graying and thinning, there would be deep wrinkles around his eyes from so many years of laughing & causing laughter. His forehead would have lines that years of worrying and caring for others tends to leave. But I know his laughter would be as loud as ever...I can still hear it to this day.

Time would have aged him as it does all of us, but his joy of life & love of family and always his, "live life on the edge" attitude would be stronger than ever. I'm sure he would be out on a bike with his son Johnny, telling him, "Try to keep up with your old man!" He would have spent every day looking for his daughter Whitley & once he found her, he would have done everything he could to make sure she was laughing, happy, having fun & knew how much he loved her.

He may be gone from our sight, but I know he is smiling down from above, waiting patiently for the day we all can be together again. For what may seem like a long time to us, is just a blink of an eye in heaven.

I Love You John...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

On the day of John's funeral, there was a double rainbow.
Whenever I see one to this day I know my brother is watching over us from above.

Happy 22nd Birthday Joshy

22 yrs old today!

I can't believe my oldest son is 22 today! It was just yesterday when I gave birth to a HUGE baby! He weighed almost 9lbs. & came out looking like a 3 mo. old. He had a full head of black hair & could lift his head up out of the hospital bed to look curiously at all of the family & friends staring at him through the glass window.

My niece (a year and half at the time), was trying to see her new baby cousin, spotted the only one with a full head of hair & shouted, to her mothers horror, "LOOK AT THE BABY MONKEY MOMMY!"

Most mothers think their baby is beautiful no matter how ugly they really are. I on the other hand knew that my baby wasn't very cute & I also was upset that I didn't have a "newborn" for my first time giving birth. This kid was a miniature man!

As the nurse came to give the lady in the adjoining room her baby, I listened as she said, "What a beautiful baby!" Next she brought Joshy into me & said, "WOW, look at all that hair!" I remember thinking, "Even the nurse thinks he's ugly!"

Thank goodness he grew into all that hair & cheeks. But I should have been careful what I wished for, he ended up being the most beautiful little boy. The girls would go crazy for him from the time he started kindergarten all the way through school.

Joshy was an incredible athlete always faster, more agile and athletic than all of the other boys his age. He was a 4 yr. Letterman in track & still holds records at Edison H.S. He also received MVP award for breaking the Freshman rushing record for a single season. He unfortunately tore his ACL his Senior year & was unable to play.

He currently is finishing cosmetology school & working. I'm so grateful that I was blessed with Joshy as my son. He has been such a joy in my life!

Reading my card/book...I always write too much!

Hugging my boy...they never grow up in a mothers eyes.


Joshy & his girlfriend Charmaine...waiting for cake & watchin the X-Games.

Jullien & Elijah...CAKE NOW PLEASE!

Makin' a wish


I love you...Happy 22nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday Anthony-My Soulmate

Today my husband, Anthony turned 45. He is the most incredible, hard working, caring, loving husband a girl could ask for.

13 years ago on the Pop Warner Football field he stepped into my life. He was a coach of the "other" flag football team, but my friend & I noticed him right away. She had actually seen him around before & said, "I think he has a whole bunch of kids!" LOL! Well, I too had "a whole bunch of kids" so I guess you could say it was a perfect match.

After a strong friendship & undeniable attraction, we started dating.

He has been my best friend, stand up comedian, father to my boys, provider, strength and soulmate.

I love you honey, thank you for being an amazing husband & father!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Happy Birthday Anthony

I want to wish my husband a Happy Birthday! He is 44 today and we had a big celebration for him~a beach/bonfire. It was the perfect day!

Every year I try to make the day really special...I think I've created a spoiled husband! From the time the birthday boy wakes up, we have to spend an entire day doing everything we can to make him happy. That includes the kids. They are not allowed to argue or disagree with him. This is a task in itself (you know how teenagers are).

I bought him a bunch of Hurley and Billabong shorts. Then I bid on some golf clubs on E-Bay. Two days after he received them, he found some Callaway golf clubs at Play It Again Sports that he HAD to have. These are top of the line clubs. So I bought them too, (we'll sell the other ones) see it has to be a very special day, even to the point of getting two separate set of golf clubs to see which ones he like better!LOL!

The whole day was a success! Happy Birthday Honey...I love you.

Adam's 15th Birthday

Today, 15 years ago, my stepson Adam Bernard Petrarca was born. He came into my life when he was three years old. He was the friendliest little guy out on the football field. His dad coached, his sister was a cheerleader and his brother played flag football. This left a cute, precocious little boy the complete freedom to rome the sidelines.

Never shy, he loved to go around and ask all of the parents for food. He would sit right down on your lap, beam up at you and ask, "Whatcha eating? Can I have some?" No one could resist and so he was always very full by the time his dad finished with practice.

He was always a little monkey...he could climb ANYTHING. If he couldn't be found, we would start running around looking in the trees, on the top of the baseball back stops or anything that was climable. He had no fear and suffered several concussions due to this.

He loves to make people laugh, especially his younger step brother. They were more like twins, becoming brothers when they were 3 and 4. He could entertain everyone for hours with his many faces, noises and crazy antics. He is the life of the party and loves to be the center of attention. You never know what he will do next. Which always brings a constant sense of anticipation whenever he is around.

Adam is our own little comedian and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful and amazing son. Happy Birthday Adam...WE LOVE YOU!

It's My Baby's Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIJAH



Today, 14 years ago my chubby, blonde hair, blue eyed baby boy was born. He has been an almost PERFECT child. He was always so easy going, happy and entertained himself for HOURS with his Hot Wheels. He would line up his 50 or so cars in a single file line, start at the beginning and move the first car about 5 inches, then go to the next car and move it up....all the way down to the 50th car. He would then start the whole process all over again! He did this for hours. I tried to get him to stop and do something else, but he LOVED those cars.

He had a huge box and took his cars wherever he went. If I told him he couldn't take them into the store, he would cry and then secretly load up his pockets till they were bulging out and he could hardly walk. I usually just let him walk around like that because he looked so cute. People would stop and ask, "What's in your pockets sweety?" He beamed and pulled out a handful of brightly colored Hot Wheels, some falling on the floor. A look of surprise, mixed laughter, looking at me stating, "That is SO CUTE!"

When he got older, he handed down his treasured cars to his little cousin Dylan. It was at this time that I realized that he was growing up. His cars have now been traded in for his CELL PHONE. It's a sad time for a mom when "baby" starts to grow up. I can't believe he is now 14!


He still is my "little" (taller than me now) helper, along with his older brother's personal assistant. Catering to all their needs when they ask, without a single complaint. He has been such a blessing in our lives. Happy Birthday Elijah! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!