Mother Like Daughter

My mother, Julie Wilson LaRocco in 1966

Me in 1994

Yep, it's me and my mom at about age 9. We both liked red, fancy lace collars, blunt-cut bangs, short hair, and yes a similar face shape. I have been noticing more and more qualities in myself that I got from my mom. She is an amazing woman, and I'd be proud to be like her. I love you mom!

Miss Francy Makes Friends

It's crazy how different my kids are. Francesca, who seems to have taken on the nickname of "Francy", loves making friends. It's in her nature. First of all, she has built-in friends who happen to be her brothers. When they are at school she loves chasing Conrad around. When Conrad is napping she begs and begs me to play with a friend. She loves playing house, dress-up, my little pony, barbies, & dolls.

I think she is used to being surrounded by people, so that's where she is most comfortable.

Her BFF is definitly her grandma, my mom. He and my mom are so similar it's uncanny. From their petite size, to their feminine nature to their love of rolls and of playing in water, they are two peas in a pod. 

She is a lot like a sparker. ;)

I wanted to add that she also adores Justin's mom as well. 

I love this girlie girl of mine.

She makes me laugh and cry and smile all at the same time.

Dealing with Loss

There have been four losses that we have had to deal with between December 2010 & February 2012.
#1) My grandmother, Carolyn Snell Wilson.

She was an amazing woman, and I miss her a lot. She had leukemia.  I look up to her very much, and still think about her often. I know that she is in heaven smiling down with her mom and dad and little sister waiting for the rest of us.

#2) My kid's pediatrician, Dr. Gregory Nielsen.

It was a very unexpected death. I had just seen him a few weeks before I heard the news. He was my kids pediatrician for six years. We saw him for earaches, colds, diaper rashes, e coli, the flu, immunizations, and much more. He was a wonderful doctor, and a good friend. Jumping into motherhood so young, he helped guide me and reassure me of my parenting skills. We have been through 4-5 different pediatricians since his death and we haven't found anyone close to as wonderful as him. 

#3) Whitney Houston.

Judge me if you may, but I wanted to be her for most of my childhood. I would listen and sing her songs for hours a day. The first CD I ever listened to was The Bodyguard soundtrack. In my opinion she has the best voice ever. I had a really really hard time dealing with her death. I cried for months. It is just such a tragedy. I had hoped to meet her some day. 

#4) Krishna. 

She dissapeared shortly after her second birthday. We checked the pound every week and never saw any sign of her. She was special because her and I shared a birthday. She was beautiful. I loved her.

My Toddlerhood Memoir

I had a weekend with my mind rolling back to my childhood as I visited my hometown.

 This was the house I spent my time as a tiny babe, through my toddlerhood, and up to play age.

My most vivid memories include taking rides on our horses, picking raspberries, playing with my friend Heather, and riding in my moms baby bike seat.

This next picture is the school where I attended both Kindergarten and First Grade. In Kindergarten I fell and hit my head next to my eye, where I got seven stitches.

We would occationally load up our trikes, bikes, and wagons and head to this place, the Wellsville Market. Penny candies, 3-cent tootsie rolls, and chic-o-sticks were the best.