Thursday, December 7, 2017

Thankful

Dear Diary,
So much love for my best friend, Jeff Lewis and so happy to call him my husband forever!

H e loves me
U nderstands me... well tries hard to 😊
S upports me
B elieves in doing the right thing
A lways there for us
N oble and responsible
D evoted to his family

Friday, September 8, 2017

Gratitude Journal


Dear Diary,
I am thankful...
For my husband.
For my kids.
For good health.
For freedom.
For sunshine and fresh ocean air.





Friday, April 28, 2017

15th Wedding Anniversary

Dear Diary,
Yesterday we celebrated our 15th anniversary.  Companionship is comforting.  Jeff and I have grown together over the years.  We continue to learn how to work with one another.  We enjoy each other, laugh, have inside jokes, help each other keep perspective and love our family dearly.  We have 4 wonderful kids, God in our lives and lots of love in our home.  I am so grateful to live my life with him.  He's loving, loyal and a wonderful father.  I thank God everyday for what we've built together and look forward to many more beautiful years!

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

5 Things I Love About Spring

1.  Ocean breeze
2.  Bike rides
3.  Easter
4.  Flowers everywhere
5.  Picnics with my kids

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Something To Sea


This morning I drove to the steps
The beautiful steps by the sea
I listen to the waves crash
It's a wonderful song to me

The water is cold and blue
The air is crisp and bright
I love the way it feels
In the day and in the night

Sometimes I bring Gigi
Sometimes I bring Van
Sometimes it's just me
Alone in the sand

This place is Redondo Beach
A special place to me
A place I call home
A charming place by the sea








Monday, March 20, 2017

Man Crush

Dear Diary,
I love watching their bond grow.  Jeff and Van.  Father and son.  My 2 favorite guys in the world!

Monday, March 13, 2017

Josette's 14!

Dear Diary,
My baby is 14!  Everyone says time goes by so quickly... and it's true!  Josette is so many things.  She's beautiful, smart, kind, fun and creative.  Josette has always been our little pack leader.  She's an awesome daughter and a great example to her sisters and brother.  I love watching her grow and handle life's challenges with grace.  She's an amazing girl and I'm so proud to say she's mine.  I love you JoJo to the moon and back and back again!

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Wine Tasting in Santa Ynez

Dear Diary,
We celebrated Sherry and Missy's birthdays wine tasting in Santa Ynez.  We played slots at Chumash Casino and visited Sunstone, Brander and Roblar Wineries.  We had the best dinner at Root 246 in Solvang, danced at Mavericks and caught up on all the happenings of our busy lives.  Couldn't ask for anything more... beautiful weather, big winnings, best friends and great memories.  Let's make it a tradition and do it again next year!

Me and Ang
Jaime, Missy, Heather and Sherry
Missy and Sherry


Ang and Jaime
Sherry and Heather
Angie, Sherry, Jaime, Heather
Birthday girl
Such fun memories!

Thursday, February 23, 2017

TBT

Dear Diary,
I love looking at old photos!  3 years ago after dinner at HT in the village.  My 4 little barneys!

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Quick Getaway


Dear Diary,
The girls and I drove up to Santa Ynez a few weeks ago to celebrate Heather's birthday at Chumash Casino near Santa Barbara.  Sherry won big time!  We had a delish dinner at The Willows and a wonderful massage the next morning.  So fun... can't wait to go back for Sherry's birthday!


Friday, February 17, 2017

Miracle Hour

My brothers Joe and Paul, sisters Cathy and Ann with Grams Furnare
I just found this draft I wrote nearly 2 years ago...

Dear Diary,
Yesterday I was having a frustrating morning... trying to get the kids ready for school, eat, get dressed, back packs ready and out the door.  Little Jess was pushing my limits not wanting to cooperate and fighting me every step of the way.  I was so frustrated and lost my patience.  By the time I dropped her off, I had apologized for losing my temper but was still ashamed of the way I behaved.  I hurt her little spirit inside.  I called my Grams, she's 91 and wonderful!  She always makes me smile!  I told her what had happened and that I said a prayer after dropping off the girls.  Grams asked me if I knew about the miracle hour and said that at 3 o'clock daily to stop and say a prayer.  Christ died at the 3 o'clock hour.  Ask the Lord anything or give thanks while praying and spending a few quiet moments with the Lord.  For at that moment mercy is opened wide for every soul.  In this hour you can obtain everything for yourself and for others.  Christ wants us to ask for his mercy, in fact, he delights in it!  He wants us to share our intentions, our problems, our heaviness, our loved ones, our fears and our worries in his endless goodness and draw near to his loving and forgiving heart during the powerful hour that recalls his death.  Along with this, he also wants us to put our trust in his love. 
Let us take advantage of his special invitation to meet him daily anytime during the 3 o'clock hour, if only for a minute to share, reflect, pray and honor our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Valentine's Recap

Dear Diary,
I was lucky enough to spend Valentine's day with the loves of my life.  The kids woke up to balloons and sweet treats.  Jeff brought home roses for me and the girls, then we had dinner at our favorite sushi restaurant, Black Bamboo.  We are very lucky to have this smart and beautiful man in our lives and I thank God everyday for his love and support!


Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Daddy's Girl

Dear Diary,
I love when Jeff takes the girls out for their own special date night.  Tonight Dad and Jessie had a special dinner at Asaka, then stopped by 31 for an ice cream treat.

Saturday, January 21, 2017


My husband and I feel privileged to live in the United States of America.  We both have the same rights.

Friday, January 20, 2017

Hope

Dear Diary,
I think I've always been a hopeful person.  Having hope gives me a feeling of purpose and meaning in life.  I have hope that my children will do well in school and essentially in life.  I have hope that my marriage will last forever.  I have hope that my faith in God will get me through life's challenges.  Having hope is a beautiful empowering feeling that gives me confidence and optimism.  Hope that everything is going to be ok, helps me take the necessary to steps to make it happen.  I can't imagine life without hope... it's a gift as big as life itself!

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Make America Great Again!

Dear Diary,
Donald Trump takes the oath of office to become the 45th President of the United States tomorrow.  I'm excited to watch the Inauguration and hopeful President Trump will unify our country, strengthen our economy and secure our borders.  He seems passionate about doing what's best for our country and I love his unconventional ways of going about it.  Good night, Good luck and God bless!

Saturday, January 14, 2017

Yes He Did!

Dear Diary,
Jeff gifted me with a gorgeous Chanel Wallet On Chain.  He surprised me in front of the kids on our way to dinner at Avenue Italy on Christmas Eve.  Thank you husband for the best present ever!  You're loving, thoughtful and very generous!!!

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Emerald Dream

Dear Diary,
Not only is my best friend sweet, funny, smart and beautiful!  She's also the owner of Blush Boutique with boutiques in Calabasas, Thousand Oaks and Laguna Hills.  She spoils me and dresses me only in the best.  Thank you Sherry for this beautiful off shoulder Veronica M velvet emerald dream!

Monday, January 9, 2017

Simple Pleasures



1.    Hugging your babies... no matter how old they are
2.    Finding money in your pocket
3.    Kissing
4.    Cookie dough
5.    Inside jokes
6.    Holding hands
7.    Clean sheets
8.    A good hair day
9.    Running into a friend
10.  Candlelight
11.  Tears of joy
12.  Helping someone in need
13.  Prayer
14.  Fresh flowers
15.  Sleeping in