Queen Yia-Yia

That's the name we gave Jimmy's grandmother after Emma arrived. Since Jimmy's mom is Emma's Yia-Yia (grandmother in Greek) we HAD to give her a name and "Queen" was the best suited for her!
She passed away Monday afternoon after a very hard time with cancer.She was diagnoised about 4 years ago and has fought it like crazy. I had never seen someone be so strong eachtime she went in for Kemo, knowing it would make her so sick.
This last time she fought I would see some pain and sadness in her eyes , but seeing Emma ALWAYS made her day. Jimmy and I made a point to visit her often and give her that hug and giggle she needed from Emma. Jimmy's grandfather loved seeing Yia-Yia respond to Emma and was very happy that his wife was getting some fun out of a long hard battle that she went through daily.
These last couple of months were rough. She fought, and fought. Her body just couldn't do it anymore. She passed away with TONS of love and support around her and she touched so many lives.
I will miss her terribly and I know she will be missed by everyone. I know she's in a better place now and is not in pain. She was so warm and loving to me and I had formed a relationship to her that I considered her my own grandmother. The Velotas family lost a wonderful member of our family. She will forever live in our hearts as the Queen of our family.

One door shuts another door with a better view opens!

tomorrow will be a year since I was let go from my previous school system. That day was horrible. I was soooo upset. I had a REALLY hard year with just a lot of crap that was so stressful. I didn't have any friends at school and everyday some people just went out of their way to make me miserable. I had people try their very best to make me feel like I just wasn't a good person. Throw that kind of environment in with being pregnant and you've got a very bad job situation.

I knew I wasn't happy there but fear to leave was what made me think I had to stay. So when I had packed up my classroom ( I wasn't told I would be leaving) and did about 4 reports and meetings at being 5 months pregnant on May 18th they called me in to say they wouldn't be renewing my contract. I was really hurt, I know they didn't have to give me a heads up but to get what they could get out of me and keep such a huge thing that was hard.

I wasn't surprised, I GUESS I figured they would try and transfer me. I thought wrong their was no tearful goodbyes, can I send some recommendations, help you with anything. Just get your stuff out by the end of the week AND on top of that stuff a parent had GIVEN me, was put back on me as taking it from the school. I had to get that parent to call and say she wanted me to have the stuff.Jimmy had about enough after that and went up to the school and took care of finally check outs AND still no , "How is Mary?".

I told them I would not be coming back for the rest of the year and walked out. The very sad part is I had no one to say goodbye to. All the way home I cried and cried. Fear set in "What am I going to do". I also was so sad to leave the parents and the kids. They were the good part of the job and I was having to say goodbye so suddenly.

A week later after crying daily and getting contacts to find other job postings. I got a call to come in and interview at a school about 40 minutes away. I liked the position and took it! Whew , NOW I HAD A JOB!

fast forward a little to Aug 2009 and I found out that God had a plan for me and it wasn't what I thought. I found a school that I renewed my passion for teaching AND found some great friends to call co-workers. My principal IS WONDERFUL and he really cares about the faculty and the kids.

Everyday I wake up and know I am needed and I wanted. That has been a gift. God truly knew that I would never take the plunge and leave. That day I kept saying "Why, Why, Why?" I needed that drastic push to find out that I am meant for other things and I love where I'm at now and even though last year that day was one of the most horrible I now get to have amazing days , day after day!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

This was my VERY first mother's day actually being a mom!!!! I absolutely loved participating as a mom!!!! Jimmy and I picked out a necklace with my initials on a charm and then Emma's name on another charm. I've been wanting something like this for ahwile. We spent the day visiting our mothers and grandmothers and letting them see how wonderful Emma is. She truly is the most amazing gift ever. When I became a mom about 8 months ago I had no idea how to feel, how to think, or what to do. I learn from her each day and the love I have for her grows more and more.

Sometimes at night I'll be sitting there and want to run to her room and give her a big hug and kiss. I just can't get enough of her. The looks she gives me can melt any sadness, stress, or tiredness I feel. All I feel when I'm with her is complete and total love.

That's the way I can describe being a mom, "complete and total love". I am so blessed to have my little baby girl with me and I thank god everyday that he has given me this precious gift.

Emma's Big Day!!!!!

This past Saturday was Emma's baptism day!!! I had been planning this event for a couple of months and I was sooooo anxious for everyone to come and see my little angel have her special moment.

The ceremony was wonderful and very meaningful for both Jimmy and I. It also is such a special feeling when you became husband and wife is now where your baby has her baptism. I also felt so blessed to have all our friends and family there.

ALL my friends came and supported Emma! I can not express how much my emotions take over when I see her with my friends. They are such a BIG part of my life and now are a part of Emma's!!! They will for sure be her aunts and uncles.

I also am very fortunate to have a friend be a photographer!!! My bestie Kelly's brother in law is soooo amazing and took my pictures!!! IT was such a relief knowing he was doing it. He has such an eye for beautiful pictures that I KNEW they would be exactly what I wanted.

Everyone had a great time at the luncheon afterwards too. I wanted it to be very casual and let everyone hang out and talk. I wanted lots of pink decorations ( which is totally not like me) and lots of fun cute flowers scattered all over.

Emma changed into her party dress after her baptism. IT WAS THE MOST FUN DRESS I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!! She was a perfect doll all afternoon!

Then later that night my friends Kelly, Teresa, Devon, and Monica came over with Their husbands that happen to be Jimmy's friends too! I absolutely LOVE having all my friends get along. Its so nice to remain friends after college. The girls and I try very hard to remain in each others lives and know that we are truly special to each other and want to be there for each other no matter what!

The next day we went to church and Emma took communion and everyone at church loved seeing her be soo happy!!!

It was a very long weekend, but I am sooooo blessed to have shared it with all the people that I love so very much. I am a mom now and having everyone see my joy of being a mom makes me feel like I am so very lucky.


This was my baptism gown and now its Emma's! My mom monogramed my b'day and baptism date on one side and then on the other Emma's!