*Support*

Our 13-year-old daughter has been cast in the Disney TV movie Descendants:

http://www.disneydreaming.com/2014/05/20/singer-brenna-damico-joins-disneys-descendants-movie/

I've been in Vancouver with her since May 14th, and we'll be here until the beginning of July.  It's, definitely, an exciting time, but it's a difficult one, too.  When Brenna started auditioning for TV and Film a little over a year ago I can't say I really believed anything would come of it.  It's not that I didn't believe in her, but I know how tough this business is, and, I guess, I just didn't really think anything big would come of it all.  Well, Disney is pretty big, and I'm so happy for Brenna.  The difficult part is being away from my 11-year-old daughter Aubree and my husband.  I, also, miss my dogs and the rest of my family and friends.  

Most people have been very supportive, but some haven't.  We were, definitely, judged by some friends for choosing to split up our family for 7 weeks.  I had to deal with negative comments and relentless questions, as if I wasn't already dealing with my own feelings of worry and doubt.  I'm very thankful for the friends who have fully supported us....I appreciate you, immediately, offering to help out with my younger daughter, and for checking on us while we've been gone, and for being understanding....even if you don't, totally, understand.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  

Overall, this has been an amazing experience, so far.  It's an adventure for our whole family.  It's our first time in Canada, and it's beautiful!  My husband and Aubree have already visited us once, and they had a great time.  Aubree met Cameron Boyce, who she loves!  And she went to see a movie with Brenna and the rest of the Disney Descendants cast AND the director Kenny Ortega; she thought that was really cool!  They'll be back to visit us again in a couple weeks, and I can't wait!

Brenna is having a great time filming this movie!  She's working with wonderful people, and she's learning so much.  I'm really happy to be able to be here with her to see her go through the incredible process of making this movie.  So fun!

The movie will come out next summer!     

*Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum*

Brenna and Aubree performed in the Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum production last week, and, as always, it was a great show! This was Aubree's first time doing the theater class, and it was wonderful to see how much she enjoyed herself. She can't wait to start the next session! Brenna was magnificent, but that's no surprise - the girl is a true natural!

I can't even put into words how much I loved seeing my girls up there together. I was so proud!! It was all I could do to keep myself from patting people on the shoulder to say ~ hey, look, that's my cute little villager up there on stage in the red hat, and, oh by the way, that's my super talented girl playing the housekeeper, too! Would it have been over the top if I had? Probably....so I didn't, but I might not be able to control myself next time!

Aubree, as a Villager

Brenna, as the Housekeeper

Friends!

*My Not So Little Baby*

My Aubree is only seven years old, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her! Heck, she's nearly as tall me! And yesterday I bought her boots in a women's size 6!!! I have no doubt that she will be as tall as me by her eighth birthday next April! As she continues to grow and grow I wonder how tall she will be by the time she's done growing - taller than me, for sure.

I remember, so vividly, seeing the then 16 month old Aubree in Ukraine for the first time! We knew next to nothing about her, but we didn't care - we just knew that she was ours, and she belonged with our family. However, I can't say that Aubree and I bonded right away . We had a hard time connecting - there were many, many, many tears shed. Today, we still have moments of "trial and error", but we've come a long way in six years. I love that little girl - I love her so much. I am so, so grateful that she is my daughter. I know how lucky I am that she came into my life. And no matter how tall she gets - she will always be my little baby.

One of my favorite adoption poems:

The Gift of Life

I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.

Author ~ Unknown

*Thankful, so Thankful*

So, what am I thankful for this year? Family - my wonderful, beautiful family. I live for them, and I adore them. We're keeping the get together small this year - just a small gathering which will include my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, Dan, w/ their son, Frankie, and my uncle Bobby, and, of course, Dave, Brenna, Aubree, and myself. My nephews, Nic and Luc, will be at their dad's house this year, so they will be missed, and, most definitely, in our thoughts.

I'm looking forward to a very relaxed holiday of hanging out and talking, maybe playing a little Wii, and a couple board games, and, of course, as always, lots of laughter! We all have such a great time together, but, unfortunately, we don't get to do it often enough, so I will cherish our day together, and try to soak up every little bit of it, and, of course, be very thankful for it all!!!

And then Friday is our Shopping Day!! The guys - Dad, Dave, Dan, uncles Lito, Tony, and Bobby - go out shopping....well, I think, they mostly eat, and people watch all day long!! And I get to spend the day with my mom and my sister - I am so looking forward to a day alone with them!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

*Halloween's Gone Slutty*

When did Halloween costumes get so slutty? Was it always like this? Maybe I'm just noticing it now because I have young daughters. I've seen so many skimpy costumes out there for teens and kids - I don't get it! Is Halloween now just an excuse to dress provocatively? Do I really want my 7 and 10 year old daughters wearing this?

Or this?

Nope, not so much! What else? Oh, did you know witches weren't ugly anymore? Apparently, they are now sexy!? I didn't get that memo! And Little Red Riding Hood is now a slut, too! Gone is her long, red cape - she now wears a corset and short skirt!! My, my, my - what would grandma think??

Well, I imagine, costumes will only get sexier in the years to come, but I hope to teach my girls that Halloween is suppose to be a fun night of trick-or-treating, having fun with friends, and, yes, dressing up, but that the dressing up doesn't have to include wearing these sorts of outfits!!!

*New Name*

I wasn't feeling the blog name anymore, so I changed it!! The new name, obviously, is ..... Life - it is Here and Now. I like it because that's how we - "we" being my family - live our lives. We try not to worry about tomorrow, or next week, or next month. We try not to worry about yesterday, or the day before, or the day before that. We try not to worry about the future. We try to live each day to the fullest - enjoying each and every moment, living, loving, and appreciating the here and now.

*Sleeping Babes*

I love watching my girls sleep! I do it - alot. Sometimes I snuggle up to them to take in their sweet, sweet smells. Sometimes, I trace the features of their faces - Brenna's beautiful lips and Aubree's adorable nose. Sometimes, I rub their backs. Sometimes, I stroke their gorgeous hair. Sometimes, I hold their hands - their tiny fingers inner laced with mine. Sometimes, I just sit and watch and get filled up with gratitude that they are mine...all mine.:) Always, I whisper sweet nothings in their little ears, and I am, often, rewarded with a sleepy smile - and it doesn't get much better than that!