Happy Valentine's Day!

It looks like there is a new tiny Valentine to celebrate!

Layla Gabrielle Amato...Gabe and Leah's darling daughter!
Our tiny one is 3 weeks old today!
Truly as beautiful and sweet as any one could hope for!
She is laying by one of my Valentine rose's...
JJ's new little sister!
Anna and Teah's baby cousin!
Yes...
Life Is Good!

Thinking of you today my sweet Jim!
You are always my Valentine!
Love you...

Jim's day...

There was a morning mass celebrating
Jimmy's birthday...

After mass I released blue and white balloons
which seemed to go on and on!
I was amazed...
they literally went so high and
finally disappeared into the clouds.

It was wonderful getting those "all important"
texts and phone calls from friends
and family who always keep Jim
in their hearts...
One thing I (we) want the most
(at this point)
is for Jimmy/Russell to never be forgotten!
And I don't think he will...
I understand there were Birthday wishes
posted on Facebook...
Thank you friends and family!!!

One corner of my living room seems
to have turned into Jim's little area...
I keep his Urn next to the sofa...
and Luke is nearby, as always.
A candle is kept burning when I am home...
A favorite photo leans on the chair as well!
I love that picture of Russell!
He is so happy at that moment!

There are always roses...
usually fresh...
sometimes not...
but they are there with baby's breath.

Typically a towel drapes over
the back of his chair...
The black and gold Terrible Towel
is officially retired and has been dutifully
replaced with his Penguin towel...
The blue and gold Pitt towel is
on standby for March Madness!

I have to smile as I looked at this photo!
After posting it, I noticed
that his resurrected collection
of Dinosaurs are well represented!
Gabe and Leah's little James is so into Dino's!
He has more fun with his Uncle Jimmy's
vintage "Brach", "Top" and even the "Rex"!
Usually they are put away...but the last few
times little J was here...
we just herded them over to his Uncle's corner...
and why not?

Sweet Baby James II and Anna Rosa

My Little Anna Rose has beautiful hair as well!

Nana's little man...Baby James!
He has his Daddy's and Uncle's curls...
and a Nana who loves to style his hair!

Sweet Baby James!

I know!!! I know!!!
Is this not one of the cutest little boys ever!!!
How about that hair? Jimmy always had the best hair!
And he never complained when I styled it...

XOXO

Happy Birthday, hon!

"I love you to the moon & back"!!!

N.T. Sue

You were born on a Monday morning...
Driving (at 2am) to the hospital in Erie was so treacherous that we had to take two cars...just in case! Of course there were no cell phones in 1982!
Uncle Jim drove me in his car; Gramma & Uncle Russ were close behind as we dodged every icy rut on our way.

Uncle Mark stayed with Gabe & Frankie!

A long night, but shortly after 9am I was blessed once again with an incredible darling son! It was love at first sight and I thanked God for giving me the incredible gift of you! I could not imagine being any more proud or happier than at that moment! My life was complete!
Three precious sons...my perfect family!

On your 28th Birthday I want to say once again how much I enjoyed you in my life and how dearly I love you! Happy Birthday my sweet little son!
It is your day...

Jim...

"If there is any secret
to this life I live, this is it:
the sound of what cannot be seen
sings within everything that can.
& there is nothing more to it
than that."

...Brian Andreas/story people

February 1st...2003

Jimmy's 21st birthday celebration
with his brothers Frank and Gabe...and so many of his friends!
There were tales to go along with that night!