A few years ago I won a sitting at a professional studio.  Coincidence being that they also did our wedding photos.  After a long drawn out appointment making process and longer process to get the photos.  This is the one that we had for our Christmas cards that year.

Jonathan is at it again.

Dede's Eulogy

Diane “DeDe” Waugh We are here today to celebrate the life of dede. DeDe - who lived every day to the fullest. She was a woman with many titles. All of which she was devoted to fulfilling. Mother, lover and grandmother - to name a few. She was the person that you could call on whenever you needed help or support. Help from Dede came in any and all forms. She was the first one to get her hands dirty and the last one to quit. Growing up in Oak Island in Revere DeDe made many lifelong friends. Those friends soon became family. They were there for each other from weddings in the backyard, to babies and most importantly her shopping addiction. DeDe was an avid gardener and loved to be outdoors. One of her favorite places to spend time was at her brother and sister in-laws home in NH. She so enjoyed her visits with Steve and Sue’s. She would spend her time with them re-arranging all of their things. Especially the window clings on the slider overlooking the lake. In the winter they would build snow people together. DeDe always enjoyed having a drink and relaxing with Steve and Sue. Sambuca black was the favorite and Sue always kept a bottle in the freezer that patiently awaited DeDe’s arrival. DeDe enjoyed her shopping as well. She and her friend Donna would be up early in the morning to scope out the biggest sales and best deals they could get. While they spent their day shopping DeDe would think of absolutely everyone she knew and what they might need. Whether it was a duster for Sue, a glow in the dark thong for Melissa or a plant for one of her girlfriends. Then there were the shoes. So many, many shoes and only two feet. Her love of shoes was without boundaries. Her commitment to family had no limits either. She raised her son Jason to be a wonderful man. DeDe would be proud of the care he has taken to make sure that her affairs are in order and her services were just so. Jason we know you will find the strength to get through this keep up the good work and keep making mom proud. She was a proud grandmother. Her love for Mikayla and Melissa was endless. There is not a person who knew Dede that can deny that. She will be constantly watching over you girls and will always be proud of you both. She was a supportive sister to her brother Gregory aka Uncle Stuffy. I can still hear the introduction when I first met Gregory this is my brother he is a huge pain in the ass but I love him and that love was undeniable. Then there is Bob dear Bob. Bob describes DeDe as the love of his life. She came into his life like a whirlwind and has made him who he is today – spoiled rotten. Her love of flowers and gardens created a beautiful place for bob to take his naps. She loved to travel with Bob. They enjoyed her beloved Red Sox together, traveling to Florida for spring training and making plans for the game in Toronto. Bob says – we worked together, played together and planned together. DeDe - you will always be a part of me. They didn’t realize it right away but it soon became that they were soul mates. They beautifully complimented and totally completed each other and what a great trip they had together. Dede was a pain when it came to traveling on the road. She was the epitomy of a Massachusetts driver and she definitely traveled with road rage. Whether driver or passenger didn’t make a difference. She would yell and try to honk the horn for whoever was driving. It was during these travels that she became fluent in sign language. Jason would enter the house after a trip with dede and say “Bob - How do you deal with her?” She had no patience for a red light or a stop sign. Her driving can be summed up in two words, zero tolerance. So the next time you get cut off in traffic or forced to detour feel free to honk the horn or flip the bird and say this one’s for you DeDe. DeDe left this world just like she lived it; with a smile on her face and knowing she was loved as much as she loved. DeDe will stay with us in our hearts and minds throughout our lives we all have so many wonderful memories of this truly beautiful individual. The next time you are feeling impatient at a red light, have an impulse to buy a silly useless thing or stop to smell the roses in a beautiful garden just know that DeDe will be there watching over you and cheering you on.

MSDN Blogs - Blogs

 

Daddy got a new ride!  With a little help from my parents!  Thanks Ma and Chuck!

new stuff

The boys got new hair dos Uncle Michael did them Christopher's first day at school Jonathan's orientation We are going away the end of the month and the boys need costumes - mario and luigi!

Jonathan's 5 th Birthday

Great Nana turned 80

Here is Nana with the newest addition to the family. Alyssa Lessard was born at the beginning of July. This is Nana's 15th(?) great grandchild. Christopher was helping Great Nana with her new bracelet with the boys names on it

Neena came to visit

Neena decided to surprise us with a sleepover. She took us out for chinese for dinner. Mae at the restaurant LOVED her. It was cute. The next day we went shopping at Sears Essentials. The boys got a ton of clothes. I got 3 pairs of pants, 5 shirts and a pair of shoes...One of the pants are a size 6 - whoo hooo for me. Then we went to McDonalds and Neena needed to head home. It was a great visit - hopefully she will come again but less shopping more visiting!

4th of July

Kindergarten is Finally over -phew - I didn't think I would make it with out an arrest!

We all have made it through Christopher's kindergarten year at school. I wasn't sure it was going to happen, especially since I am on a first name basis with the school principal. Yes, I have been in to see him and Christopher is only in Kindergarten. I warned the principal that I am "one of those" kind of parents. I am figuring that by the end of the 8th grade they will be giving me a gift for leaving them alone and moving onto HS!

Christopher watching TV

 

My Reading from Dede's funeral

A reading from the Book of Proverbs Who shall find a valiant woman? She is worth more than precious gems. She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age. When she speaks; her words are wise and kindness is the rule of everything she says. She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy. She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be. She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy. Her children stand and bless her; she is praised with these words “there are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all” Charm can be deceptive, and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears and reverence God she does. Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praise at the city gates. The Word of the Lord.

DeDe

Dede passed away on Friday night. She was 51 years young.

Gramps took the kids fishing

Last Wednesday while gramps watched the boys they went fishing.  Gramps found night crawlers in the backyard and off they went.  Christopher and Jonathan both caught fish.  Awesome Gramps took pictures for me.  Jonathan caught a teeny tiny one and Christopher’s was only a bit bigger.