Happy Good Friday to all. I’m a day late for the letter ‘B’… No worries. As I was laying in bed last night, I was trying to come up with a good story for this atoz post.
Today I’ll write about my boys, as the mother of 4 boys. Our 2 youngest boys (now grown men, husband’s and father’s) they have added so much joy to this family. Another one of my boys (our 2nd baby) is watching over his family from above…
Our 3rd and 4th son’s are retired professional ballet dancers!!! They both married ballerina’s that were also dancers on the same company …
Matthew Cavalier/NutcrackerMelissa & Connor/Romeo & Juiliet
I’ll post more pics as I have so many great ones with their careers !!!
Melissa & Connor aka Romeo & JulietMatthewMatthew #3 Son
I just had to get this post up. The weather is absolutely beautius for Halloween in Chicago. Looking back on past Halloween’s, in my bank full of absolutely wonderful memories.
Thank you to all of you who made our lives so rich. Enjoy
I figured out what I was going to do with this Letter
Family
This really is a great one for my b/c I have just the most amazing family of all time. I know, I’m probably just not too objective about this but I really do 😉 . They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well you can be the judge…
This is a video of our youngest. He was a ballet dancer and this was him as Romeo and he danced with what turned out to be his real life Juliet ♥️♥️… They are now married and have the most beautius little babies…
Adorb !!!!Ruby Mae & SamConnie & Missy’s Fam Ruby Mae & Sam
Next (and not in any particular order) is our only daughter the nurse and our beautiful granddaughters !!!!
Christmas, 2024Olivia & Mariah/4th of July, 2024Family,2024
Finally last but not least, there is Matthew & Hannah. They just had our #9th grand baby in December…
My GirlsThe Brother’sHannah w/Grandbaby #9Outerbank’s Fall, 2024
Those two met on the Ballet too. They are retired now and busy in their new roles as mom & dad to Mr. Oliver…
We are a family of artist’s…Each and everyone is just beyond talented…It was more of a challenge for the daughter, but that’s just how it is for girls. Every girl wants to be the prima ballerina and the guys have it I wouldn’t say easier. It’s just a different competition thing. Any way you look at it Ballet Dancing on a company is an extremely hard life. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to watch them all dance on a huge stage. The boys were on Joffrey in Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet, and then they both went out East and danced with Richmond Ballet.
We all use to do the community musical’s in the summer which was so much fun. We did Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat & Les Miserables…There were other’s too, I just don’t remember the names. Theater taught themso much about life, work, being the star and not being the star. It was a hard road, but it was very cool !!! Seeing your kids up on that stage…
Joseph the MusicalCinderella/Ugly SisterThe BrothersShowtimeCinderella/Ugly StepsisterRehersalUgly Stepsister RehersalCinderellaPracticeMelissaPractice/CovidThe Artist featured in MagazineConnor/Romeo & Juliet RehersalRomeo & Juliet/Melissa & ConnorMelissa & ConnorMelissa & Connor/Romeo & JuilietDancer’s/Bride & GroomBoth Retired Diancer’sRichmond Ballet at Wedding/Matthew & HannahI’m A Nurse !!!Matthew, Connie, LizzieTaye DiggsMatthew #3 Son A Dancer’s FamilyMatthew Cavalier/Nutcracker
I saved the best for last…This was at Matthew’s & Hannah’s Wedding. I always would tell Matthew that when I died, I knewI went to heaven if Patrick Swayze was there and I was dancing that song with him. The night before his wedding I asked him what was the song we were going to do the mom & son dance to. He said it was something I’d never heard of so I went on line and watched it so I would have some idea of how to dance to it. Below just gives me another chance to post this video, an incredible memory that I will never, ever forget. Thank you Matthew and Hannah for giving me that. I still smile when I watch it…
Family is not everything it’s the only thing. I love you guys !!! Thank you for picking me as your mom…
I call him Connie…Really his name is Connor. I absolutely love, love, love his name. He was our 5th and I already had 3 boys so I was kind of hoping for a sister for my girl. I was one of 4 girls so I was hoping she could have a sister too. Who knew that when it gets later in life, the sister thing not that important…
When we found out I was having a 4th son, I was just happy everything was going fine with the PG. When we were throwing out names, the husband came up with Connor…OMG I was so overjoyed with that name, I just fell in love with my baby Connor…
Connie/#4 Son/Joffrey
It’s hard to write about Connor b/c he is just such a special person. He was our last, and it has been such a joy to be his mom and a privilege. He too became a performer. His first time on a stage was when he was 4 years old as, “John Thomas” for somebody’s high school play. After that it was dancing all the way…
ConnorThe Brother’sConnie & DadThe Brother’s & SisterThe family picture 1993/94Dad, Matthew & ConnieMatthew &n ConnieBaby Connor’s ChristeningThe Brother’sLove that hair !!!Matthew & Connie/Joseph the MusicalMom & ConnieThe Artist (Dad) Sketch of Connie
Connor & his brother Matthew did everything together, so if Matthew danced Connor danced !!!!
I’m going to start with his dancing career, he was amazing on the stage…A real pro
This was before they were married. After watching their performance, the husband leaned over and said, “They are going to get married. They are totally in Love .” I had to agree and I couldn’t be happier to welcome sweet Melissa into our family…
The Courtship…
Costume PartyThe courtship
The Wedding…
The Brother’sMr. & MrsThe Family Growsand Grows
I’m going to start with our famous Cookies that we bake at Christmas…Have so much fun as bakingwith the fam…My happy place.
My Girl’s BakingMy GirlKendall CollegeChristmas CookiesMe and my Girl !!!!!
We do our Christmas Baking downtown at Kendall College in Chicago. So much fun and keeps the mess out of my kitchen. They provide everything you need. Sooo much fun !!!!!!
Christmas…It certainly was memorable !!!!
Grandpapa & Grandmama w/our girl’sER Visit
I at least got the Christmas Picture/Card and Christmas Cookies baked before I fell and broke my arm….Husband managed to get the house decorated !!!
This post was a bit long and it might not be a smooth as I like, but the computer and loading has been a challenge for some reason…Blessing’s from Scarlet, hope you are enjoying, “Scarlet’s Stories !!”
Happy Monday and here we go on AtoZ…Boy did this really sneak up on me. Been so busy getting my arm rehabilitated (broke it this past December) and getting ready for Grandbaby #8, but I’m going to give it the old college try. I hope you’ll stick with me.
Before I began blogging, I was a homemaker and a wife and the best of all I am a Mom of 5. Probably the greatest privilege of all!!! I have always wanted to write and I have soooo many stories. People who know me have often said, “You’ve got to write a book.” I’m still working on that so for now I have my Blog and you.
Today we start the letter “A” and this one is an easy one for me. If only the rest of the alphabet could be this easy. I have many (Artist’s) in my family, starting with my mom (RIP) who we lost last year. She could play any instrument, had a beautiful voice and could sing, she was also a retired nurse. It was from her that I fell in love with the Arts !!!
Mom4 generationsMom/Retirement
This will be our 45th wedding anniversary and I’ve been with the husband since I was Junior in HS and he was a Junior at Northwestern University….I was impressed 😉 . We married after 3 years of dating and started our family.
He was a suit in Chicago and I was a union girl for the Railroad … We were really young married’s. We knew what we wanted. A home, a family, career’s (He continued his education at Depaul and got his MBA) and a whole lot of love.
Highschool/GorgeousMy GuyI definitely do !!!Everything is beautiful at the ballet
We had 5 children, 2 boys, a girl, and 2 more boys…I was trying to get our girl a sister, but God had other plans. Two of our boys were professional Ballet Dancer’s, both married Ballerina’s. I found out during Covid that I too was married to an artist, and I became the, “Painter’s Wife !!!”
I’m going to give you just a tad bit of info on each of our Artist’s with more stories to come…
Our 2 youngest boys were the dancer’s. They attended a performing Arts High School in the city and that’s where their story began…Both walked off the Graduation Stage onto Joffrey’s stage in Chicago. From there they went to Milwaukee Ballet and then they finished their career’s on Richmond Ballet in Virginia.
Connie/#4 SonMatthew #3 Son ConnorMatthewA Dancer’s FamilyMatthewUgly Step Sister/CinderellaMelissaMatthew Cavalier/NutcrackerMatthew Cavalier/NutcrackerConnor & Melissa Romeo &n JulierMatthew & Randy BlytheAunt Dawn’s/Gender RevealChristmas Eve, 2021Matthew & The ComposerMatthew & MaggieDon QuixoteBaby Connor’s ChristeningMatthew & Connie/Joseph the Musical
I can’t leave out my only girl. She’s a beauty and a nurse and the proud mother of our 3 beautiful Granddaugher’s…
Gabriella/1st grandbabyLittle #2The Little’s #1 & 2MerryChristmas 2023Merry Christmas 2023Dad & His GirlNurses Y A YI’m A Nurse !!!HalloweenOff to Work I goI’m in Love w/Taye DiggsI’m a NurseWe Made It !!!!Off to work I go4 generations
That is just a snippet of the charactor’s in my journey. Hope you’ll come back to see some more of my story…Blessing’s for all !!!! Here is a quick view of the Painter’s Band that he created…I told you he could paint, enjoy…The Artist had a show with the Piano Guy 😉 …
The StringsThe HornsThe SaxophoneThe DrummerThe Piano The Artist
Today’s prompt is about a song that was written for a movie…I just have to do it again !!! One of my favorite movies and song’s and definitely one of my favorite memories of a lifetime!!!! Thank you for hosting again Mr. Jim and I’m so sorry for stealing your song, but that is such a special song for me, I knew you wouldn’t mind. Blessing’s to you and your’s this Easter Sunday …
The movie is, “Dirty Dancing” and the song is, “The Time of My Life” !!!!
Make sure you continue and read the entire post so you can see the, “Mother/Son Dance…He is a professional ballet dancer and his bride too is a ballerina. Both retired from the Ballet. This was just the coolest thing to ever happen to me. No practice and I was so surprised. I’m so thankful that he made me look good. Enjoy Rest up blogger’s tomorrow AtoZ kicks off…Boom
I watch this video every chance I get as a mother it just make me so proud of this young man that I was given the honor of him calling me, “Mom”…I love you to the moon Mr. Matthew and I am so proud to be your mom. Please don’t get jealous all my other children, the blog challenge AtoZ begins tomorrow so keep checking back. This year my theme is, “Scarlet’s Stories.” So I’m pretty sure you’ll end up in many of those stories. Love you all. See you very soon my VA family. Another Baby Y A Y … Grandama loves her lil ones. #8 is getting ready to join … Grandmama will be out there to take care of our Lil Ruby …
Also want to give a shout out to our Richmond Ballet family !!! They are just the best group of people and you have all been such a blessing to #frainsthename. Hope to see you soon as we get ready for Grandbaby #8…Grandmama & Grandpapa will be out there soon. One son is the Groom and the other son is Best man…Our new daughter’s is next to the groom and the other daughter is second the left, bottom. (Her husband is our youngest son). Love to ya’ll…We had such a blast partying with them!!!
Happy Friday, Blogger’s…I was just looking at my iPhotos and I realized I never put a post up on the son’s wedding in December. No judgement as I did break my arm on December 22nd. I have to add I have gotten pretty good reports on the healing as I it’s still healing but soooo much better. I tell you one thing I’ve learned, I haveslowed down a lot and have become more mindful of what I’m doing. Really don’t want that to happen again.
Back to the Wedding we had in December with Matthew our 3rd son to his beautiful bride and our new daughter Hannah. By the by, she was an absolutely beautiful bride and we love you so much Mz. Hannah and love you are such a wonderful addition to #frainsthename <3… I know we will have many good times to come. We’ll be out in a few weeks, and rumor has it that Dad’s going to treat us to some really good food 😉 …
Below are some pictures of their magical day back in December. It was so great I waited until I got home to break the arm, actually it would’ve been better if I’d of not broken it at all. That’s in the rearview mirror. I even dared to wear Red b/c my mom (RIP) would’ve so loved it that I did that. She taught me well <3 …
Our Richmond FamilyMomma & MatthewMomma w/her MatthewMomma w/her guys Dad & Mom/Groom MatthewI love you MatthewA proud Mom
Finally I’m going to post the video of Bill Medley/Jennifer Warren singing the song, “The Time of my Life”. I always said that when I died, I would know I was in heaven if Patrick Swayze was there and he danced that song with me. Matthew new the story well b/c he is a retired professional dancer and he new just how much I loved that dance and movie. When I asked he what song we were going to do the Mother/Son Dance too, he said some song I never heard of, “A Simple Man,” by Leonard Skynard. I never heard it, so that evening after the rehearsal dinner I went back to the hotel room and listened to it so I would have some frame of reference.
FF to the that evening and the Mother/Son Dance and here’s what happened. I was in shock when I heard that song come over. I even looked over my shoulder to make sure Patrick Swayze wasn’t there and I wasn’t in heaven. I know my dance looked nothing like that of the one in Dirty Dancing but he made me feel, well there are just no words to explain how I felt. But as a mom I was so proud of the man he has become and that I am loved. There is no better feeling in the world than I had that night. I have watched that video IDK how many times but it got me through my broken arm on days that were so difficult. He’s just an amazing person and he found an amazing partner who we just love and over the moon with…Love you, Mz. Hannah 😉 … Enjoy the video and make sure you watch it til the end b/c that’s the best part !!!!
I have to put up some pictures of our Dancing Richmond Family…They are just the best group of kid’s. They are always so kind and just make yourfeel so loved. Sorry this took so long to post but you know the hand is finally getting better. Enjoy all the pics and I know my dancing wasn’t even close to the movie but that somehow just didn’t matter. I felt so loved and I think he really made me look good. I love all of you and thank you so much for the best memory a mom could ever have !!!!
Our Richmond Dancing Family Drama Kings & Queens 😉I love you MaggieDad and our Daughter MissyMom/Son DanceMom/Son DanceMom/Son DanceBride & GroomMr. & Mrs.I love my son Mom/Son DanceOur Richmond FamilyMom & Randy Blythe…Brother from another Mother
Getting ready for AtoZ !!!!Oh for those who follow my blog religiously ( 😉 and I know there are many) I may have repeated a few things but I just love this day that brought so many happy memories into our family… Thank you Hannah & Matthew. It was a beautiful wedding and you are a great couple. See you soon …
So happy that I got my new computer !!! So beautius … I love, love, love it. I don’t even need to go to the Apple Store to set it up. I made an appt. to migrate everything, but I’m sure I can figure it out and that store just annoys me. Too many kids just playing around and doing nothing looking at you like your ancient and have know business using a computer.
Quite frankly I am not to happy with all of this technology as it can be very annoying. It changes every day and gives me a headache. Kudo’s to you Mr. John (one of my follower’s). He’s a music lover and I understand now what blogging really means for my life.
I have to just see how this works now so I’m going to post and see what else I need to learn here. Love y’all and so glad to be back. I’ll put up some pics to see if I still know how that works 🙂 …
It is just beautiful !!!! Finally a fence for Mz. RosieOur Rosie w/her person Our new DrapesGreat RoomKitchen
Well I got some pics posted of the new house. We’re decorating everything and getting all new furniture. It’s time to enjoy our life. We’ve worked really hard and are so blessed. I say thank you to God up above everyday as everything we have has come by his grace. I pinch myself too b/c it’s just so awesome. It’s been worth hanging in and staying in the game…Thank You. Blessing’s Blogger’s … I’m going to have a Thankful Thursday …
Here is a blast from the past !!!! Now they’re married (our youngest and on Baby #2 !!!).So exciting this is from their dancing days, I’m pretty sure this is, “Romeo and Juliet” Memories are great !!!They are such a beautiful couple !!!!
Here goes…I have done these stories on at least one of other our kids. It is fun remembering their story on how they got here. I do pictures and memories. The year you were born Matthew it was a very hot Sunday and it was “Father’s Day.” What a great present for your father, a son ♥️ . You weren’t due until July 12th so it was a surprise, but seeing how you were our 4th baby, I wasn’t all that disappointed you came a bit early. We had just moved on Memorial Day so I had nothing, and I mean nothing ready. I didn’t even have a crib set up. This was your 1st house Matthew…
Alexandria, Naperville
I didn’t even have someone ready to come and watch Lizzie and Michael, your older brother and sister. I had to call a local friend til one of the grandmama’s got there, then off we went to the hospital.
I have to say that you were the first baby I had that was a very peaceful experience. The 1st three, Michael (he was the worst 9lbs.12oz) no epidural OMG, then Lizzie wasn’t so bad 7lbs. still no epidural and well Sean Patrick, that was just hard and sad…I digress, sorry. I wasn’t so sure about an epidural, but after the first real contraction came, I said get that anesthesiologist down here. Not doing that again, no way. Your birth was easy and I finally got to see the birth of one of my kids…Y A Y ♥️. The other ones I was too busy just trying to survive the experience 😉 . If I learned one thing from having babies it was take the drugs, E V E R Y T H I N G that they will give you !!!
When you first entered the world you didn’t even cry. You just looked around and as if to say, “Hello, I’m here ♥️ . You were a little thing, 6lbs 12oz. One of my smallest, but you were so pretty…A full head of beautiful blonde hair, w/curls…Lots of curls and of course blue eyes. But you kept your blue eyes, all of your curls too 😉. Those would be from your dad. You definitely got the beautiful hair card for sure !!! I nursed all of our babies. Michael Jr. nursed for about 5 months, Lizzie nursed for about a year. But Matthew when you started asking to nurse, I said it was time to start drinking from a cup. I don’t think you ever even had a bottle !!!
You were a beautiful baby and you have grown into an amazing man…I never ever thought your life would take the direction it did. I remember our first Christmas together me and dad went to the Joffrey’s Nutcracker. I never dreamed that one day we would have a son who danced the, “Nutcracker” with Joffrey Ballet . I’m excited to see this next chapter of your life. Whatever direction it goes, I’m pretty sure it will be amazing and awesome and a lot of fun to be a part of !!! You are definitely an original and I am so proud to be your mom.
Happy Birthday my dear Matthew ♥️… I remember when you turned 30, you were so funny. I called you to wish you a Happy Birthday and I asked what you were doing to celebrate the milestone of turning 30…You replied, “I’m just sitting around being 30, mom 😉 . ” I hope today that you do something fun and special. Remember your birthday is a very special day. It is the day that you changed the world forever.
I posting some of the pictures I could round up from your story of your life…Enjoy ♥️♥️
There’s something about Singing, Sun & Spring when you are driving in the car. This morning took the hus <3 to the train this morning and other than having to get up early it was a great way to start this beautius day !!!
After dropping him off and watching him walk away (I love watching him walk away, he’s just a very cool guy after all these years (45 years to be exact)… I leave him to go do his job in Chicago, thankful that he still has a really good job and I go to Starbuck’s to get my day going <3 I always think how very lucky and thankful I am for our life. We are both really living the dream. Healthy living in the greatest country in the world, and the winter is almost over. Once we get through March, oh how I hate March. Such a schizophrenic month, can’t decide which one it is. March can be lovely when you actually feel the sun’s warmth (usually it’s not in Chicago) or it’s snowing which it’s suppose to this weekend.
#3 Son,Matthew,Richmond Ballet w/his Dad’s Curls
Why I fell in love with him…All those curls
The Brother’s Matthew/Connor & all their Dad’s Curls
Happy Wife/Happy Life
Kiddo’s/Lizzie,Only Sister… (no curls, beautiful hair though) Italian/Irish DNA
Chicago/Cold day at the Ballet…Brrrrr
I love listening to the radio and singing when I’m driving. Hoping it’s going to be a good day, one of my favorite songs come on…Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty!!!” A great song in the car, immediately I turn it up L O U D and start singing. Yes it’s going to be a great day 😉 …
After singing that song, I started remembering songs from my past. Another song I just love, love, love is “Turn the Page” Bob Seger… The husband sings that one and I remember why I fell in love with him.
The Brother’s
Love posting pics of the fam…Looking forward to the weekend <3 Hopefully it won’t snow too much, but like I said before it’s March in Chicago…Happy Thursday <3 It’s all about the family…I am Blessed and for that I will always be thankful for memories of being a mom <3 .
