Live and Let Live

Well, this week there were a LOT of rumors to address, including THE BOOK! I can't even tell you how difficult it is to confront a friend with bad rumors you have heard about them, especially with the knowledge of a published book that makes derogatory statements about them. To be honest with you, the book made some serious allegations that were a little frightening to me. It was VERY uncomfortable for me to approach Danielle, but I REALLY needed answers and I felt guilty having these rumors on my mind and knowing about the book without letting her know it was OUT THERE. I also wanted to give her a chance to explain HER side of the story and let her know the fears that were on my mind. I knew I shouldn't believe everything I hear, but also I knew that there had to be SOME truth in there somewhere. I had concerns, and questions that really needed to be addressed.

There was a lot of pressure from my family to end my friendship with Danielle. They were afraid for my safety and for my reputation if I continued to hang out with her. I never did believe in the "birds of a feather flock together" theory, because my whole life I have always had such a diverse group of friends. I always stay true to myself and I'm not easily influenced by others. I base my opinions of people by my own experiences with them. I feel I have my own mind and can handle my own when I need to. Obviously it can piss other people off when I choose not to dislike someone because someone else does. It's unfortunate that my friendship with Danielle caused such a problem for my family that I love. Danielle had always been really nice to me. I was just getting to know Danielle, so it was really important for me to know exactly WHO I was bringing into my life and around my husband and children. Someone's past is someone's past, but I needed to figure out FIRST if there was any truth to the things I've seen and heard and SECOND if she was still that person today. I took some time to figure out the best way for me to handle the situation and then I decided to take the risk of embarrassing her, upsetting her, and making her angry to get some answers. The problem with Danielle is that she wants me to confront her with things, but then she gets angry and upset with me when I do. Unless I find out that she is an endangerment to me, my husband, or my kids, I will "live and let live," and let people fight their own battles. But if I found out that she IS a threat to us, I have to do what is right for me and I have to protect my family. I won't allow for a rift to grow between my husband and me if he decided, in the end, that he couldn't support my choice to continue my friendship with Danielle. Don't you want to keep watching to find out what happens?

Dina and Lexi were so cute to watch. They remind me of Ashley and me. The transition from little girl to the teen years is VERY difficult for both the parent and the child. You want to hold onto that little girl and keep her in those "Cinderella panties," but she wants to be more grown up, independent and break away from you a little. They get their grown up bodies and boys start to like them. Their friends become their top priority and you get less and less cool and get on their nerves when you try to say or do anything to guide them. They have a little more attitude and they become more opinionated because of hormones. It's hard. I hate to say it Dina, but Lexi is only 13 and she's just getting started. Buckle up! It can be a bumpy ride my friend! Lexi is a great kid so I have no doubt that she will turn out just fine. That send off for Lexi's trip to Cyprus with her Dad was both so funny and heartwarming at the same time. I loved it. Thank God she came back unharmed and without some funky disease or something.

Dancing With the Stars was a lot of fun! I couldn't stop laughing at my niece and nephews as they did their version of the salsa. They are so much fun! I can never stop smiling and laughing when they are around. How cute was Albie with his, " Cha, Cha the Goldfish face?" Everybody was just playing off of each other and having a good time. I honestly never saw Danielle mauling Albie. I was too busy trying not to trip over my own feet. Danielle took the class more seriously than the rest of us because she can ACTUALLY dance and has a PASSION for it. She was really interested in learning the art of the dance. The dance school and the lessons we took were MEANT TO BE taken seriously, but with OUR group...FUGGETABOUTIT! It was all about having fun. NEXT time Caroline...join in!

Teresa's move into her big beautiful house was a long time coming. The looks on her kids' faces were priceless. Teresa was the queen of her castle, standing at the top of her stairwell overseeing it all. She's so funny. Joe always comes up with the funniest comments too. "Why would I love a couch?" And how about Gia, " I don't know how to speak Spanish Yo" and "A lot of people want me these days." Haha! Is she really 7? Why does she seem so much older to me? Seriously, do all 7-year-old girls talk and act like that? I don't remember. Too funny.

As far as my Doctor's appointment scene with my husband...I think we all know by now how THAT story ends. It was such a relief to know that those chromosomes tests came back good, along with the 4d sonogram of my uterus, but the mystery of WHY this kept happening to me still remained. It is a little frustrating not knowing or understanding how to fix something because you don't know what's broken. Sometimes I guess it IS just a freak thing or an AGE thing. Maybe the baby aspirin and the progesterone were the solution. Only God knows. Either way, my husband and I are in a happy place now because we only have about a week to go before we welcome our little Nicholas into our world and family. Life is good!

Now to answer a couple of viewer questions about my clothing. The red and black short sleeved shirt I wore on mine and Teresa's play date when Danielle came over was by SMET and I got it at a local boutique that is no more, but I'm sure they have a website where you can find it. The coral dress I wore to my Doctor's appointment was by Bannana Republic that I originally got a size larger to wear as maternity with my last pregnancy, but later had shortened and taken in after. The white dress I wore to CJ's birthday party was made by A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz. All of the cross necklaces that a lot of us girls are wearing on the show are by Virgin, Saints & Angels Jewelry. We got them at a couple of local boutiques One boutique that is no longer around, and the other is called Posche in Wayne, New Jersey. They DO have a website as well.

That's about it for now...until next week. I hope you all are enjoying our show. Thank you so much for your continued support. We ALL REALLY appreciate it. Take care!