Family Time

Hello again! Here we are, week 2, so tell me what you think. So far so good? I hope so.

I loved the scene with Richie and Joseph at the gas station. I always made sure my kids knew how hard their dad worked to support us and the sacrifices he made for us. It’s great that Richie did the same thing with Joe. Kids have to know that nothing comes easy, work, work, work. The kiss at the end of their trip put a ribbon on it, very nice, Rich Wakile, very nice.

The whole Ashlee plane saga was nuts. You have to understand that we use humor to alleviate frustrating and uncomfortable moments. No one is safe, and we take everything with a grain of salt. Ashlee found her way to the gate the next day and has moved on and is doing well for herself. You’ll learn more as the season progresses. The good news is that her relationship with Jacqueline has never been stronger. Tough love, it hurts the parent a thousand times more than the child. It was clearly evident as we watched Jacqueline struggle with Ashlee’s departure. I sometimes wish kids would understand what a parent goes through. If they did, life would be a dream.

Joseph and his “special” email –- PRICELESS! The best part was that Kathy responded. I was dying, too funny! Family time, ain’t nothing like it!

I enjoyed watching Joe and Melissa walk through their new investment property. It’s sweet that they think of their children’s future by procuring a building for each of them. I’m petitioning an adoption as we speak. I want a building too! But I refuse to call them mom and dad, that would just be weird, right? Kidding!Joe Gorga is a piece of work. How can someone so cute be so full of poison? He says the sweetest things regarding Melissa’s song, and then just when you think you’re safe – POISON! Regardless, it was a cute scene. How many people can say their honey wrote and recorded a song for them? Very nice.

I’m going to be address Teresa, but it’s going to be quick. I don’t buy her apology, and quite frankly it doesn’t matter if she’s sorry or not. I made a decision to eliminate her from my life, and I’m standing by it. Once again, many of you may not understand, and that’s OK. Hopefully by the end of the season you will. Having said that, I’m keeping my comments to a minimum. Watch what happens…

Lauren’s struggle with her weight breaks my heart. I try to keep her strong and positive; we’ve had both good days and bad ones. This is something that she’s been dealing with from the time she was about 11 years old. She’s cried more tears over her weight than I care to remember, but at the same time you can’t push it under the rug either. Lauren made a drastic change over the past year and a half, and Albert and I were worried sick over her. She became depressed, angry, and distant. A shell of the lively, always smiling, huge dimpled Lauren was all we had. It was at that moment that we took action – it’s been a long, rough road, and we tell her story as the weeks progress. I will say this, Albert and I couldn’t be more proud of her. She’s beautiful inside and out, and she showed us character and strength by sharing her hurt for others to see. Hopefully they'll find comfort in knowing they’re not alone in their struggles. Kudos to you, Lauren Manzo, mom and dad love you more than words can say, xoxoxo.

Well that’s it for now. This week you saw us singing, laughing, crying, dish out tough love, hope for new beginnings, and of course eat! I’m exhausted! See ya later!

Xoxo