Jacqueline Laurita: I Was Still Hopeful For a New Beginning

Hi everyone! I hope you are as excited for the new season as I am! I think it's going to be absolutely amazing and one of the best seasons yet! It feels like old Jersey again! I think this season is going to be addicting for you all to watch.

My family and I are thrilled to be back full time with our Bravo family entertaining you all. As a family, we really needed that break last year to focus on other things, including ourselves. As you can see, Nicholas continues to progress and we are so grateful for that! CJ is now a teenager and Ashlee is all grown up and back from California. So many changes happening with them. I can't wait for you all to see!

Our personal struggles are real, and like we have always done in the past, we are still very open to sharing them with you all. Our hopes are that at least some of you will be able to relate and connect with us on some level. Nobody needs to feel alone on their journey. Everyone is on their own journey, and we are here on earth to learn, grow and evolve together!

I love all the kind messages and social media posts you've sent me on how much you missed me and my family and how happy you are that we are back! It feels so good! Thank you for all of your kind words, support and advice you've given us over the years! We love when you share your experiences with us as well. We really appreciate it and feel grateful for it. Thank you! XOXO!

During my time off, you may have seen me part-time on Season 6 of RHONJ or on two seasons for my sister-in-law Caroline's new show, Manzo'd with Children. During this time I was also writing two books. Get it! A Beauty, Style and Wellness Guide to Getting Your It Together! on sale now, and Defy Expectations coming out sometime this fall/winter. I have also been traveling around the country with my husband, Chris, doing public speaking and appearances to raise money and awareness for the autism community.

The last two years have been challenging for Chris and I financially, because it takes time to build a new business and profit from it, especially in order to continue living the lifestyle we've been accustomed to living while meeting all of our financial obligations.

After my husband lost his company during that rough economy, it took some time for the decrease in income to catch up to us. We were also not prepared for the cost of raising a child with special needs. No matter what financial challenges and obligations we've faced, Nicholas' needs have always been a huge top priority for us, and we've done everything we can to not disrupt his routine. Somehow, during our struggle, we have managed to stick it out and keep fighting to get through it.

My husband is a hard worker, and he will continue to build and sell more companies in the future. It's what he is passionate about. He may win some, he may lose some, but one thing is for sure...he will never give up!

Chris continues to build BLK beverages! The product is Fulvic minerals (Google the many health benefits) mixed with spring water which naturally turns the water black, much like how coffee beans turn water black. It took quite a lot of hard work, dedication, and a lot of patience to educate consumers, grow and expand the brand. I'm happy to say that BLK beverages is now sold nationally and internationally and continues to grow.

You will soon learn about my husband's new company he's building with his partner Andy called, "The Little Kernel." It's a mini popcorn that is non-GMO, whole grain, gluten Free, dairy Free, made with 100% olive oil and absolutely delicious! Truffle sea salt is my favorite, then Pink Himalayan Sea Salt. If you like Kettle corn then you will love the Sweet and Salty! It's in stores now so go get it and enjoy it! A portion of all sales is going to Generation Rescue, an autism charity that is very near and dear to our hearts. Popcorn has always been my favorite munching snack and because the mini popcorn have virtually no hulls, those pieces never get stuck in my teeth! Follow @TheLittleKernel on social media. He's pretty entertaining.

You will see on this upcoming season our journey and how we are resetting our lives. There are new adventures and sunshine ahead! With hard work, team work, dedication, and focus, we believe anything is possible. There is always light at the end of a tunnel. We are entering that light now, and there is a very bright future in the horizon. We are more than ready for the next phase in our lives. One thing we have learned for sure is that money can always come and go but our family is forever! As a family, we have never been closer. Challenging times have only strengthened our bond.

I know a lot of you are interested in my rollercoaster relationship with Teresa, so I will address that for you. There is one thing you need to understand...Teresa and I have a long history together, and there was once genuine love between us, like sisters. It is because of those reasons, despite our differences in the past, that I felt our friendship was always worth fighting for as long as both of us genuinely want it and are willing to fight for it. Teresa has always shown me an interest in wanting to repair our friendship in the past. Although her actions haven't always matched her words, I continued to make an effort in hopes that she was being sincere. Sisters are known to rip each other's hair out one minute and hug the next, right?

When you saw Teresa and I make up in season five, I felt it was a sincere start, AGAIN! But soon after she stopped engaging with me. When I heard Teresa publicly speak about me saying that she no longer wanted or missed the friendship, that is when I finally decided to walk away. I will never fight for a friendship if it's not reciprocated...I moved on. That is why I was so confused when after two years she reached out to me right before getting out of "camp" and right before she knew we were going to be reunited again in the same circle of friends. The note said she wanted to "catch up" and was looking forward to "new beginnings." I wasn't even sure what that meant, but it just didn't feel sincere to me. I had a hard time believing and trusting it to be a genuine attempt at reconciliation. If I did, I'd put my energy back into rebuilding the friendship. My feelings were conflicted. Maybe "camp" did change her? After all, we were going to be hanging around the same circle of people at times, so it was worth exploring. I was always taught to take the olive branch when it's extended. Although a part of me had visions of Teresa using it to beat me over the head with it. It's not that I didn't want the friendship, I was just tired of trusting her to be sincere, and then getting hurt.

I can honestly say that as frustrated as Teresa has made me in the past, I have never stopped caring about her or her family. We both haven't always said and done the right things to each other, but I also understand that it usually came from a place of hurt or frustration with each other. Friendships, like any relationship, takes work at times. Nothing real and lasting ever comes easy.

Teresa had already reached out to me twice, so I must have been weighing heavily on her mind. As mind-boggling as it was, at this point in time, I was still hopeful for a new beginning, and that's exactly when I decided to go see Teresa in person, face to face. I needed clarity. I came unannounced, because I didn't want her to have time to prepare for what she would say to me, I wanted her to be real and in the moment. I wanted a genuine moment. I spoke with honesty and from my heart, and I was looking for the same in return. I wasn't interested in being her part-time friend. I wanted our friendship to be real like it used to be, or we should just carry on as civil acquaintances. I needed to know how much energy I should be putting into this relationship.

I left feeling great about our time together. It felt normal and good again, like old times. She made it clear that she wanted to rebuild the friendship. I felt hopeful. Maybe we have a shot! Let's see where it goes.

I just love Siggy and Dolores. Dolores and I have always been friends. She was one of the first girls I met here in New Jersey. It was around the same time I met Teresa. We used to hang all out together with my sister-in-laws. Those were the good old days. She will remind you of why you fell in love with RHONJ in the first place. She's a selfless person. Her heart is huge but broken and needs repair. She has just enough spice to bring the heat, and boy oh boy can she hold her own! Sexy bitch doesn't realize her own power! We are working on that. She is a really good person.

Siggy is a breath of fresh air. She gives life to the show again. Her energy is captivating and infectious. She is passionate about life and everything and everyone in it. She wants everyone to get along. She has no idea what she has got herself into. Let's pray for "The Sig."

Thanks for continuing to support us, and I hope you continue to watch and fall in love with RHONJ all over again! You can always follow me on social media for current updates.

Twitter @Jaclaurita
Instagram @Jacklaurita
Snapchat @Jaclauritarhonj
Facebook Jacqueline Laurita
Website: www.JacquelineLaurita.com

XOXO,
Jacqueline Laurita