On Monday night, thanks to some very kind friends, our family had the fun of going to the Jets vs. Dolphins game at Metlife Stadium. It was the first NFL game for all of us. (Ady and I went to a pre-season game a few years ago, but that was like a scrimmage.) It’s a partial bucket-list check-off item. For the full check-off, we need to go to a Cowboys game! (I hear next year they’re playing, I mean beating, the Jets.)
One of the Most Creative Date Nights We’ve Ever Done …
Paint Night Date Night!
Last night Adriana and I had a really fun date night! A few months ago I discovered Paint Nite on Groupon (my new favorite site for creative date nights!). Super fun! Can’t wait to do it again!
Mahaffy Family Reunion
Two weeks ago we traveled down to Yorktown, Virginia for the Mahaffy Family Reunion. The last time all of our families were all together was 21 years ago (we’ve come close at a couple of weddings) , and that was before any of my generation were married. Each family was assigned a different color t-shirt, and the numbers on our t-shirts represented the order in which we joined the family (really cool idea!). There were 55 of us in total from 83 years old to less than 2 months. In addition to the obvious joy of being with everyone and catching up, few highlights for me personally:
It was the first time my parents and all of my siblings were together in 5 years.
It was the first time I’ve seen my only brother in 3 years. 
Seeing my parents with all of their 11 grandchildren at once for the first time ever.
One night all of us “older cousins” and our spouses went out together (There is a 14 year gap between my grandparents’ oldest 3 children and their youngest 2, so those of us born to the older 3 all grew up together, and the children of the younger 2 are in the age range of my daughters.)
Seeing my daughter walking with her great-grandmother.
Seeing my grandparents with all of their 5 children and spouses, 17 grandchildren and spouses, 18 great-grandchildren. What a legacy!
My Mob Wife
Yesterday I was planning to take Adriana on a surprise date to Staten Island to visit a store owned by Drita – one of the stars on the show Mob Wives. The previous night, as I was planning it, I kept thinking it would be a fun thing for her to enjoy doing with her friend LuAnn, but it was too late to invite her along. Well, what a coincidence when LuAnn just happened to stop by our house yesterday morning after a visit to the doctor, and she was free! So, we invited her along with us and we had a great time at Drita’s store Lady Boss, took a quick pic in front of Big Ang’s, then had lunch at the one and only Denino’s brick oven pizzeria. Fun day!
Home Date Night
Tonight Adriana and I enjoyed a different kind of date night. We went out shopping and bought ingredients, then came home and made dinner together. We made a margarita pizza and enjoyed it together in candle light with a beautiful bouquet of tulips. We then watched a movie together. What a fun, interactive shared experience. To our friendship!
My Favorite Met: Daniel Murphy
I am not a New York Mets fan, but I am now a Daniel Murphy fan. Daniel Murphy is the Mets’ second baseman. Watch this video, then read my response:
I want to say this to Mr. Murphy:
Thank you for putting family first. Thank you for choosing your family over your job. You are the kind of hero our warped culture needs!
You will have hundreds, if not thousands, of more baseball games to play, but you will never again have the chance to experience the birth of your first child and be with your wife for the first few days to share the joy of your new life as a family of three.
Your child will never remember what you did, but I am sure one day he will hear about it. The message you have communicated to him is that he is more important than anything in the world to you. Well done, sir!
Thank you for taking the high road when you were criticized. You showed your values, and so did your critics. What a shame that they have bought into the lies of our modern culture. How many kids go to bed every night in their big homes, in their nice beds, feeling like they don’t really matter to their parents; that only money and success does? Yes, it is wonderful and honorable that these parents work hard to provide for their children, do not get me wrong. But I know of way too many parents in our culture who bring home paychecks that enable to their families to live comfortable lives, but their children are starved for the one thing money can’t buy: a relationship with their parents, because they are always out chasing the next dollar.
Today I honor you as a man, as a husband, as a father, and as a much-needed role model! I don’t know if you are a Christian, but I would not be surprised to hear that you are. Thank you for representing the heart of God the Father as well. I’m so glad He didn’t just create us and “get back to work.” Rather, He created us and loves us and deeply wants to be with us as His children.
Parenting Seminar with Duffy Robbins!
PLUS Activities for Students 7-12th grade
in Gym while Parents Meeting.
Valentine’s Day 2014
To celebrate our love, on Wednesday I surprised Adriana and had an Edible Arrangement with a teddy bear delivered to her at work. She was totally shocked! Today we went into Manhattan and had a really delicious lunch at Dos Caminos. During lunch we had fun reminiscing about our most fun memories together. After lunch we walked around and discovered a new favorite NYC hangout … Chelsea Market. This place is awesome! We had a great time walking around, seeing all of the restaurants, stores, etc. We even found – finally! – street tacos! We had some gelato and a crepe, and picked up some freshly made doughnuts for the girls. On our way home we came up with 20 date ideas that we are going to work on accomplishing this year. This evening we came home and our girls had set a romantic mood in the house, complete with candles, cards, chocolates … and locked us in our room to watch a romantic comedy. So sweet!
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