As I look back through my life there have been many special women in my life, but none as special as my Grandmom, Mildred Nyce DeCarlo. Grandmom had an extraordinary life, she gave birth to six children, survived the depression, worked her fingers to the bone during World War II, and saw 15 Presidents take office. She always had a cookies in the cookie jar, and jellybeans at Easter.
Grandmom was born April 8, 1909 in Conshocken, Pennsylvania to James and Estelle Nyce. The only girl of four children. She left school in 1924 to work and Married my Dominic DeCarlo in 1930. She had six children between 1931 and 1943. In 1948 my grandfather died of cancer, leaving Grandmom to raise all six children alone. She never remarried! In her lifetime there had been many heartaches she lost 2 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild to accidents, but never let that get her down.
My fondest memory of Grandmom was on my 10th Birthday when she had bought me a cake, and had the waitresses at the restaurant we were eating bring it to me and sing Happy Birthday! Grandmom was very easy to talk and we often talked about her younger days as a flapper, and many other moments of her life! Her best piece of advice that she ever gave to me was " to be the best person that you can be, and that will take you far in life".
Grandmom died December 10, 2000 at 91 years old! I miss her today just as much as I did when she died. I often look at my own children and see a little piece of Grandmom in them, and often think at how much she would have enjoyed them. Her legacy lives on through me and my children, and I take her words of wisdom with me from day to day!
and she's only 3 ft tall!
d her very own personal video mail from Santa! It really seemed to make the day magical for her. After dinner, the kids and I listened to Christmas music, and baked some cookies for Santa to have as a little snack when stopped by for his visit. The kids were so excited at bedtime that it was hard to get them to bed, after a phone call from Grammy saying she spotted Rudolph's shiny red nose flying over her house, the kids went to bed. 
the earth! 
deciding to make your debut during Emma's Birthday party, and arriving 5 weeks early. You were a tiny little thing weighing in at 6lbs 1oz! The nurses told us your name was too big for such a tiny baby, but we told them you would grow into it! You are a wonderful little boy, and you keep life hopping around here! You remind me very much of your Grandfather, Daddy and I named you right. Stay as laid back, and happy as you are! We love you!
Yesterday we celebrated Emma and Teddy's birthday! For anyone who does not know Emma and Teddy are not twins.....They were born on the same day one year apart! Every year we celebrate with one BIG Birthday Party! Yesterday was no different than the year before, only there were about 20 more people there, and we had it at our house!
We packed about 70 people in my house...it was great! The kids did stuffed animals, in shifts mind you, but they all seemed to have a GREAT time! This was my favorite party to date! The house was so packed my I couldn't tell which were my kids! After everyone went home...Emma told me that she had a really fun time, and in her words "That was cwazy mom!" It was an awesome funfilled day! It was most special because it was Emma and Teddy's first birthday in their new home with their many new friends that they have made! Thank you all for making this day such a special one for Emma and Teddy!
