She get it from her momma....

after taking mom out to eat for mothers day last week...

I would like to take this time to wish a very Happy Mothers Day to my mom, Joann Albergo Mancuso otherwise known as: JoJo. As many of you know, I'm pretty blessed to have an amazing mom. I could list the reasons for 100 blog posts but let me just explain a few. As many (unfortunately) know, it is not easy to be a single parent, especially when you become one in a matter of seconds. Since my dad died in 2004 JoJo has worked doublely hard to make sure Peter and myself missed nothing. She moved us each in and out of college (grad school, and my first grown up apartment). She is also there to drop everything when we call and even when she's not there she's supporting us in whatever we're doing from a distance. It is a blessing to have a mom who supports you unconditionally in whatever you do and is there to cheer you on along the way. She has given me the confidence try anything and is always there for me in case it doesn't go as planned.

But I'm not saying anything many of you don't know, she often does the same for you. She loves all of Peter and I's friends as if you were her own. JoJo is not only the mom to  Peter and I but to anyone that needs a mom. After all, it was JoJo who when grocery shopping in high school would pick up not only the snacks our familiy liked but all the snacks my best friends enjoyed as well. She also, of course is the mom to many of the clients she has served over the years. JoJo spends her life serving others and today I'd like to publicly thank her for all she has done. I am the woman I am today because of my mom.... I love you JoJo.

I would also like to shout outs to some of my other favorite moms:

- Karen Shanley, my second mom and another rockstar of a woman. I appreciate you always treating me like your own. Your support over the years is unmeasurable and I love you very much!

-My Godmother, Rosemary Albergo, thank you for everything you've done for me... I can't believe it's been a year since Italy.
-My Aunt Rosemarie, also an amazing mom and godmother to Petey and mom to my cousins Anthony & Mike.

Celebrate your mom today, she deserves it :)

It's May already?

It is amazing to me how quickly April flew by.... when I posted last I was halfway through the month of April and still that feels like forever ago. I honestly believe the spring always feels that way, particularly on a college campus. Now that exam week has hit I can finally take a breath, stop eating Aramark catering and enjoy the last few days of the academic year. It occured to me as I looked at facebook statuses yesterday how much my life has changed in the past year. I am so excited for those graduating from JMU CSPA tomorrow... that program prepared me for the amazing first year I have had and I am so excited to see what that group will do. I also share that excitement with my best friend LK, who is also graduting from Clemson's higher ed program and is about to embark on the journey of being a first year Student Affairs professional.

So many other exciting things have happend lately (or at least since my last post). First, as many of you know my dear friend Leslie Lehner and Jake Miller have gotten engaged. I have been lucky to be friends with Leslie since the summer of 03 when Katelyn Grant brought her to my dorm room at Virginia Wesleyn College during Virginia Beach Leadership Workshop to introduce me to this rising junior who was interested in running for City Wide SCA with myself and Lindsey Dowd (who would go on to be Katelyn's college best friend) small world. Leslie and I spent a few minutes talking and the rest is history. We actually ended up being sorority sisters (she at Tech and I at LU). Anyway, enough getting sappy. The truth is Leslie and Jake have been two of my favorite people to spend my time in VB with and I could not be happier for the two of them. I am honored to be a part of their special day :)

Of course ACE finished our year strong with our last event Festapalooza. To say I was the luckiest Advisor on Earth this year is the understatement of the century. It is every new professionals dream to inherit a group that is open, excited, hardworking and yearns to grow as an organization and individuals. I could not be prouder of this group as individuals and as an organization. I am a better person for knowing and each them and I am excited for next year because of the groundwork this group laid.

As the semester comes to a close I am excited about what is sure to be a busy but awesome summer filled with weddings, retreats, beach weekends, moving, NKOTBSB concerts, girls weekends, visits with BG, bridal showers and a bachelorette party :)

Until next time... lets shout out!

- Congrats to all the graduates this week and next: Kelly Ann Shanley - MSW, Lauren Kennedy, Shannon Mariner, CSPA 2011, Lauren Curtis, UNCW graduates (specifically my ACErs: Tyler, Katie, Mike, Sami, & Hillary)
-Congrats to my senior Medallian winners: Tyler, Shannon & Katie
-Excited for a fun Saturday with KTK parasailing :)
-Shout out to JoJo for Mothers Day - I feel a special post coming on :)
-Congrats to all of CSPA 2010 for making it through our first year as professionals (Jim and Donna, Jim and Jim and Donna...)
-Happy early birthday to Miss Rachel Ann Myers
-Good luck on the rest of exams to my students and little bro Petey
-Happy teacher appreciation week to all my teacher friends :)
-I hit my 10lb mark this week on ww! yay!

Up Next: Mothers day special and after that.... Waldie gets married (insert Lasso NOW)