Set another Plate at the Table "Ode to our Kitchen Table",

Our Kitchen table has another place setting there,
Our Joy is overflowing cuz our first grandchild is here.
So many memories made, so many yet to come,
These moments fill my heart, it's why I became a Mom.
Ninety-six inches long when all the leafs are in,
A Kitchen table, is where many stories begin.
So much laughter, arguing, and agreeing to disagree,
It's the place we sit around as we grow our family tree.
No conversation is ever out of bounds,
My family conversing at our table is one of life's sweetest sounds.
Now Leo's cry is saying "Listen to Me",
And in years to come, may he be joined by many cousins who will add to our glee.
I'm sitting alone at my kitchen table as I write this Ode,
And I look forward to future memories made at the table in our Naugler Abode.

The Story Goes On

And so our story goes on....two teenagers who fell in love at 16, married at 20 and had five beautiful children, now have a grandson.

Our son Ryan who at birth was given a 5% chance of survival, did just that....he survived, met his wife Annie at 16,  fell in love got engaged at 20, married at 23 and at 26 became a father of a beautiful healthy little boy, who will continue our story.

Our grandson is blessed to have 4 great grandparents, 4 grandparents, countless great aunts, and uncles and many many cousins who can't wait to meet him, love him and welcome him into the Naugler, Dougherty, Lilly, and Cincotta families.

When Donnie and I were dating at 16, we knew at a very young age, that we were destined to be together.  We always knew we wanted to have a large family, and God Blessed us with our five children.  Today, looking at my grandson, who looks so much like my son, my heart was filled with so much joy, because he is just the beginning of this story that never ends.  The circle of life.

My blog has always had a theme of gratefulness, and today, I am so grateful to have a healthy grandson with two loving parents.  I am grateful to have had Donnie's grandparents, and my grandparents alive and full of stories rich in family history when my first child was born.  I am grateful that Leo will have my parents and Donnie's parents to share their family history's with him.  I am grateful that Annie's parents are going to fill Leo's life with stories of Lilly and Cincotta history. This is how the story goes on.....it goes on, in the story telling by all those who came before Leo, and will be passed on to all those that are still to come.....

Welcome to the Story Leo Salvatore Naugler.....I look forward to seeing how your story will unfold.....but one thing I know for sure....your story started with LOVE