Perfect Day

Yesterday (5/25/08) my sister-in-law and brother-in-law hosted a party at their house. It was to celebrate my nieces confirmation (that took place Wednesday night). I have to say the day - for me - was perfect.

They have a beautiful yard with a pool and a trampoline, they invited both of their families and mine and most importantly their home is a very, very comfortable place to be - no matter when you go - you are always, always made to feel at home.

There were 11 kids from all of the families there ranging from 19 years old to 2 years old and they all mingle so well together. It is like a scene from a movie just sitting in a far spot in the yard and watching all of them interact and having so, so much fun. We all realize the older one's will be "doing their own thing" soon enough - but for now we are going to hold on as long as we can.

Then there is my generation - all of us - me & my siblings, Joe & his sibling, Regina & her siblings and all the spouses always have a good time together. Yesterday was especially fun as "old" pictures were being passed around. (Names will be left out to protect the innocent!!!) While I was laughing ALOT the best part for me was seeing my husband and his sister just all out cracking up together. My sister-in-law Maria has a laugh that can't help but make everyone else laugh - it is whole hearted and I just love hearing it. I also looked up at one point to see my husband and his brother playing baddmitton and laughing about it before being joined by some of the kids.....

And finally we have the generation of parents - we all love having them around!!! There is something very comforting about their advise, watching them with all the kids - and they all treat each kid like they are a member of their family - no matter how they are connected. And then of course there is my mother - what party would be complete without Nana "rescuing" a kid. This time it was Baby Alex who thought he was swimming, Nana thought he was drowning and out of no where she swooped him out of the pool, by the neck, like a mother cat would grab her kitten!!! Well actually it was the back of the life jacket - but if you were there you would know it did look like the cat scenerio.

We all arrived about 1 and we all left at about 9 - so that right there should tell you what a good time we all had!!!

Steve & Regina - thank you for "The Perfect Day"

Making impressions on kids

I have said here before how much my daughter Danielle, who is 8 (and our whole family) loves to attend my sister Colleen's Church.

The Church is Elevation Church and there are currently 2 campuses - one at Butler High School and one at Providence High School. We attend as often as possible - we live in the University Area and alternate between Elevation and our Church.

Anyway - tonight Danielle had to write sentence's for her spelling homework. For the second time this quarter one of her sentences was about ELEVATION. She takes so much of the service and sermon with her.

I hope anyone from Elevation that is reading this will smile and know that you all are making great impressions on all age groups.

Do you believe......

I was just driving home and heard that Cher is 62 today!!! WOW - I hope I look that good at 50!!!

Which brings me to the "Do you believe....." - and I don't mean the song.

My dad was a huge Cher fan for as long as I can remember. He passed away 2 years before I got married and in everything I did for the wedding I tried to incorporate him. Joe and I chose "Afterall" as our wedding song - it is sung by Cher and Peter Cetera. We were married in 1994 so the song was not new at that time by any means.

One day before the wedding (during the planning phase) I went to the cemetery to sit and talk to my dad. During my "chat" or reflection I said "Dad - I really wish I knew if you know about the wedding and Joe and I getting married".

I walked back to the car, got in, turned it on and OUR WEDDING SONG was playing on the radio!!! Again not a song that was being played daily at that time at all.

For me, that was my sign that he knew.....

So tell me - Do you believe.....

We all know where babies come from.....

As I read the article in the Charlotte Observer about the "mother" who left her newborn in the trunk of a car - and then lied about the babies where abouts even though the infant was still alive!!! Luckily this story has a happy ending and the police found the baby and he/she is expected to make a full recovery. The child is in the care of Social Services at this point.

So here is what I often ponder - not just when someone feels they don't need to pay child support, decides they don't want to be a parent anymore, "dumps" a baby or shakes them so hard they die or all of the other tragic events we hear about - WHY DO YOU HAVE THEM!!! We all know where babies come from and we all know about birth control. Of course I am leaving aside rape or worse incest. But honestly people - a baby is the biggest blessing that GOD can give us - DO NOT take that lightly. God gave his own Son so that we could all be blessed.

I also feel you should respect yourself enough to not have a baby/get pregnant with someone who you know will not be there, is abusive or that you just know you will not have a life with. That goes for men and women. I am a realist and some relationships don't work out - that I understand - but if the writing is on the wall - READ IT.

A child is a life time commitment and it will also tie you to the other parent for that same life time. THINK about all of this before you jump in for the "moment of pleasure".

If you find yourself in the situation where you think you can't or don't want to take care of a baby after you are already pregnant - REACH OUT - there are many organizations that have waiting lists a mile long with people who would love and care for your baby. Please don't let yourself feel overwhelmed enough to harm the child or yourself. It makes you no less of a person if you chose to put your baby up for adoption - as a matter of fact that is probably the hardest yet most loving choice you could make as a mother.

I have more than one friend who were blessed with babies that grew in their heart - not under their heart. And they are forever greatful to the women who helped bless them.

Each day I thank God for my 2 beautiful blessings and I hope that all the parents reading this will do the same.

A Good Mix Of Both Parents

As I get older I realize there are many things that make me "my father's daughter" and there are many things that make me "my mother's daughter".

As I was cutting the lawn the other day - a great way to exercise and have time to let your mind wander - I was thinking of all the things I have in common with each parent:

My dad - I am an early person, so was he. I am an accountant/business woman, he loved running his own business. I give when I don't really have it to give, so did he - many times he saved someones lights from being cut off, car from being reposessed and even helped with mortgage payments.

My mom - she worked and still took care of all of us, I am doing the best I can with that!!! She loves working in the yard, I have no problem cutting the grass or working on the landscape. (as an aside my dad never cut the lawn - he paid someone -so I truly get that from my mom) She cooked dinner 99% of the time, so do I (fast food/take out is just not for me) She ironed everything, so do I (and yes she still irons for us - but she lives here)

What I get from both of them - There is nothing more important than family, Children's needs always come first, be best friends with your spouse, accept people for who they are, never, ever use color or religion as a way to judge people, and so many more valuable things...

I smiled the whole time I was cutting the lawn as I realized all of the things I took and still take from both of them.

Here is hoping my kids are a good mix of me and Joe.

Big Challenge Off The Course

No longer is Ernie Els who you think he is. The sweet golf swing, the easy demeanor, the popularity? All just a mask.


He is helpless.

Early this spring Els made an announcement. The perfect family photo - Ernie, wife Liezl, 8-year-old daughter Samantha, and 5-year-old son Ben - isn't perfect.

Ben suffers from autism.

And Daddy can't make it go away.

"You want your kid to be a normal kid, like everybody," Els said. "You want your kid to play sports and you want your kid to do normal things, and when it doesn't happen you kind of ask questions. You want to know the answer. And there's no simple, straight answer."

"You can't but feel for the kid more than yourself because you know how lucky you are," Els said. "I'm talking about myself. To be normal and to do normal things and to basically live your dream, and now you've got a situation.

"That's the thing that really worries me, what's the future going to hold? He's still quite small and young, where young kids really accept him. But what happens when he gets older? Then you're really going to see the difference in his behavior and things like he does. You just hope that you can do the best for his future."

Ben suffers from autism. Daddy wants to make it go away.

____________________________________________________________________________________

I have had the pleasure of becoming friends with a little boy named Parker who is Autistic. His mom Shelly is truly inspirational. Her efforts to help her son are tireless and she even runs a foundation called The Parker Autism Foundation that helps provide other autistic children scholarships for therapy that will help them advance.

In selecting my topic today I am mainly trying to say, things like this can happen to any parent. All the money in the world does not make the heartache easier, grant it, it does help with treatment, but Ernie and his wife still can't buy for their son what the "average" parent of a kid with autism can't either - and that is "normalcy".

Many big athletes deal with illnesses and conditions that their children have:

Boomer Easiason - his son has Cystic Fibrosis

Dan Marino - his son is autistic

Jim Kelly - his son had Globoid-Cell Leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease) - Unfortunatley he lost his battle in August 2005 at the age of 8.

Doug Flutie - his son is autistic

I am sure there are many more - the point is no one is immune. They key about the above mentioned gentlemen is that they promote awareness and fund raising for the "CAUSE" and in turn that helps those with out the means these families have get help for their children.

A Tribute To Some of the Greatest Mom's

In honor of Mother’s Day this is a tribute to all of the amazing mom’s I have been blessed to know throughout my life, some of these wonderful women are no longer with us but I could never forget the impact they had on my life. These ladies are the mother’s of the people closest to my heart.

Patricia Maiorino – my mother-in-law. You raised a wonderful son who I love and adore. You treat both of your daughter-in-laws like we are your own. You are never demanding, overbearing or unreasonable. You love seeing your family all together and it shows when we sit and watch you watching all the kids.

Regina Bivens – not only are you an adopted “grandma” to my children, but you are wonderful to me. Having you here in Charlotte has enriched my life. I feel like I am an extension of your family. You provide amazing support for me when I need it most.

Marlene Weber – You gave me the friend of a lifetime!!! I tell my sister all the time that everyone needs a Suzie. Your home was always open to me and we always had a fun time with you. Not many moms had the Trans Am with t-tops!!! Your strength as you battled cancer was inspirational. You were never down or feeling sorry for yourself, you always saw the bright side of things.

Mayme “Snookie” Johnson – I feel so lucky that you came to live in Charlotte. To get the opportunity to get so close to a woman who raised such an amazing man was truly a privilege for me. My children were blessed to have you at a time in their life that was not so easy.

Mary Jane Peake – You have raised a strong, independent daughter that has held me up many times when I thought I would fall. Listening to Tina talk about you brings me great joy. I love that your house if filled with family every Sunday, not just on Holidays. It says a lot about the kind of mother you are.

Josephine Lisanti – Your entire family means the world to me!!! Joe and I always felt at home at all of your functions. For us to be a part of the closeness that your own family and your extended family share was and continues to be a blessing.

Susan DellaRatta – You also have given me a friend of a lifetime!!! You have been a big part of my life for over 25 years now. Even when you are a guest in my home it is like having an extra mom there who is willing to do anything to help me. I love that Danielle, Joseph, Alexa and Chloe are having the same experience of blending the families that Tom and I did.

Concetta Casertano – My amazing grandmother. You were the glue that kept the family together!!! You taught us about loyalty, commitment and most importantly to be grateful for all we have and don’t waste time thinking about what we don’t. Your faith in the “Dear Lord” gave you remarkable poise and strength. To have had you for 90+ years is one of the biggest blessings God has given me. I will never be able to express all I learned from you, but I sure do try.

Roseann Corbett – The “bestest” mom ever!!! What can I say that has not already been said over and over and over? You are a pillar of strength for your children and grandchildren and your “adopted” children and grandchildren. You are tireless when it comes to helping everyone and their kids. There is not a selfish bone in your body. You and Daddy taught us all the value of family and how important it is to keep your children close, but to let them spread their wings as well. None of us would be where we are today without all the love and support we get from you. All nine of your grandchildren are very lucky to have such a hands on grandmother – they will benefit from your love and guidance throughout their lives.

True Sportsmanship

I had pretty much had today's blog done in my head earlier in the week, then a few days ago I heard about one of the greatest sportsman like conducts any of us have heard in a while....

Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence.

But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.

She crawled back to first but could do no more. The first-base coach said she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. Or, the umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would count as a single.

Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count — an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky.

The umpire said there was no rule against it.

So the two opposing team members carried her around the bases telling her to be sure to put her good leg down and touch each base. Now for the really impressing part - the two girls that carried her had no idea at all that Sara was a Senior or that this was her first run ever. In their minds she hit it over the fence and she deserved the home run. Many players were in tears as the 3 girls got to home plate.

Mallory and Liz you showed us all this week how to be good sports, good teammates and most importantly good people. Hats off to you ladies!!!

Isn't She Lovely......

Here she is, my beautiful little girl on her special day!!! Danielle's First Communion was a wonderful celebration. Our family was surrounded by people who love and care about us, the weather was beautiful and the celebration back at our house was wonderful.

I was lucky to have been asked to help Danielle's class at the Church, so I was able to sit right next to her. When Father asked us to pray, Danielle would put her prayer hands in mine!!! It was so, so sweet. Watching the excitement on all the children's faces will be a memory I hold dear. I shed more than one tear of joy on Saturday, as did others in our group. Even my 2 1/2 year old nephew was "feeling it" at a quiet moment in the ceremony he shouted "There's Jesus!!!" My Baptist friends were loving it!!!

All in all I could not have asked for a better day/experience for us or for Danielle.

Saturday April 26, 2008 - God shined his light on The Marsicano Family for sure.