Just for you Colly

My briefs match my APPLE!!!


No so scary Lion



Beautiful Mad Hatter











HAPPY HALLOWEEN MOMMY - we love you and we miss you too!!!

October 21, 1999

Here she is, my beautiful little girl. Nine years ago today her father and I welcomed her into the world with open arms and hearts filled with love. I remember each detail like it was just yesterday. I could not wait to hold her for the first time.

The circumstances of her delivery led to me being completely put out and having a c-section so I didn't get to hold her right away. I remember the nurse waking me up and telling me I had a girl - we didn't know what the sex of the baby was. For some reason we felt like it was going to be a boy, so in my dazed and confused state of waking up from the anestesia I called the nurse back over and said - "excuse me, did you say I had a girl???" And she said yes. I was hurrying them along to get me to her at this point but she was in the NICU so there were lots of procedures to follow - I remember thinking alright already but I am a first time mother, PLEASE let me see my baby. They brought me a polaroid of her on the scale!!! She was 8 lbs 15 ozs and 21 inches long.

I have a picture of when I finally got to hold her for the first time, I was still "green" from the surgery, swollen and basically just busted. I was in labor for over 30 hour before the surgery and still hadn't showered. HOWEVER, to me it is the most beautiful photograph ever taken. I tear up everytime I look at it.

Danielle was a perfect baby. People used to tell Joe and I all the time how easy we had it with her and how lucky we were. We knew it, but it was funny to hear it. She always had a pleasant disposition, ate & slept well and was just a joy to be around.

Fast forward 9 years - she is still an AWESOME kid. She is a good student, loving big sister, loyal friend and her true beauty is in her heart. She treats everyone equally and never, ever speaks harshly to anyone. God has touched her at such a young age and it truly makes me proud.

Her name suits her. We named her after my father (Daniel) and he had a heart of gold as well. I am so sorry she missed out on knowing him, but she does know the significance of her name.

Danielle Nicole Marsicano - HAPPY BIRTHDAY my love - my life would never be as good as it is today if I hadn't had you.

Pumpkin Picking

Yesterday we went pumpkin picking with several of our family members. This has been a tradition for many years. Here are a few pictures from the day....


Brianna, Danielle and Kayla






He really is too cute to be scary



I can almost reach the pedals Re-Re

But mom.... She's a good kid....

That is the quote from my son Joseph this morning. He was talking about his sister Danielle.

Here is how it all started:

My lovely Danielle is what we would all call a fashionista - and her Aunt's will back me up on that one. Anyway this morning we were on our third shirt and not for the first time since the season has changed.... I am not sure what it is about the change of season but we always seem to have issues with the wardrobe. Did I say she is 8 years old and we have been doing this since preschool??? To be fair the first shirt was long sleeves and I told her she could end up being too warm since it should hit 85 today. The next shirt was a shirt SHE JUST PICKED OUT - she put it on - looked in the mirror and changed into the layered tank top look. She looked fine - but I must admit when she took off the brand new shirt I was not happy. I started the lecture about how I do without so they can have and I am taking the shirt back and so on.... Yes my voice was raised - but not like I had vein's popping in my neck or face.

Anyway this is where Joseph chimes in - picture him and Danielle sitting at the table eating cereal while I am lecturing..... He looks at me with those beautiful blue eyes (that do look like they have tears in them) and says "But mom, come on, Sis is such a good kid...." so I say I understand that Joe but I can't deal with the clothes issues and he says again "but mom, she is a good kid, go easy on her..."

How do I argue with that? She is a good kid - and this is our biggest problem with her - but I am running out of steam on this. So I said "you are right Joseph so this is what we will do" and I turned to Danielle and let her know from this point forward if she doesn't wear all of the stuff in her closet - or if she has a morning melt down about her clothes she won't go to dance that week - again those that know her will understand for her that would be the worst punishment in the world.

So True.....

I just read this in a column on-line - READ IT and let it soak in - we never know how much time we have - don't let it get away from you and then have regret.....

"I love you" is the sweetest music a person can hear. Bouquets of flowers smell the sweetest when they are in the hands of the recipient, not stacked by her (or his) casket. And praise is most appreciated when it can be heard by the person who has earned it, not when it's recited in a eulogy after he or she has passed. So speak up now, before it truly is too late.

Middle Names

Most of us have and have given our children middle names. And I think we all know that when our parents had to call out both our first and middle names - we were in trouble. As a parent of two and Aunt of 12 I will break out the first and middle name for any one of the kids. Some I have said more than others and some for different reasons......

Christina Mari - my oldest niece, a beautiful, quiet, respectful, well rounded girl. When I use her middle name it is because she is teasing/playing around with my son or husband - and because of her respectful nature she sometimes catches me off guard - but in a good way.

Amber Michelle - the oldest girl on my side of the family, she is wide open and loves to "haggle" her point so many a times I have used that middle name. But I must say - less now that she is getting older.

Isaiah Daniel - my nephew who is a great kid and student but who uses his brain so much in school it sometimes gets tired on the weekend...

Noah Matthew - my 3 year old nephew who can't hear (choses not too) a word any adult is saying to him!!! He is wide open and very focused on what he wants - he is adorable but I use his middle names at times because I think he just wants to make sure he is the Noah I am talking too.

That is just 4 of my 12 BEAUTIFUL, AWESOME and LOVING nieces and nephews - but they all have names that suit their personalities and that I love to say.

Now for the exception to the rule - my DARLING Brianna. Brianna just turned 9 and I realized the other day that she is absolutely the one kid in my family that I have never, ever had to call by both first and middle name. She is sweet, polite, loving and just an all around good kid. Now her parents may have a different perspective but anyone who knows Bri call her "My Brianna". My sister Colleen, my mother, our friend Daryl, Daryl's sister Dawn - and on and on.

I actually had to confirm with my sister-in-law Regina that I had her middle name right!!! When I told my husband the story - he said "I had no idea that was her middle name....."

So here she is - my sweet Brianna Alexis - let's hope she holds onto the "Not needing to be called by my middle name" title......

Between "Joseph Ryan" and "Danielle Nicole" - both have heard their middle names called out!!!