Favorite Quotes

When I hear something that really moves me, I write it down, commit it to memory, and do my best to requote it to others. Here are a few of my favorites I have written down over the years:


"Ignore people who say it can't be done."

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals."

"What He allows us to suffer is matched by the grace He gives us to endure."

"I believe life is not measured by what you spend, but by what you spend time doing."

"God never calls you to give up something that He will not replace with an upgrade."

"Keep your eye on the prize." (The back story to this one is hilarious)

And my hands down personal favorite - because my dad cut it out of a professional journal years ago - if I had to guess I would say at least 20 years ago and he wrote my name on it, I have it with me everyday.

"Goal setting unleashes one of the greatest powers in the universe. If you aim at nothing, that is what you will hit; if you reach for the stars, certainly your feet will get off the ground!"

I see, I wish, I hope

Today would have been my Father's 66th Birthday. Unfortunately this is the 18th time he is not here with us to celebrate. My dad loved to celebrate the important days - not extravagantly but just surrounded by people he loved and who loved him.

I thought I would post things I see, I wish and I hope with regards to my dad.

I see a piece of him in all 9 of his grandchildren. Some have his blue eyes, some are left handed like he was, some have his kind heart and giving personality, some have his ability to be friends with people immediately, some would spend time with family above all else. Most importantly in ALL of them I see non-judgemental kids who don't see color, religion, social status etc... when they see others. And that comes from my sister's and I raising our children the way our parents raised us.

I see a piece of him in all 4 of us, Me, Danny, Pattie and Colleen. I love getting up early before everyone and enjoying a cup of coffee. My brother Danny is 100% our father in his work ethic - it is like looking at my dad all over again. Pattie spends most of her waking moments with her family. Colleen has his skin, Irish complexion, and his non-confrontational personality.

I see almost daily how much he meant to friends and family who keep his legacy alive and who constantly tell stories about him.

I wish he had met everyone's significant others (Joe is the only one he met before passing) so they would truly understand the awesome man he was.

I wish the kids knew Popa personally and not just through our stories. Although if you talk to them you may think they did know him personally.

I wish he was here to help us teach our daughters all he taught us about remaining strong, independent and not following the crowd as we were growing up.

I hope my brother realizes how proud our father would be of him and that most of the career decisions he has made would have been the same advice dad would have given him.

I hope our family continues to value the way we were brought up and holds close the traditions and importance of family that we were taught.

I hope and pray that I am 1/2 the parent that mine were.

Guest Bloggers - Danielle & Joseph

Today is Joe's Birthday so I thought I would let the kids take over my blog and type a message for their dad.



Three things I love about dad

1. I love when you talk like joe when he's mad.
2. When you help with homework.
3. I love when you play basketball with us in the backyard.





Three things I love about dad

1. Dad I love when you help me with things.
2. I love when you tuck me and danielle in at night.
3. I LOVE when you play bass on rock band with the family.

Happy Birthday Joe - we all love you!!!

Nanny Connie Style - for you Colly

I have an early meeting at work this morning so I got myself together and was "trying" to look my best. Driving in was a breeze, no traffic, listening to the Elevation Worship CD, just enjoying my ride.

Oh, wait, is that rain??? Did I leave my umbrella in the office yesterday??? Is it raining harder???

My parking garage is across the street from my building - no worries - my grandmother taught me a great way to improvise....

Step 1 - Take the stuff out of the Wal-Mart bag that is on the floor of the car waiting to be returned.

Step 2 - Tie the Wal-Mart bag around you head like a kerchief.

Step 3 - Walk really fast and hope no one see's you.

Of course there are security cameras in the deck and the entrance to the building so I am sure someone had a good laugh. But hey, I am dry and ready for the meeting.

The Nana's

Where should I start??? This is my mom (AKA Nana Rosie) and my best friend Tom's mom (AKA Nana Suzie). Back in 1980 by parents franchised a 7-11 store that was right next to the "Holbrook Stables" which was owned by Sue and Mike. (Tom's parents) Immediate friendships were stuck. Tom and I became inseperable - he helped me put together the Sunday papers at the 7-11 and I helped him at the concession stand at the barn. Our parents became the best of friends. They went out to dinner, celebrated holiday's, traveled to the poconos and basically became family.

Nana Rosie and Nana Suzie are now widows who put all they have into their grandchildren. My mom has 10 grandchildren (7 boys and 3 girls) and 1 on the way. Suzie has 2 grandchildren (both girls). They are also "Nana" to many other lucky children - AND even our friends have started calling them "The Nana's." I believe "The Nana's" was started by Daryl and it stuck.

The Nana's don't have much but they give 100% of their hearts to everyone they love. All 12 of the grandchildren truly believe the sun rise's and set's on Nana. All of our extended family and friends have children who WANT to be with the Nana's. The thing that amazes me is that the Nana's aren't push overs, they have rules, expect respect and they do say no at times - but these kids are attracted to the Nana's like a magnet to metal.

The Nana's will cook and clean when they are "guests" in your home, travel with family or each other - you name it. I would say anyone that knows and loves them feels a "gathering" is incomplete without them. Grown-ups and kids alike want the Nana's involved in everything!!!

So here's to Nana Rosie and Nana Suzie - we all love you and are so BLESSED to have you both.

Mrs. Marsicano

Fifteen years ago today, I became, Mrs. Joseph Marsicano. It truly feels like just yesterday.

Joe and I met when we were 18 and got married when we were 25. We both lived at home until the day we got married so living away from family for the first time (we both commuted to College) was something we experienced together. The first year of our marriage was awesome - lots of people told us it would be the hardest - not for us. It still remains one of the best years of our time together.

After we were married for 4 years we decided to move to Charlotte. Cost of living was better, work/family balance was easier to achieve and we knew we wanted to start a family. After living here for about 15 months we built/purchased our first home and one month later found out I was pregnant with Danielle. 1999 was a good year!!!

We live in that same house now with Danielle, Joseph and my mom. For me our home really represents us. We love it to be filled with friends and family. I have as many pictures on display as possible - all of great times we have had. Disney items in each room (if you know us you know how much we love all things Disney). As I sit in each room I see all of the hard work that Joe has put into the house for all of our benefit. But MOST importantly we spend quality time with those we love in our home.

I would be lying if I said all 15 years were wonderful and we never fight.... But I can honestly say nothing really "comes between us." Sure we have had our ups and downs (who hasn't) but at the end of the day I wouldn't trade the past 15 years for anything in this world. I can also say that I love Joe more now than the day I married him.

We have overcome many challenges in our time together. Death, Illness, Surgeries, Financial Issues and others - we have done it together and it has only made us stronger.

I recently said to Joe - "I want you to know that one of the things I love the most about you is that I know with 100% certainty I can count on you when the chips are down." His response was "Remember, there is no I in Team and we have been a good team for a long time." I am certain he had no idea how much that meant to me especially at the moment he said it.

Our wedding was everything I had hoped for. We were surrounded by friends and family that loved us, the ceremony was beautiful, and everyone had a great time. I really wouldn't change one thing - well except that both of our Dads would have been there. Our wedding day had to be the hottest ever on record, but I was bound and determine to have outdoor pictures!!! Here are the 24 I was able to narrow the over 300 down too.

Me & My Mom

Me & Colleen - my kids love laughing at her BIG Glasses

My girls - they are all still a huge part of our lives

Joe and Steve (his brother & best man)

Our first picture as Mr. & Mrs. Marsicano

Big Bridal Party

My dads friend gave us this bottle of Dom Perigon when we got engaged - we save it for 2 years

So Handsome

Joe and Steve again - both looking much calmer

Our guys - all still a big part of our lives too

Joe and his mom

Our beautiful niece who just started her senior year in High School

This shot has been in a frame on my desk at work for 15 years

Colleen loves this one...

End of the night - the best is yet to come

Hanging loose in Hawaii on our honeymoon

Dinner Cruise in Honolulu

The resort in Maui

The beautiful beach in Maui

Joe - I love you with all of my heart. I could not have picked a better person to go through life with. Looking forward to many more years and many more memories.

20 Years Ago Today....

20 years ago today Steve & Regina were married.

For those of us that love them, it seems like it was just yesterday. I have been a part of the Marsicano Family since I was 18 years old. Regina was already "in the family" and made me feel welcomed right from the start.

I can remember when she asked me to be a bridesmaid like it was yesterday. We were in the kitchen in the BayShore house and Joe's mom said where will the people who are with the bridal party sit??? And Regina said "Well who would say they (Me and Jimmie) are not going to be in the bridal party?" So right then and there she set the precedence for the family - the six of us, Steve & Regina, Jimmie & Maria and Me and Joe would be together always - and she was right we still are and we are all still close.

Back to my BEAUTIFUL sister-in-law. The morning of the wedding I was a nervous wreck, I am not sure why, other than it was my first time around as a bridesmaid. I called Regina to see how she was doing and when her mom answered a phone she said "Oh, Regina is still sleeping..." WHAT, sleeping, talk about being a calm, cool and collected Bride.

We all met at Regina's house to have our hair and make-up done. We got dressed, took some pictures and then the limo arrived to pick us up.

We arrived at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in plenty of time... The ceremony was beautiful and both Steve and Regina were beaming with happiness.

August 20th is also Regina's Birthday, so after the ceremony as we all got back into the limo's to head to the reception Steve gave Regina a beautiful necklace for her birthday because he didn't want her to think her birthday would be forgotten in all of the wedding festivities.

The reception was at The Huntington Towne House and it was so, so much fun!!! The room was filled with family and friends that loved Steve and Regina. Here is how you know you had a really good reception - afterwards my dad said to me "That could be the best wedding I have ever been too" My parents had been to many, many wedding receptions at that point!!!

They honeymooned at their favorite place - Disney World. It worked out that Joe and I were in Disney World with my Uncle on the tail end of their honeymoon and we met up with them for a day. We have been traveleing to Disney together for the past 20 years!!!

Here are a few shots from the wedding!!! Look at the cake!!!

I do wish I knew how to make them appear bigger - but I am not an expert at scanning old photos yet.

Their wedding song was "I believe in you and me" and 20 years later they certainly still believe in each other, their marriage and their family.

Here are some more recent shots of them - notice Regina still looks the same!!!


They still 20 years later will randomly hug like this regarless of what is going on around them.

Her 40th Birthday - she teared up several times - hence the sort of puffy eyes. :)

They have 3 beautiful daughters - Christina (17), Kayla (15) and Brianna (9). They both love nothing more than being "The 5 of them" - all of their girls have a great sense of family and truly enjoy time with their parents and extended family.

Here are some shots of the 5 of them

Family vacation in Florida

Christina's Sweet 16

Steve & Regina - I wish you many, many more years of happiness!!! I love both of you and the girls with all of my heart!!!