{Motivation}

Happy March! It's almost spring! The weather has been nice. Loving it. :-)

Good news: I've officially been going to the gym for two months. Let me remind you that I am SO NOT a gym gal. At all. However, I will say that AFTER I leave the gym I do feel better....so that's a nice aspect of going to the gym. One thing I wanted to blog about was some experiences at the gym. Let me explain....

One thing that has been happening at the gym is I see people trying to workout. I say trying because usually I can tell there is something physically going on with their body and they are struggling. The gym I belong to is a rehabilitation center, so there are many adults who have injuries or have had medical conditions working out. They are at the gym to swim in the pool or work out on equipment to improve their body somehow.

The one man I see all the time weighs a lot. Maybe 400lbs.? I see him each morning when I ride the bike. I start off biking watch the news (TVs are attached to bike). I then bike while I play games on my phone. One day I started to see this particular man. Every time I was on the bike, he was across from me trying to work on a piece of equipment. The man's left leg from below the knee to above his sock is a dark purple. At first I thought the purple color was a bad bruise. But then weeks went by and the purple lower leg remained. He keeps coming to the gym. I don't know this man but what makes me nervous for him is I think he has poor circulation in his lower leg...maybe a diabetic?...maybe he will lose his lower leg? I'm not sure. But that fact that he comes every morning and works out when he (physically) seems like it would be easier to give up...that motivates me. This man really motivates me. I send him good vibes as I ride my bike. I really hope he can save his leg. I really hope the best for him!

The next story is when I attended my first spin class. Let me just say I had NO BUSINESS taking a spin class. I had no clue that class would be so exhausting. I go into the spin room and there are about 25 people ready to spin. The music is fun and loud. I think it's going to be a fun class. However, about 20 minutes into the class my hands start to tingle. I start to get dizzy. I tell myself not to be a wimp. I tell myself that I can do it...don't quit!!! I am looking around the room and one woman in the spin class clearly has some kind of disability. She struggled to peddle the bike. She had an aide next to her so she would not fall off the bike. If I could guess she has cerebral palsy. I could not believe she was taking a spin class. Wow! I was impressed. So about 30 minutes into the class I am really starting getting sick. I think I am going to pass out and and throw up. Right there. In the room. So.... I get off the spin bike and try to get out of the room. The instructor stops the class and runs out of the room with me. I am saying, "No, no, don't stop the class, please...". The instructor gets an employee to get the medical blood pressure equipment. Everyone in the gym is staring at me. Or at least I think they are staring at me. I'm quite embarrassed. And then the unthinkable happens. The woman with cerebral palsy (or at least I think that's what she has), comes out of the spin room to check on me. The woman can BARELY walk. She has a pretty big limp when she walks out of the room. She comes over to see if I'm OK. How can I put this is words? That woman motivates me to be better in the gym!

The last story...and I have many more...is about the pool at the gym. Rob and I swim two days a week after work. I am happy to say I am improving every time I swim. I can now swim 15 laps without stopping. I'm so proud of myself. One man that I see in the pool all the time really motivates me! The man only has one leg. He comes into the pool on crutches and somehow hobbles down the stairs into the pool. That man swims and swims with his one leg. I can't believe it. He is really nice, too. He always says "Hello". Honestly, now that I think about it..the people at the gym I belong to (Virtua) are very friendly. It seems that everyone wants the best for everyone else. The bottom line, I'm lucky to go the gym with Rob into such a motivating atmosphere where everyone is trying to be the best they can be.

Isn't that what life is all about after all? Make it a great day!

{March Weekend in Avalon}

The weather has been so mild and really warm this winter. It's been nice! I called Rob's parents (*They are in Florida for the winter) and asked them if I could use their home in Avalon one weekend in March. My In-Laws said "of course". So...I invited Gina, Nicole and Marie with their kiddies for a fun weekend at the shore.

We had lots of snacks and junk food for the kids. We took walks on the beach. Gina and Nicole took the kids to a few different parks. The kids really had a BLAST!

Here is a group shot of the kiddies. (*Ryan and Kieran were busy and could not attend this weekend...)

Thanks to Gina, Marie and Nicole for bringing so much yummy food for everyone.

I was lucky to have some time to scrapbook. I finished Rob's "Lake Placid-Iron Man" book.

I know I've blogged about my Gratitude Journal before. One thing I want to mention on this blog post is how grateful I am for Rob's parents and their generosity with their home in Avalon. I'm grateful that I am able to experience Avalon and the beautiful shore on a daily basis. The beach is my therapy. Make it a great day!!!

{My Class @ Rider}

I am loving each and every class I have taken over the past 3.5 years at Rider University. I have about 3 more years of classes (total of 48 credits) to take before I finish my Counseling Degree. After I graduate, I plan on taking another 12 credits at Rider in order to be eligible for state counseling licensure.


My latest class is called Psychopathology. I really like the class. I know it sounds cliche, because I seem to like every class I take in the counseling program, but the truth is...this program is for ME! I found a new calling in life and I couldn't be happier!!!

Last night we had a guest speaker in class. She was teaching a strategy called "Mindfulness" to the students. As counselors, we need to be aware of ALL the avenues and strategies to guide our clients. Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Solution Focused Therapy. Existential Therapy (*My favorite). Client Centered Therapy. And the list goes on and on. One technique for counselors to learn is teaching our clients Mindfulness. The lesson on Mindfulness started with a short story by Nadine Stair. She wrote the story when she was in her 80's. I'm not sure what you will take out of the story, but I listed at the end of the story what it meant to me.

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.

What the story meant to me:

• Take chances in life



• Don't be afraid to take risks



• Laugh more



• Don't sweat the small stuff



• Be present in the present moment


• *My husband's take...and he said the story above is not meaningful to him since he really doesn't have many regrets. Robbie found this quote online: "A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships were built for!"

I'm not sure what the story meant to you, but one thing is for sure: Enjoy life's journey!! Make it a great day!! :-)

{Where Have I Been?}

I'm sorry. I haven't been online on my blog in weeks...it seems like MONTHS! There are many reasons WHY, but the biggest reason is I am not on a computer that much anymore. I was lucky enough to get an iPhone last summer. Bam! That's it. The iPhone has created a wonderful and instant online life for me...but there is no reason to actually SIT and type at a computer.(*unless I am at work, and I don't have time to blog at work...not really!)

Good news! I am FREE tonight. Free of sports (*Have 3 nights of sports coming up later in the week) and FREE of any commitments. YAY! I'm catching up on all the BLOG posts I STARTED weeks ago, but never finished!!! Let me get busy!

Oh! So WHERE have I been and WHY have I been so busy? GREAT news! I am working extra hours at work (Can you say "Thank you" and "Grateful" for the extra money to help my family financially?) AND I have been going to the gym 5-6 days a week with Rob. WHOOHOO!!! I'm trying so hard to lose some weight for a wedding in later March. Details soon.....

{Gym}

As part of my One Little Word for 2012: NEW, I have done something really NEW this year. Something I haven't done since I was 23 years old (*Yes, that was 20 years ago!!!). I joined a gym. It's a huge change for me. A change that is really hard getting used to. But, I am willing to give the gym a try for a few more months.

The positive parts about going to the gym:

• I've lost weight. I would like to lose another 10 lbs. before a wedding I am attending at the end of March.
  
• I am happy that my clothes fit me better.
  
• I have more energy.
  
• I feel that my skin looks better, too.
  
• I seem to have a more positive attitude. Maybe all of those "endorphins" or whatever the doctors mention about exercise are a good thing. :-)
  
• The biggest positive of all-Rob and I get to spend SO MUCH extra time together and I couldn't be happier.
• We are even driving to work most days. It's fun.

However, the negative...and I don't want to be a "Debbie Downer", but there IS a negative side to joining a gym:

• The house is never clean.
  
• I am sleeping more. No more waking up at 4:00 AM and cleaning the house. (*No time to blog in the early AM hours like I used to do!!!)
  
• I am so tired at night from all the exercise, I CRASH. The alarm goes off at 5:15 and it's off to the gym.
  
• Leaving a messy house is giving me some stress and anxiety.
  
• The kids' rooms are not as clean.
  
• Can you see a cleanliness pattern here? I guess the point is...I have to take ONE or the OTHER.

Anyway, I will continue with my biking, swimming, exercising journey for a few more months. I'd like to tone up, lose more weight and feel good about myself physically. I will have to see how the next few months also go with the house, kids, laundry, etc. Maybe things will start to get easier...Only time will tell!

{Making A Terrarium~OLW:NEW}

Well, it's mid-February. I can honestly say that I am trying so hard to live my life this year in a NEW way. New experiences. New attitudes. Going to a restaurant? I go to a NEW one! The list is endless!!!
Something I always WANTED to do was make a Terrarium. I made one!!! YAY!

(*Waving to Marie! Thanks for the Terrarium book and container !)

Here are the steps to my latest project:

You need a really nice glass container with a lid.
Potting soil. Rocks. Charcoal (*from pet shop). Moss. Plants.

Clean the glass container. Put charcoal in the bottom.

Then rinse the NEW rocks that you purchased. Put the rocks on top of the charcoal.

Put potting soil on top of the rocks. Then, carefully, put your plants (Google the types of plants that are OK in a terrarium. Not all plants work.) Cover the roots of the plants with potting soil.

Water. Do not saturate. The last step...and I do think it looks nice, put a layer of MOSS on top of the potting soil. Then...Put the lid on. That's it. Make sure your Terrarium does not get DIRECT sunlight or even a cold, direct draft. Technically you don't have to ever lift the lid to water your plants. It's a perfect ecosystem. I will keep you posted if my Terrarium lasts. :-)

Since I was making a potting mess in my kitchen, I thought I'd plant my BASIL seeds in my mini pots (*Longaberger!!) that sit on my kitchen windowsill. The seeks have germinated! Yum! I LOVE fresh basil. :-)

{19 Kids and Counting}

I've blogged about this show before on TLC. This show is such a guilty pleasure for me! I simply love Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar! Here are some little known facts:

• I can name ALL 19 Kids...in the right order!
• My favorite "Duggar" is Jana.
• I wish I could have more patience and be more like Michelle.
• I am grateful for my 3 wonderful children, but boy, they are SO lucky to have such a large family. It took me so LONG to beg my hubby for my youngest son...why didn't I beg for just a few more kids? ;-)
• I have NEVER missed a show!
• I just LOVE the patience, kindness and love every single family member shows one another.
• I am always looking on their website to see if they will be speaking or visiting any states close to where I live.
• It would be a dream to see this family in person....someday!
• Someday...Someday!!!

{Joel}

I like to DVR shows for those times when I wake up early and need SOMETHING to watch. I usually DVR shows on TLC, History or OWN. I took a chance and recorded a Joel Osteen special. I really didn't know much about this Christian Minister until a few weeks ago when I watched his Oprah interview one Sunday night. Well...you know what... I REALLY like him! So much so, that I'd love to go see him speak in person someday (*He is speaking on April 28th at Washington Nationals Baseball Field and it's SOLD OUT!!!)

Here is what I learned from the show I watched (*Yes, it was so interesting, I took notes!!!)

• Every day is a Gift from God.
• If you get kicked in the rear, it means you are in the front. (LOVED this quote!!!)
• The higher you go, the more haters there are. They are small minded. IGNORE small minded people. Don't quit. Don't give up. "Do as King Saul did".
• Run your race.
• Negative=Poison
• God has a plan for ME.
• Keep Joy.
• Keep Faith.
• There is a POWER in letting things go.
• Don't fight every battle. Be an EAGLE. Not a crow. EAGLES soar HIGHer. (This was a very strong message and a long speech by Joel, so if I don't get the "crow" message, ask me to explain!!)
• Ignore negative and rise above.
• Mark of a true champion is to know what battles to fight.
• *I wrote myself a note to buy his book: "Everyday is a Friday"

{Scrapping Weekend}

I have been meaning to update my blog for weeks...I STARTED this blog post in January. I so wanted to express my gratitude for being able to get away and scrap with girlfriends. Anyway...better late than never. I had a GREAT time scrapping in Longport. Loved chatting and laughing with girlfriends. LOVED to watch a million movies in my PJs while we all scrapped the day and night away. Here are a few layouts that I just think came out so nice. Scrapbooking my family photos is something that give me joy. It's pure therapy! Enjoy!

{Vision Boards}

I started making Vision Boards in 2007 after I read the book, The Secret (*A great book on the Law of Attraction.) A Vision Board usually consists of pictures and images that represent things you "envision" in your life. I recently made a new Vision Board for 2012. Once my Vision Board was printed, I decided to find my old Vision Boards. I, of course, had to scan the pictures for my BLOG!!! I really enjoy looking at my old Vision Boards because they remind me what my dreams WERE and if I did (or did not) make those dreams a reality.

Here is a typed Vision that I made on Oprah.com. It is dated 2007. I called the paper "In 10 Years-My Passion and 'To Do' List". The paper is torn, but I still hold onto it because I still have until 2017 to (hopefully) finish and fulfill some of my dreams. (Note to self: Get to Prince Edward Island STAT!!!)

This is the picture Vision Board I made with scissors, glue and magazine pictures. It's funny to look back and see what some of my dreams were (like having a cleaning lady... did it for two years...decided traveling was more important, so I dropped their services) and they are not as important anymore. Looking back on this Vision Board reminds me that it's OK to change my mind and a grow...

Here is my printed Vision Board from 2010. I LOVE, absolutely LOVE looking at the Clip Art Library(with leather chair) picture I found for my Vision Board. In 2011, Rob and I made our Dining Room into a home library and office. We have a beautiful bookshelf in the room too. While we don't have a leather chair (*We decided on a different style), I STILL love that my dream came true.

Well, here it is...here is my NEW 2012 Vision Board.
I have my dreams...now let me go catch them. :-) Make it a great day!

By the way...just because someone has a vision or a dream for themselves does not mean they don't FAIL. Trust me, I fail big time! I just keep plugging away....

One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE quotes is from J.K. Rowling:


"Why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life. You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you...live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all-in which case, you fail by default."

A blog from my archive that is a worthwhile activity: The Gratitude Letter

Another blog from my archive that I think relates to the "Vision Board" topic. I blogged here about my "Mission Statement"

{17 Reasons We Love Ryan}

Happy 17th Birthday, Ryan Christopher!

Mom and Dad can't believe our oldest son is 17 years old!!!
Here are 17 reasons we love you SO MUCH!!!

1. You are our oldest, kind and caring son.
2. You are an AWESOME cousin!
3. You always get your homework done. Work independently. Show great responsibility.
4. You are a loving older brother to Kyle and Dylan (*Even though your younger brothers can drive you crazy sometimes!!)

5. When your Dad needed you the most during his 17 hour Iron Man Competition in Lake Placid...you came through. You ran with Dad for over 11 miles just to keep his motivated to finish the race. How many people can just start running in their Aeropostale shirt and regular sneakers? Not many! But you showed your awesome character and stayed with Dad. We are so proud of you and love you so much!

6. How about when Carl Lewis was in our neighborhood campaigning? We yelled to you, "Ryan, come here FAST! Carl Lewis is here!". You were a good sport and showed more of your wonderful character ...even though later you secretly confessed you had no idea who Carl Lewis even was! That' s OK! Now you know who he is ;-)
7. You love to play on the XBox. For a quiet kid, you are so ANIMATED when you are playing "Live".
8. You showed good work ethic the past two summers being a Junior Camp Counselor.
9. Out of all 3 boys in our house, you have the CLEANEST and most organized room!

10. WE LOVE you because you have 4 different 2008 Phillies World Series Championship hats that you wear ALL THE TIME!
11. You can be quiet and reserved, but at times you show a witty and funny side. We love it!!!
12. Your teachers at school say they are so proud of you for sitting up front lately and really being part of each lesson. Even your math (Algebra II) teacher said you are really doing awesome in class. You have a 98 average in math! Way to go!
13. You are dedicated to being on the Seneca "Iron Devils" (Fe) Robotics Team.

14. We love you because you "Go with the Flow". Here you are at Boulder Field in Hickory Run State Park. You really didn't WANT to go on the day trip to the Poconos (*since you have been to this park 4-5 times!!) But you went "for Mom". Thanks, Ryan. Love ya!
15. We love you because you rarely complain. You are a laid back, relaxed kind of kid and you know what...those are some awesome traits to have in life!!!

16. You recently stepped out of your shell...you are growing up...and you have your very first girlfriend. Mom and Dad know you are just a kind, wonderful and caring person. We are so happy that other people are starting to see your awesome character traits.

17. Finally, You are so loved on your 17th birthday even more than the day you were born (Jan. 4th, 1995). You have grown up to be such a wonderful person. Mom and Dad are so proud of you and love you very much. xoxox

{Christmas 2011}

Santa arrived at the Rossi home!!! As I upload all of the photos from Christmas morning onto my blog, I started to think about what I would write. There is really only one word to describe Christmas and that work pretty much describes my family...my life...everything... BLESSED! Rob and I are so blessed to provide a great Christmas for our boys. Here is the Christmas tree with all of the gifts from Santa.

Ryan, Kyle and Dylan were very happy after they opened their presents from Santa. Kyle even played an awesome song for us on his new drum set.

Christmas Brunch: Mimosas are a standard in our home. The kids had eggnog. :-)

Gina and Jon with Remi. Grandmom Rossi with Zane. (*She is Aunt Margie to Zane.)

Ron with Christina and Nick. The BIG NEWS was Ryan's NEW CAR (*Honda Civic!) from Grandmom and Grandpop Rossi.

Kyle with Travis. Grandmom and Grandpop Haney.

Merry Christmas 2011

{Rossi Family Christmas Card~2011}

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.