Today we’ve got a fun little peek into the crazy life of the Rossis! We’ve got masonry repairs going on outside, window replacements going on in the nursery, ceilings being painted inside and basement renovations rounding up downstairs…home ownership is certainly keeping us busy! We decided that updating and maintaining a home wasn’t enough, so we thought we’d add a small human to the mix (make sure to check out our big announcement if you missed it!). (Continue reading…)
This past June, my husband and I took what we’ve deemed our “last hurrah.” We hopped on a plane, and then a train for a total of 18 days. It was something more like a European holiday than an American getaway. We traveled from East to West through the US and then a little South. We caught just a glimpse of this corner of the world & was it lovely!
Eventually, I need to get around to telling you the whole story, but a little sneak peak is what I’ve got for you today: The juxtaposition of seeing the awesome magnitude of God’s handiwork in the world, while considering the intimate engineering going on in my own body was breathtaking and consumed my mind for many hours staring out the train window.
If you missed my big announcement, make sure to check it out before reading on! (Continue reading…)
The announcements are out, the family has been called, and I’m finally allowed to share our big news with the world! I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but the Rossi family is getting a sweet addition January 3. That’s right—I’m pregnant with our first child!
I can’t tell you how surreal it is to be typing those words right now. I honestly never thought that it would happen to me (just like I never thought I would turn 6, go to highschool, make it to and through college, or get married)! But here we are, and despite our stunned silence, it’s 100% true. There’s even a growing belly to prove it. (Continue reading…)
I rarely watch the news anymore. There’s so much evil and pain in the world and I can’t do a single thing about it. I’m not government, medical, or God—I’m just one little person. Watching the horror on my TV screen is only going to numb me, scare me, and shut me down. It might seem irresponsible to not know exactly what Trump is up to or how the economy is doing, but I just can’t do it anymore. Sure, I catch bits and pieces here and there, catch up on some reading from time-to-time. But if I’m so locked into a screen—shocked at the state of my world—how will I ever change it?
What good does knowing do? Wouldn’t doing something be better? (Continue reading…)
After a beautiful stroll on the boardwalk, fireworks, and cherished time with family in Ocean City, we tucked ourselves in for the night—it was one of my favorite 4th of July memories. It wasn’t our original plan, but it was still special. We had planned on a huge party thrown by my sister-in-law, but she had unexpectedly been admitted to the hospital and was required to be there until her due date…in October. At about 2AM we were startled awake by a call from my mother-in-law. My sister-In-law was having an emergency C-section. She was only 28 weeks into her pregnancy with little J. After hours of waiting with family and friends, we learned that baby J was stable with just 2 lbs 9 oz and 13″ to him, but doctors were still concerned about his mother. So we waited in the hospital lobby, we waited at home, we spent an eternity waiting—it was one of my most terrifying memories. (Continue reading…)
Homemakers are amazing. Stay at home-makers are world-changers. Though we don’t feel like that’s true even on good days, it is true, and I’m reminding you today. I often go through “everything is meaningless” phases and forget the truth that in reality, everything matters.
Our culture is so caught up in what we can achieve through a career, something tangible, something concrete and measurable. But so many times in life, we forget that the things that matter most are the things that we can’t see, can’t measure, and the things that often times go unnoticed. (Continue reading…)
Don’t even get me started…I know that I was born only 12 hours before the best day of the year. My mom couldn’t just wait 12 more hours for me to be born on Leap Day! That’s right, I was born on February 28, around 12:00pm. Despite my bitterness about not being born on February 29, able to claim that I’m only 6 years old, or being able to choose when I want my birthday to be on most years, I’m so grateful that God has given me 24 wonderful years of life so far. (Continue reading…)
A few days ago my sister squealed as she made her way up to my office for a day of blogging and chatting (surprise! we mostly chatted). For a few brief moments of work, she sprawled out her papers on the floor and was quickly joined by the white fuzzball that now sits under my desk. “Oh I need to get myself an office bunny! I’m not sure how I get any work done without one,” she giggled as she gave him a much deserved pat down. Today I’d like to give a little bit of a sneak peak into my studio, tell you what it’s like to work in a shared studio with a rabbit, and share why I think it’s the best way to work from home. (Continue reading…)
Growing up in rural Pennsylvania nearly required a childhood filled with farm kittens. It also required fantastic names for these fluff-balls. From the obvious Brownie and Snowball to the more creative Sneakers, Raja, Stephanie and Kephanie—we had them all. To be honest though, my cousins were even better at names, one year they had deemed their runt Sicky…and now every time someone is sick, the name reappears for whoever is camping out on the couch.
Typically, when a sicky emerges in our family, my Mom or I get a little excited (this may or may not be a little bit weird). We love to set up a folding table and stock it with tissues, remotes, hot tea, water, crackers, magazines—whatever we can find. Sometimes we even can find some flowers to put in a vase! We are on our A-game when we can serve! But what happens when your sicky isn’t in your home, or lives a hundred miles away? I have been working on the perfect solution for taking care of your friends & family when they are sick with the flu, a cold, or whatever comes their way! Creating a kit ahead of time will assure that you are an answered prayer when your friend comes down with whatever is going around. Here’s how I made mine: (Continue reading…)
The balmy days of December couldn’t last forever. January is finally here—snow and all (#WinterStormJonas)! It’s time to stock up on plans for the rest of this weekend, since there’s no way that you’re going anywhere! If you’re anything like me, you can’t fathom a day, let alone two, of being locked in the house with nothing to do. Yep, I’m one of those sickos. Exhibit A: writing a blog post on Saturday…not something I usually do. I do want to challenge you (and myself) to plan something fun for your snow day: if kids get to have fun and forget about the stresses of school, so should you! Here are some ideas that I’m looking forward to! (Continue reading…)
I never thought it would happen…actually, he said it never would, but that’s what you get for saying never. My brother not only got married, but married the perfect girl last month! I, along with aunts, mothers, and the best bridesmaids a girl could ask for threw her a fabulous British Tea Bridal Shower fit for a princess. Stacks of old books topped with teacups and flowers set the scene for a relaxed, ladylike affair. It was the perfect day to welcome the guest of honor into our family. (Continue reading…)
Rachel: Are you sure your anniversary isn’t the 25th?
Sara: Yes, I’m sure. It’s always been the 5th.
Rachel: Well, my board says the 25th…sorry!
Yes, I am that Rachel and my sister, Sara, has been married for 5 years. Apparently I’ve gotten their anniversary wrong for the past 5 years! The board I’m talking about was my inspired attempt to remember everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries—clearly it has not worked! My new year’s resolution for 2016 is to actually send my loved ones birthday and anniversary cards on time. I know that doesn’t seem like a huge thing for some people, but I feel so special when my family and friends remember my special day! There’s nothing better than getting your very own birthday card from someone who really remembered. I’d much rather get a single card than 50 Happy Birthday posts on my Facebook wall from people who don’t acknowledge me the rest of the year.
