A Long Weekend

and I am paying for it today. It was completely crazy and busy especially yesterday. We had two birthday parties, a Cub Scout Award Ceremony, church, dinner at mom's, soccer games etc.. just a crazy busy weekend. It is always like that isn't it, one weekend you are completely swamped and the next weekend there is nothing, oh how I enjoy those weekends.

My body is paying for it today, all of that running around has run me down and I wound up working from home today - which I don't mind because I tend to get more done when I do, no one is bothering me :) Here are some pictures of our fun weekend together, of Logan's first birthday party and of Brayden getting his wolf badge from his daddy - overall it was a great weekend. And today was a very yucky day, those storms were crazy weren't they - I love thunderstorms. I always tell the boys it is Grandpa and Granpa and Uncle Wally up there bowling - must been one heck of a game last night LOL

Happy Monday everyone - I am going off to do homework and baths and dinner - I love my life, truly, truly blessed.

Enjoy your evening with your family and friends.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Reporting

for cafeteria duty today :), I love that my job is so flexible in that I am able to work cafeteria at Brayden's school today. It is fun to see all of the kids and to see Brayden with his friends. It is amazing though how messy the older kids are more so than the little guys are. Brayden is so excited, even though he is packing today :)

Another wet and yucky day, I guess it is better than it all being snow, even though we are suppose to have flurries today - ugh! Just want it to be warm and soon. So Logan is doing a GREAT job on his potty training journey, we have only had one accident so far this week. Unless we are home, he is in pull-ups all day and then at home I let him wear his big boy underwear. The down side to this is that I am beginning to know my bathroom inside and out - we are in there every five minutes LOL

Another busy crazy weekend ahead of us - amazing how some weekends you have nothing and other weekends there is just so much to do. In talking with Jen, the Zumba classes are allowing you to pay as you go instead of paying in a lump sum, which works out way better for most of us. I think Tonya and I are headed down on Monday night. I know mom, Aunt Carol and Jen have gone or will be going again this week - they must not be too sore yet: hee, hee, hee

If anyone is up for an adventure there are tryouts for the show "Amazing Race" today out at Turfway. I love that show, I have always wanted to try out. I think it would be so much fun, but I couldn't do it with Steve, because he isn't competitive enough, he is just so laid back where as I would be going crazy! We always said it would be a lot of fun to see Jeremy and Sean do it - of course they would probably always be looking for the closest bar LOL. But how fun would it be to travel the world in a race - what an adventure that would be.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoy your time with family and friends. Can you believe February is almost over? And with it being March, that must mean spring is near!!!!!!

Have a fantastic weekend everyone - stay safe, dry and warm.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Simple

Bible verse came to mind this morning.

All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone" John 8:7

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CONGRATS to Allsion, Connie's oldest daughter who is getting married soon. Yeah!!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Life is

unfair sometimes - you know it and I know it. It seems the lucky get luckier, the rich get richer and the poor continue to struggle. Why is that? Why do you think God has life that way? I look at the earthquake in New Zealand, yet another country devastated by Mother Nature - why did it have to happen? God has our futures planned out for us, so why do some have to struggle so much?

And another thing that really amazes me is that people will buy what they Want and not what they Need and then you hear about their money struggles, etc. Well, then don't buy the I-Phone, don't buy things you can't afford - prioritize. Just ranting this morning, sorry.

Any whoo - had a great time at dinner last night, thank you Jeremy for cooking - it was a great meal and a great way to celebrate dad's birthday.

On a side note, if we can keep Aunt Diana and her family in our prayers also, as her brother and sister have undergone stem cell replacement. Her sister is giving her stem cells to their brother and the procedure was yesterday. The last I heard everything went well, so I will keep you up to date as I hear. Also, continue to pray for Aunt Carol's niece as she continues her journey with her treatments, may God give her the strength and love that she needs to get through this.

It is Wednesday and that can only mean one thing : VB with the girls tonight - woo hoo! Brayden is excited because it is an early game and he can come and watch, I think Jeremy might even come, we will have a big fan club tonight LOL. I think they just want to come to make fun of us - which is easy to do :). Also night two of Zumba - hopefully I can make it there. As embarrassing as it was the other night, I had so much fun.....

Happy Wednesday everyone - enjoy your Hump Day - Do a dance, go to lunch with a friend, whatever it is, enjoy your life!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ~ DAD. Today is your 69th birthday - and you are celebrating it with your family up in heaven and with God. What a great way to celebrate, BUT we miss you tremendously down here. It doesn't get any easier with time, even though they say it does, it doesn't. Our family just isn't complete with you not here. Just an emptiness. I talk about you all of the time to Logan and Brayden and tell them what a great dad and grandpa you were, how you loved to golf, how you loved your family, Brayden and I even still do your secret handshake. Steve and I made a pact in that both boys will know about their grandfathers, we will always keep both of you in our hearts and we will continue to tell the boys stories about what great men their grandfathers were. I know you and Uncle Wally are up in heaven celebrating and probably having some cheesecake and some beer - we are all getting together tonight at mom's and we will have a toast in your name and say Happy Birthday - we miss and love you dearly!

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Okay, so I went to the Zumba class last night with mom, Jenny and Aunt Carol and I can't believe how un-coordinated I really am. Don't get me wrong, I have those Timmerding dance moves or so all of us Timmerding's think we do :), but my goodness when it comes to coordination - it isn't happening. Jenny was laughing so hard one time, she had to leave to go to the bathroom LOL. It was a lot of fun and a great workout, I am feeling it today that is for sure. I think I may just stay at home and do it on the Wii that way no one can see how stupid I look, Ha, Ha, Ha. It is just trying to fit it into my schedule, so I will see when I am able to make it to the next class.

I hope everyone has a happy Tuesday - it is a bit cold out there. After last week, it is hard to forget that it is still February. C'mon Spring - please hurry up!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Cheers to you - We all miss you!!!

Much love to all,

Cold ~ again :(

just saw the weather report - winter isn't done yet - it is suppose to be 38 degrees tomorrow :(... At least we had a few nice days, it was a nice break to be able to get out of the house. My sweet little Logan scored three goals on Saturday morning and he was jumping up and down and so excited, too bad (2) of the goals were for the other team :).... But it was so cute to see him so excited and happy and he came over to us after the game and said, mom aren't you happy with me, I scored. LOL

I don't know if it is because I was talking about it, or because it just clicked, Logan got up yesterday morning and after he went to the restroom, he said he wanted to wear big boy underwear, and I asked him if he wanted his pull ups, he said no, he wanted his big boy Buzz Lightyear underwear. He said he wanted to be like Brayden and daddy all day long - as nervous as I was, he did such a GREAT job - he didn't have any accidents all day long and he even did all of his business on the potty :) Now, the trick is to see if it continues or if it was a one time deal.

My poor little Brayden has been sick for two days, he is missing school today because he is running a fever. Whenever he is sick, I worry a bit more just because of him being born with only one kidney, I probably tend to freak out a little bit more - I am grateful for my job in that I am able to work from home when he is sick. When he was a baby, I wasn't so fortunate because I worked all of the time. But my priorities have changed and I am in a different job and if one of them are sick, I am fortunate enough to be the one to take care of them.

I don't think he is going to miss much today at school anyway, it was just a snow-make up day and I am sure other kids will be missing too. Tonight is the big Zumba night - there is a group of us going, to check it out and be so sore tomorrow where we can't even move I am sure - but I am excited, I just hope my knee holds out LOL

I hope everyone has a great Monday if you are working - I know many people are off today, and of course it is rainining. But anyway, enjoy your Monday!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Mommy vs Logan vs Potty

ah potty training - what a joy it is. When I was training Brayden, I did everything the books tell you to do, the bribery method, the naked method, the consequence method, the take them to the potty every 15 minutes method, so on and so on, it is enough to stress any mother out and it did. I was so stressed with Brayden that after two weeks I just said forget it, he will go when he is ready. And you know what he did.

And now it is Logan's turn - he just turned three in December and we have been working on him for a couple of months. At school he does great because every hour they take him into the restroom and have him go, and they put a stamp on his belly which he thinks is so cool. But when we are at home, he gets busy playing, and I get busy making dinner or doing laundry or cleaning to remember to take him in there every hour on the hour. Sure if I was able to stay home with him all day, I would be able to take him in there every hour on the hour, but that just isn't the case. He was doing well for a while, going on the big potty that we even sold his little potty that we had when Brayden was little. And now just last week he gave everyone this sad little story that he couldn't go potty at home because he didn't have a little potty and he all of a sudden was afraid of the big potty. Well, he received a little potty and yet we are back to being lazy.

He does wear his big boy pull ups and he loves them because they have Buzz and Woody on them, and most days he does well, but it is just learning and having him do ALL of his business on the potty that would make my life so much easier :) But I know when he is ready he will do it - all of the time.

So right now mommy is losing this battle but I give up on stressing about it - Logan will do it on his own time, no need to stress us both out LOL.

 vs

Any whoo, not sure why I just posted a blog on potty training but just on my mind this morning. I hope everyone is able to go outside today and enjoy the weather - it is suppose to snow again next week, I know, can you believe it.

Enjoy your Thursday!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Release - by Tears

I take pride in that I can handle alot as a person and believe me just like everyone else I have had my share of trials to go through especially with dad. think we are all built that way in a way - we are strong when we really need to be. In fact, we are probaly a lot stronger than you we give ourselves credit for. BUT sometimes, it feels so good to cry. I don't know if it is just the building up of life and stress, of what tomorrow is going to bring, of the past, of missing dad, but sometimes it is all too much yet it doesn't seem too much until that one little thing just sets you off.

I had one of those days yesterday. I didn't feel stressed, it was just a normal day, but someone had asked me to do something and I just had to bite my lip from crying - I know crazy - not sure why. Maybe because I haven't cried in a long time and I just needed to "Release". As stupid as it was, it just felt so good to be able to release that. Of course I didn't "release" those tears until I got home. But once I had my five minutes of crying, I was good to go and continued on with my night. Kind of weird huh, I hope others' do this too and I am not just the crazy one :)

Well, Jen and I are going to do it. We signed up for Zumba classes - Woo Hoo. I have always wanted to take this class and never could find one to fit my schedule but where Olivia takes dance they are going to start offering classes and I am so excited to go. It will be a great way to exercise and meet new people. If anyone is interested let me know and I can get the information for you. It doesn't start for another week or two, but it should be a fun class. If you don't know what it is, here a clip of what Zumba is:

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

It's in the air

can you see it, can you feel it, can you hear it - Spring is in the air. The mornings are lighter and it is staying lighter in the evenings, the birds are beginning to chirp and the temperatures are rising. I know, don't get my hopes up, but it is so hard not to - done with snow, want spring here.

I saw a preview for a show last night coming up on TLC - love that channel, but anyway, it was a show showing a little girl no more than 5 having a birthday party that costs $15,000. WOW. I know, right. What parent in their right mind would do that, would throw a party that extravagant. This little girl is going to grow up with a silver spoon and always getting what she wants and in reality that isn't a good way to grow up. I think it is important that kids go threw the heartaches and pains of childhood, of not always getting what you want. There is so much more we can do for our kids than throw them a $15,000 birthday party when they are 5!

There is another show on TLC that we were all laughing about this weekend - I think it is called Tots and Tiaras or something like that - it is about these little kids under 8 being in beauty pageants. Not only are they getting fake tans, but fake teeth, hair extensions, wigs, complete make-up, etc. What kind of message is that sending to these little girls? The vanity that it is teaching these girls. We should be happy with what God gave us, he made each of us with love and we should embrace that. We should embrace our individuality. I am not saying do not take care of yourself and work out and watch what you eat. But there is a fine line between taking care of one's self and being vain. And being completely vain - well, it's just not attactive. Go figure.

Yes, I fell off that January diet band wagon - just with winter and being stuck in the house and just a lot going on - but I jumped back on it - and it is day two and so far so good, BUT it is only day two :) LOL. You know how it goes you do so well for the beginning and then you slip up and it is hard to get back on it, but with the weather warming up it should be a bit easier. Just keep it in my mind: 20 year reunion and maybe to fit in a two piece HA, HA, HA, HA, I crack myself up. Those days went away 20 years ago. LOL

Thank you God - for such a beautiful morning and for another day here on this place we call earth. I strive each day to live and to please you.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Thornbush 1 - Brayden 0

as you all know Brayden has been practicing riding his bike in our basement without training wheels for about two weeks now and he has been doing really well. Steve took Brayden up to the park yesterday and Steve said he was doing great - he had it down until he went down a hill. Steve said he couldn't catch up with him to stop him and he fell right into a thornbush - a thick thornbush. Of course Brayden was freaking out and crying and Steve said he had to pull thorns out of his face - ouch, but here is a picture of his left hand. He is fine, just a lot of cuts and scraps and bruised up a bit - but like all boys I am sure he will bounce back - I told him now he had a war story he could tell at school today :)

Poor little guy!

Busy weekend with Jorydn's baptism on Saturday evening and then Logan had his final birthday party yesterday at Steve's mom's. Normally we don't have three different ones but Steve's Grandma and Grandpa do not get around much so it is easier to have it at his mom's house and to invite my family over there too would be insane! So we just have three separate ones. I will post pictures this week of the baptism and his birthday but here is Ms. Jordyn on her special day - we kept saying she looked like a little Ingalls girl from Little House on the Prairie :)



I saw this morning it is suppose to be 60 this week - Woo Hoo. But you have to keep reminding yourself that it is only February - things could change in an instant. I hope everyone has a great Valentine's day - if you celebrate it or not. I believe every day should be a day that you tell your loved ones that you love them - because we only have this moment right and who knows - you may not have tomorrow to tell them how you feel. I am not saying do not go out and celebrate the day but I think everyday should be Valetine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day - Hugs and Kisses to all.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Service with a smile

You know how many fast food restaurants are just well I wouldn't say rude but just doing their jobs and every once in a while you can come across a person who is really nice and takes that extra step, the one restaurant I have been impressed with the times I have been there is Chick-Fil-A. At least the location out on Turfway road. They are the nicest, friendlist people around - it is almost like being in Disneyworld. Seriously, I think it is a requirement in Disneyworld to be friendly all of the time, do you know how hard that is, especially when you have to deal with travelers all day long. But at this Chick-Fil-A you can tell everyone wants to be there, they love their job, they love what the company stands for and it is just an amazing experience to have people so friendly - because in this dang age that is hard to come by. But here is to you Chick Fil A!!! It makes you realize the world isn't all that bad.

It is Friday - and it is suppose to be warm this weekend - thank goodness. Hopefully we will be able to go outside some Brayden is doing really well with riding his back - he just needs to be outside where he has more room. Another busy weekend for us: Ms.  Jordyn is getting baptized tomorrow - what an exciting and blessed time that will be, and then Logan is having another birthday party at Steve's mom's house on Sunday - so now Logan doesn't have to keep telling me we haven't sung to him yet :) LOL

I hope everyone has a great weekend and has an opportunity to enjoy the weather - hopefully it isn't just a teaser and it is here to stay.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Take me away

to a little place called paradise - with the cold and the snow I am so ready to move. Now I can understand why so many people flock to Florida in the winter. But there is light at the end of the tunnel it is suppose to be 45 at the end of the weekend and into next week - hopefully it lasts for a while and it just isn't a teaser.

I read this again this morning - it is one of my favorite poems/sayings: Just knowing that he is always there for us and believing and having faith that it will all work out in the end.


Last night I had a dream. I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to me, the other to the Lord.


After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. “Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
The Lord replied, “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of suffering, when you could see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”


Have a great Thursday everyone.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Drummer Boy

yes we have a set of drums in our house. Steve has always played drums and these are his old set. He brought them from his house when we got married. Most of the time they just sit in the basement collecting dust but last night I took the boys downstairs for a change of pace. Our basement isn't fixed - need that money tree for that :), but it is enough room for the boys to let out some energy and ride their bikes. Brayden is just starting to learn how to ride his bike without training wheels. I know you are thinking an 8 year old not knowing how to ride a bike - but he has never really been interested in riding, he was always content in riding his scooter. So this year he decided he wanted to learn and he did really well last night - of course that was in the basement, we will see how well he does outside :)

Logan - was my little drummer boy and was playing the drums as he was singing "You got a friend in me" from Toy Story - he was cracking me up and he was really getting into it - I think we may have to start him on some lessons. He loved it.

Brayden lost another tooth yesterday - I hate this two year span of losing teeth - I know it is necessary but it is so gross and looks like mush mouth - he is going to be one to have to get braces - lucky him.

I hope everyone is staying warm in this frigid air - and then it is suppose to be 45 this weekend - and we wonder why everyone is sick and why schools are closing down. I hope this weather ends soon - so tired and depressing about it.

Miss and love you dad - so much.

Much love to all,

Why is it?

that when there is a snow day or an hour delay they can not call you the night before to let you know instead of waiting until you are already to wake up your child :)... That four letter is still around - hasn't gone away yet, BUT I saw on the weather as accurate as it may be that it is suppose to be 40's on Sunday. I know the kids and their mamma are dying to be able to play outside, even if it is for a little bit. It has been a LONG winter and I am sure there are other mamma's out there they will agree LOL

Tuesday oh Tuesday - you are not Friday and I guess it is a good thing you aren't Monday, but you are just Tuesday - blah. In the dilemma of trying to figure out what to do with the boys for the summer, I hate that I have to work and I am unable to be there for them, but life, sometimes just gets in the way doesn't it. Mommy guilt - it is always present - never goes away - no matter what you do.

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday - it is kind of a blah day - you know, nothing too exciting usually happens on a Tuesday, but today can be your lucky day :)

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Birthday Party and Superbowl

I guess our little snow dance didn't work last night - still had to get up this morning. It boggles my mind why they have the Superbowl game on a Sunday night and why it has to start so late. Knowing that millions of people are watching the game and parties are going on, they need to move it to Saturday night so we do not have to get up the next morning :) And all I can say is The Pack is Back - that win is for you dad!

We were all at mom's like we always are on Superbowl so we went ahead and celebrating Logan's birthday - I know a month late right. It is just too much to do around Christmas time, and everyone was busy or out of town so this was the time to do it. He wanted me to make cupcakes and he but the candy pieces on top of it - he was so proud of himself. But before we did all of this Brayden received his Light of Christ badge for boy scouts and he had to do offetory which was his first time doing it - he did a great job on both and I am so proud of him. He said he was a little nervous but he was fine, it just made me realize as I was sitting in church how fast they grow up - one minute they are all over needing mommy and the next minute they don't :(.....

In cropping the pictures of the birthday signing and blowing out the candles - I had to crop out all of the beer cans - didn't want it to make us look like we were a bunch of drunks. Hee, Hee, Hee. Mom had all of the brothers and sisters over on Saturday night and she said she had a great time. I will try to get a link to the video to post it on here - I know Uncle Dave put a small one on facebook.

It is amazing how things work in life you know, you think everything is going well and then Wham you hit a brick wall. Due to the economy unfortunately Jeremy was laid off from Turner Construction - so Mindy and him are going through that struggle of having a one income family - that is so hard to do when you are use to the double income and with two little ones. I know he is putting his resume out there and doing his best to network - please keep him and Mindy in your prayers as they go through this little trial in their life - Also, continued prayers for Aunt Carol's niece and Uncle Mike and Carol, the neighbor next door. I know God knows his plans even though we may not like it, I know he knows his plans and we have to have the faith to believe in whatever plans they are, no matter how hard the journey is.

Happy Monday - (ugh) everyone !

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

How precious

are these pictures! These two little girls are Steve's cousins' - looking at these pictures just wants to make me try for that little girl :) How beautiful!

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I know I haven't posted much this week - it has just been a crazy, stressful long week. Everytime I go to get on here to write my thoughts, something comes up - been a LONG week! It is Friday though and it is Superbowl weekend and we are celebrating Logan's birthday at mom's on Sunday - another busy weekend. We will be cheering for Green Bay - Pack is back Baby! (Dad would always say that). :)

I noticed the days are getting longer but I also heard on the news this morning that more snow is on the way tonight and Sunday and more next week and that next Friday may be below ZERO!  UGH!!!!! I am so done with winter. I can not wait for Spring for when we can be outside and the flowers are in bloom and the grass is green - winter is so depressing. It just seems like it has been a LONG, LONG winter - ready for warmth!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and is safe and is rooting for Green Bay LOL. Enjoy your time with family and friends and be safe!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all!

Forgiveness - Sanctus Real

GREAT SONG!





Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,