Bull - Dozers

so I know every little boy is obsessed with bull-dozers, but Logan - oh my goodness. He tells Steve and I every day when he gets bigger he is going to drive one. He loves them. All shapes and sizes and lucky for us we have two right next door to us. Our neighbors are doing some landscaping and the bull dozers were there last night - Logan was out there the whole time, and so was Brayden, but Bray gets bored with them.

Ah the joys of life of a three year old!

Memorial Day

What a beautiful weekend - finally! We started our weekend with a very muddy but very fun soccer game on Friday night. Brayden and his friends loved playing in the mud, I think they did everything they could to make sure they got the ball into the muddiest water hole, but they had a blast. Saturday was yard work all day long and we ended the day with church and then some deck time with our wonderful neighbors, Sunday was a day of fun for the kids and a grill out. Sean, Lisa and the kids and mom came over for a grill out and the kids had a blast - we did the sprinkler and then a bouncy house and then movie time - simple, yet wonderful memories for them to have. Today was our family day in spending time with each other and just relaxing.

It is funny back in the day, I would lay out in the sun for hours, not worrying about sunscreen. Today I was out there for ten minutes and I was ready to come in. It was so hot and I realize now that it doesn't matter how tan you are, it is more important to take care of yourself and your skin. Way more important. We ended the night with a movie, Fox and the Hound. I brought out the classics for the boys tonight. Logan seems to love Bambi so much, that I thought they would love this one too - so far, so good. I know it is a school night, but really are they going to do anything in school? LOL


Weekends like this make you realize how lucky we would all be if we could just work four days a week - How we need to make our family and friends a priority - I think we all work too much in the USA - our priorities are all messed up.

I am sorry to say that Ric's brother did pass away this weekend. I know he is in a better place and as much as it hurts the family right now and his friends, they didn't want to see him suffer anymore, he is at peace now. And his memory will continue on through his son and through his family.
I hope everyone had a great safe weekend - it was a beautiful one. Now off to a short week and continue prayers that some day we can all go to the four day workweek!!! :)

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

never forgetting.

it is hard some days - to forget my last images of dad. I am having a rough time this week because I have been talking about it. Ric's brother (Steve's sister's husband's brother) is in the transition of leaving us here on earth and going to a much better place. Susan and I have been talking and she was asking me about dad because it isn't as easy and as simple as one may think. It is a long process of someone truly passing on. You think it is going to happen at any time but it can go on for days as it did with dad.

Ric's family has been by his brother side all week in waiting and praying for this transistion to happen. I know it isn't easy and it is one of the hardest things a family ever has to go through - the pain of watching a love one leave, the pain of watching your parents as in Ric's case watching his parents trying to say good bye to their child. Because in life, we expect our children to outlive the parents. No parent wants to bury a child. Never. It surely isn't like the movies where it is one last breath and they are gone.

It is so much deeper and spiritual. It is so much more mentally and emotionally draining than one thinks. You get to the point where you just want the person that is dying to be at peace and to not suffer anymore. In talking with Susan I told her when I woke up on Tuesday I knew that was the day. Not sure why I knew, I just knew. And I remember Aunt Joy and Aunt Rita saying the same thing as they were driving up to the house, that they just knew that was the day.

As much as it is a terrible experience in watching someone move from this life here on earth to the next life, it is also a blessing and a spiritual experience. It is an experience that you share as a family and with close friends, it is something that stays with you forever. As much as I try to remember dad the way he was, I still have those images of his last day - I will never forget.

My prayers and thoughts are with the Ric and his family as they are in the transistion stage and as they are saying goodbye to his brother. There are no words I can say to make it any easier, just know my thoughts and all my prayers and love are with you.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and is careful. Behave yourselves and enjoy the long weekend.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Storms

wow, it was a doozy last night. It is amazing how everything always seem so calm and peaceful and then within a half hour the clouds were pitch black, wind was a whipping through and the weather men had taken over our TV :).... I think age 7 is the age where the kids really get scared with storms. Last night Brayden was so scared - poor little thing. I do not think it is helping with all of the tornados that are hitting and everything being shown on the TV. He doesn't know what to think you know. As much as you try to calm their fears down, it is hard to do sometimes. He made us go downstairs last night and he was coming up with the plan that we need to keep more food and water downstairs just in case. I am sure we were the same way in wanting to always be prepared :)

I hope everyone survived the storms last night - I think they are suppose to pop up all week - oh what fun. I was thinking last night how storms are a lot like life. Everything is beautiful and sunny and peaceful and then Bam, right before you know it, your whole world is being turned upside down and the storm is coming through. But just like everything else, all storms pass through - it may seem to linger for a while, but they will pass.

It just seems this year has been a real stormy season - both weather wise and otherwise. It is amazing the weather we are having. I do not recall a time where there have been so many devastating storms. And there is suppose to be more this week - woo hoo!

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday and want to tell the Spring Breakers - to have a GREAT time this week - have fun and behave yourselves :)

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Fun Weekend

you know how sometimes on weekends you just blow off the yard work and have fun. Well, that was our weekend. Friday night after happy hour we went up to Kings Island to get our passes and Logan was excited to be able to get his own pass this year. While we were up there we were able to ride some rides - which the boys loved. Saturday was our day of soccer games and yard work. Steve busted his but to get everything done, so we could take the boys up Sunday morning.

It was actually a great day - it wasn't crowded at all and the weather was beautiful. Ran into some people I used to work with which is always a great time - it was a long day in the sun. Needless to say since I blew off laundry and house work on Friday and Saturday I had to catch up last night - sorry to mom because I didn't make it over to dinner :(......

The one bad thing about this weekend is our AC is still out - he is coming tonight though! Thank goodness - but he had a rough week so we sweated it out and used a lot of the fans. And here it is, Monday morning and the rain has returned. It is suppose to rain all week - grrr..............

I hope everyone had a great weekend and is still alive - the end of the world didn't happen, at least for some of us :)

Happy Monday!!!!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Karma

do you believe in Karma - in that it is a bitch and what goes around comes around!

It is life isn't it - people will get what they deserve and it may not be today or tomorrow, but Karma will show up knocking on your door and you will get what you deserve. Try to hide behind whatever but it will find you.

Just talking about it today at work and what we thought about it - strange I know.

Well, tomorrow is the end of the world. I hope everyone is ready for it - have your credit cards maxed out, all of your food is eaten, and beer is drank - for there will be no Sunday - can I just say WHATEVER!!!!

It is suppose to be a beautiful weekend. I hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy it and get some yardwork done.

Headed out soon to a much needed happy hour with some ole' friends - and just spending time with family and friends this weekend.

I hope everyone has a great weekend - HAPPY FRIDAY everyone.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Ahh - How

I miss the beach. Even though I only lived in San Diego for two summers, it has become my favorite place. I was just thinking this morning as I was driving in the rain and the cold again, how nice it would be to be back there. It is the one city that has the perfect weather and the most beautiful beaches. It is my dream to go back their even if it is just for a short visit. I know Jen says she would love to go back there too, so we may have to make it a trip out there soon - it is so beautiful.

Ah how nice it would be!

Well since I am not going there anytime soon - my Brayden was so sweet this morning. Logan woke up right before we left and he was laying on the chair. And Brayden said hey buddy what show would you like me to turn on for you. :) And for Brayden to do that, that is huge just because in the morning he loves to lay on the couch and watch TV before he heads off to school. They amaze me sometimes in how they can be so sweet to each other and the next minute they are wrestling and fighting to the ground LOL

That is what siblings do - and always do Hee, Hee, Hee

Happy Thursday everyone - dream of beaches and warm sunshine today.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Almost Here

in watching the weather report this morning, it looks like summer may almost be here. After today it is suppose to start warming up so it will be back to ac weather. And you wonder why everyone is getting so sick. One day you are in winter jackets and have the heat on, the next day you are in shorts with the ac on - we have always had crazy weather, but this seems to be the craziest!

Brayden is suppose to have a soccer game tonight but I hope it gets cancelled. He plays the same time we play volleyball and one of us has to miss his soccer game because there isn't enought volleyball players - so I am hoping it is cancelled.

Another dreary day - dreary. It is hard to get motivated in this kind of weather to do anything. Last night we didn't move, I played with the kids a bit but I let the dishes pile up and just felt blah. And everyone knows I hate a dirty kitchen, I just didn't have the energy to clean up.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday - stay dry and just know that warm weather is on the horizon.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Gave in

well, I wasn't going to do it and I held out as long as I could. But when my seven-year old comes to me and says Mom please turn on the heat, what am I suppose to do. That is right, I didn't turn my heat on these last few evenings - I was making a stand - so much good that did. When I got home from work today we could have hung meat in here it had to be like 35-40degrees: it was so cold that I even cancelled bath night tonight - poor little things would freeze their behinds off - I guess we will do it hillbilly style in the morning. Hee, Hee,

I wanted to send a special Congrats out to Cindy who just learned she was excepted into Nursing school. I am so proud that she is able to go back to school and finally do what she wants to do. We support you all of the way and we know you will do great!!!

Another wet, cold, day in the middle of May. It is sad to think that the pools are suppose to be opening up in two weeks. I told Brayden today that I do not think we will be going swimming until July - at least July!

I hope everyone had a great Tuesday - tomorrow is hump day, and it is volleyball night - Woo Hoo. Headed off now to watch the Biggest Loser as I eat a Reece Cup or some ice cream - and I know I am NOT the only one that does this.... Hee, Hee, Hee

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT DIANA - Kisses and Hugs I am sending your way. I love you!
Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Oh my

it was cold this morning - this weather is unbelievable. About 5 days okay we were sweating our behinds off and now we are freezing them off - what gives!

A friend of mine sent this to me and I really loved it so I thought I would share it with everyone:

There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all of the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living.

I hope everyone has a great Monday and I can't believe I am saying this in the middle of May but try to stay warm :)

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Rain, Soccer and More Rain

I just realized that I haven't been on my computer since Thursday - kind of crazy huh, but also kind of nice to "get away" from technology. What did we do before all of this gadgets came available to us, we physically had to talk to someone, we read books and we communicated verbally instead of through emails, texts or facebook messages. Brayden and Logan's generation are not going to now what is to actually talk to someone :)

Anyway, been a rainy/lazy weekend. Friday the 13th for the first time in years wasn't too bad for me - nothing too bad happened except our AC broke - thank goodness for connections. We were able to spend time with Steve's family Friday night which was nice and fun. Saturday was just a wet day with two soccer games, and sitting in the rain drops watching them. Both boys played very well and Brayden even scored a goal. I felt bad for him and his little friend Drew. The other team both had a Drew and a Brayden and they were getting confused on who was yelling at who and what they were suppose to do - it was pretty funny. It was a lazy afternoon of naps and then we went to church. Actually had a date night last night - thank you Cary for watching the boys and all I can say is thank goodness I am not single and that I felt old at the bar we went too - LOL

Today, was a truly lazy day - did manage to finish the laundry, did manage a two hour nap and did manage to go to mom's - it is truly crazy all of this rain and the weather - I think someone may be telling us something. I saw it is suppose to be 60 all week and again rain all week - our grass is so higg we are going to need a hay bailer :) And we do good and cut it every week but can't cut it when the rain is falling.

Mom is excited that school is almost done and that she will officially "retire". She has no plans and why should she - she deserves to do nothing and to just enjoy life!!!!!!!!

For some reason this weekend tears fell. In missing dad, and I saw a picture this morning in the paper that showed the little boy with his hand on the back of his mom's back - to loose your father at such a young age, and this little boy is taking care of his mommy - ugh.

There was another story in that there was a high school in Mason I believe that crowned two down-syndrome kids as their Prom King and Prom Queen of their Prom. These were kids that accepted this two kids and didn't even look at their disabilities - they accepted them as peers and as just regular kids - the article said these kids are wearing theire crowns every day and it just brings a smile to your face, knowing that not all kids are bullies and that there are really good kids out there.

I guess I am done babbling for now - sorry, it has just been so long since I have been on there - I guess some pent up babbling.

One more thing - Casey is home for the summer - woo hoo - he will be here at least until the first of August - it is so good to have him home.

I hope everyone had a good weekend and was able to take some "lazy time" - it was a great weekend for it!

Have a great week everyone.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Mommy Guilt

oh the mommy guilt. We all have it - rather we are working moms we wish we could be with our kids more, or if we are stay at home moms, we sometimes wish we could have that adult companionship and be appreciated. The guilt hit me hard this morning. As I was leaving for work, Logan was up and he was crying and he said "But mommy why do you have to go to work, don't you want to play with me"

Dagger - right in the heart!

I wish I was able to be a stay at home mom, at least until Logan is in school and then find a part-time job just to occupy my time or volunteer - a lot. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and they are great and very flexible, but I hate having to rely on others to raise my kids. Mom and Steve's Mom are our angels that are helping raise our children and I feel so guilty about that. Not that they aren't doing a good job but I am sure they think, been there, done that :) I want to be there to be able to volunteer more at school, to be with them in the summer, be there when they get off the bus, I want to be able to be there for them.

Major case of the mommy guilts today!!!!!!!

And what the heck happened to the weather - seriously. We go from building an ark to living in a steam bath - playing ball last night and it was so HOT - which made the beverages go down even better LOL. I saw this morning that this weekend it is only suppose to be 68ish and then next week the evenings are going back down to 48degrees. We tried to wait it out and not turn the air on, but our upstairs was so hot last night, that I couldn't help it. I can not sleep when I am hot - it is just miserable. I guess we will be turning that thing off in a couple of days - jeesh.

I hope everyone is having a great week so far - it is Thursday and as Cindy says it is Thirsty Thursday :)

Happy Thursday - stay cool and keep a smiling :)

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Gifts

 the greatest gift we are given are our children - and the next best thing we are given are our homemade gifts :) - Brayden made me this cookbook - shaped as a flower with a pen that he made himself. My favorite type of gifts. And like someone said it best the other day - even though it was Mother's Day, the tantrums don't stop, the fighting doesn't cease - it just allows us to reflect on the gifts that we have been given by God - and what a precious gift they are. Brayden's card said I liked to cook - he doesn't know me very well LOL

I had a great mother's day spending it with both sides of the family and just hanging out with family - I couldn't ask for anything more. The weather was beautiful, the company was great and the boys well, they were the boys :)

The weather is warming up - I saw it is suppose to be 85 tomorrow - I am still holding out on turning on the air because the nights have been so cool - poor little Logan is sick, I am sure it is because the weather keeps changing and will not make up it's mind but at least it is NOT raining - at least not yet.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and was able to spend time with your loved ones and outside. Today is the day we have, tomorrow is not guaranteed so make the best of it.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Mom

Mother's Day - the one day of the year where we are suppose to show our gratitude's to those mothers/women in our lives that have made us who we are. But every day - should be Mother's Day. Why only one day - every day we should be grateful and thankful.

Saying a Thank You or giving her flowers or handmade gifts is not enough for the woman who has made me who I am today. For being a great example and for teaching me what motherhood is all about. It is impossible to completely thank the woman who has been strong for all of us during dad's journey and our own journey through life without him. A woman who is always there for us and for the grandchildren, always there for her friends and neighbors. She is selfless and is so giving and loving. She is fun and she makes all of our friends feel welcome, she is hard-working and rarely takes time or does things for herself.

I hope you have a great day today mom, and I hope everyday is a great day - you mean the world to me and to our family. You are an inspiration to me, you are my friend and most of all, I am proud to call you Mom.

I love you!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

One Proud Aunt

okay - I am going to take this time to brag about someone else besides my kids. Case (Jen's oldest) was just awarded a position as a Manager of the University of Notre Dame Football Team. He will be on the field for all home games and most of the away games. He will get a scholarship his Senior Year and he gets to be part of all of their training and meetings. He will be spending his summer up there when they start their conditioning. Notre Dame is suppose to play in Ireland this year and he is hoping that he will be able to go. Here is a picture of his name on the scoreboard at Notre Dame.

Even if you are not a Notre Dame fan - this is still pretty amazing and cool. Now we will all have to really play - "Find Casey", when the games are on TV :). In talking to Jen yesterday about this we both agreed that dad had something to do with this. That he has been with Case the whole time and is giving him this opportunity of a lifetime. Dad loved Notre Dame and it holds a special place in our family's heart since it was his last journey. I know he is looking down on Case beaming with pride and happiness. I am so proud of Case and I know Jen and Bill are beaming with pride - how could you not LOL

The sun continues to shine and it is warming up - I think Spring is being skipped once again and it is right to summer. I hope everyone enjoys their Derby Day/Mother's Day/First Communion weekend. I am sure it will be a busy weekend for many.

Be careful out there - do not drink too many Mint Juleps :)

Happy Friday everyone.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Yeah

for the sun - it is shining so brightly this morning and it is proud to be out. I saw this morning where we are going to jump from our brief stint of fall weather right into summer weather. It is suppose to be 80 degrees next week - so I guess then we will all be complaining that it is too hot :)... It would be so nice to bring San Diego weather here. That is a city that has perfect weather - I loved it out there when I lived with Jenny and Bill - the weather was unbelievable.

So Logan made me a Mother's Day present at school and Wednesday are his last day of school for the week so he was allowed to bring the present home. He was so excited to give it to me and for me to open it up that he didn't even allow me to open it up. He opened it up for me. He did such a great job on it don't ya think:

These are MY FAVORITE type of gifts - I love them, I do not need anything else. The thought and the handprints and finger prints - it is priceless. Who needs an expensive purse, or clothes or dinner, when you can have this that I will treasure always. If you can't read it, it says: " This is something to remind you, that when I have grown so tall, that once I was quite little, and my hands were very small. " (sniff, sniff). Children truly are a GIFT from God - I do not need anything else in my life.

I hope everyone is able to go out today and enjoy the sunshine - it is shining ever so brightly and you will need your sunglasses - what are those? I know right :)

Happy Thursday everyone.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Did you see it!

the big yellow thing in the sky this morning, did you see it? Don't blink it may be gone soon. Oh sun, how we have missed you so. It is crazy how it is feeling like it is fall out there again - especially in the mornings. Brayden was upset he had to wear a coat this morning, completely understandable, when is it ever going to be Spring/Summer - the sun, not only does it warm us, it also puts people in better moods - the rain - is way too depressing :)....

Spoke too soon - I looked outside and it is raining - UGH!!!!!

So much for that big yellow thing in the sky. Maybe it is the end of the world that is starting to happen. So depressing........

Well, try to have a great day everyone - and not be too depressed.

At least our volleyball game tonight is early and we will not have to play in the rain or cold - can't believe I am using that word cold in MAY!!!!!!

Come on Spring!

Miss and love you dad - so much.

Much love to all,

Rain, Rain - Please Go Away

I like rain, I really do and I don't mind it, but not every single day - it is almost like we are living in Seattle. Where is the sunshine, where is the warmth - I think we are all going stir crazy and all this rain, it is depressing. Yuck.

We had such a great weekend - I was so happy that the rain stopped on Sunday for the First Communions. Like Erin said, " The sun may not have been shining, but God was shining on our day" It was such a great day and yes, I cried. When Brayden walked down, it hit me that he wasn't my little baby anymore - that he was all grown up and was such a big boy. I know I owe lots of pictures from Easter and First Communion and just every day - I know everyone is waiting with anticipation. :) But here is a few from Sunday.

Wanted to send out a Congrats to all of the Piggie Runners this past weekend, especially Lisa and Robin - what a great victory. I have always admired runners, and if I could run, I would, but it is so hard on my ole' knees - it wouldn't fare well. Also, a Happy Anniversary to Sean and Lisa who celebrated 7 years on Sunday - it is hard to believe it was seven years ago - what a great night that was!

And a Congrats! to Eric and Tara on expecting their second boy - everything is going well and I wish them the best. And if I have left any Congrats or Happy's out - I am sorry - it is so hard to keep up with everything these days :)


Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,