Can't get much better

than this weekend. What a beautiful weekend it was and it is suppose to continue at least until later in the week when it is back into the 90's. It was a low key weekend yet busy. Friday night was movie night which was different in that normally do it on Saturday's but Brayden was going to the game Saturday night so we moved it up. And it is a great way to end a long week. Both boys and including mommy were asleep by 9:30 - I know what a big partying Friday night - woo hoo.

Saturday I worked and went to Brayden's soccer game - he had to move up this year and is back to being a little intimidated by some of these BIG fourth graders he is playing against, but he is starting to hold his own. At this age it is starting to feel like more of a real game in the sense that they are starting to pass the ball to each other and the kids are getting faster and bigger. And if you aren't playing well, the coach doesn't have to play you, you can sit the bench. But Brayden has a good team and has several of his friends on it, so is he having a lot of fun. Lucky for us most of his games are at 10:00 which is a perfect time, not too early and you still have your whole day to get things done. Saturday, was date night with mom. While Steve and Brayden went to the Red's game, Logan and I went and watched a movie with mom. This was after we had lunch with mom and Olivia.

Logan - my little chatter box. This child didn't shut up all weekend until he was sleeping and even then he was talking in his sleep. He had a story after a story and question after question. It is funny but at the same time, we were like Logan give your mouth a rest, meaning give mommy a rest from the questions :)

Yesterday was dinner night at mom's and what an awesome dinner it was. Thank you Jeremy for cooking and thank you mom for having the dinner - yum!

So here we are Monday morning, back to the grind, back to the long week, but look forward to a 3-day weekend and spending time with family and friends.

I hope everyone has a great Monday and has a chance to be outside to enjoy this beautiful weather. If it would only stay like this.......

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

First Week

well for most of us, the first full week of school is done. The anxiety of starting school, of meeting new friends, new teachers and not what to expect should be passed. Now it is time to buckle down and start the real work and it looks like it is going to be a busy year! Sorry I haven't been posting every single day, just been busy with work and homework and filling out forms and continuous school shopping.

Don't you love that you get the first list and you go out and you are proud of yourself because you were able to find everything on that list and for the most part it is all cool stuff. Then the second list comes out and you search high and low for that orange folder that is two pockets with the prong in the middle and it is no where to be found until the tenth store you go to and it is cheaply made but you get it anyway because your child has to have it. Ugh! Next year I am buying a folder in each color, with prongs and without prongs - eventually they will use them - right!

Beautiful weekend ahead of us. Steve and Brayden are headed to the game tonight and it is just going to be my little buddy and I. As he says, We will have so much fun mom :) It is tough to make sure both boys get to do things equally especially when Brayden is older and he gets to do more things - I know Logan doesn't complain or understand, but Steve and I more me, sometimes feels guilty that Brayden gets to do more things. I know all parents go through it, and I only have two, Couldn't imagine how mom did it with the five of us.

I hope everyone has had a great week and is enjoying this beautiful weather - it is absolutely gorgeous, it reminds me of San Diego weather. Warm in the afternoons, but cool in the evenings for a jacket or sweatshirt - Love it.

K - gotta get back to work now - actually at work today - Enjoy the beautiful weekend!!!!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Hardly Believe

it has been three years since Steve's dad passed away - it seems like it was just yesterday he was joking and laughing with the kids or giving me a hard time about something - it just amazes me how fast time really does go by. And how there are days that you never forget where you were or what you were doing when you got the call. I know he is in a better place along side dad waiting for us all to join them. But it doesn't make the pain of him not being here any easier. It is hard loosing someone you love.

~~~~~

Brayden's first couple of days are going good. He is adjusting as are we. I think the hardest thing for him so far is going to sleep. I am trying to get him into bed by 8:30 and with it still being light outside and his friends outside playing it is a struggle. Steve and I were laughing the other day in that I was looking at his math book and I told Steve we are going to have to start studying every night so we know how to teach Brayden - it has been a while :). The problem is trying to teach them the way school teaches them not the way we learned LOL. I say whatever way he understands it and the answer comes out right, that is what we should do!!

Logan is doing okay with Brayden not being around. He is love spending time with Grandma and Grandma by himself. He says he is happy he doesn't have to share with Brayden. They both love each other to death but you know how siblings are. On Monday when Brayden was getting off the bus he ran up to him and gave him a big hug and said he missed him! But it is nice for Grandma and Grandma to have one on one time with Little Logan. He isn't going to be little much longer.

I am missing volleyball again tonight - stinks. I am still not feeling well. I am still really sore and hurts to bend and move certain ways. When I called the doctor she said it could take 4-6 weeks instead of the 2 weeks that I had originally thought. My problem is I am feeling good and then I'll bend down and try to do something and then I realize Ouch, I just had surgery. I am not good at sitting around and let Steve do all of the work - just not my nature. But he yells at me to take it easy and that is hard to do.

Any whoo..... I hope everyone is having a great week and is enjoying the weather.

Happy Wednesday!!!!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

All Grown Up

well, I found out this morning, my little boy is all grown up and he doesn't need mommy anymore - at least in front of his friends. Today was Brayden's first day of school and he told me that I wasn't allowed to walk into school with him, that if I wanted to take any pictures of him I had to do it at home and I was not allowed to kiss him in front of his friends. So, I didn't. He got out of the car and saw a couple of his buddies and didn't even look back at me to wave to me - he just moved on.

I know it is time to start letting him go, but after this morning I am not ready for it. I began to tear up - seriously, he is in third grade, I can't let him go :(

Logan is going to be lost all day without his brother, even though they fight and get on each other's nerves, Logan will miss him. He doesn't start school for another two weeks so he will be having some nice quality time with both Grandma's. He is excited about that.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoyed the weather. It for the most part was a beautiful weekend, at least the evenings were nice.

I hope everyone has a great week and school goes good for all of the kids. And to all of the mothers out there who isn't willing to let go, neither am I. :)

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

It's Official

summer is over. The start of school this week means many kid's summers are over. The vacations, the trips to KI or to the zoo - now it is time for homework and projects, early bed times and rise and shine with the sun. The boys have been busy this week between us, mom and Grandma Jean, they have had a great last week of summer. They have gone shopping, hikes in the woods, Zoo, Kings Island, Putt Putt and may be ending the week with a movie.

For the first time in many years Brayden hasn't started with Kenton County. Normally he goes with their schedule but for some reason this year he got an extra three days and he doesn't start until Monday. He is nervous because he hears third grade is hard. It is the year that they are no longer babies and that they have to be responsible for their own actions. I told him last night not to worry he will always be my baby :) But I know that I have to start letting go and allowing him to be responsible for his work and his actions.

Soccer is underway, first game is this weekend for Brayden. He is excited because there are five kids from his class that are on his team, and one of his best buddies, Elliott is playing with him. He kept saying it is going to be a fun season!

Today was my last morning of sleeping in late, Monday will start my school routine of getting up at 5:00 to get everything ready. That is one thing that I do not like about Catholic school in that he starts at 7:20 in the morning - that is so early for the kids, especially the little ones. I wish they would change the time, even if it was an hour back.

I hope everyone has had a great week. Sorry for not posting all week but been super busy with trying to catch up at work since I have been gone the last two weeks. Here is to another wonderful weekend. I hope everyone has a great one!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

We Survived!

our first family vacation ALL OF US - we survived! We all had a great time, at least me and my boys did. We went to Woodson Bend (Thanks Joe for the suggestion) and it is a nice gated resort about 2.5 hours away near Cumberland. It sits right on a golf course so of course Sean was in heaven and it was about 15 minutes from where we could rent a boat. Everyone went on a boat on Friday, while Steve, Bill, Logan and I stayed back. I probably could have gone, but didn't want to take the chance with just having surgery. And besides, I knew I couldn't go tubing or in the water and I knew that I couldn't sit on the boat and do nothing - what is the fun in that.

Brayden was hesitate about getting on the boat since he has never been on one. I told him that he would have a blast and he did. He couldn't stop talking about it for the last couple of days. Being down on Cumberland, made me miss our days years and years ago when we had our boat and us, and three other families would go down there and just party and have a great time. Water Sking, Tubing, etc.. I love being on the water and being on the boat! I miss it.

We had great weather down there and I know dad was there with us - I know he would have loved that we did that. We had been trying for years to get everyone together but with kids and schedules it was never possible, but this year we just said we are doing it no matter what and what a great time we had. Being on vacation with family - it teaches you to have patience - and that it isn't a bad thing, but with all of the little kids that we have - and each child had their moment or day, you just have to learn to have the patience and pick the battles :)

Even the beer had to stay behind the blue line!

Brayden and his little buddy Will

Ms. Jordyn

Ms. Kali

Will, Logan and I

Logan, Sean, Lydia, Will and Brayden

Will and Logan

Mr. Will

Overall, it was a great trip and I can't wait to do it next year. Hopefully, I will be able to go tubing LOL. Of course I have tons of pictures but here are some from the pool:



And wow the weather - it is gorgeous up here - what a beautiful day the last two days have been. I hope everyone had a great week and weekend, here is to another week. Schools are starting - can you believe that!!!! Summer is done, and in four months it will be Christmas and I will be complaining it is too cold LOL.

Special prayers going out tonight tonight to the people who were hurt in that Indiana State Fair Crash - I know Tonya's sister-in law is really close to the mom and daughter from this area that were injured. What a freak, freak accident. Please keep them and all of the others in your prayers as they fight to stay alive.

Happy Monday - Well almost Tuesday :)

Back to the Grind

welp it's Monday morning and it is back to the grind. Off to work today - kind of weird after being off of work for a week that was unplanned. It is different when it is planned and you know what is waiting for you. But since I worked most of the week I guess i know what is waiting for me this morning.

Had a great time at the pool party yesterday at Uncle Dave's. Sorry I didn't make my rounds like I normally do, I was just really sore and now of all things my summer cold has kicked in, like I do not have enough to deal with right now. Logan was so cute. When we were headed to the car, he says Mom that was the best pool party ever. Can we come back tomorrow? :)

It was great to see everyone again and all of the kids - wow, all of the kids. They just keep multiplying don't they LOL

I hope everyone has a great Monday - off to work I go!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

For Better of For Worse

So it has been one week since my surgery, one week of catching up on books, and taking it easy. Which isn't easy for me to do. I would have loved to have been home and been able to actually do things. Don't get me wrong, I am moving around and started doing laundry against Steve's wishes.

Speaking of, we go through life with our mate and you know you love each other. But with life and kids it becomes mixed up in life and it doesn't come a priority to show each other how you much you really care about each other. I have always known Steve has loved me and I realized after last weekend how much he really does. He was such a trooper and he was as scared as I was. But he never would let me see him worry. He made sure to take care of me and he made sure to calm me down, because lets just say that I was freaking out a bit last weekend.

He has been taking care of the boys and the house all week and me at the same time. You know someone loves you when they see everything about you, I mean everything and they still stick around :) We have been through a lot in our marriage, probably more than most, but we are still together and we are still going strong. In fact, I think we are stronger now than we were five years ago.

He is a wonderful person, a fantastic father, he is my best friend and I love him to death - I couldn't have made it through last weekend or this week or anything within the last five years without him by my side. I strife every day to be a better wife for him and to be the person he truly deserves. It has truly been a week of showing what it really means to love each other "For Better or For Worse"

Happy Friday everyone - it looks like a cool down in the weather may be coming up next week, I saw a high of 83 one day - woo hoo!

Miss and love you dad~ so much.

Much love to all,

Big Boy

I realized after being down and out this past week what a big boy my Brayden has become. Steve was out last night playing volleyball and with me having limited mobility, Brayden was such a great help with Logan and with me. Even though he is eight, he has such a kind spirit and warm heart. I know he was scared to death last weekend after everything happened not knowing what was going on and not knowing what was happening to mom, but since I have been home he has been such a great help.

In a blink of an eye, I am cuddling him and changing diapers and the next thing he is taking care of me and helping mommy and daddy. I am so proud of him and I know he is going to become a great man someday and make someone a very lucky woman.

Don't blink too much before you know it they are out of the house and making their own family.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Do Not Stoop

when people hurt you with words or with actions do not stoop to their level. Be the better person, be the bigger person, be who God wants you to be, do not stoop.


Ephesians 4:29-32     
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.


~~~~~~~

Catching Up

it would be nice to be home and be able to have full mobility - but I am doing okay with catching up on reading and watching movies. It is so quiet here when no one is here, I miss my boys :)... I have been working a bit in the morning since they give us all laptops but I mom gave me some great books to read and I have started reading again. I use to read all of the time but I can never find the time anymore to do that. I just need to make the time for that.

Funny thing is, I am off this week, and then work two days and then off to vacation - nice two weeks huh. I go back for a follow up appointment next Tuesday, I hope everything is doing well, especially my blood. I didn't realize I was that anemic so it scares me a bit. I thought my diet was going well so I guess I need to change it up a bit and start eating some more greens. I will do whatever I have to so I do not have to do a transfusion again - that is a scary thing.

Kind of disappointed that I am not going to be able to play volleyball tomorrow night. We have been having so much fun and since we have had early games it just makes it better.

Can't believe school is starting in a couple of weeks. Already have Brayden's school supplies with the exception of his uniform which we will be getting this weekend and he starts soccer again next week - the summer is almost gone - it went by so fast and having surgery and this transfusion is not the way I wanted to end it.

Maybe it was God's way of telling me to slow down and take care of myself. It is amazing how all of us women always take care of everyone else and always put ourselves last - when in reality we should be putting ourselves first so we can take care of others. That is such a hard concept for us all to take in you know. I know it is for me. I always put myself last - the boys always come first, Steve, Logan and Brayden and it isn't a bad thing, it is what I want to do.

I hope everyone is having a great Tuesday! I am off to read a book and enjoy my last bit of piece and quiet. LOL.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Unexpected Weekend

well, it was an unexpected weekend for us. Friday I went to work not feeling well and wind up with a fever around 10am. I went home to lay down thinking that I could just sleep it off. Except I couldn't get comfortable, I kept having a sharp constant pain in my stomach. I tried calling Steve with no answer, I didn't want to call Steve's mom because she had my boys and I didn't want them to worry and I didn't call mom because she had Jeremy's girls and I didn't want her to drag those two little sweeties to a hospital. I drove myself to Urgent Care in Florence and from there they sent me to the hospital, so I wound up at St. Elizabeth in Florence, KY. Not ever being there I was kind of scared and definitely out of my comfort zone. But everyone there was so nice and it was a great hospital. After four hours from my initial visit I was being wheeled into the surgery room - I was having my appendix taken out. WOW, I had nothing with me, we had no plans for the boys, it was just an unexpected surgery and I don't like that.

I was suppose to be discharged on Saturday morning but my blood count was really low. I was anemic before surgery and after surgery it was a lot lower. I had to sit through six hours of blood transfusions on Saturday - oh what fun. Come Sunday morning my counts were good enough to come home and be discharged. Now I have a week off work to relax and to get better. That isn't easy for me, to have others do for me, to have to rely on others, to have limited movement - although it may be nice to have a week off, this isn't how I wanted it to be!

That is my update for now of our unexpected weekend. I want to say THANK YOU to both sides of the family for taking care of the boys. And a special thank you to Steve, who has taken care of me from day one. I know we aren't suppose to be doing things like this for another 30 years, but I appreciate you being there for me and for taking care of me. I love you!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,