Famous... well maybe not

so you know how we had our family pictures done a couple of weeks ago by the ever so talented Jennifer Rump - she is having a display of her work at Indigo's in Ft. Mitchell for about 4-6 weeks. She has informed me that the boys made the cut and that they will be on display. She said they are right in the middle of the mantel. So if anyone eats there, look for them and we can give autographs later LOL...

I told Steve about it last night and since we have never eaten there, I guess now is a good time as any. Seriously though, if anyone needs pictures, she does a fabulous job and she has such a great personality and she is so good with the kids. I know she has done some others in our family such as Sean and Eric - they may even be on display too, I am not sure who all she has on display.

Looking at the weather this morning it is going to be a cool weekend, woo hoo just in time for my class reunion. I did loose the weight I wanted to and it wasn't anything I did, except for having the surgery. Anytime you want to loose weight go under the knife, it is a quick way to do it. It was that and just watching what I eat. I am to the point where I hate to eat. Not that I am not hungry or anything but just the choices of food and what to eat and what not to eat, nothing ever sounds good to me anymore....

Tonya and Brad have a booth at St. Barbara's off of Turkeyfoot this weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is the first time St. Barbara's is having a festival so if you aren't doing anything come out and support Brad and Tonya. I know Steve and I will be working with them Friday night, freezing our tail ends off - I believe the low is going to be 42ish - Brr......

I hope everyone is having a great week so far. I am scared that since September was such a crazy cool month for us, that winter is going to be hell. Here is to hoping it will not be. I like the first snow and that is it!!!

Happy Wednesday everyone - have a great day and enjoy the non-raining day :)

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Journaling

in preparing for my big high school reunion this coming weekend, I went through some boxes that I had in the basement of old stuff. It is fun to go back and remember those days, whether they be good or bad, everything that happens in your life, is what helps make you who you are today. I look back and laugh at the boys I would be so in love with that I would die if he didn't call me and I worried so much, but don't all teenage girls. But I did find a treasure - I found the journal that I kept when Steve and I started dating. At first I was just going to through it away, but after reading it, I am going to keep it. It is part of who we are, it is part of why we are together, it as I told him, is our love story in writing. Well, it is me basically writing how I am waiting for him, he was always the shy one :)

For as long as I can remember I have kept a journal. I may not write in it every day but I would always write thoughts and feelings down. This blog, this all started out as an outlet of my emotions and feelings for what dad had to go through, along with Uncle Wally. This became more than I thought it ever would. I also have a journal that I write in, there is just something about writing that is still therapeutic to me, it is simple and it makes your hand cramp sometimes, but I love doing it. There are days that I think that I should just close this site down and I wonder who reads it and who doesn't. But then I remember the promise I made to dad that I would always keep it going. I am not even sure he read it, maybe occassionally but I am sure it was hard for him, because it was sure hard for me to write it.

So I continue on with this journal, this journal of thoughts of my family and friends, of endless pictures of the boys and ramblings. And I don't care how many people read it, if anyone reads it or not, it is my theraputic and I love doing it :)

What a Monday - how gross and yucky it is outside. Need an ark to get through all of this rain. I hope everyone had a great weekend!!! I hope everyone tries to stay dry and is safe.

Happy Monday!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

First Breakdown

the pressure of being a 3rd grader and being responsible has finally hit Brayden. Last night he broke down into tears because he forgot a paper at school. It was a spelling paper that he had to do homework on. He puts so much pressure on himself to do so well in school that he was so afraid that Steve and I and his teacher was going to be mad at him. So instead of telling us right away, he kept it inside of him until he let it go. Just scares me that if he isn't willing to talk to us about school what else will he not tell us.

I blame myself, that is a mommy trait. Mom would always be mad at me because I was never a big talker. Sure I can write and write to express my feelings and emotions but when it comes to actually "talking" not so good at it. I am a very emotional person and I let things build up inside me. I don't like to deal with tough issues, at least talking wise. I remember growing up Amy and Jenny always being the great talkers with mom, staying up late sharing, laughing, but not me, I would rather go to sleep than to stay up talking. Not sure if that is a Timmerding trait or what, it is just the way I am. And now poor Brayden has the same trait. I am doing my best to make him feel comfortable enough to tell me anything and everything - but not sure if it is working or not.

On another note, Mr. Logan is being Mr. Questions all of a sudden. Last weekend we watched some home movies and they were mostly of Brayden. You know how with the first child you have millions of videos of them, and the second child you may have one. As Brayden was watching the videos, or as I said, "I feel like it is the Jenny show all over again " :)  (I say that because all of our home movies are mainly of Jen, and I think Jeremy has one picture of him LOL), any whoo, Logan kept asking where he was, he asked why Brayden was wearing his PJ's, and all of this has started the questions of how did I get here. All week he has been asking me, Mommy how did I get into your belly, Mommy how did I get out of your belly, why did God put me inside your belly mom, how did he do that? I remember when it was dark in your belly mommy and I didn't like it? and it goes on and on and on. Any answer I give him brings up another question. My final answer was " Go talk to your daddy " LOL....

Parenting - hardest job we will ever do - I just hope I don't screw it up.

Just found out one of my favorite artists is in town this weekend at Bogarts - Woo Hoo. Bogarts, what memories from that place.

I hope everyone is having a great week - enjoying the rain soaked week.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Catch Up On

wow so much to catch up on. I knew I hadn't been on here a while but didn't realize it had been that long. Let's see... last weekend we had our family pictures done, just Steve and I and the boys. And after us Sean had his done with his family. Jennifer Rump, a friend of the family and many of you may know, has started taking pictures. It started out as a hobby but she does such a fantastic job that we used her for our family pictures. She was great with the kids and has such a great personality that she made all of us feel at easy. Below are some examples of her work. We LOVED every minute of it and we loved all of our pictures.

Blue Eyes

See, they really do love each other :)

He never takes a bad picture - ever!

Natual Model

Love this!

Michael Jackson Pose

I am so happy with these pictures. I prefer this way rather than going to some studio and just sitting there for a stiff pose. Jennifer was just all natural and just had us do whatever - I loved it!

Busy week of work and school I can't even remember what has happened. I do want to say CONGRATULATIONS to Eric and Tara for the birth of Ryan Patrick. Everyone is healthy and doing well, and Chase is very happy to be a big brother. Also a big CONGRATS to Bella, John and Lisa's daughter who danced with the Children's Theater this past weekend, what an awesome experience and accomplishment.

I am sure there is more I am forgetting and I am sorry for that. This week just got away from me. I can't believe it is so cold outside - it is the middle of September and we are wearing jackts and jeans. It makes me think that we could be in for a very bad winter - ugh!!!

I hope everyone is doing well and had a great week. I will do better this week of posting about my boring life :)

Have a great Sunday with family and friends.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Where Were You?

this weekend we celebrate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 - I can not believe it has been 10 years already. It is one of those moments that you know exactly where you were and what you were doing. 10 years ago I was in my 1st full week of a new job. I had just switched companies because my old boss had just purchased a company and I followed him to the new company and I remember just having that feeling of being the new person and not really knowing anyone yet. At the time, the company I was working for didn't even have email, I know how ancient, all I had was as phone and a small TV in the breakroom. The office was up off of Dana Avenue which on that day seemed million miles away from the people I loved the most. I just wanted to go home and hug mom and dad and Steve, I just wanted to feel safe.

 I was sitting at my desk, when I heard and all I wanted to do was watch TV - and we did, a little bit. I remember my boss coming out giving me updates via his wife, because she was home watching it all on TV. And everytime an update was given, I just felt sicker and sicker to my stomach about what this world was coming to.

 Sitting in that office not knowing anyone but one person, all I felt was scared and alone and I wanted to get home as soon as possible. Steve and I had not even been married a year and I called him but my first phone call was to my mom and dad. I just needed to hear their voice and know that everything was going to be okay. Even at 28 years old, I still needed the comfort of mom and dad reassuring me everything was going to be okay.

When I finally did get home, I ran to the TV and was glued, I was glued from the moment I got home until the moment I went to bed - which I didn't get to bed until wee hours in the morning. I was just so astounded at the pictures and the people, all my goodness, all the people. I just could not imagine in a million years what those people were thinking and feeling, what the families were feeling when their fathers or mothers were calling to say goodbye. For many days afterwards Steve would keep telling me to turn the TV off but I just couldn't... It was one of those moments.

I cried, I cried that day and for many days afterwards, I still cry in watching the footage of it. What a sad time for our country, for those families, for our families, for our children. I also cried in learning that Becky's husband Andy, had lost his brother in the attacks. This family had already been through a loss and now here they were losing another sibling, son - and knowing someone local had died, it just breaks your heart. My love and prayers go out to the Williams family this week as they endure the anniversary of the attacks. May God give you the strength and the love to get through it and to remember the good times with both Kenny and Brian.

9/11 - changed our world, change our cities, changed our lives. Each individual knows exactly where they were at, who they were with, knows exactly how they were feeling, knows exactly every moment of the day that time stood still.

~~~~~
Alan Jackson had written a song after 9/11 that pretty much sums up this long post. Below are the words to it - 9/11 for many of us is a day we will always know where we were! God bless you and your families this weekend and let us Never Forget!


Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love
Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?
And the greatest is love.
And the greatest is love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Little Logan

yesterday you started pre-school and I had a hard time with it. Maybe it it because you are my baby and you aren't suppose to be all grown up yet, maybe because I know you are my last child and you are on the road to no longer needing mommy, maybe it is because in a blink of an eye you have become a little boy and no longer that baby that I use to sing to sleep, that I use to change diapers, that I use to rock in the middle of the night. Maybe it is just because mommy, as Brayden will tell you, I am a big sap and I love you to death.

You make us laugh, you make us pull our hair out, you have taught your daddy and I patience and you have shown Brayden what it means to share and to take care of another person. You are so animated and you love your bulldozers. Logan, please do not grow up too fast, even though you may not need me as much, mommy still needs you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I still haven't posted any pictures of the boys from their first day of school - a little behind. I will hopefully get them up tomorrow. I know Lila, Kevin and Erin's little girl started pre-school yesterday. These kids, are growing up way too fast, too fast! Logan told me yesterday that if he wasn't allowed to cry at school, I wasn't allowed to cry. And if I cried, I wouldn't get my stars on my chart :) LOL

Don't blink an eye because before you know it, they will be in college. Here is to slow blinking and enjoying the moments we have with our little ones, because life, is just whizzing by.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday. Thank goodness we have the early game tonight, it is going to be a cold one out on the court!

Happy Wednesday!!!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Only in Kentucky

only in Kentucky will you be sweating and in a bathing suit one day and the next day be in jeans and a sweatshirt! What a weekend of crazy weather.... But what a great weekend it was. Steve and I were just commenting last night that it would be so nice to have this work schedule all of the time. Work four days, off three. How nice would that be? We are the only country that puts work first, it is sad isn't it.

Busy weekend of soccer games, swimming, watching movies, going to the Fireworks and celebrating Birthdays. It was Lisa's Birthday yesterday and we all went to mom's for dinner and cake. It was nice and all of the kids had fun outside riding their bikes and playing hide and seek. I am sure Lisa didn't like all of our singing but it is part of being in our family :) Also, a Happy Birthday to Owen - Kevin and Erin's oldest - I hope you had a great day!

September - where did the other months go? It has gone completely by way too fast. Brayden this weekend was already making his Christmas list. Thanks to Star Wars being on all weekend, he wanted to make sure he wrote every single thing down of Star Wars - just like his daddy :)

I hope everyone had a great long weekend - it would be nice to always have those wouldn't it. You get so much done and it is so relaxing, maybe some day!!!

Happy Tuesday everyone - bundle up - it is cold out there - Jeesh.......

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love to all,

Another Month

has come and gone by with the blink of the eye. Whew! Crazy isn't it, how much time flies by. School is in full swing, the fall weather, you can almost feel it in the air. I love this weather where it is warm during the day and then the evenings are cool enough for a sweatshirt or jeans. It reminds me so much of San Diego!.

One month from today is the big ole' high school reunion. Being to a lot of planning meetings and have gotten the word out as much as we could and yet only a few have responded that they are coming - which is fine, since I didn't know every single person in my class, but it would be nice to have a big group there. I just can't believe it has been 20 years!!! WOW! I know Robin and Kevin will be celebrating theirs too this year, I think actually this month, so at least I am not the other one climbing up that old tree Hee, Hee, Hee

Another crazy week with work projects, soccer practices, homework, volleyball and typical house work. Trying to prepare Logan for school. He is going back to Little Red next week and we are trying to get him excited and letting him know how much fun it will be and how he will see his friends again. He told me last night he was nervous because he wasn't going to have the same teacher. He really loved his teacher last year. I am just hoping that he doesn't cry - that makes the dropping off even harder :(

I hope everyone is having a great week and is enjoying the beautiful weather. This weekend is the annual WEBN fireworks. This year we are going to a friends house over in Newport. It is the first time there so we will see how everything goes. I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend and enjoys a last swim or two - it is suppose to be a hot one!

Happy Thursday!!!

Miss and love you dad ~  so much.

Much love to all,