Have You Heard

it is HOT out there - just in case you were living under a rock or didn't have a TV :)... It is funny how weather can turn into such a big deal not only for the "weather people" but for everyone. I went to pick up the boys yesterday from mom's and first thing she said was it was too hot to go swimming LOL...Um, isn't that the idea of going swimming to cool down. But of course she was right. I didn't even go outside last night until about 8:30 and it was still hot.

So we spent the night cleaning up our "throw everything down the steps so no one sees it" basement. All of the baby toys and clothes, swings and exersaucers are down there, along with everything else. With the boys help we started working on pricing everything and get everything ready to have a yard sale - of course they would find a toy and play with it and say but mom we have to keep this, I love this toy! Goodness, they have so much....

But then again - so does Steve. He has a lot of his old Star Wars/Star Trek/Marvel Hero toys from when he was a kid, some still in the box. Brayden and Logan of course want to play with the Star Wars and I can see Steve cringe everytime they touch one of his toys - I am sure they are worth something, but if you aren't going to play with them, then put them away LOL....

So that was our fun cool evening - but it looks like we will be doing that for the next couple of days - which is fine. There was no one out in the neighborhood yesterday - I didn't see one soul. It was hot, I just don't know how when I was a kid we survived or if it ever got this hot. We grew up with no AC and I remember mom making us go out from sun up to sun down - YES, I have become an AC snob - if I didn't have AC I would go to a hotel or someplace that did - I am spoiled by it, maybe it is my ole' age. Luckily mom and dad finally got AC in the house a couple of years ago so when we visit we don't sweat off 10lbs.....

I hope everyone is staying cool and has some AC or some method of cooling down. Be careful out there and drink lots of water. Speaking of, I have to go check on the factory to make sure they have enough ice and water out there - the job of HR :)

Have a GREAT, safe weekend everyone!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Genuine

it is hard for people to be truly genuine - to be who they are suppose to be, to stick to their beliefs, to not succumb to peer pressure. I use to work with people who weren't genuine, they were hypocrites in all aspects of their lives. They would tell you one thing and they would live the other way. My favorite is how we always got quotes from the Bible or God stories when it fit their situation. It is sad because they believed in their own hearts that they were truly living out the Bible all of the time but in reality they were just "Convenient Christians" you know those type of people that find the one verse that fits their situation at that moment in time and 2 months later completely change it. Or they do all of the talking but surely don't live the life. Looking back - I think it might have been a cult I worked for - The owner couldn't make a true decision if his life depending on it - gave in too much to peer pressure and was never genuine.

I am not saying this to be bashing anyone - we just have a person here that is not genuine and is hypocritical and it brought up the past - that's all - I have no hard feelings towards anyone from my past it is what it is - you know. You have a past for a reason - to learn from it and I certainly have.

We have all been failures at one time or another in our lives on being truly genuine - at one point in your life you have given in to the peer pressure to act a certain way, dress a certain way even though you felt it just wasn't you. It is hard to be genuine especially for women I believe because you just want to fit in, you never want to be the hated person, or the person that everyone talks about it, so I think we tend to give in to our true genuine selfs more than others - it is a tough world out there but if you can find it to be TRULY GENUINE and not so hypocritical your life may just go a bit easier.

God made us all special in our own unique ways it is up to us to honor that and live the genuine life he wants us to!

Speaking of genuine - look at this shot of Cary with Brian Kelly at the ND Football Camp. I know some hate Brian Kelly and others do not but how awesome for Cary - he is genuinely happy and ecstatic to have had that opportunity. Love ya!

Stay cool today - it is going to be a HOT one!!!!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Nightly Walk

All week long we save our bread and crackers that may be stale or old for our duckie friends as Logan calls them, and then on Tuesday or Monday night we head up to the lake to feed our friends. Logan last night didn't want to be skinny again so he rode in his car. Mind you he is way too big for this but it saved me from a melt down since he had no nap.

Logan got lazy on the way back and put his feet up - and he says Aw this is the life! Oh, that child of mine :) It was such a beautiful night out last night and it was perfect for our walk. It is something the boys enjoy and it helps me try to be "skinny" :) I actually took a bit longer lunch yesterday because we ate outside of our favorite restaurant - Hebron Grille! - We love that place, it is normally where we go every Friday for lunch but it was just so nice yesterday we couldn't pass it up. So much fun and good food too!

I hear the heat wave is upon us - I think I saw 100degrees tomorrow, goodness! I hope everyone stays cool.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Fun Weekend!

what a fun weekend it was! Friday night I went to the Reds Game with people from work. Here is a picture of me and my new friends from Australia - the gentleman is the CEO of our company and then Nerida is the Finance Manager - I just love her name! We had such a GREAT time and it was such a beautiful night -

Saturday we went swimming all day at Steve's mom's house - the boys had a blast! They love to go swimming. And Sunday we woke up early and went to Kings Island - we met Jenny and Olivia up there. Cary is up at Notre Dame this weekend along with Bill for a football camp. He is working so hard to better himself and you can see the determination and love he has for the game. This is like his 3rd camp so far. They are staying with Casey so it will be fun for them to have a boys weekend of sorts even though both Casey and Cary will be busy - so it is quiet time for Bill :)

Today is sweet Will's birthday - he is three years old - I can't believe it. I love all of my nieces and nephews but he holds a special place in my heart. I think it is mainly because Sean and Lisa had him right before dad passed away. He is such a great kid and has such an old soul - Mr. Will, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you - I know Grandpa is proud of the young little boy you are.

I hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoyed it with family and friends. It is going to be hot again soon so enjoy the next two days of beautiful weather.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Just call me Julie!

so this last week at work we have had our CEO and finance manager in town from Australia as well as our Environmental Manager - everytime they come in it is always a great time. This week I had to put together a lunch/dinner/breakfast for our 1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts which was fine just a lot of running around and making preparations.

Today, I get to leave work at 3:00 to go reserve a table at Christian Morelein for the big group to go to dinner before we head over to the Red's game. I guess HR has it perks, or am I being taken advantage of because being Julie, the cruise director (Love Boat) is not in my job description - I don't mind though - it is fun, most days!

It is Friday already - it has been a crazy week - with things here at work and at home - I am ready just to be home and relax but it doesn't look like it is going to happen tonight!

I hope everyone has a great weekend - I think it is suppose to start cooling down soon, at least into the 80's - right now the 90's can just get out of here :)

Be blessed with love and happiness this weekend with family and friends.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Not skinny tonight

we have a nice couple of ponds in our neighborhood that the boys and I walk up to at least once a week to feed the fishes and ducks - it is something they both really get a kick out of it. Last night after dinner this was my conversation with Logan:

Me: Logan are you ready to go and feed the fishes and ducks
Logan: Mom, can I ride in my car tonight
Me: Logan, it is a nice night, why don't you walk? Besides it is good exercise, it will help you stay skinny.
Logan: Mom, I don't want to be skinny tonight.

Me either kid, me either. It was a very hot walk but of course we didn't just walk up to the pond, we went and ventured over to the park - overall it is about a 3.5 mile walk, up and back. The walk isn't so bad, it was just so HOT outside. On our walk home we passed a young kid that gave us a look, it wasn't a dirty look it was just a look. I hear Logan say as he is riding in his car, "Hey, you messing with my mom, I'll mess with you" I say Logan, what in the world, he goes "Mom, I just wanted to say it"

God, I love that child! He always makes me have a better day after having a bad day at work. I hope everyone is surviving the heat - it is HOT out there. I have suspended the walks during work because it was always right at lunch hour and that is when it seems like it is a scorcher. But I continue to walk in the morning and evening so I am at least still doing a little something.

It is Wednesday - time for Volleyball tonight, it is going to be a hot one and a late one - but at least it is exercise and it is always a good time.

I hope everyone is having a great week - staying cool and continually to be blessed.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Phone Free - At least for a day

so the other night I left my phone at work. At first I was really nervous about it just because I have this fear of breaking down on the highway by myself or with the kids and not be able to get a hold of anyone to help me - you know. But after I made it home safe and sound with the kids, it was actually nice, very nice. I remember back in the day when cell phones weren't even that popular and if you had one you were the rich kid on the block you know! Now technology and most jobs require you to have a cell phone. Yes it is nice to be able to get a hold of someone in an instant with text messages, email, facebook etc. but it also has become a hindrance of society today.

Americans work way too much and we are always tied to work. We have cell phones, laptops that we are always checking emails on, or voice mails etc. When was the last time that you went without computers, no phones, no I pads, I phones etc. Just living life like we use to. When you worked and you went home and left work behind and you actually spent time with your family. Our priorities over here are so messed up - we always assume there is tomorrow to spend the time with family and friends but then another meeting comes up or an appointment.

It is bad that we are like that as humans, as American's that we need it, that we are addicts to our emails and voice mails and text messages, to social networking.

There is a song that I love to listen to by Kenny Chesney "When the Sun Goes Down" - it just makes me feel like being on a secluded beach with the sand between my toes, a cold Corona in my hand, no phones, no emails, no texts - nothing but the ocean singing to me, well unless Kenny was right next to me :) 


I hope everyone enjoys the weekend - be blessed with friends and family. Turn the phones off, the computers shut down, emails can wait until Monday morning and texts can go unanswered - ENJOY the time and RELAX!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

50 Shades of.... Oh My!

so unless you have been living under a rock or don't like to read much, the book "Fifty Shades of Grey" has become a cultural phenomenon. Women everywhere are talking about this book so of course I had to see what the hype was about. All I can say is "OH MY".... it is an erotica book that has taken on a life of it's own. It is a very sexual book, it is a very easy to read and it is a book you can not put down because you have to see what happens, you have to see how far the woman Anastasia is willing to go and you have to see what Christian is going to do next. Of course it is a serious there are three books and I am almost done with book 1 and I have blushed, I have hidden in my bedroom or a corner to read it, I will not take it outside of the house for fear of judgement by others that I am reading it (silly I know) and I will definitely not leave it "laying around" for my 8 year old son to pick up. But in all reality, it really is a good read and story line - I can't wait to see what happens. I know there is talk about a movie, but my goodness it will have to be XXXX rated in a dark movie theater in bad part of town :)


Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all!

Little Helper

it was a crazy busy weekend with end of the year soccer parties, festivals, recitals, and just plain trying to do house work - beyond crazy. here is a picture of Logan at the festival with "Uncle" Brad. Logan was such a huge helper - he loved it! And it was great because it brought all of the ladies over to see this little cutie pie with his apron on and his gloves - he had so much fun. He wanted to do that more so than ride the rides or play the games. Crazy kid.

He is gearing up for the next festival in August! I hope everyone had a great and safe weekend. It was beautiful weather for the most part. It was great to see family and friends and to be with the boys.

Happy Tuesday!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Relief... but a bit sad

so finally over almost a year of trying to sell it, we finally sold our Nursery furniture. It was a BEAUTIFUL set and I loved it. I would have kept it if I had a girl but as you can see it just didn't quite fit right for the boys. With both pregnancies we never found out what we were having, which I loved. It is the only surprise really in your life that can't be ruined unless the doctor or nurse tells ya. But any who at the time we were pregnant with Brayden, Steve was still doing work for Johnny's Toys and in exchange for payment we picked out our baby furniture because at the time Baby Steps was still there. It is a beautiful, expensive set - and trying to sell it without giving it away has been a challenge. I have been putting it on Craigslist and it was my first experience with that. But in the end I wasn't murdered or taken to the cleaners - we sold it to a lovely couple who is having their first child - I am so glad and grateful it is going to be used for a new family.

But it was sad to say goodbye to that part of my life. There is always still a chance that another baby may come but I am learning to except that there may not be one. In all honesty I go back and forth about having another one, we are at such a good stage right now, the boys are my blessings and as I am getting older (gulp!) I know the risks are higher in having something wrong with the baby or myself, but awe to have another little one..... Steve tells me everytime I get that urge just call one of my brothers there are plenty of little ones to go around :)

Big weekend ahead of festivals and parties - if you are up on the Children's Home Festival this weekend make sure you stop by to say Hi to Tonya and I, or Sean, or Jeremy or whomever is working that evening - I think she said we are down by the Ice Cream this year - as long as the beer booth is nearby I'll be fine, Ha, Ha, Ha

I hope everyone has a great weekend - be blessed with your family and friends.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Happy Happy Birthday

just wanted to send out a Happy Birthday to the oldest of the grandchildren and to a young man I couldn't be more proud of. Casey turned the big 21 yesterday.  Casey, you have accomplished a lot in your life and we are all so proud of you. You are so good with all of the young kids and you always take the time to play with them when you are around. You are living your dream and your dad's dream not only going to Notre Dame but also being a football manager for the team. What a year you are going to have! Enjoy every moment of it,  before you know it we will be up there for your graduation (gulp) and you will have to come back to the real world :)

I love you and I hope you had a great 21st birthday. Like I said earlier, next time you are in town I will let you buy me a drink, Ha, Ha, Ha - seriously though just one and then I'll buy the next few!

Have a great time up there! Miss you like crazy!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all

June is becoming Crazy!

we survived our busy weekend last weekend. The golf outing was PERFECT - absolutely beautiful weather and the company was great. We all had such a great time, THANK YOU to my husband for allowing me to play and for picking us up, and THANK YOU to my friend's Megan husband who dropped us off - better safe than sorry - right :)

Sunday was Mason's baptism and unfortunately Brayden and I couldn't go. He had a case of the pink eye and he was still contagious. So just Steve and Logan went. Brayden and I went out shopping and had lunch together and then I came back and cut the grass. Steve laughs at me because of the way I cut the grass, I seem to make up my own patterns as I go. But I so enjoy cutting the grass, I really do. It is a great time to put the Ipod on and just walk and be alone with thoughts you know.

Another crazy weekend ahead with end of the year soccer parties, volleyball, and we are working the Children's Home Festival this weekend with Tonya and Brad - they will have a booth this year so if you are up that way make sure you stop by and say hi. It is a lot of work, but both Steve and I really enjoy working the festivals with them - it is a alot of fun! And I saw this morning it is going to be a HOT one - woo hoo!

I hope everyone is having a good week so far, it is only Tuesday, it feels like it should be Thursday - I know that is a bad sign. Just three more days to go.......

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all!

Whew!

whew- it has been a busy week and we have one busy weekend ahead of us. Monday the boys were in the Erlanger/Elsmere Memorial Day parade - thank you Uncle Ric (he is a fireman) and they got to ride in the rescue truck. They were so excited and so happy to ride in the truck and even more excited to throw candy out. Logan threw me a piece of candy and he said mom, don't eat it, I want that piece for later :)

We celebrated Logan's last soccer game, his last day of school, and Brayden's last day of school. Yesterday for work we volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House and made the residents breakfast. I love my job or let me rephrase I love the company I work for. The job on some days can go to the dogs LOL. But I had been shopping all week to get all of the food. We had to make enough food for 95 people - but we had a great time and it was a great team building experience. I can't wait for our next community project. The guide we had at the RMH - Don, he reminded me so much of dad. He had white hair and just the mannerisms that he did - oh my gosh, it gave me cold chills. It was too canning.

Tomorrow we are having a golf outing for work - I am so excited. I haven't played golf in a while and I love to play. It is just trying to find the time and the money to actually play. It is suppose to be a beautiful day - of course we are playing at the hardest course - Devou. It was the only course we could get but no matter, it will be a GREAT time.

Sunday, sweet little Mason is being baptized in the morning and we have a soccer game in the evening- it is just going to be whirlwind of a weekend and before we know it, it will be Monday morning again - Boo! And sometime in there I have to meet up with an ole co-worker from my previous company  who I love dearly. Hopefully we can find the time.

I hope everyone is doing well and is enjoying this Beautiful weather, well except for today. Have a great weekend and enjoy your time with your family and friends.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,