A Special Happy Birthday

to my mom! Today is her big day, today is the day she turns 30 all over again :).. I won't reveal her age because she would KILL me, but I will say it is her birthday. She is an amazing woman who is strong, loving and caring. She is so selfless it amazes me. When dad died, she sents us all a card that told each of us that he was proud of us, that we are to remember him with good memories, not the sad ones, of course she wrote this card isn't suppose to make you cry - well it did. She is the babysitter of all babysitters - she hardly ever says no in watching the kids. She is so much fun and they all love to be with her.

She does crafts, she goes swimming, she plays games and does puzzles. She watches movies and she makes the best buttery popcorn. She colors, she plays Wii, she takes walks in the woods, she goes to the library and she reads them stories.

All of us kids and all of the grandchildren are better people because of her. She has shown us how to be strong and she has shown us how to have fun. She hasn't shown us much in the cooking because that was dad's speciality :) Ha, Ha, Ha... Just kidding. But I look so forward to Sundays for our family meals. It is good to have a home cooked meal, besides the simple things that I make.

I am blessed to have you as my mom, and my kids are blessed to have you as their grandmother. THANK YOU for everything that you do for us - we would be lost without you.

I hope you have a GREAT birthday today - you deserve nothing but the best.

I love you!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Spoiled by AC...

not only is it Monday morning, yuck, but it was a morning with no A/C. Yep, it went out last night. I knew it was getting warm in the house because I wasn't able to sleep very well. I am such a light sleeper anyway and I know I never get enough sleep so I was up most of the night. Luckily though I have some friends in the business and it will be fixed soon rather than later. But it is funny how spoiled we can be by the AC. I remember as a kid growing up and not having it at all, and there were days that were unbelieveably miserable but it wasn't that bad I suppose. But it is funny now the minute it goes out, I am all over it, calling my friends up saying get over here, Now :)

Any who... how as everyone's weekend? Ours was great, busy as ever. It is funny how the beginning of the week I look at the calendar and there is not much going on, but by Friday we are slammed once again with all kinds of activities. I watched a lot on the shooting in Colorado.. I just can't imagine what those families are going through. Heck, Brayden slept over on his first sleep over on Friday, and I was lost without him. He has been invited many times before to do so, but always chickened out at the last minute, but this time he stuck with it and enjoyed every minute of it - he had so much fun. But back to Colorado... it made me think all weekend about calling up old friends just to say hey, I actually texted a couple. I think it is important to let the people in your life know that you care about them one way or another because you aren't promised tomorrow.

I saw a lot of posts this weekend on FB about that and about living your life. About needing to let go of hurt and anger, about opening up to forgiveness and not living your life with regret. Have to live each day as it is your last... each day, each hour, each minute is a gift from God. Do we waste it on what we can't change? Do we fret about running into the past or do we embrace it?

Embrace it, embrace life, embrace those who have hurt you, embrace those who love you, embrace family and friends, embrace what you have and not want you don't have, count your blessings, remember your life with a smile, not a frown....

Embrace Life!

Happy Monday....

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Blessed!

I am sure unless you are living under a rock you have heard about the shooting in Colorado. The mad man who went on a shooting spree at the new Batman movie. How devastating. My heart is so heavy and goes out to the families who were affected by it. Can you imagine? You send your kids out to go see a movie just like all of the other times, or you are there whether on a first date, a night out without the kids, you are there with friends, just to have a good time and watch a good movie and something like this happens.

I never understand it why things happen like this. Why does God allow it to happen? Where are that shooter's family and friends? Couldn't they help him? Did they know? It is just sickening that this all happens. It just makes me want to hug and kiss my kids, my friends, my family, and makes me want to make amends with things from the past...everything in your life can be gone, in an instant!! It makes you want to call up old friends you haven't spoken to in a long time and just say hey, i was thinking of you - hope all is well - even if that friend had hurt you - the past is the past right??

I-just-don't-get-it!

Another busy but fun weekend ahead of us. I don't know when it is going to slow down. It seems like at the beginning of the week we look and we see nothing on our calendar coming up for the weekend and then bam before you know it we have filled it with this and that. actually going to a wedding tomorrow, my favorite! I love weddings - it is a renewal of faith that love is real!

Just kind of a somber Friday - with the rain and the shooting - please take the time to embrace your family and friends, to make amends with a fight you may be having with a friend, to not waste time with those people who have hurt you, to forgive, to live... tomorrow is not promised and don't go without saying I love you to your loved ones..........................

Be blessed this weekend, hug and kiss your loved ones, reach out to that friend you may be fighting with, be thankful and be pray for the families out in Colorado. May God be with them as they try to understand why or how this could happen!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Say it isn't so.....

school - starts in about a month - my goodness where does the summer go. I know 4 weeks seems like a lot of time but in reality it really isn't. The boys were so excited that school supplies were out in the stores that we had to go and get our supplies already - I know crazy isn't it. This was just for the initial list, then you know you get that list from their teacher that week they start school, and then all those additional items that you need throughout the year.

I love school shopping and the excitement it brings. The new folders, notebooks, pens and pencils, etc.. I normally even buy me some little things too. This year our costs were about double because of sweet little Logan. He was so excited, so excited to get supplies but he only needed like 4 items because of his birthday he is still only at Little Red - Pre-K. But with Brayden going into 4th grade (gulp) he wanted everything his big brother wanted. As I told him that he didn't need those things he said that's okay mom I will just keep it at home for my school work there... he was way too excited I couldn't say no to him on the little things.

4th grade is a big deal - a lot more independent, a lot more homework - and it is the year that we will not have a "themed" lunchbox. Brayden's request. He asked me the other day if he could just have a plain lunch box instead of using his Star Wars one - Sigh! He is growing up - doesn't want to be embarrassed by characters anymore, just wants everything plain.... here we grow :)

Been another long week at work - a lot of drama, a lot of stupid woman drama I might add. Ugh! It is going to be a fun day!!!!

I hope everyone is having a good week and wasn't hit too hard by the storms last night. Stay safe.

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Bad Morning...

just blah.... I needed these today:


Do Not Worry

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.


Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus



Happy Tuesday!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all.

A Weekend Unplugged

ah - how nice it was to have a weekend unplugged - no computer, no cell phone, no TV at least on Saturday. I made myself not plug into the computer until this morning and it was wonderful. It is amazing what you can get done if you aren't checking emails, work emails, social media, updating blogs and facebooks. I wasn't completely unplugged in that I had my cell phone with me, but that is just a security thing in case I break down with the kids, but for the most part I did good.

And actually when I came into work this morning, I couldn't even get onto the internet until about 1:00 so it made for a GREAT morning - it worked out well since I had to take the boys to the dentist anyway.

But even though that all happened, Monday is Monday and it has been a crazy one to say the least. I hope everyone had a great weekend. We went up to KI yesterday and it was a great time. It wasn't very crowded and we beat the rain. this time I got to walk and ride with brayden - i think I am going back to Logan - there are still some things rattling in my head :) - It was a great time though to be able to hang out one on one. And because of that and the rain yesterday afternoon we all took at least a 2 hour nap - I guess that is okay every once in a while, but we were all wide awake at 9:00pm - made for a late Sunday night but it will make for an early Monday night. LOL

I hope everyone is doing well - Happy Monday and I hope you survive it :)

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

I just want to save the world...

gosh if I had enough money I would save the world or at least people I work with. Anytime I think I have it rough or am having a bad day, I have someone come into my office to remind me that I am truly blessed. So many people are out there struggling and have hard lives - but yet they are positive most of the time and are enjoying life. If the rich/wealthy would share their wealth then maybe our country wouldn't be so poor. Why should one live in a $500K+ house and others live in their cars or a homeless shelter.

Life is unfair isn't it - I often wonder why God did it that way. Most people are good people and they have good hearts, they just can't catch a break. I have cried three times this week when I went home from work because I want to give them everything I possibly can - you know. This is why I could never work in an orphanage or Children's Home, as much as I love children and want to help all of them, it would be like bringing a stray puppy home - we would have 15+ children - I just wish life was fair especially for the children. Everyone should be given the same opportunities.

I have often been accussed of having a big heart - I used to take that as a compliment but there are days where my big heart wants to do too much and I have to take a step back and just realize I can't save everyone - but if I can save or help one person that is - okay!

After this week, I know I am truly blessed to have Steve and the boys, to have family and friends that can catch me if I fall and they have before, to have a job, a roof over my head, clothes and food. We all get wrapped up in the material world of wanting wanting and then something may happen to make you realize that you really didn't need that $200 pair of jeans, (not that I would ever spend that much on jeans) but you get my point.

Just babbling, it was a rough week. Starting off with the anniversary of dad's death and those thoughts of his last week haven't left my head all week, so I haven't been sleeping much, a lot of issues going on here at work with various employees that are just heart wrenching, missing ole' friends, swamped beyond belief at work with actual work, the list could go on and on but at the end of this week, I am feeling truly grateful and blessed for where I am in my life and for what God has blessed me with!

Any big plans this weekend?? It is Friday, the 13th so it is our happy hour night at Jen's. She always has one on this day - not sure how or why it got started but it is another reason for us to get together I suppose, headed to Kings Island probably on Sunday if it doesn't rain and just a lot of running around the rest of the time. I hope it rains, it needs to rain, our poor lawn :(.... But at least this weather is a lot better than 100degrees!!

Whatever you do this weekend I hope you feel blessed and are safe. Count your blessings!!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Phew..

it was a crazy, busy, hot but fun weekend. We started out Friday night at Happy Hour that wound up turning into Happy Night :) - Case was home just for the weekend and it is probably the last time we will see him maybe even this year unless we go up there. Boo.... but he is going to have one heck of a senior year! But since he wasn't home for his 21st birthday we all met down at Dickman's and had his birthday celebration - it was so nice to be out with just us adults and no kids yelling at us.

Saturday night we headed to the St.Pius festival, I tried to bribe Brayden out of going but he wanted to go and see his friends. It was so hot, that I, wait for it, didn't even drink a beer - I know right, you know it is hot then! I am not one for draft beer to begin with but it just didn't sound good at all that night. It was too crowded and the boys had a great time, so that is all that matters.

Saturday was also the 3 year anniversary of dad's passing - I can't believe it has been 3 years. Some days it seems just like yesterday and other days it seems so long ago. It hasn't gotten any easier by far, but the great memories have become stronger and more clearer. For the longest time all I could think about was his last week and how he wasn't dad anymore - I still see those images every once in a while and they haunt me for the whole day, but it doesn't seem to be happening as much anymore - I am able to smile more and hear his laughter and feel his love. He would be so proud of all of us - he really would. He would love to be there at the house with all of those little kids, especially the little girls. For the longest time it was always the boys and Olivia. He would definitely be eating up on Kali, Jordyn and Lydia - they are all so cute!!!! Oh, how I miss him!

Yesterday we celebrated, Brayden's, Cary's, and Will's birthdays at moms. All I can say, is it ican get loud at mom's when everyone is there :)

I want to send out a special prayer request to Steve's grandma. This past week the family had to put her into The Pavillion down at the old St. Elizabeth north. Just keep her in your prayers as I am sure she isn't a happy camper. We love you Grandma!

I hope everyone had a great weekend - I never remember it ever being that hot for so long, so today it is like a cold front :) Ha, Ha, Ha.

Happy Monday!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

Happy, Happy Birthday

to my sweet little Brayden. Your birthday was on the 3rd but I took the day off and spent the entire day with you and your brother - it was the best day ever. You are a year older, a big 9 the last year of the single digits. This was a big year for you in that you are growing more independent, you had to take on more responsibility at school and you thrived.

You always try to do your best and you get disappointed when something doesn't go as planned. You have your mother's trait of keeping things bottled inside which isn't good and I will work on for both of us, you are a great big brother, I know Logan can be annoying but all he wants to do is to be just like you - he looks up to you and thinks you are the coolest, even only you could see that instead of the annoying four year old who steals a lego piece. All of the little cousins look up to you - you are now what Casey and Cary were to you - they are too big and older now to play the silly games you play with the kids. You have such a big heart and such great patience with all of them. I know there are times you really don't want to play with them but you do anyway.

You are creative - that is your dad's gene. You build a 3day Lego set in 2 hours and then you'll play with it, take it apart and do it all over again, you love your Wii games and your DS - you don't like to play alone you always have to have someone to play with. You are at the middle age, where you are old enough to do some things but not yet quite old enough to do other things that you really wish you could.

I know I can be sappy and love on you too much - I will try to control that, but you are my baby and I love you dearly. I hope you had a great birthday - I know I had a great day spending it you!

Love you so much!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all,

After 20 years

I finally was able to get Steve to go to a Waterpark! I never minded going to water parks and there really was no reason to ever go back to one until I had the boys. Last year Jen and I took the boys and Olivia up to Kings Island water park for the day and they were in heaven - they loved it. We decided to go yesterday and Steve, to shock us all joined us. He did it for the boys, I know because last year that is all they talked about for days and days they had so much fun! So he went this year to see their excitement and once again they had a blast! Logan, my little fish - has no fear, which in turn gives me fear. You can not turn your back on him for a second!

It was a great day followed by a great dinner at mom's - everyone was there and as usual it was a great time. Another fun weekend - it was really hot! I hoped everyone stayed cool. I know Amy and Robin the poor things were out of electricity for the whole weekend. That is not the way to spend a 95+degree weekend....

Can you believe it is July already - in less than 7 weeks the kids will be headed back to school - Craziness!!! I hope everyone is surviving this heat wave - it is a crazy one. It would be nice if there was a break at least one day :)

Happy Monday! I am sure some of you have a shortened week with the Holiday coming up - I know I do - Woo Hoo!

Be safe and stay hyrdrated!

Miss and love you dad ~ so much.

Much love and happiness to all!