Medium Depth Thoughts

2011-12-12T12:30:00.001-04:00

Guess who scored free Chipotle for lunch?

RIP SJ

2011-10-06T12:25:00.002-04:00

2011-10-04T20:47:00.001-04:00

Daddy - Daughter Date Night to celebrate Anna doing well taking the OAA test.

2011-10-02T20:20:00.001-04:00

Our little orphan Ashlyn.

2011-10-01T13:29:00.001-04:00

It's not the Prodigal Son, but Anna was ecstatic to once again find B, who was stuffed in with her sleeping bag, for almost 10 months.

What a night of baseball

2011-09-29T13:16:00.003-04:00

9 game collapse by the Red Sox
8 1/2 game collapse by the Braves.

Unbelievable night!

ESPN Story about last night...

When Alexander Cartwright drew up the first modern baseball rules in 1845, I don’t believe he envisioned players with $100 million contracts or games played on fake grass inside domed stadiums.

He certainly didn’t envision nights like this.

Four games with playoff implications, three going to the wire, three blown saves in the ninth, two games going extra innings, one game tied with maybe the most dramatic, clutch pinch-hit home run in history -- certainly one from a guy batting .108 -- and the final game ending on a blown save in the bottom of the ninth, completing the most colossal September collapse the sport has ever seen.

The clock had struck midnight. Jonathan Papelbon was about to close out Boston’s 3-2 victory to secure at least a spot in the wild-card tiebreaker game on Thursday. He’d struck out Baltimore’s Adam Jones and Mark Reynolds. But Chris Davis lined the first pitch he saw into the right-field corner, chugging into second with a double. Nolan Reimold fisted a high fastball into right-center that bounced over the wall for a game-tying double. And then Robert Andino hit a soft liner to left. Carl Crawford, Boston’s $142 million free agent, raced in, got to the ball inches before it hit the ground … and couldn’t hang on.

The Orioles had won. Collapse on the verge ...

Three minutes later, just after the result from Baltimore had been posted on the scoreboard at Tropicana Field, in the bottom of the 12th inning, Evan Longoria hit a low, screaming liner into the left-field corner that cleared the fences by a few inches. Maybe the most stunning few inches baseball fans have witnessed in a long, long time.

The Rays had won. Comeback complete.

We spent the past three weeks sweating and cheering every home run, wild pitch, bad call, bullpen blow-up, broken bat, diving catch, clutch hit, rally-killing groundout, triple play and rookie from Yale. Then this night arrives, a gift from the baseball gods.

How does this happen? How does a team summon up the mental fortitude to look at the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth inning, see that you’re losing 7-0, know that your rival for the wild card is leading 3-2 ... and win? Yes, the Rays weren’t facing David Robertson or Mariano Rivera -- Joe Girardi wasn’t going to use his best relievers with the Yankees’ first playoff game set for Friday -- but I don’t care if they were facing guys from Scranton or Staten Island, it was an amazing turn of events.

They scored six runs in the eighth, capped by Longoria’s mammoth three-run shot deep into the left-field bleachers. But when Johnny Damon popped up with a runner on second to end the rally, you felt the energy sucked out of the Rays. That was their last chance.

Right?

It wasn’t. They had one more. With two outs in the ninth, Joe Maddon summoned the red-bearded Dan Johnson to the plate. He had begun the season as the team’s first baseman, ah hopeful anchor to the middle of the lineup along with Manny Ramirez, but hit so poorly he was sent down to the minors.

Back in 2008, Johnson had hit another dramatic ninth-inning, pinch-hit home run for the Rays in their first run to the playoffs, tying a game the Rays won later in the inning. Some called that win the most important of the season, the biggest win to date in Rays history. Johnson is one of those baseball lifers; he got some time in the big leagues a few years ago with the A’s, but has spent more time in Triple-A than the majors. He played in Japan in 2009, but the Rays brought him back last season as Triple-A insurance.

And Maddon sent him to the plate. He was hitting .108 in 83 at-bats. He also had zero hits in September. Cory Wade got him in the hole at a ball and two strikes, throwing his changeup that drifts away from left-handed hitters. He threw a ball and Johnson fouled off a fastball. Wade threw another changeup, but this one didn’t move. Johnson hooked it down the right-field line, over the wall -- just barely -- and into history.

By the way: That home run Johnson hit in 2008? It came off Jonathan Papelbon.

It’s easy to say this is what we love about baseball, but it’s true: Anybody can be the hero. It’s a theme I’ve written several times throughout the season. Evan Longoria is the biggest hitter in the Tampa Bay lineup, and he delivered a game of a lifetime. But he’ll get many chances to do that again. We’ll see him in the playoffs on Friday, we’ll see him in many All-Star Games and many Octobers to come. He’s starting to build his legend.

But Dan Johnson? He’s not even the 25th man on the Tampa roster. He’s more like the 32nd or 33rd or 34th man.

And that’s how baseball works. Papelbon and Crawford, big names with big salaries, can’t do the job in one ballpark. In another, Dan Johnson gets us to extra innings. Jake McGee gets out of a two-on, nobody-out jam in the top of the 12th. Evan Longoria swings … the ball heads toward the foul pole … it seems to will itself over the fence … a player is mobbed at home plate. Unthinkable elation. Unthinkable heartache.

What a night, my baseball friends.

2011-09-28T21:57:00.001-04:00

Ashlyn in her new princess dress she got for her birthday from Gran.

2011-09-10T14:19:00.001-04:00

Ashlyn enjoying a boat ride on Apple Valley Lake.

2011-09-10T14:15:00.001-04:00

Anna is king of the world.

2011-09-05T11:55:00.001-04:00

Little cooler day at the Nazarene National today.

2011-09-03T15:04:00.001-04:00

102 at Rumpke. Hot day at the Nazarene Nationals Softball Tournament. 1st Naz is 1-1. I am 2 for 4.

2011-07-23T10:40:00.001-04:00

Down at the crik @ Knobels.

2011-07-16T16:28:00.001-04:00

Harvest time.

2011-07-11T19:20:00.002-04:00

Anna has learned to ride her bike

Day at Disney

2011-06-29T20:25:00.005-04:00

We all met Mickey and Minnie!!

Ashlyn LOVED "It's a Small World"

We had fun on the tea cups.

Flying through the air on Dumbo.

Posing in front of Cinderella's castle.

Cinderella's castle up close.

We even managed to stay until the fireworks!!

2011-05-09T20:07:00.002-04:00

Our summer project: A garden at the Reffitt's.

A Good Day

2011-04-10T16:13:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was a really good day. Up early and out to Honey Run Park to work on the trail out Leadership Knox group is working on. We finished the bridge, carried the wood for the bench up the hill and put that together as well.

Came home after that to get the girls and let Amber go scrap booking. The Dean's were nice enough to let Ashlyn come over for her nap and me the older girls went back to the trail. Jeff and the crew from Kenyon finished all of the grubbing. It was all done well enough that the girls and I were able to walk the whole thing with no difficulty. (Just a few thorns, roots and trees left to be cleared.) We then walked the other trail and made good use of the new bench as we sat on it to have our snack of oatmeal creme pies and capri-suns.

We then went and picked up Ashlyn and went to Taco Bell for dinner. We dropped off some dinner for Amber then stopped over at Hiawatha park and had a good time there for a little while. Than it was home for bath time and bed time snacks.

It was long tiring day, but one of those good kind of tired. The goodness has continued on to today with church this morning and watching Wendal for the Dean's as we went to Bob Evan's for lunch. Now a time of naps for the little ones (and Amber), playing outside for the girls and watching the Phillies win and Tiger making the Master's quite interesting with his big push today.

So glad that spring has finally seemed to make it here.

2011-02-15T20:45:00.001-04:00

Daddy/daughter date at McD's.

Honey Run Waterfall

2011-02-06T15:14:00.002-04:00

Not quite cold enough to stop the waterfall.

2011-02-02T14:17:00.001-04:00

So now I can update my blog via text or email. Hopefully I will more often.
Here is a pic of the girls after their 1st stay in a hotel after getting stuck in bad weather on the way home for Christmas. (Yes that was a very long run on sentence) :-)

Re-committing to this blog

2010-05-02T09:09:00.004-04:00

Ok I am going to try and recommit to this blog again. It is great to look back and see the things that were going on with the girls as they were growing. I don't want to miss my chance to talk about the thing Ashlyn is doing as she is growing.

For example, right now when ever you ask her to say Daddy or Mommy, you instead get "endal". Which is for Wendal. Wendal is the son of Ben and Sarah, Sarah is our babysitter.

She is also one of hungriest babies you will see. She has already had a doughnut, a piece of bread and a banana this morning. Plus she just now went into the pantry and brought me the poptarts wanting one of those. (She is not getting one.) She wasn't suppose to have a doughnut, but she snuck that one on me. (And here she comes with another pack of poptarts since I took the first pack from her and did not give her any.)

She is also really great about going to bed. You make here bottle and she starts to head for the stairs. I remind her to give mommy a kiss first and she heads for the couch to find Amber and gives her a kiss first.

She really is a very cute lovable little girl. I lover her wild curly hair. I love the way she runs to see me when I come home from work. -My other girls use to do that. :-(

I should probably also note that I have recently been made manager of department and that Amber was recently hired to be a regular ed. 5th grade teacher next year. Also a week ago Friday after 14 years of driving the same car, I bought a 02 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

So lots of changes going on around here. Hopefully I will stick to my commitment and continue to update on here the new things that are going on in our family.

Family Portraits

2010-05-01T13:47:00.002-04:00

Wow, where did the summer go.

2009-10-24T16:46:00.004-04:00

The entire summer went by and I did not post a single thing. Facebook is just way easier I guess. Well here are a few pics to show what has gone on this summer since I last posted.

Ashlyn has been getting bigger.

We went to Delaware and hit the boardwalks.

The girls and I camped in the backyard.

I went to my cousin Jen's wedding.

We stopped and saw Pap Pap Anderson's Campsite.

Easter Egg Hunt

2009-05-10T23:11:00.000-04:00

Finally loaded pictures from the camera to the computer. Will start updating things that have happened since. Starting with a few pictures from the big Easter egg hunt the girls went on and a two for one where at the hunt Anna shows off her missing teeth as well.

Happy Birthday Ella!!!

2009-05-05T10:20:00.001-04:00

My sweet Ella has turned 4 years old today. Happy Birthday Ella, Daddy loves you!!

My Favorite 6 year old

2009-04-28T20:08:00.002-04:00

My daughter Julianna is my favorite 6 year old going on 16. I think the picture conveys her sassy attitude. This morning she told me that her black pants and her Hannah Montana shirt with her zebra socks (oops I was informed they were tiger socks not zebra socks) and new green trimmed sneakers were "radical". (Where did you hear radical?...I don't know?....Oh yeah...Backyardigans) Then the other day she comes home from a field trip, that involved a lot of walking around a nature center, with sore feet. We propped up her feet and gave her some ice. That apparently was not good enough. Twenty minutes later when that had not taken immediate effect she asked Amber, "Mom, can you go on the internet and look up how to make my sore feet feel better?" Yes indeed, she is a part of a new generation of children.

She is very frustrating at times. Like at this moment where she is reading what I am typing and is instead suppose to be going to bed, but I love her dearly. Sometimes I am jealous of those with the quiet shy kids. But then in her truly good moments with all of her personality, I realize I would not trade any of the rambunctious times for those. Yes indeed, she is my favorite six year old!!

More stuff in my office

2009-03-05T22:10:00.002-04:00

Okay, so a long while ago I started a series of things that
are in my office that most people don't get to see. This is
one of the shelves in my office. It is filled with some of my
favorite books. Below is a picture of the shelf cleared off of
everything except one of my favorite books
"Where the Wild Things Are" and a couple of Wild Things
I have managed to find at yard sales.As you can see I also
keep my Boba Fett Pez dispenser up there and a game
ball given to me from a church all-star softball
game for hitting in the winning run.

Then here below is a set of my favorite books
"The Chronicles of Narnia". I have an updated set,
but I love the look of the old set. I bought this set
at an auction at the local public library.

Well hopefully this has given those who read this a little more
insight into me. A little more insight into why I love the Narnia
books; I read almost the entire set in one summer.It was the summer
I spent with my sister and brother in law in Iowa. It really first
opened my eyes to how enjoyable reading could be and
how much imagination there was to be used.
Tim really helped me withthat as well that summer.

My Niece's birthday

2009-02-08T14:22:00.001-04:00

Well a year and half ago I told you about my nephew on his birthday. Well today is my niece's birthday. My niece is a very kind, sweet and loving person. As I mentioned in my blog about my nephew, she too is one of my favorite people in the world.

We practically lived in the same house the whole time she was growing up. She has always been very loving and a lot of fun to be around. She is quick to laugh, even if she doesn't alway get the joke. (She is a "blonde" and would be the first to tell you so) She is married now to a good guy named T.J. and has a very sweet little boy, my great-nephew, Carson. Well I just wanted to introduce you to this important person in my life and to wish her a Happy Birthday!!

Love ya Rach!!

Where have I been?

2009-01-14T13:10:00.002-04:00

Apparently on Facebook. I hate that it seems that I have completely abandoned my blog. Facebook is quick and easy and tells everyone one of my friends every little thing I do. I now have 98 "friends". Most of them are people I went to school with who I now know any better than I really did when I went to school with them. Any of my real friends are reading this blog. It takes time and effort to click on the link to my page or check their css feed if they are that good of a friend.

Well today I am pretty well snowed in at work and have ordered a pizza to be delivered. So I do not have much to do with my free hour at work. So I thought I would go ahead and give an update since I apparently have not done that for awhile.

So what's been going on. Ashlyn has had her surgery. It went really well. The surgery was less than an hour long and we were able to leave the next day. She has already returned for her follow up and she is fine and needs no more follow ups.

We went home to Delaware and then stopped by PA at Amber's family for Christmas.

My friend has talked me into trying to train for a half marathon with him.

Then yesterday I rolled my foot and sprained it. Hopefully the training will still be able to start soon.

So those are the main highlights for now. I will try to post some new pics of the girls sometime soon. I also promise to try to keep my blog updated a little more often. Thanks again for those of you that still check back. Hope you are having a great new year!!

Trick or Treat

2008-10-31T21:09:00.003-04:00

Two Cute Lady Bugs!!

Phinally Phillies are World Champions again

2008-10-29T23:11:00.000-04:00

For only the second time ever, the Phillies are World Champions. Hats off to the Rays and a great season. WOW!! It is great. I watched as my wife's Steelers and my friend Ron's Colts have won the Super Bowl and was really happy for them. However, to finally see Philly win a world championship is great!!! Now if the Eagles could just follow suit. :-)

Algonquin Green Machine

2008-10-04T23:11:00.000-04:00

This is what my best friends have to do at work. They lead a rough life.

Ashlyn Grace

2008-09-30T00:10:00.003-04:00

Allow me to introduce...Ashlyn Grace

Baby girl and family

2008-09-28T17:51:00.003-04:00

Baby girl with proud Mommy and Daddy

Baby girls Mommy, Daddy, and big sisters Anna and Ella

And baby girl with just her mama.

A 3rd baby girl

2008-09-28T17:41:00.003-04:00

At 8:04 a.m. we had our third little girl. 6lbs and 5oz and 19 inches long...still no name yet. We will keep you posted.

Anna's First Day Video

2008-09-02T17:32:00.002-04:00

A friend in our church made this video of Anna's first day of Kindergarten. Enjoy!

Anna's 1st day of Kindergarten

2008-08-31T20:49:00.003-04:00

Anna started her first day of Kindergarten this month. It is only half days, but it is still a little scary...for mom and dad. :-)

She wakes up after a good nights rest for her first day.

She posses for a picture with Ella...

and daddy...

and Mommy.

Her new princess backpack

Walking to the bus stop.

Waiting at the bus stop with little sis and another girl from the neighborhood.

On to the bus for her first day...

and little sis misses her already. (or upset she didn't get to go on the bus too) :-)

Okay only 2 posts

2008-07-30T22:10:00.001-04:00

Okay it is getting late already so I am just going to cut it to two posts tonight. The pictures took too long to load. So I will give a brief update. As of about 2 weeks ago I am now officially a computer tech at ECR. See my geeky new picture of me and the other techs at http://www.ecr.net/aboutus.aspx

The girls have turned 5 and 3 now. It seemed like they were 4 and 2 forever. Amber is doing well and as of now it looks as if we are having another girl in October. Still trying to pick a name. Post any good ideas you may have we are open for some suggestions. Julianna will be starting Kindergarten this year and she is a little worried about it. She is plenty smart enough, but she is just worried about having a lot more kids in her class and them all liking her.

She is still a little trying at times and bed time is still a bit of a hassle. Ella is almost fully potty trained which is a great blessing. Other wise we are all healthy and doing well which is the most you can really ask for. I will hurry and post one last quick picture of the girls from February in their matching Dora outfits from Grammy.

Catching up

2008-07-30T22:10:00.000-04:00

Wow, been so long since I have blogged anything. I am going to try to get a couple entries in tonight and catch you up on what has been going on. I thing I will start with my trip to yet another ball park. Went to see Yankee stadium before they tear it down this year. It as cool and all, but it was no Wringley Field. Here are some pics I took while I was there.

Of courese the picture with me and the scoreboard

Old Yankee Stadium

New Yankee Stadium

Where the subway stops at the stadium

NY's finest... no not Stan's Stuff

The vendor I bought my hotdog from

The back alley behind the stadium

Which is where we had to enter as bleacher sitter

The Yankee's star Jeter

And A-Rod

3 months

2008-06-27T20:05:00.001-04:00

Yikes. Once again I have left 3 months go by with out any updates. In 3 months, Ella has turned 3, my job has changed, I have been to Yankee Stadium and we have found out we are most likely having a third girl. I will try to post some pictures soon of all these events. Hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for checking in.

Oh yeah....a due date.

2008-03-30T21:09:00.000-04:00

It is currently set at October 8th. Still trying to get Amber to start that blog. :-)

5 years old

2008-03-24T13:11:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe it. My little girl is 5 years old today. She is not exactly little any more. She is about 3' 7" already. Her hair is almost half as long. :-) She can write all her letters in capitals and lower case. She can read simple books. She can count to a 100 and do some simple adding. I know she is not the smartest girl in the world, however, I think I am not just being a proud parent when I say she is a very smart girl.

She had a great birthday weekend. We spent the weekend at her great grandma's house and went to an Easter celebration after church on Sunday with 55 relatives. We had lunch and Easter egg hunts. One for the babies, 2 and younger, one for the pre-schoolers and one for the rest of us from ages 16 to 87. It was a great time.

So we have a 5 year old, and Ella is only a month and half away from being 3. It will be quite an exciting time to add a third one come October. Yep, we are pregnant again. We are already further along than we were with the last one. Everything is going well this time. We know because Amber is really sick this time.

We will try to get Amber to start her own blog that will post where we are along the way. She loves to watch other people's blogs that show that so hopefully we can get her to do one too. I will be sure to post a link once I talk her into it. Until then, thanks for stopping by. Hope you all had a great Easter too!!

The 3 R's

2008-03-13T17:55:00.000-04:00

Yes Greta, Jack does have it right!!

The Story of Stuff

2008-03-08T16:44:00.000-04:00

This lady seems a bit too happy for the subject matter she is talking about, but most of what she said is more true than we are willing to admit. I watched it and I realized I need to reevaluate many things I do. It won't be easy but I ask you to join me and to send this story to your friends as well. Be sure to check out the 10 ways to make a difference and do your best to do as many as you can. The more of us who do the more we can help break the cycle.

Pictures

2008-02-05T22:10:00.000-04:00

Just some pictures I have been meaning to post over the past year that I said I would post at sometime and never got around to. Hope you enjoy.

Anna's Tea Party

Painting Easter Eggs with Mommy

Amber and I at the Renn Fest.

Anna and Ella before and after their first haircuts.

I'll try to post some more from my camera phone later. Hope you enjoyed them.

It is a new year

2008-01-31T21:09:00.000-04:00

Well it is a new year and my first blog of the year. I have a friend who has returned to blogging after 3 months of silence and has encouraged me to get back to my blogging.

The holidays were different this year. We went only to Amber's family for Christmas and did my family's Christmas at Thanksgiving. Which was quite an experience has you have probably already read. Still trying to make a decision about trying again or not. The girls have been a little trying at times and trying to decide whether or not to throw a third one into the mix is kind of hard.

We have also had plumbing problems this year. What we thought was once fixed seems not to be now. Ugh!!

We had the girls pictures taken by an Antiquities company that does the sepia type of photos. I will try to get some of them posted. They are really cute.

Well hope everyone else is having a good new year. Don't forget Lent is just around the corner. This Wednesday February 6th is Ash Wednesday. If you have any interesting ideas for Lent, leave me a comment. I am always look for some more unique ways to prepare for Easter.

Snowball fight

2007-12-23T00:12:00.001-04:00

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Tree trimming

2007-12-23T00:12:00.000-04:00

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

Slacker

2007-12-16T23:11:00.000-04:00

I am such a slacker on blogging. I have not been very faithful and if you are still around checking in God Bless you for sticking it out with me waiting so long between posts. It has been kind of a rough time lately.

Amber and I were going back and forth on whether or not to try to have another baby or not. Finally we decided we would try for just one month and see what happens. Lo and behold after just one month we were going to add a third child to the family.

Unfortuantely when we went home for Thanksgiving we had a miscarriage the Sunday after Thanksgiving. While no miscarriage is ever "good" we were thankful for the conditions in which it happened. We were home with family who were able to watch the girls as things happened and Amber's sister works for an OB/Gyn who came in to the ER on a Sunday to meet with us. It was good to not have to rely on the inexperience of ER personal with said situation and we were able to leave knowing for sure answers and not more questions.

The first question most people ask is are we going to try again. So in case you are wondering the answer is we are not sure. The doctor suggested waiting at least 3 months to even try. So we have time to think about it in any case.

On top of that Amber had the last part of her root canal scheduled for when we got back but now it appears she has gotten an infection in her tooth and has been in miserable pain and getting very little sleep. So our life has been hectic to say the least.

We do have some more cute pictures of the girls I will try to post soon. Things are changing again at work for me as well. It seems I may be coming a full time computer tech soon. I'll keep you updated, I promise.

Thanks for dropping by. Please leave a comment so I know you guys are still out there. Thanks again.

Ella on a zip line

2007-11-13T22:10:00.000-04:00

Finally got the video to upload to YouTube. Here is Ella's like 8th run on the zip line.

Fall Fun

2007-10-16T21:09:00.001-04:00

Okay the next one to catch up on is we went to Garden Gate this last weekend while my mother in law and my sister were here. We had fun going through the straw maze and picking out a pumpkin.

Pirates' Game

2007-10-16T21:09:00.000-04:00

Okay, I have some blogging to catch up on. First the oldest one I meant to post was our make up game for the Pirates. (We missed our first game we were suppose to go to for snow) We went a couple of weeks ago and had a great time. Here are few pics including my usual me in front of the scoreboard. My 5th ballgame in my 5th new ballpark this year. I was honestly having a better time than my face lets on to. :-)

The Day

2007-09-26T20:08:00.000-04:00

Well Sunday was the day that I lost my best friend 18 years ago. It was a very busy day Sunday which was kind of good. I really did not have much time to think and dwell on it too much. Even after 18 years it is still painful at times to relive the whole day in my head. Tonight was a the first real quiet night I have had at home and so I took the time to remember Tim with some of our old favorites: ice tea, Doritos and jalapeno and cheddar dip. All that was missing was a Jean-Claude VanDamme movie.

On another note, I think I have a big decision coming up at work. I think they are moving the repair department to another building. I need to decide if I want to become a full time tech or to stay and take on different duties. I will find out tomorrow about more of my options. So just remember me in your prayers for now as I try to make the best decision.

Anna's 1st day of school

2007-09-08T10:10:00.000-04:00

We are such over zealous parents. We actually took 37 pictures of this one day including still asleep the morning of the first day, getting hair done, pictures with mom, and with sis, and with dad (which I included). I decided to not bore you with all the pictures and just give you the highlights.

She is all ready to go with her new Dora backpack.

Picture with dad at the front door.

At the parking lot where over zealous mom and dad both took time off work to drive there and take pictures.

Mom shows her the way to her room.

Ms. Jeni greets her at the door and shows her wear her stuff goes.

All ready forgetting about mom and dad at the door taking pictures she is off and anxious to start her first day.

After a long day of school (1 - 3:30) she is worn out on the ride home. By the way, her favorite part was getting to ride the bus 5 blocks from her school to Mommy's school where she teaches.

A Red Bull

2007-08-14T11:11:00.001-04:00

This is another item on display in my office that not many people get to see. It belonged to my grandmother who had it on her top shelf for as long as I can remember when we would visit. Over top of the shelf was a picture of a brass bull with a red background that my brother inherited. It is a little out of place amongst much of my stuff. But I always loved it at my grandmother's house and I still think of her everytime I see it. How about you? Do you have anything in your house that doesn't really make sense to others, but is there as a reminder for you?

Seth's Birthday

2007-08-06T22:10:00.000-04:00

Saturday was my nephew's birthday. He turned 18. I was almost a horrible uncle and almost forgot to call him. He is by far my favorite teenager in the world. He is a really great kid (well I guess adult now) and one of the hardest workers you'll ever find. He is going to school in October to learn auto maintenance. He goes by Tim these days instead of Seth which is his middle name. His father's name was Tim and was probably the best friend I will ever have. If you want to know more about him I have a separate blog about my Tim Stories.

I wish I could have been there for his 18th birthday this weekend. But I am glad I was able to go and see him graduate from alma mater. He did so on the same football field I had graduated on almost 15 years to the day. Well I just wanted to tell you a little about my wonderful nephew. The picture is of him and one of my other all time favorite people, his sister Rachael. I tell you about her and her wonderful little boy some other day.

Being a parent

2007-08-04T11:11:00.000-04:00

When was the first time you realized you were a parent? I mean when your little one is first born you have a sense of pride and awe of the responsiblity you now have. But for me it really hit me about a year and half after Anna was born. We were out picking out pumpkins at a local greenhouse. We were walking through the dirt stone parking lot when a big truck rumbled past and made a loud noise. Anna jumped and grabbed my leg. That was when it truly hit me for the first time that I was now officially a dad. I reminded myself today of that importance...

So if you read yesterday's blog and have seen "Stranger than Fiction" you can understand why I was thinking about life in general last night. Where is life going? Whose story am I part of? Then this morning I am watching my girls on my own while Amber enjoys a full 13 hour (well she left 30 minutes late so 12 and 1/2 hour) day of scrapbooking. I walked them down to the park near our house. It is only 4 or 5 blocks away but there is no sidewalk after 2 or 3 blocks. So we are walking along the road when my girls hold my hand for the last part of the walk. We get to the park and I give them pushes on the swings and help them on the slides. (That's about it, it is a very small park.) Then as we begin our trek home they hold my hands again until we get to the sidewalks again.

As I am holding my girls hands on the way back home I realize whose story I am a big part of. I may not be learning to play the guitar or traveling the world. But I am pushing my girls on swings and keeping them to and from the park. What more important role could one be playing in a story than that?

Stranger than Ficition

2007-08-03T23:11:00.000-04:00

Just finished watching this movie. This is such a good movie. If you have not seen it I highly recommend it. If you have share in my experience of watching this movie and only moments later reading this blog entry of a friend of mine.

My collection of cups

2007-07-28T17:55:00.001-04:00

I wasn't sure what to name this collection. Cups, mugs, steins? I went with cups, but as you can see it varies. Most of them are used for drinking either ice tea or hot tea. Since I posted my new favorite drink yesterday I thought I would make a series of posts of my favorite things. The next one was going to be my favorite "cup" This first one below. But then I realized I have this collection most of which sit on a shelf in my office and are rarely seen. So I may get back to the series of my favorites, but for now I am going to start a series of things that I display in my office that are rarely seen. Starting with my "cup" collection.

This one I bought at the
Ohio Renaissance Festival last year.

This one if you had really good eyes could see
I bought this one at the
Maryland Renaissance Festival in 1998.

This one was a gift from Lee, one of my best friends,
for being best man in his wedding.

This one was made by another one of my friends Pat.

I received this one and the below in a box set for Christmas one year.

And this one is definitely my favorite for my hot tea.
It was bought for me in England by Lee when he was over there.

New Favorite Drink

2007-07-27T23:11:00.000-04:00

Cannot beat it for the money!!

Another Ball Park - Wrigley Field

2007-07-14T22:10:00.000-04:00

So my friend Ron calls me on Tuesday and says...what are you doing on Friday? Want to go to Chicago? Of course....to go to my fourth ballpark that i have not been to before...

Me in front of the famous Cubs Marquee.

A beautiful day and ballpark

The old scoreboard with a little update.

As my tradition...me in front of the scoreboard

Jim Belushi showed up to throw the first pitch...

and sing during the 7th inning stretch....it was a great day!!

Father's Day

2007-07-07T20:08:00.000-04:00

O.K., so I am a bit behind in blogging. For Father's Day weekend we all went out to Kansas City to visit my college roommate and best friend Bubba. (Real name Roy) I was hoping to see a couple of other friends too, but that just didn't work out. Mainly b/c one of them never got back to me...eh hem..G!!!

So here is my and Bubba's family outside the Royals' and Chiefs' stadium getting ready to go in and watch the Royals and Marlins. Our wives our behind the cameras.

Here are some pictures of around this beautiful ball park.

Me and my girls and Bubba's oldest. It was the first MLB game for all 3 girls.

Ella and Anna both enjoying their first ball park hot dog.

And as my tradition, my picture in front of the score board.
It was a great Father's Day!!

Ella's birthday party

2007-07-04T20:08:00.000-04:00

Slideshow of the girls

2007-05-30T17:55:00.000-04:00

Some new pics of Ella

2007-05-12T10:10:00.000-04:00

Posted some new pics of Ella on her blog.

Anna's 4th birthday

2007-05-10T22:10:00.000-04:00

OK so I know I am a little behind. OK a month and 2 weeks behind. But here are some pictures of Anna's 4th birthday party. Enjoy!!!

Baseball trip

2007-04-25T17:55:00.000-04:00

Finally getting some pictures of my baseball trip. We had a lot of fun. We did not get to the Pirates game...it was rained out. But we are going to try and go back. So here are some pics from Baltimore and Philly.

3 Ballparks, 3 Games, 3 Days

2007-04-12T17:55:00.000-04:00

So me and 4 other guys from our church are going on a road trip tomorrow. We will head out early and go to Baltimore to catch a game with the O's and the Royals. After the game we will go
and spend the night at one of the guy's (Brent) parents house in Philadelphia area. Then on Saturday we are getting up and Brent's dad is going to join us for the Phillies vs Astros game on Saturday afternoon. We will go back to the same house and spend the night. Sunday morning we will get up early and head for Pittsburgh to catch the Pirates vs. Giants game. After the game is over we will head back home to be back in time for work on Monday. Pictures to come when we get back. Hopefully we will not be too frozen, they are expecting snow in Pittsburgh on Sunday. (brrrrr)

Fun around the house

2007-03-17T20:08:00.000-04:00

Ella managed to get a little messy eating a dough nut

So seeing Ella getting the attention...
Anna was not to be outdone eating her yogurt.

Ella deciding what we need to buy at the grocery store.

The girls sharing a ride...whether Ella wants to or not.

More Pictures!!!

2007-03-07T23:11:00.000-04:00

Here are some more pictures of me and the girls out enjoying the big snow we had a couple of weeks ago....

Ella sitting in the snow

Anna making a snow angel...

Anna and I pose for a picture....

Ella making a getaway....

And a message to my wife in the snow on Valentine's Day...

Terrible Blogger

2007-03-06T22:10:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I have been informed that I am a terrible blogger. Well, now I no longer have an excuse. I have a fast computer and broadband at home. So I will from here forth be a much better blogger. Starting with some cute pictures of me and the girls having some fun around the house...

I am a Great Uncle!!

2007-01-09T22:10:00.000-04:00

I was always a pretty good uncle before. However, now as of 1/8/07 at 7:30 PM Central time, my niece had her son so I am officially a Great uncle. My great nephew is Carson Michael. He is 8 lbs and 19 inches and has lots of blond hair.

Also one of my best friends wife had their baby last night too. Her name is Logyn Alexandria. And she happens to be a second cousin to Carson. So my friend, who is my niece's cousin, and my niece's grandmother on her other side of the family had two new great grandchildren last night. I think that makes like 20+ grandchildren when counting great grandchildren too.

So a pretty exciting night last night!!

Slowing down

2007-01-08T23:11:00.000-04:00

Well things at work have started to slow down finally. I now have time to actually blog once in awhile. Poor Ella's hair was growing down in to her eyes. She doesn't have the curly hair that her sister has. So although Anna is almost 4 she has yet to have a hair cut. However, Ella who is not even 2 yet now has bangs. My sister who is a beautician told us how to comb her hair and where to cut to give her cute little bangs. As much as I hated to do it, she now has very cute little bangs. I will try to post some before and after pictures soon.

We bought a nice little USB extension card reader I can bring into work with me and post some pictures on my work computer. (On my lunch time of course.) Well thanks for checking in. I PROMISE to post some more pictures of the girls real soon.

System is hosed

2006-12-21T17:55:00.000-04:00

Just a new video my friends at Shattered Windows have made. Don't mind the first picture it is only 2 seconds of the video but happened to be the very middle of the video that You Tube picks to show.

33

2006-12-20T18:06:00.000-04:00

Despite what Greta may think, I WAS a freshman in college 14 years ago. Tomorrow I turn the double 33's. It was depressing to find out one of my co-workers is 20! I was in Jr. Hi when she was born. Ugh...I know 33 is still young but when you are working along side of people who born when you were in Jr. Hi, you suddenly can't help but to feel a little old? This will be my first birthday where we are not traveling for 8 hours to head back home on my birthday and a number of years. Although I doubt I will celebrate any more this year than I have the past couple of years. Amber did throw me a surprise when I turned 30 but other than that year, it is pretty much another day. It isn't even the first day of the Winter Solstice this year. We get an extra day of fall this year.

Sorry I am so behind on pictures too. I really need to get high speed at home b/c I just don't have the time at work any more. I promise...soon I will get some update pictures of the girls posted. Thanks for checking in on me fellow blogger!! Have a Merry Christmas!!

Goodbye my old friend

2006-11-03T15:03:00.000-04:00

After 15 years Audio Adrenaline is calling it quits. The lead singer Mark is sadly losing his voice. I saw them in concert for don't censor me 14 years ago as a freshman in college. I left the concert and told my friend I was growing my hair like that guitar player (Will, on the far right of the album cover shown.) They did not believe and I did not cut my hair again for 5 years after that concert. Well it is now 14 years later, my hair is short again and got to see them one last time last night on their farewell tour. Not only did I get to see them, but from floor seats. Not only did I get to see them from floor seats, but as Mercy Me was finishing up after Audio A, Will was standing in the back and I was able to over and meet him. I got to tell him my story of why I grew my hair out and how greatful I was for their music over the last 15 years. It was a great night!! Adios AA!!

Renaissance Festival

2006-10-16T17:05:00.000-04:00

Went to the Renaissance Festival this weekend. But didn't take my ye olde camera. But we had a lot of fun. Watched full armour jousting, ate soup in a bread bowl, bought a new mug and had a great time with my wife. Anyway just wanted to let everyone know that. I will try to get re dress up in my garb and take a picture of Amber and I dressed up and of my really cool new mug and post them. Have a great week everyone!!!

Shattered Windows

2006-10-10T10:10:00.000-04:00

If you want to read some funny humor, especially for those who are computer tech minded, check out this new site of my friends. www.shatteredwindows.com

WOW it's been too long

2006-10-04T09:09:00.000-04:00

My job use to give me enough free time to blog at least twice a week. But my responsibilities of piled on and now barely have time to read a blog let alone post on my own. I need to get broadband at home so I can get some posting done at home. Thanks for all those who have kept me on their list of blogs. I promise to give some updates on the family and post some more pictures of the girls. I have still been reading most everybody's blogs. I just usually do not have time to even leave a comment anymore. Thanks for still checking in. Hope to blog more soon.

Missing blogging,

Jamie

45 pictures and 1 hour

2006-08-28T14:22:00.000-04:00

It took over an hour and taking around 45 pictures (and much trying of patience) to finally get two girls both looking and smiling and the result is this picture...

Happy 70th!!

2006-08-16T09:09:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Day Dad!!! My dad is 70 today. And mom and dad have been married for 48 years today. Thanks mom and dad for being such great parents and role models of what a husband and wife should be.

Zoo Pictures

2006-06-29T16:44:00.000-04:00

Okay I still haven't up loaded pictures from the birthday party. But here are a few from our zoo trip last weekend. Anna's favorite was the elephant. Mine was the stingray!!!

Catching up

2006-06-09T12:12:00.000-04:00

Wow. It seems like forever since I have been a part of the blogging community. I still read all my regular blog on fairly regular basis. But I usually blog my own comments during down times at work. My new job along with a new part of the buisness we started has made work really busy.

We have had Anna and Ella's parties. Still promise to get those pictures posted as soon as possible.

Softball season has started. Our church has its own team for the time this year. I am the coach for team and we got our first win last night. We play double headers everytime we play and we were 1 and 1 last night. Taking our record to 1 and 3 for the year.

Hope you all are continuing to do well. With kids leaving home, kids on the way, and school years and school all together finishing up.

Rev. Bailey is home

2006-05-17T09:09:00.000-04:00

I posted awhile ago about a visit with a dear old friend. It seemed back then he would not make it more than a week or so. He held on for a month and half, till yesterday morning. It is always sad when one of our brothers in Christ leave us, but it is also a time to rejoice for that brother who has gone on to see his Master.

It's been so long

2006-05-16T10:10:00.000-04:00

Wow, has it really been almost a month since I have last posted. Time has gone by fast. The new job is going great. Ella turned one and we are finally having her party this Friday night. Hopefully we will all be better by than. All of us but Anna have been sick for the last week or so. Anna continues to chug along and be as fiesty as ever. We seem to be turning a corner with her. The temper tantrums are coming a little fewer and further between. Thanks for checking in. I will be sure to post some pictures from Ella's party next week.

Anna's 3rd birthday pictures

2006-04-27T15:33:00.000-04:00

These are from the family party, pictures from the princess' party will come later.

Sorry, no pictures

2006-04-18T14:22:00.000-04:00

I promised to post pictures this weekend and forgot that we were going away for Easter. We had over 50 of Amber's family together for lunch on Sunday. There were 3 Easter egg hunts. One for the babies under 2. They were just on the floor for them to crawl to. Then there was 3-7 year olds in another room. A little harder to find. Then there was from about 10 to the oldest was an 80 year grandmother doing her first ever Easter egg hunt. Spread through out the outside. It was a good time. Tiring because we traveled 3 1/2 hours on Friday night and turned around and came back Sunday night. I will do my best to get them posted as soon as I can. Hope everyone had a great Easter.

New Job

2006-04-13T10:10:00.000-04:00

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. I received a promotion at work. I am no longer just answering phones in the call center. I now work at the front desk and get to greet our customer who physically come in the doors. I answer the phones for our computer repair shop only now. Which is not a whole lot. I also do all the odds and ends jobs for others downstairs. I really enjoy the interaction with my colleagues and with our customers. It is better than just staring into a cubicle all day. I had posted a picture of what my cube looked like before. I will have to post my new view of the front doors and the outside from my new spot.

We celebrated Anna's birthday while we were home in Delaware. I promise I will try my hardest to post some pictures this weekend. I will also post pictures of her using her new presents. Like her bike, bubble gun, and princess dress up clothes. Okay thanks for checking in with me. I have a big decision possibly coming up at the end of the month so be praying for me please. Thanks again everybody.

My Visit With Rev.

2006-03-31T11:11:00.000-04:00

We got to go home and see Rev. Bailey. It was a good visit. He was not doing well that day and we were told he may or may not know who we are. He remembered exactly who we were. He told us that his years of ministry were done and we had a lot of them in front of us. He said he didn't know how many souls we could save for the kingdom but to promise him we would save as many as we could. We promised we would. He then prayed for us and told us to take good care of our girls. The spark in his voice was gone as he laid on his hospital bed with the tubes in his nose there in his living room. But the spark in his eyes and what he had to say was still there as strong as ever. I pray that he will soon get to meet his Lord and live pain free for eternity. I pray he will soon here the words, Well Done!! Thy Good and Faithful Servant.

Anna is 3!!

2006-03-24T14:22:00.000-04:00

She has grown a lot in 2 years.

Some Irish Blessing For You On St. Patrick's Day.

2006-03-17T10:10:00.000-04:00

May the light always find you on a dreary day.
When you need to be home, may you find your way.
May you always have courage to take a chance
And never find frogs in your underpants.

May the sound of happy music
And the lilt of Irish laughter
Fill your heart with gladness
That stays forever after.

As you slide down the banister of life,
may the splinters never point in the wrong direction

Pawley Hammocks

2006-03-10T14:22:00.000-04:00

So does anybody have a hammock? If so what kind do you have. I came across Pawley Hammocks. They are suppose to be the Original Rope Hammock. They seem to be giving away one of these original pawley hammocks, maybe I will wait to see if I win a hammock before I go and by one?

Pics from the Cavs game

2006-03-09T19:07:00.000-04:00

I forgot I promised pictures from the Cavs game so here they are

...starting with the view from our seats.

Me, Ron, Kevin and Kevin

2006-03-09T19:06:00.000-04:00

It was Brazilian Carnaval Night and they gave out Anderson Varejao wigs trying to break a record for most wigs worn at a sporting event. A note here...Ron's son, the first Kevin, is not wearing a wig. That is just his natural hair. ...Oh Yeah, and they did break the record.

Grant Hill and LeBron

2006-03-09T19:05:00.000-04:00

I didn't even know Grant Hill was still playing?

Larry Nance Was There

2006-03-09T19:04:00.000-04:00

Larry Nance was there too. He wore his wig with the rest of us.

And Usher

2006-03-09T19:03:00.000-04:00

He is the one in the Washington Nationals hat.

LeBron Jams It Home

2006-03-09T19:02:00.000-04:00

Or Ron Jams It Home

2006-03-09T19:01:00.000-04:00

Great! Thanks LeBron

2006-03-09T19:00:00.001-04:00

We realized on way home, apparently some people have lost their window office to a nice big picture of LeBron.