Alex is 5 today!

Today, Alex turned 5. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It's hard to believe 5 years have passed.

Tonight was a fun family night. Mom and Natasha came for a sleepover.

Tomorrow, a fun birthday party planned. Poolside fun at a hotel. I am excited.

Dad, you are in my thoughts as always. Another fun time with the fam, but still missing you. I know how much you enjoy those family gatherings...lol!

Seriously, I know you did love seeing the kids though.

Miss ya terribly and love you too! Goodnight!

Long time, no post-busy summer

Long time no posts...I know.
Busy times around here-summer is in full swing. Between running Alex to summer school, swimming lessons, soccer, or softball; my summer is flying by!

Father's Day came and went-I felt sad that day as expected. Probably more so because it was my 1st Father's Day without my Dad.

My family celebrated Father's Day a week later taking a trip to the Madison Zoo and Vitense mini golf course. We had a great day trip. It was nice getting away. For the kids, I think the mini golf was the highlight of the trip. I have mentioned this before, but that place is amazing. I always think more of my Dad when we do things that I know he would appreciate. Having a mini golf course, was always a passion of his...of course with that, the batting cages, driving range, etc.

Someday, when I am rich and famous, I would love to build one, in honor of him! Speaking of rich and famous...
I need to get Dad a headstone. I need to and will when we can afford one. Actually, I need to check into it more. It's just one of those things that I have been putting off. For what a funeral costs, those damn things should be included in the price. Thankfully, we recieved lots of help with the funeral costs! I haven't forgotten that generosity!

Onward...
Well, tonight we just got back from the fireworks....fun times as well. The kids had a blast-sparklers and all.

Tomorrow, it's off to a friend's lakehouse for a day on the lake...should be fun too.

Sunday, a visit with my Mom, sister, and brother, which I am looking forward too! A LOT!

Ah, love my family!

Speaking of this. Sam came to one of Alex's softball games last weekend. He was close for country USA, and decided to come to a game. We met him at the hotel he was staying at. He walked out in the parking lot, and looked so much like Dad. No one said a word. We just smiled and continued on to the game.

Dad, you would have loved to have been there, like always.

Miss you tons, and still love you, like when you were here!

Vacation anyone???

This evening was a bit stressful. The kids were crabby, bedtime was hard, Steve was crabby about work stuff, and it was an all around not so fun evening.

We need a vacation!
Yes, a vacation would be so nice! It's been almost 6 years since we have traveled. I mean like on an airplane, or driven somewhere over 4 hours away.

Let me backup to our last vacation-it was to WI Dells almost a year ago.
Dad and Mom met all of us at Kate and Jay's hotel room at the Kalahari . Fun times...just like old times...the whole fam together again....the first time in a long time...probably since my parent's divorced when I was 17...that we made a family trip like this.
Although, it was just for the evening, it was still great! Dad was in the water too-enjoying watching his grandchildren. He even floated around the lazy river for what seemed like eternity! He was back and forth between that and the wave pool. Oh, and I must not forget heading back up to Kate and Jay's room for a score check on the Cubs game. God forbid he missed any minute of that game! LOL!

Anyhow, just thinking of the memories. Missing my entire family.

Another Win for Alex

Just got home from another one of Alex's softball games.
Can't help, but to think of you on these days. I know you would be so proud of Alex. I remember what it was like to have you at our sporting events growing up. I wish Alex had that opportunity too.
He's a hustler, hitter, and a ballplayer. Everything, I know you would be proud of.
I have some peace knowing that you are watching from above, but it's not the same as having you there.

Life is different since you've been gone. Not good, or bad, just different. I would never have anticipated you going so soon, or all my emotions afterward.
I know you know we miss you, and have not forgotten you.

Memorial Day

Hope everyone had a Happy Memorial Day and a great weekend with friends and family.
We sure did...
The highlight for me was a cookout today at my house. Gorgeous weather, yummy food, lots of laughs, couldn't ask for more.

Dad you missed the great food: burgers, brats, dogs, and the fixin's-you probably would just have had some burgers, and dews.

Dad you missed the kids craziness-playing outside, Alex hitting some baseballs, the kids taking turns on Alex's new min motorcycle, sliding down the blow up waterslide, which you loved seeing at Alex's birthday party-except we didn't have water on it-the wind would have been too cold for the kiddos.

AND MORE!

I am glad I spent a ton of quality family time this weekend-also did a ton of yardwork too. Speaking of which, I seem to be putzing around in the yard more so now than I ever have before. I remember how much you enjoyed yardwork. You took so much pride in the yard growing up. I like it too. It's kind of theraputic to me. When I am out there working-mowing, planiting, mulching, weed wacking, etc...I think of you.

I miss you. Mom misses you. Kate and Sam miss you. We all do! Man, it's hard to believe it will be 1 year in Aug.

Well...off to bed for me. Love you, Dad.

Thank you for watching over me

I had a scary experience last night on the road in the pouring rain. Luckily no one got hurt. It could have been a ton worse. I am so thankful I was being watched over! Going around a curve, in the pouring rain...I fishtailed, slid off the rode, going around a curve, into a ditch, and side swiped a pole. Nothing major, just a big dent in my vehicle. Alex and I are fine. I was following my friend-and she saw the whole thing-thank God she was there! I just feel bad, embarrassed, and still upset, hence the short and sweetness of this post.

Thank you God, and thank you Dad!

Alex's first game!

Dad,
I really missed you yesterday on the way to Alex's softball game. We were heading to the game and I thought of you.
How proud you would have been to see him play his first game. How happy he would have been to see you there. Even though I take some peace in knowing that you were there in spirit, it's not the same as having you physically there. I was overcome with sadness and completely lost it on the way to game. If you could have seen him in his uniform, right down to the socks and cleats, I know you would have cried. He's the littlest guy on the team, and the youngest, for that matter, but don't let his size fool you. He's a hustler!

Well, I am happy to report that Alex's first softball game was a success. We won! He was 2 for 2 and played great! The score was 4 to 1 It was so exciting to watch him play. Seeing Steve out there too-as the coach, made me smile more! I remember when you coached us, great times!

The kids played a second game right away because it was opening day, and unfortunately we lost that game 3-10. The kids were just happy they won their first game!

Dad, missed you at the game yesterday. I know you were watching from above! Thanks for the win!