My Story

Stacey and I are reading Love and War, by John and Stasi Eldredge as part of a marriage study.  We are really getting a lot out of it.  One of the activities that they suggest to do is to tell your spouse your story.  After thinking about it for awhile there were parts of each of our stories that neither one of us really knew.  Anyway, the point of my post is to share my story. 

So here is my story.  I don't remember much of my childhood.  That is not to say I didn't have a good childhood.  I feel like my parents provided me with a great childhood.  I just don't remember much.  I do remember events.  I remember things about living in Centerton, NJ.  Like the time I grabbed the hot pipe on the tractor or the time I got stung by a bee in the middle of my back.  I remember parking my battery operated police motorcycle behind some one's car and they ran it over.  It destroyed the motorcycle completely and I never got another one.  I know they were expensive and we didn't have that kind of extra money laying around, but I don't think I ever got over that.  I think it still hurts.  I know I shouldn't have parked it behind the car, but I was like 4 or 5 years old and I didn't know any better.  I have a vivid picture in my mind of coming home from the circus and my grandparents crying when they found out the news that my brother Matthew died.  That's all I remember of him.

I remember moving to Millville, NJ and being the new kid in 4th grade and being picked on because of it.  I can think of happier times growing up playing sports with the neighborhood kids.  I remember my first real kiss.  Summer of seventh grade.  I know I'm a loser.  Her name was Gina and go figure she was Italian.  I remember her not talking to me the whole next day.  I guess I was a bad kisser.  I always remember that older guys would always take care of me.  They would pick me for their teams or watch out for me.  I remember the pride and effort I would put into a sport or a team because I was picked.  I remember being an all star in little league.  I remember not playing alot, besides an inning here or there in the all star games.  I remember catching a fly ball in the outfield when I never played there all season.  I remember getting a big base hit.  Well, it was a bunt, but it still was a hit.

I remember in 6th grade our teachers showing us the Witness as a reward for good behavior.  I don't know how they got away with it.  I mean really rent it and watch it you will see what I mean.  I remember dating a senior when I was in 10th grade.  She was also Italian, go figure, notice a pattern. I remember family trips to the beach, Florida, out west and to baseball games.  I loved that time.  The baseball games with my Dad are the most memorable moments with him.  I remember scoring my first soccer goal on the freshmen team.  I also remember getting my first yellow card in the same game.

I remember my parents moving to Indian Mills and how they allowed me to stay in Millville with high school friends.  I remember moving back home after 6 months and I remember what it was like to find my Dad.  I remember what that felt like, but I also remember the outpouring of people that came to the funeral.  I specifically remember Mike Loyle and Paul Wilson coming to it and how that made such a difference.  I remember when Dave's Place opened in Millville and how proud I was to be Dave's son.  I remember how hard life got and how spread out we became as a family.  I remember how strong my mom was though all of that.

I remember visiting WVU and then coming to WVU basically on a whim.  I remember alot of partying, well not really remembering that.  I do remember great friends that I still have today.  Most importantly, I remember meeting Stacey.  I remember working and just talking about ourselves and our lives.  I remember her wrapping presents for me at Christmas time.  I also remember some great kisses while wrapping the presents.  I remember talking about her to my family and how I couldn't wait for them to meet. her.  I remember flying her into Philadelphia and I remember how sick she got.  I remember our car rides and our stops along the way.  I remember visiting my grandfather with her and how she helped me tell him I loved him.  I remember our wedding day and how beautiful she was.  I remember the excitement of the honeymoon and almost missing our plane.  I remember specifically coming home from school and she was waiting to tell me we were having a baby.  I remember what a trooper she was for 22 hours giving birth to Drea.  I remember her water breaking with Charlotte and how God answered our prayers for an easier labor.  I remember fixing up our house and making changes to fit us.  I remember how she thought I died after tailgating all day.  I remember her surprising me with family and friends for my 30th birthday.  I remember lots of things we have done and shared, good or bad I am glad that they have been with her.  These are the things that I remember and this is my story.  So far...

Weekend getaway to Bethany Beach

We recently took a weekend getaway with our friends Emily, Joel, and their son, Teddy to Bethany Beach.  Even though we didn't have the best weather, any day at the beach is a good day.  We had a great time and enjoyed just be away and relaxing with friends.



Charlotte and Daddy trying to stay warm on the beach





The girls enjoying the beach




Drea and Charlotte loved playing with Teddy





Daddy dug a hole just because he could



Say, "Cheese!"



Awww



The water was freezing



I love this picture, look at all the kids, they so don't want to be in this picture



Finally some spring outside

With a couple beautfiul days finally happening outside lately we were able to let the girls enjoy some time playing in the yard. They love playing with water and bubbles. I'm not sure who's brilliant idea colored bubbles were but I bougth them at Toys R Us because they looked fun. The pictures below prove that fact but the stains on my front porch speak otherwise. Nevertheless, the girls had a blast and sometimes that's all I care about. I'm sure if really tried to scrub the porch it would come out. Enjoy the pictures below.

Charlotte's Birthday Party

My wife is amazing.  In my mind there is nothing that she can not do.  I think her dream job quite possibly would be a party planner.  Her talent is on full display when it comes to our children's birthday parties.  She thinks of everything.  There isn't a detail that she doesn't forget.  This year for Charlotte's 2nd birthday, Stacey went with a Dr. Seuss theme party.  It just goes to show when you put your heart into something or someone good things happen.



Charlotte enjoying her cake



Dr. Seuss without green eggs....I think not!



One fish, two fish, red fish, orange fish





Charlotte's cake



Cheese Trees



Sweets anyone? 



Some of the Dr. Seuss decorations

Overall, Charlotte's party was a success.  She had a wonderful time and was blessed with many presents and more importantly the company of friends and family.  Stacey put tons of time and effort into Charlotte's party and I don't know if the pictures really show everything that she put into it.  As Stacey wrote in an early blog entry, I can't believe our baby is two. 

Watch out! There's a girl in the office...

Remember my post back in June when I started my new job...about how weird it was working with a bunch of guys.

So as an addendum to that post, I was thinking the other day about what I bring to the office. Here's my list:

1. Cookouts, pizza parties, panini lunches, holiday parties, etc. - It was by accident I found out that they had previously had a cookout at some point. Once I was let in this secret, we were good to go. I couldn't believe no one had let me in on this information sooner. I have had so much fun planning things like tailgate parties, pizza parties for contract wins and panini lunches. Also, I was able to plan a Christmas party and my work doesn't have Christmas parties. It was great! I had so much fun planning and pulling it off!
2. Gifts - Lots of the guys I work with are in the having babies stage. So when one of them recently had a third child, I decided the "girl" in me can't take it anymore that we don't do anything for these guys and their family. I can handle it that we don't do a shower or anything because I know they wouldn't be able to take that but nothing....really, nothing. Couldn't take it any longer. So, I sent aroudn an email and asked who wanted in on a gift for this family. There was an overwhelming reaction! It made me realize that everyone is glad to have me around to do things like this. I know guys don't think of things like this all the time and I'm glad to take care of it. Count me in!
3. Word of the day - I instituted this new thing at work. It seems to have really sparked a lot of interest and people seem to be enjoying it. We come up with a word (made-up or real) and see if we can use it during the day. It started out as a joke because of a couple funny words people use and now it's turned into something fun.
4. Caption contest - Someone took pictures at the tailgate cookout and we put them all up on a big wall in the kitchen at work. Then placed post-it notes and pens so people could make-up captions they think could go with the photo. This was so much fun! People really came up with some funny things. Here's how I failed at this task...there was no real prize and judging of this "contest." I will have to get better at that.  : )
5. Food! - I bring in cookies, candy, brownies, and all kinds of goodies all the time. They love it!
6. Kitchen Admin - Someone at my work has named me the "Kitchen Administrator." This is definitely my job. I keep the fridge clean, the counters wiped off, the dishes done, wash the hand towels and keep the supplies filled up. You can tell if I'm really busy and can't get to it because it all starts going downhill. I was criticized one time for not having the coffee made and I gave my usual excuse that I don't drink so I don't know how to make it. I said I don't know how many scoops and how much water. Then he opened the drawer with the prepackaged coffee bags in it, poured the pouch in the coffee filter and pushed a button to the attached hot water source that knows exactly how much to water to use. So I can no longer rely on my trusty "I don't drink coffee" excuse. I was informed as kitchen admin I have to make coffee.  So, I was off on Friday...I'm very afraid to see what the kitchen will look like once I go back in on Monday.  The counter will usually look like someone wiped poo all over it and the towels and smell in there will only second that opinion. Sometimes I think I work with complete slobs. Pigs...I call them. Pigs.
7. Prank Fridays - This was an epic fail! I tried to start Prank Fridays...I'm not sure why I thought this was a good idea. It was not.

Most of these things spark commradery at the work place and encourage people to communicate and relate.  My boss told me that was something I was good at and I needed to use my strengths to help others weaknesses. I love it. For me, it just helps me enjoy work more and if I can use my strengths to raise morale I'm all about it.

So...in short, I love my job! And mostly, I love what I bring to my job! I work with incredibly intelligent people and instead of usually feeling like I'm NOT, I feel like I bring a whole different thing to our office and I'm okay with that.

Yay for the girl in the office! What would they do without her.

Two years ago...

Two years ago today, I started getting to know a new person. I remember wondering what she would be like as I'm sure she wondered the same about me. We have grown to know each other well. I must say I'm head over heels for this adorable little two year old named Charlotte.

I was putting her to bed tonight after a long day of birthday celebrations and I was thinking about the day we first met. She was so new and the mystery of what her personality would be, who she would look like and what her voice would sound like was very real. It was interesting to me that I remember that feeling. I don't usually remember a lot of things sometimes and get upset with myself for having such a horrible memory...but this feeling I remember.

Charlotte is our sweet little soul with a fiery side. We tend to call her our bully but we will always know she can take care of herself when it comes down to it and one day this could be important. She can turn off this trait and be a soft, cuddly, sweet little girl when she wants to be. In fact, some people don't believe she possesses the fiery quality but that's what makes her so ornery to me. She can "innocently" hide it! :)

She also loves to help and be a part of anything we are doing. Her helpful personality makes cleaning and fixing things interesting sometimes because she insists on having a hand in the activities. We love it. And it's a great influence on her older sister! We also love the way she makes Drea laugh! Our girls could spend hours laughing at each other.

Charlotte is our shy girl...who enjoys being a ham sometimes. Weird, I know, but really, around a crowd she will sometimes go in her shell and insist on being attached to my hip. Then once she gets comfortable she enjoys some of the attention she gets from showing off a little. She's like her daddy in this manner. Andy can be shy and hang out in the background around a crowd he's not so familiar with but after a few meetings with this crowd he gets to know people and get used to them and will be out going and silly.

She loves to be outside and has lately been escaping whenever she sees the door left a little open. (Scary, I know.) Currently, she loves Yo Gabba Gabba, could eat macaroni and cheese all day long, and is in love with her milk. Charlotte is our "not-so-girly" girl. She likes to play trucks and do a wide variety of activities that don't necessarily involve dolls.

Anyway, I might not have known much about her when she first joined us two years ago (except for her kicking pattern) but she sure has made an impression in our hearts thus far. I can't imagine loving two little girls anymore than my Drea and Charlotte.

Happy 2nd birthday Charlotte! We love you to pieces munchkin.

Our big two year old.

Charlotte trying on headbands for Nunnie. This is as far as it gets. She won't wear them past looking herself in the mirror and letting Nunnie take pictures.



Charlotte and her little friend Elijah. These two are adorable!



Charlotte waking up from her nap for her birthday party.





Me and my girls.





I love this picture.



Stacey's Good Deals

Stacey and I have been looking for a new table for a few years now.  We were looking for a counter height table.  We looked at several places with the best deal at Sam's for around $600.  After talking it over we had decided to wait until the summer, that is, until Stacey's friend Diana suggested going to the auction.  So off the girls went to the auction with one goal in mind to find a table.  Of course, when Stac has a goal in mind she is going to be successful.  So here it is and at the low cost of $190.  There was never a doubt in my mind that she would pull it off. 

These pictures don't do the table quite the justice it deserves. This table is huge and beautiful! Plus, we have an extra leaf for it, which makes the table a big square. It's awesome!

Here is another pic of our new table, notice in the background our new lamp.  Stacey got that at "Swap 'til you drop" event the ladies at the church had.