Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!  Please think of others and those who have less in their lives or fighting for our freedom.   

And always, always, always remember...

You are never alone...

Love,

Christopher

Sometimes its nice to relax

     This past weekend I took the time to relax, from friday till tonight I honestly didn't to do much besides catch up on some sleep and get some things done around the house.  I went to the gym a little and of course thought about my little one and how she was doing.  Sometimes its just nice to get some rest before the big holiday weekend.

     As the cold air came in it was a nice time to well finish raking my neighbors leaves, and getting my lawn picked up.  Only two bags this year, not bad...  I also made sure the old snowblower would start up.  Thankfully it did, so with the house ready for winter and the furnace running and now the snowblower up and running I think I am all set.  I have some salt but honestly when is anyone ready for winter...   I will admit I do like to stay in and bunker down for the winter, catch up on movies, video games and yes snowboarding (I hope).  I do hope everyone is taking some time to rest up during the cold months, remember when its cold out that means stay in and be warm!

     As I close this post I want to say, rest up now that winter is coming but make sure your winter tools are working or you will be stuck in side!  So settle in the couch on a nice cold saturday, grab a blanket have the furnace on and put in a movie!  It's time to relax...


And like always,
Remember you are never alone,

Love,
Christopher

A Mid Week Break.

My Little Diva...

Tuesday's Tip: Sometimes a car nap is all they need...

     I know I blog and tip about naps a lot but I can't stress how important they are.  When you nap or sleep your mind and body rest, and recharge.  I know sometimes people say kids grow out of naps but I ask them, when did you nap last?  I bet it wasn't to long ago.  We as adults still nap or even doze from time to time.

     This past weekend Quinn took a small nap in the car on the way her play date.  I let her nap on the way over because she was tired and over the weekend she takes a nap to just rest up.  There are times she doesn't nap so I now allow her to let me know if she is tired or not.  If i see she is getting well tired I will have her rest for a little.  So as you read this just remember the nap is still important and there is nothing wrong with just resting for a bit.  The car is perfect for this, as long as you the driver are not napping!  So if your child had a long dad there is nothing wrong with a little bit of shut eye.  Let them rest for even a few minutes and just  relax.  Remember they have their whole life to study, work and well not rest...


Take a minute some time and just nap...

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

The last warm weather says goodbye...

    This past weekend the weather was so nice, it will probably be the last warm weather before winter finally hits.  Friday night after I picked up Quinn and we just stayed in the past few weeks I had her we were so busy so this time we just relaxed a little.  Saturday we got up and had our breakfast and then spent some time just hanging out, that afternoon we went over a playground and just burned off some steam!  Quinn was so excited to get out and burn some energy.  I can't believe I forgot my camera!

     Well that night we just took it easy and watched a movie.  Sunday we watched a little TV the worked on her homework.  Quinn is doing so well, she still gets a little frustrated but everyone does it's just the learning process.  She is working on counting to 100, writing her name, writing numbers and making sure she knows them.  Her handwriting is getting better but she is left handed so it is an obstacle we are still working around.  Being right handed I am working my hardest to help her and she really is doing such a great job but working on her writing takes time and practice.  I will say I am excited that she likes to do her homework.  When I tell her it's homework time she does sit down and work.

     Later that day we went to visit Alyese.  We had lunch with Vinny and Courtney.  It was nice, pizza and wings and the girls.  They are so cute and play so well together.   It is so funny to just hear them talking and hearing them.  It was cute to see them run around outside and just have their little conversations.  They play so well together and are becoming such good friends...

     Later that night we took a special trip out to cold stone to get some ice cream to finish the wonderful weekend.  A nice time to sit outside one more time and just enjoy the weather before it goes.  Having some ice cream with her was nice just sometime to bond and see my cute little one before our time ends.  I dropped her off, gave her a big hug and kiss and watched her go inside.  A few days before I get to see her again so it's not so bad.  Just have to get through a few days.


     The year has been a good one I will say.  Quinn and I have been bonding and our relationship has been growing and getting stronger.  Her Mom and I have been working together and we haven't argued  much which is good.  I feel when parents argue over their child and its about time well it's just them being passionate.  I usually argue with Quinn's Mom because I want to see her more or think she it would be nice if I could have her more or her to ask my help.  Just have to keep pushing forward...


     As the weather gets colder I hope everyone stays nice and warm!

Sorry I don't have any pics for you but I will soon!

And there back...

     I got home from work and my nice raked lawn was full of leaves again!  So see my last post...

     I can remember when I was young the day after Halloween a few friends and I would go down and rake the neighbors lawn.  He had so many leaves but in the end we made some good money!  The job took so long his front and back yard will filled with leaves.  We would rake into the night and when the job was done we lined up over 70 bags!  I would also help my parents out as well and when I was married I had a few to rake but since I moved to my new home a few years ago I had to pick up the old rake again.  So I raked the whole lawn yesterday and today when I got home it was full again!  I can't believe the whole yard was full again.  I'm talking full not just a few I can't believe in 24 hrs it was covered again!


     Well raking leaves is just another tradition and good exercise!  It brought me back to the days when I was younger.  So now I will have to rake them again and figure out where to put all these leaves!  I though the town picked them up if you just pile them up at the street but I am seeing people bag them so looks like I'll be bagging.  Well I hope everyone didn't have as many leaves as I did and I don't have trees!  Either way that's just how it goes I guess...

    Happy raking!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

A Mid Day Break...

How is it the lawn with no trees, gets all the leaves!!!

Tuesday's Tip: Get ready for the winter...

     So i think fall pretty much skipped us this year!  As the days get darker sooner and the leaves finish falling make sure you are ready for winter!

1) Make sure your heater is working correctly and on, or getting ready to turn on.  If it doesn't the line to get it fixed is growing!

2) Make sure you have your warm cloths ready.  Put away the shorts and take out the sweaters.

3) Make sure you have some kind of snow removal ready, call your plow guy, or make sure the snow blower is working.  Or get the old shovel ready!

4) Get your windows ready, put the storm windows down, pull the A/C unit out try to seal up any cracks and keep the cold air out.

5) Most important get ready for weather change.  The dark nights coming sooner can cause depression don't let it!  Keep busy, get some movies ready but don't let the early darkness get you down!

    Now this is just a starter tip, I will have more to come and more tips about how to keep busy with your child to come as well!

Ready or now.... Winter is coming....

Always remember,
You are never alone....

(unless you don't turn your heater on, then nobody will come over!)

Love,
Christopher

The Circus was in Town!

     Last weekend we went to the circus!  It was something my parents were planning for a while and wanted to take us to the Ringling Brothers Barnum Bailey Circus.  It was such an amazing show and the first time I even attended!  We got there early and went down to see some of the act perform for the audience before the show.  The clowns and elephants were entertaining and there were people everywhere.  When the show started they had the theme of the Dragon and did  such a great job the show was actually not just amazing stunts but actually a show and they did such a great job telling this amazing story.  They had all kinds of animal acts, high flying stunts and even Shaolin monks.  They did all kinds of stunts with fire and sharp objects and everything was just spot on.

     The most amazing thing was how fast they got the different stunts setup so fast.  While they were setting up they had something else going on so you would look away.  When that was over the next part of the show was on.  I was so amazing how spot on everything was.  I think the entire time only one stunt was a little off.  They had a guy on on guys shoulders and another would jump down and then shoot the third on his shoulders.  The didn't get it the first time but just shrugged and made us laugh.  The they did it again and were on point, and everyone cheered!  The audience was very great and I think everyone had a good time.  At one point one the Lion tamer was in a cage with 4 female lions, 4 tigers and one male lion.  He did all sorts of tricks and even made them jump over each other.  I can't believe how he was in that cage with all those amazing animals and they all got alone too.  It was just something else to see it.  I would have been freaking out lol, guess that's why I didn't do it.

     They also had the cage where the motorcyclist all get in and ride.  They got 8 riders in at one point!  I couldn't believe it, they whole show was amazing I would tell anyone to go and see it.  Quinn had such a good time she had some popcorn and just enjoyed the whole show.  See for your self!

You have to at some point go see the circus, so make sure you do.

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

The pre-show work out!

Here is there famous sign.

Quinn getting ready!

They show begins!

The show starts!

The monks were amazing.

The Ring Master!

I wonder why this guy's pay is....  I can't imagine being in this cage!  They still look small compared to Eve!

Imagine being feet away from an animal that could just tear you apart in seconds.  This part of the show was just simply amazing.

One of the monks jumped through a ring made of blades on fire!

Oma and Quinn!

Oma Quinn and Popi!

You need a pic of the band!  Which did such a wonderful job!

Not as scary as the Lion's but the dogs were cute.

This cute dog in the box rode all the way up and then jumped off!

They had a few shows going on at once too!

You can't have a Circus without Elephants!

The cage with the riders!

They had 4 then 5 then 6

The 7!

Finally 8 people on motorcycles! 

I can't believe it!

The dragon

The show was over and I have never seen anything like it.  It was just amazing, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.  They did such a good job and I want to thank everyone for such an amazing time.   So the next time the Ringling Brothers Barnum Baily Circus is in town make sure you go and see the amazing show! 

A mid week "sneak peek"

     So usually I post a Quick pick of what we have been up to but tonight I wanted to post a pic on one of our adventures last weekend I will post soon...

I don't think i need to tell you where we went this past weekend!  I can't wait to give you all the full update!

Always remember,

You are never alone...

Love,

Christopher

A Sad Goodbye

     I wanted to talk about the update this weekend but a few weekends ago was Vicki's retirement party.  Her final service was that Sunday then after we had a lunch afterwards.  The service was very nice, it was sad to see Vicki's last service however.  She did a children's service and it was just nice to hear her again.  I thought of all the years of service and all the talks we've had.  I can still remember being on Vestry and meeting Vicki, over the years I have had the pleasure of working with her and growing close to her and her family.  Her services always captured me and brought me in, her kind words and the time she spent always being there for me as well as others is something you don't see often.

     When we got word she was retiring I knew it was coming and as hard as it was to hear I accepted it.  Vicki has been such an amazing part of my life I can't explain it.  She is a very strong follower of my blog and has baptized Quinn.  Quinn loves her so very much I can't wait to catch up soon.  Ministers are some of the most amazing people on this planet.  They not only teach us about our faith but they also listen to us and when we have problems they listen and even help take take that burden and pain off our shoulders.  I don't know where I would be without her, when I went through my divorce she was always there to talk or listen.  In my darkest hour she was there.  I never became so close to a minister and at first I was nervous because our church has had a few in the past few years before she arrived.  I knew she was there for keeps after our youth group became close with her and she spend the night in our lock in with us when I was younger.  

     Over the years our relationship grew and with fundraisers, meetings and other events I have grown close and was honored to call her my friend, then over time one of my highest advisors...  

     The lunch we had was wonderful, many people came out even the bishop and his wife.  We had a great time and Vicki had such kind words.  I know now as she retires she can do more and travel.  I now we will stay in touch and as the church works hard for a new minister I will be excited to see what happens.  I always told my self to never be upset, to keep my faith even if Vicki is no longer there, she is in spirit, she maybe relaxing or traveling but I will think about the times we had there and how she was always there for me.    

     Vicki as one of my readers I want to say thank you, thank you for everything you have done.  I hope you rest and just enjoy your retirement.  Quinn and I will miss seeing you but your work is done, you were sent here to help so many and so many you have helped...  You are an amazing person and I will keep in touch as the time goes on.  

I love you, and everything you have done...

Always remember,

You are never alone...

Love,

Christopher

God bless you Vicki and enjoy your retirement!