I just had to open my big keyboard...

     Okay, so I said Spring was here and that it was warming up and how nice it was and then this...

About 4 inches of heavy snow.  It came down then warmed up so it was that crappy heavy snow everyone hates to deal with.

As you can see the snowblower held on and the driveway is clear.  The end of the driveway needed to be done by hand but other than that it was easy.  

     So I won't say anything about spring or warm weather till.....July, how's that?  Well I hope everyone had a great weekend!  Back to the grind!  

Always remember,

You are never alone... Even if it doesn't want to stop snowing...

Love,

Christopher

Taking some time to relax.

     This weekend was a good time to just relax.  Kayla and I helped some friends move Saturday, it was one event to say.  We got them all moved in and then the poor U-Hall truck gets stuck!  Well when it was all said and done we came home, had some dinner and had time to relax.  My brother came over and paid a little visit and hung out for a little bit.  We're just waiting still for the weather to warm up before we get some things done around the house.  Sunday we have to go out to Lowe's and look at some things to pick up and start getting idea's.  It's spring time, with that comes painting, cleaning and upgrading!  We want to paint a few rooms, repaint some area's and clean the house up.

     Next weekend we have Quinn and then she goes on spring break with here Mom.  They are going down to Florida for the week.  I usually keep busy but of course will miss the little tyke!  I have been meaning to update some pics of her and some other post so I plan on working on those this week. I look forward to catching you all up...

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

How big she is getting

     This morning as we got ready to leave for school I was so proud of how fast she can get ready and with out help.  Quinn got dressed and went downstairs with me with out me having to help her or tell her more than once.  She is brushing her teeth by her self as well.  She put her shoes and jacket on with out any problems and then even holds the door for her old man as we leave.  She is quite the little girl. 

     I guess I just can't believe how big she has gotten, they do grow up so fast.  One minute you are bottle feeding them and doing everything the next they are opening their own car door to get in.  I do miss holding her as a little one but I do love her booster seat, it is much easier to work with than the car seat, that I will tell ya!  As time goes on I do try to push Quinn to do more and figure different things out.  I try to help her and show her something, then watch her.  Her frustration levels are still high but I think that's because she get's that from me.  She will learn to work with it, and control it. 

    The other weekend I took some of Quinn's cloths she can't fit into anymore and got them ready for donation or sale.  As I folded them and bagged them up I got sad because some of the cloths I got her when she first moved her.  Some are very special to me I looked over some of the shirts and just laughed as I remember buying them like yesterday.  They say time does fly when your having fun, and it does.  What's in store for her the next few years, well I can't wait to see we have so much still to go and this post will probably be one of many...

For all my fellow parents out there I hope you enjoy each moments because they grow up fast...


Always remember,

You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

A mid week break

     Tonight is yet another Wednesday!  These ones are hard because I don't have Quinn this coming weekend so i won't see her till next week.  I picked her up and when we got home put a movie in so she could relax as Kayla and I started dinner.  We made a hamburger mac & cheese!  Quinn loved it she ate it all up!  After a little TV and relaxing on the couch it was off to bed.  Wednesdays are always nice because it is a nice mid week break.

     A chance for us to just relax and hang out.  I asked Quinn if she would miss me this week and she said yes.  I told her I would see her soon and that she would have a great weekend!  I think this will be the last week of cooler weather, I hope.  With it being so close to April I just hope that finally it will warm up!

Well I'll keep you posted!

I hope everyone had a great mid week break!  I know I did...


Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Tuesday's Tip: Control, how to keep it.

     When it comes to control there are many aspects, when I comes to how to control your child, well that's a losing battle.  All we can do is our best to keep them on the path as best we can.  Quinn is still questioning things and saying no to things but for the most part she is doing a great job of listening.  I know its mainly part of the process however I look for the signs.  I try to work with her and explain why we are doing things the way we are and watch if she's tired.  If she is tired there is nothing you can do they will just get cranky.  They will also tell you there not tired as well.  I still let Quinn rest or nap when I have her because there are days she needs them, there are days I need them!

    When it comes to telling Quinn what were going to do and when I explain it and let her just take it in.  It maybe staying in because the weather is bad or if we are going someplace explain what were doing.  Sometimes she tells us that she has a stomach ach.  This is just nerves, once we go out and get to the event she warms right up.  When it comes to some helpful tips try the following.

   1)  Make sure your child knows you are the boss and no to let them get away with things or else they will keep doing it.

   2)  Talk to your child and see how they feel, you may not always want to say this is how it's going to be to bad.  If you child wants to negotiate see what they have to say.

   3)  If you go out or do something and it upsets your child to the point where they are not faking it then always go.  Never put your child in a place where they are scared.  If you go out and they are upset and want to go talk to them and see if it continues take them home.   I have taken Quinn home from dinners because she was just so upset and wanted to be home.

   4)  Only go or stop what you are doing after you take to your child and explain the options, explain you may not come back.  Leaving is a final options however never let your child think they can just cry and that will get you to take them home.

   5)  Watch your child's energy level, see if they are due for a nap.  It is harder to talk or do things if they are tired.  Get them a nap or to bed early, this young in the stage of life is busy with learning and getting up very early.  They do get tired very fast so check to see if they need a break and a nap. 

   There are of course many more tips but I hope this helps.  You can listen to your children but still make the final decision.  That's how it goes when they are little and have to know one day they will be the adults.  Everything comes with time and practice...

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

The Weekend Update

     Another weekend has come and gone and here we are again.  We had a lot of fun well the most we could weather permitting.  It is still cold of course!  Friday I picked up Quinn and we went home for a quiet night in.  We made dinner and watched some TV.  Saturday we got up and had some breakfast.  After we sat down and Quinn did her homework.  She is doing more math and writing now.  Quinn has been working on reading and Math now and has be getting better with practice.  She has been doing a lot of addition.  Her reading has been getting better but we keep working on it as much as we can.

    Later that night Quinn got to spend some time with Oma and Poppi as Kayla, Ken, my friend Pete and I headed to a get together.  It was nice because hasn't had dinner with my parents in a while.  When I picked her up and she told her about her exciting night!  Sunday we got up and went to church, it as been a few weeks since we went.  She was excited to go and after we had lunch with my parents.  Later that day we just hung around the house and cleaned, took a little nap and played with our toys.  Sunday feels like it comes so fast.  I guess it always does, I just try to make the best of it.

     I didn't take any pictures of us this weekend, took the weekend off so next time I will update the pictures.  All in all it was a great weekend I hope by the next weekend the weather will be warmer and we can finally at least get out for a walk.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Sean's Healing Process Begins.

     I read such amazing news, Sean's surgery was a success he was under for about a day and came out strong.  The doctors will keep him there for a few weeks and can only see a few people but he will be home sooner than we think.  They will watch his other organs as well as he adapts  to his new lungs but this is such a relief.  There are only so many organ transplants a year lungs are so few.  I can't tell you how nervous we all were the past few weeks.  I can't wait to send Sean a letter and some updates.

     As this weekend comes so does this amazing news.  I have Quinn this weekend and so far it has been so much fun.  I can't wait to update you all!

     I just wanted to post again and advise that Sean is recovering and doing well.  I will keep you all posted and update you very soon!

Thank you for all your prayers...

     Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

The Lungs Are Here!

     Great news!  My friend Sean has a match for lungs!  I posted about Sean and asked for prayers not to long ago and we all just got the email from his Mom that he has a match!  Sean has Cystic Fibrosis and has been just a fighter his whole life.  They came the fist day of Spring!  We are all so excited and can't wait to hear how the recovery goes.  I can't imagine how difficult the past few weeks have been for his family.  For myself it was just so tense, reading the emails about his good and bad days.  I honestly just don't know what would happen if he never got them.  The next few weeks will be very critical and I know he will have to work the rest of his life but to just get a new set of good lungs is so exciting.

     When i talked to my Mom and she told me the good news I just was so excited and teary eyed.  I love that kid so much and can't wait to greet him when he comes home.  I want to thank everyone who prayed and sent emails to get prayers.  Last night when I was putting Quinn to bed we said our prayers and like always we said a very special one for Sean.  I can't thank God enough, I know there are things in this world we don't understand.  I know there are bad thinks like war, and pain, and things that don't seem fair but in all this there was Sean and his new lungs.  These are the moments that make you know there is good in this world.  I can't wait to catch up with all of the family...

     I have posted the email Sean's Mom put in and want to thank everyone again for their prayers.

I will keep you all posted.

Always Remember,
You are Never alone....

Love,
Christopher

Spring signifies the emergence of new life. With Sean, it looks like his new life will begin this first day of spring 2014. This morning we were alerted about a potential set of lungs. We have now been told that the lungs are good. Sean has just been moved to the operating room for a double lung transplant. The entire surgery will likely take more than eight hours so we will probably not have a status update until after midnight.

Sean was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at ten months old. He has experience a gradual deterioration of his lungs during his lifetime and in January 2013 Sean was admitted to Highland Hospital in Rochester with yet another respiratory infection. At this point his lung function had deteriorated to the point where he needed to drop out of his senior year in college. (He was one semester short of graduation). Sean was put on the waiting list for a double lung transplant in March 2013. On February 9, 2014 Sean had extreme difficulty breathing and was admitted to Intensive Care at Highland Hospital. On February 11th he was airlifted to New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center where he has remained in the Medical Intensive Care Unit awaiting a double lung transplant.

Since being here at NYP/CUMC, five different sets of lungs (three in the last five days) were available.  However, because of problems none of them were good for Sean. Therefore we feel very blessed that the current lungs are a high enough quality and the right size for his body.

We want to thank all who have been praying for Sean and our family.  We ask for continued prayers during this surgery and the recovery period.

Happy spring.

Bernadette

Spring is here!

     Today marks the first day of spring!  Not the best weather kick off, it is still lightly snowing but at least calender wise we are getting closer.  With Spring here this means we can start thinking about not only the warmer weather but getting ready to do some spring cleaning.  Getting the windows opened and some yard work started.  In the next few weeks many businesses like yard and tree services will be getting started which always is a good sign of the warmer weather to come!

    So the next few weeks I will get a list together of thinks we need done like some indoor painting, cleaning and even yard work.  I want to have some rooms painted but also paint and touch up my side door and some window frames around the house.  Get some things cleaned up, I'm not found of painting but things like doors and window frames are easy enough.

    To my readers I say I hope you are all ready for spring, because ready or not.  Here it is!

So to Spring I say Welcome!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

A Mid Week Break

     This week brings rain, which is still better than snow!  I picked up Quinn and got her home and fed.  We did Mac & Cheese. :)  Kayla had a book club meeting at our house today so that was fun.  Quinn and I had some alone time with Quinn.  We watched some TV in my room and just hung out.  Wednesdays are good to just relax with a big weekend coming up sometimes its nice to just sit on the couch with Quinn and watch some TV.

    As the weather finally breaks and warms up I can't tell you how excited I am to get out and visit some parks and places to just run around.  As spring approaches I plan on doing some old trips as well as some new places.  I guess you will have to stay tuned...


Have a great rest of the week.

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Tuesday's Tip

     With the nice weather approaching my tip for you now is to get out there and start excising!  Now most start with the new year but if you haven't yet I would start getting your body ready for that nice summer weather.  Improve your diet, take longer walks find a gym you like or a sport you enjoy! Getting started this early will make you feel better, look better and life healthier!  As the spring goes on I plan to send some more specific tips out there but for now I would say to start taking your health serious.  If you took the winter off or not, get going and get healthy.

     Even if you work out a few days a week and eat better a few dinners a week and give up some sweets or some things that you could use without.  Every bit helps but the hardest part is control, you have to fight the need for intake but get started soon!  You can work out everyday but a lot of being healthy and looking good starts with intake and what you eat.

     I hope this starts a good path, and gets you going to a healthy start.

I can't wait to update more tips, but for now.

Always remember,

You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

I think Spring maybe close!

     Last week we had one hell of a blizzard!  If you saw, heard or lived it you would have seen that one day it was nice out about 50 degrees, the next day we had almost 20 inches of snow and whiteouts.  Then the next few days it was 40 again.  I ended up cleaning out the driveway twice and having to get get gas for the snowblower.  With the big snowstorm finally over I'm hoping spring has finally sprung! With a few weeks away till April I'm really hoping this was it, although we have had snow in May before but lets pretend I never said anything!

     The weekend was nice with the weather behaving for the most part it was a great weekend.  I caught up on sleep as well.  With the following week coming up I can't wait to see what we have in store.  I can't wait for this snow to finally leave and get Quinn outside for some activities!

     Always remember,

You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher!

A mid week Tip!

     A few post got pushed back so I am doing a mid week tip!  This past weekend Quinn had a bad case of chapped lips.  Even though it is getting warmer out make sure you protect your lips!  I spent the weekend healing them with Vaseline and by the end of the weekend she was feeling much better.  Always remember with the cold comes dry skin and chapped lips!  I watched her and tried to tell her not to lick them or wipe them.  She did really good and even let me put medicine on her late at night.

     I try to make sure Quinn has lotion on when I have her, Kayla does a great job of helping me with this.  Quinn can get try skin so we always make sure we are helping with this.  As a tip I would say even though it is cold make sure you put lotion on, your skin will dry up in this cold weather and crack.  It also gets very itchy and uncomfortable.  I wont lie putting on lotion stinks because its cold but its something you just have to do and protect your self doing!  After a bath or shower is a great time because you just washed.  once the lotion dries and you warm up you will feel so much better. 

   There are many different kinds so choose one you like and try a few if your not sure.  I use Johnson and Johnson Lotion, I know usually its for kids but they have all different kinds and its a name I trust.  They are also affordable and I think they do the best job.  I have used them for years and will continue to.  I do like how they have about 5 different kinds from healing, to bedtime.  Everyone has a preference but find one you like and stick with it!

     I hope this tip helps and remember to keep your lips save and your skin.

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher 

The weekend update.

     This past weekend was great, Quinn had so much fun and I can't wait to tell you about it.  Friday we made dinner and hung in.  It was a long week and we needed our sleep for the big weekend we had.

 

     Saturday we got up and made a nice breakfast of eggs, toast and sausage!  We then took some time to relax.  It was still cold out but the problem was it was wet so wet cold laws don't make for much fun.  We did some coloring and writing.  Her writing and spelling skills are improving so much!  Quinn also took a nice sized nap, I think the past few weeks she has been tired from getting up early and with her first year of school it just takes some getting used to.  Later that night we all met up with Aunt Ro and went to the YMCA for a fundraiser! One of the employee's there has a little boy who has cancer and there was a big fundraiser to help with the medical cost. 

 

     It was superhero themed and everyone was dressed up, there was cotton candy, popcorn and lots of games!  We walked around and got our picture taken, ate some popcorn and even went in the jump house!  It was so nice to see how many people went to give their support. Quinn even got her face painted!  After we headed out for dinner and then some dessert. 

 

     Sunday we got up and worked on our homework!  Quinn told me she didn't like it, I told her she has to get used to it because she will only get more as she gets older.  She is however getting a lot better at writing her name and other words she is working on.  That night I dropped her off and gave her a big hug and kiss, told her I would see her Wednesday and I started my week all over again.

 

     The weekend was fun, the weather not so much but it will get better.  I can't wait to play outside and just be able to take walks. 

 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend as well.

 

Always remember,

You are never alone...

 

Love

Christopher

Saturday breakfast!

Here is Quinn and Aunt Ro getting their picture taken!

Face painting time.

The place was packed!

Quinn played all kinds of games.

There goes my aunt through the jump house!

Up she goes!

Down she goes!

 

Here goes Quinn!

 

She made it!

 

Not sure why this got rotated, she's actually climbing!

Sunday we did a dance party!  Quinn played with her dance DVD.

 

 

Ash Wednesday

     Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.  As we start this holy period leading up to Easter I think of not only Spring and starting over but how much has been given to us.  I hope everyone today realized no matter what religion that there has been so much given to us.  Think about your life and what is it in.  I think about the month to come and what it will bring.

     I don't like to get to much into religion on the blog but I will say tonight I do have Quinn and we will get our ashes.  Ash Wednesday is a service I love.  It reminds us that we came from dust, and dust we shall return.  This earth mothers everything and everything came from dust.  Once it's time is over it will return to the earth.  We believe however after there is more to not just feel that this life ends with Death.  When I feel the ashes placed on my head I think about how we came from the earth and one day will return.  It is a very powerful day to know that it is not just dust placed on your head but the beginning of a very religious event.  Also that this earth is a very big place and feeling the dust upon my head reminds me that is where I came from, that is where I will end up.  My body that is, as one day we all pass on and our spirit moves on.  How I personally feel there is more and believe there is a greater place where we end up.  Does it have golden gates and robes?  Well I honestly don't know that, but I believe there is more...

     Tonight I hope everyone takes some time to think about the bigger picture and not just about their day or how busy they may feel.  Stop to relax tonight, if you can't get to your religious place take a moment to just close your eyes and be thankful for what we have.  Think about some things you may have to overcome and not be to stressed about them.  As a single Dad I know I have a few... 

Always remember,

You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher

Thinking of you Sean.

     I post tonight for Sean.  I post a lot about Sean's family, his brothers are very close to me and his family has been my family.  Sean has been battling cystic fibrosis his whole life.  He has been so amazing and living with it has never slowed him down.  Sean needs a double lung transplant and he is now in NYC waiting.  His Mother has been sending updates and we are all praying lungs come.  Sean is such a remarkable person growing up he was like my own little brother.  As he grew up I watched him grow.  Get jobs, go to college, and even meet the love of his life Samantha.  

     When Sean would go into the hospital to get his treatments we would go up and visit him.  Bring dinner and just spending time with him.  He just would always be in this amazing spirit and make us laugh.  Sean is one of the most amazing person's I've ever met and pray daily the lord gives him the lungs he needs.  Sean had a fundraiser not to long ago to help raise money.  There were prizes and food and music.  We had a great time and it was just so nice to see him.  I am in the process of sending a letter and card to Sean if you would like the address just let me know.

     To Sean, I say I'm praying for you buddy and I know you will keep fighting.  Never give up and know how much I and many people love you that we are praying for you.  

 

We love so much!

Always remember,

You are never alone...

Love,

Christopher 

Below are some pics of Sean.

Here is Hughey, Sean and I at the camp!

Here we are again.

Back to the Grind.

     My long weekend has come and gone and I feel very rested.  Kay and I took the weekend to just catch up on some sleep, rest and just hanging out.  With a busy week ahead it was just so nice to lay around and enjoy some R&R.  We worked out a little, watched some TV and just took the time to be with one and other.

     I hope everyone had a good weekend to just relax and I know its still winter out there and I know it seems the end is not in sight but it will be.  I won't lie this cold is getting old...  Well this week I'm excited to get back to normal blogging and have some great pics to post and things to talk about.


So with my mini vacation over I come back rested and ready to post!

Always remember,
You are never alone...

Love,
Christopher