Howdy

Hello all,

Well today was not my best day. I just didn't feel like it was my best day. When I woke up this morning, I just should have taken the day off and stayed in bed. Work was filled with things that needed to be overcome. Ahhh!!!

I hope tomorrow is better.

-Andy

Ali's Soccer Game

Hello all,

Today was Ali's first ever soccer game. Since she woke up this morning, all she could talk about was getting her uniform on and getting to the field. My mother came down from Iowa to witness the athletic expedition. Thank you mom for remembering your camera to document the afternoon. In our haste to get Ali and Zac into the van, we left our camera on the kitchen table.

Enjoy the pictures.

-Andy

Picture with Dad and our dog Butch

Hello all,

I wanted to share this picture with you all. It was taken sometime in the early 90's by my sister Nicole. Mom scanned it to a digital copy and emailed it to me a few minutes ago.

Here you go.

More pictures

Pictures

Love you all,

-Andy

Great Dreams

Hello all,

The other night I had a great dream. I had somehow traveled back in time to when my Dad was in his 20's. I was in his hometown of Malvern, Iowa. I met my uncle Cliff and Gordon. It was really great to see how my Dad joked around with his family and enjoyed life. In my dream I don't think I knew he was my dad, but when I awoke that morning I felt like I had been given a gift. Even if it was only a dream, it was great to see Dad again.

-Andy

Winter weather

Hello all,

Today is the first day of Spring and Kansas City is in a severe winter weather advisory! Can you believe this weather? It was over 80° F two weeks ago and it is now ready to snow! Soon it will be over 100 outside and I'll be wishing for cooler weather...

-Andy

Ready for the snow

Hello all,

If you believe a weather forecast, we could be getting 6 inches of snow tonight. It is only worth mentioning that last week the temperatures were in the low 80's. You just have to love living in the mid-west!

-Andy

Kindergarten round-up

Hello all,

Today Jennifer and I took our daughter Alexandria to kindergarten round-up. She was able to meet some of the teachers and see the school where we "hope" that she will be able to attend. We are going to try to open enroll her in the new school to allow for smaller class size and an opportunity to go to school with her friends from daycare.

Better get dinner started.

-Andy

Pleasant day outside

Hello all,

It feels like Spring is in the air. It is warm outside today. Maybe it is just me, but I think the worst of winter is behind us.

-Andy

Day of Days

Hello all,

Someone I respect greatly told me if I can make it through the hardest day of my life, than I have survived my Day of Days. Through the past 365 days I have worked toward this day. Today is the one year anniversary of my father's passing. When I woke up today, I thought that I was ready for the day. I had prayed. I thought I had prepared for the day.

Little did I know.

I stopped to get my haircut before leaving for Iowa. On my way out of Fantastic Sam's, I noticed my passenger side front tire was low. I took it across the street to Randy Reed to have it fixed. I didn't leave town until after 10:00. I was hoping to be in Iowa by 11:00. Now I am not going to be there until almost 1:00. It was not looking like a good day.

I arrived at mom's house at 12:45 and Danna, Nic, Mom and I were on our way to Malvern for lunch by 1:00. After a quick bite to eat and a quick visit to the Wild Flower floral store, it was time to go to the cemetery.

As Danna turned the corner, I recalled last year. It was windy and cold like today. It was quiet today. We were the only ones there now. Just the four of us with Dad. Danna read a nice poem. We each said a word or two about Dad. Tears and hugs where shared. It was soon time to get into the car. Before I left I had to say one more thing to Dad. I laid down next to him and said to him that I missed him very much and I think about him always. After a few seconds, I returned to the car and moved on with the day.

The afternoon was filled with a trip to the High-school for mom and a visit to Tabor Manor to see Aunt Dorthy and Grandma Scott. Grandma was not feeling well today, but that is to be expected. Dorthy was in a great mood and looks very good.

Soon we were all sitting in the living room. We had watched Walk The Line and it would soon be time to travel home. Before we left, mom gave each of us something of Dad's to have. Danna was given a Northwest Missouri State sweatshirt. Nic was given a Nebraska Sweatshirt and I was given a Chief's sweatshirt. Mom asked me if I would like any of Dad's sweaters and I graciously accepted the gift. I also volunteered to have any of Dad's ties. Dad taught me to tie my first knot in the living mirror that hung in our living room. I think of that lesson every time I put on a shirt and tie.

The drive home was long. It had truly been a Day of Days. I was tired. I felt as if I had not slept for days. The miles passed and memories kept me company as I drove with the radio turned off. The vintage footage playing in my head kept me company as I passed the time.

Dad, thank you for riding with me last night. I enjoyed your company. I hope that HEAVEN is as great as I envision it to be. You are missed on Earth, but I know that you are in a better place today and forever.

Dad, please keep watching over me and my family. I'm sure that you have seen how crazy my kids can be at times so I could use all the help I can get.

I should close this message and get to bed. I'm sure that Jen is waiting on me.

Love you Dad!

-Andy

Sitting on the couch with my wife

Hello all,

I am sitting on the couch with my wife watching The Amazing Race on DVR. DVR is great! We never watch commercials anymore. Everything is compressed. Watching an hour show really boils down to 45 minutes or less. It really saves us some time!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

-Andy

Thinking of you Dad

Hello all,

As I sat in Ash Wednesday's church service, I thought back to a year ago. I had just returned from visiting mom and dad. Little did I know that one week later he would be gone. People say that the first year after losing someone is the hardest. I must say, this year has been filled with dualities. Some days were great and passed by like a cool Spring day. Other days stretched on like they would never end. Now as I sit here, I think back to all of the days that have passed since I stood in the toy room with Dad, Mom and Nic. Many days have passed, but my thoughts continue to return to that day in March.

I miss you Dad.

Love you,

-Andy

Ready for the next install

Hello all,

I am writing this from the comfort of my couch. I just installed a wireless access point for the home. I have named the device Thunderball99 in honor of my son and daughter breaking my friend Steve Brown's wireless router. I am still sorry about that Steve.

As for the wireless device at home, it is working great. Tonight my wife and I instant message each other from across the room. How lazy is that!

I am up until at least 11:30. The pat.jar is going into production tonight.

-Andy