Well Done, Pops.

Well done, Pops. We are each given one go around on this Earth, and you certainly made the most of yours. Many people will say that you left us much too early, and I will certainly agree. However, as if planned from the start, you completed all your tasks, and left nothing unfinished before saying good-bye. Many people leave curious about their legacy, and what they will be remembered for. You Pops, were one of the lucky ones. You lived and enjoyed your legacy each day you were with us. You leave a world filled with people better for having known you, no matter how brief a time. A man who can live a life of self-less joy, and leave a legacy of love, is truly a special man, and certainly a man that I am better for having let into my life.
On behalf of all of the lives you have touched and filled with joy, laughter, and love, I say thanks for coming. And for those that shared in your life the closest, your Wife of 50 years, Six happy Children, thirteen Grandchildren, Daughter-in-laws, Son-in-laws, Brothers, lifelong friends, we are basking in a rare sunny February day in Rochester, knowing you are at peace.

You and I have had several talks over the years that I will always hold dear. But nothing means more to me than the trust you put in me to watch over your Daughter. The love you held for your family was ever present in everything you did in your life. Each day I look at my wife and my children, I see the imprints of your love and guidance, and I welcome that this will continue for years to come.

Finally, I find myself coming back to this song. We spoke over the last two weeks of your plans, and how you wanted your family to be. Self-less to the end, I came back to this song as if it was written by your hand. So, for you and your family, I leave it here.

Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I'm Going (click the link to hear the song)

When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

(Chorus:)Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.

I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy,
and he'll match me step for step,
and I'll tell him how I missed him,
every minute since he left.
Then I'll hug his neck.

(Chorus)
So much pain and so much darkness,
in this world we stumble through.
All these questions, I can't answer,
so much work to do.

But when I get where I'm going,
and I see my Maker's face.
I'll stand forever in the light,
of His amazing grace.

Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
Hallelujah!
I will love and have no fear.

When I get where I'm going.
Yeah when I get where I'm going.

Godspeed Bob. I'll look for you with my family each day, and I know you will be looking over us. Welcome home, may you rest easy knowing you made this world a better place.

Everyday Strength

Daily life takes strength. Life's extreme challenges ask us to rise above, and pull from deeper within ourselves than we thought possible. I am amazed each day as I watch the strength that Donna has within herself. Strength that she doesn't even realize is there. As she gets up each morning and assumes the role of Mother, Daughter, Wife, Friend, Care-Giver, Griever, Planner, Supporter, and Organizer I am in awe of her abilities. Each day I look at her, and even though she fails to see it in herself, I see a Wonder Woman.


Create your own FACEinHOLE

To My Valentine

I Love You.

Active Winter

This winter's weather seems to be more brutal than in years past. We have had consistent snow, several days with temps well below 10 degrees, and lots of wind. But, as the true Rochestarians that we are, we have not let a little winter stop us from filling our calendar, and enjoying activities both inside and out.

Disney On Ice

We kicked off January by joining the Hewitsons, and attending a true parental right of passage, Disney On Ice. Gavin and Isabelle were beyond excited as we headed downtown to the Blue Cross Arena, bantering back and forth in the back of the van trying to predict which of their favorite characters they would get to see. Donna and I were more reserved, both trying to figure out what we had gotten ourselves into, and if we would survive the next two hours of time. Naturally, Isabelle's favorite was the presentation of the Disney Princesses. All of whom, were in attendance with their escorts.

Gavin, coming off his recent New Years Eve performance of When You Wish Upon A Star, leaped out of his seat, all smiles, as Jimminy Cricket started signing.

And, in an attempt to torture all of the parents in the audience, they did an amazing job recreating the It's A Small World experience on the ice. Yep, song still sticks in your head each time you hear it.....


Frozen Pond

This year we decided to join the rest of the neighborhood, and enjoy the pond year round. We bought the kids their first set of ice skates, and of course, picked one of the coldest and windiest days to try them out. Wanting Gavin and Izzy to have a good first time experience, I spent part of the morning playing Zamboni out on the pond. Clearing away snow drifts, and lugging five gallon coolers of water across the street to spread out with my squeegee for a nice smooth ice surface. Needless to say, with this effort, I was not noticing the frigid temps as the sweat built up.Isabelle, as expected, took right to it, and could not get enough of being on the skates, or the ice. Gavin liked the skates, but as he is born of Donna's blood, quickly felt the chill set in, and lost interest.
Even though we did not spend a lot of time on the ice, we had some great family time, and enjoyed being out in the sun, on the pond in the middle of winter.

The Gymnast

Isabelle has continued her gymnastics career through the winter at the Little Gym. The big changes for this session were she attended class alone (well, was supposed to anyway), and she got to wear a leotard. One guess which one she was more excited about.
Isabelle's final show was attended by Donna, Mema, and Grandpa. Yep, I was on a plane. Work schedule doesn't always work out. Anyway, Isabelle did a great job performing the moves she has learned this session. He favorite continues to be the bars, where she has moved from simply swinging, to now flipping over them. She loved having Mema and Grandpa there to watch her, and she did a great job with her routines, huge smiles each time.
Just Playing

The best part about being a kid in a Rochester winter, are all the great opportunities to just play. All it takes is a little sunshine, and the winter day suddenly feels like the middle of summer, with endless possibilities. Snow Angels, sleds, snowmen, snow forts, all start to fill the yards around the neighborhood. Gavin, Isabelle, and I spent the day outside and did just that. What ever they wanted. They had a great time laughing and smiling, and I got another terrific workout. I don't remember growing up, that digging a snow fort was such a huge cardio event. Phew.....
Another terrific Rochester winter. Enjoyed by all.

The Mighty Thomas has Fallen

Those of you that have been to the house, or have received our pictures in the past, are familiar with Gavin's bedroom. Three years ago, when we were moving him out of the nursery and into his big boy room, I made him a Thomas the Tank Engine room. Okay, I admit, I may have gone a little overboard for a two year old, but it was fun. And, he loved it. But, alas, two year olds grow up. And, Thomas the Tank Engine does not stay cool forever.
Gavin has not liked Thomas for a while now, and he has on occasion asked me when I was going to make him a new room. I know, my own fault for setting the precedent. Anyway, it all came to a head as I was doing Isabelle's big girl room. Gavin wanted a new one also. So, I promised him he could have one, if he could decide on what he wanted it to be. Ha! Trickery to buy myself time. A five year old making a lasting decision. Yeah, right.

We started with a Star Wars room, which quickly changed into a Lego Star Wars room as some of the characters from the real Star Wars might be to scary to sleep with. I of course, did not buy any paint, as we then decided on a Power Rangers room, which some how quickly became Pokemon. Then, after much back and forth, Gavin and I decided on the perfect room that he loves, I LOVE, and most important, he won't grow out of in two weeks. The Boston Red Sox!

So, Thomas came down. And the transformation began. Yellow stripes turned red. Gray walls turned sky blue. Where once there were train tracks, there is now a nice green field. And finally, he's ready to play ball! Gavin loves it, and I love that we have a Red Sox room in the house. Guess it's the closest thing I am going to get to a game room for a while.

The Two P's Complete

You may have remembered from my post, The Two P's, a couple months back on Isabelle's "big girl" room, that the crib was still visible in the photos. She was still very attached to her crib, and didn't want anything to do with her big girl bed. I am happy to report, that the "big girl" room is now complete. With a big girl bed.

Yep, Isabelle is officially a big girl. Just ask her. She'll tell you. She is happily sleeping in her big bed. And she is very excited about it. The other morning I was on my way to Syracuse, and I got one of those calls that every Dad loves to get. I answered the phone expecting Donna, but instead was greeted by a very excited Isabelle. She couldn't wait to tell me that she had spent the entire night in her big girl bed. Boy, was she proud. And so was I. I smiled for most of the morning thinking about it.

Isabelle gave me permission to take down her crib a couple of days later, and she was very excited as she sat by my side watching each screw be removed, and each piece carried out. She then joyfully decided what should be put into her "new space". Sigh. Our baby is growing up. Can't wait to see what the next step is.

My 2009 Goals

Last year was a disappointing year for me on the bike. I set a goal for myself at the start of the season, and then I wavered. I started my training late, and tried to play catch up. Then I got injured, then sick. I tried to pick the training back up, but my head, and my heart, just wasn't in it. I ended up abandoning my goal, and doing just enough riding to keep myself fit throughout the season. A far cry from my two previous seasons. And I felt it. Not so much in my body, but in my head, and my heart. Giving up nagged me. Stayed with me. Lots of people reassured me that taking a year off was fine. Normal even. But to me, it wasn't.

I don't want that feeling again. So this year I am going public. I am sharing my goals with all of you. And, to prevent myself from being lulled into light training caused by the secure feeling of knowing I have done this before, I am going extra aggressive this year. Adding events that I have always wanted to do, but never prepared for. I am starting my training now, and I want to rely on all of you to keep me motivated (even better if you want to ride with me) and focused throughout the season.My season will start Friday May 15th, when I participate in the 100 mile Ride for Missing Children. This is a truly unique event which benefits the local Rochester Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The ride will criss cross Monroe County, making stops at local Elementary Schools, where the children will greet us, and receive a 20 program on safety.I will quickly turn around, and on Sunday June 7th will join team Mary's Gang/The Bike Zone to complete the 100 mile Tour de Cure. The Tour de Cure benefits the American Diabetes Association, and this years ride begins in beautiful Mendon Ponds Park before heading out for a 100 mile loop around the region.Finally, as in years past, I will wrap up my season the weekend of August 23 by participating in the Philadelphia LIVESTRONG Challenge. Finding a cure for Cancer, and supporting agency's like the Lance Armstrong Foundation are critical, and requires everyone's support. I will once again show my support by aggressively fundraising, and participating in the 100 mile event.

These are big goals set for a big year. I plan to do my part, and impact change for the better, the way I enjoy, on two wheels. I realize I ask this every year, but this year, with so many events on my calendar, I mean it more than ever. Riding, training, and participating in these events is all the more enjoyable when you are doing so with friends and family. So, if you have even considered getting on a bike for yourself, of to help others, make this year the year. Come out and ride with me. I promise you won't be disappointed.