My wife was raised in a very quiet house with two sisters. Moving into a life with a loud, busy husband and three crazy, wild, intense boys would be a shock for most people. But my wife has adapted and grown into the perfect mom for our boys and a loving, supportive, merciful wife to me. As we celebrate our 8th year of marriage being over and come close to our 10th anniversary of knowing each other, I want everyone to know that I think my wife is great! The latest example is today. I was stressed at work today trying to get a ton of things done in advance of a mid-week visit with some family and an end of week vacation. I wasn't able to make it home until about 9, but at 5:35 she sent me this message:
just came in from the swing set and looked at the time so I am saving the meal for another night and running to wendy's...sorry. stay at work as long as you need to- even work till midnight if you want. I am good- kids are good- we have been busy outside and they will go to bed early.
love ya- k
Any guy knows that those words are exactly what a guy needs to hear.
Thanks babe- for being my beautiful, loving, fun, spunky wife. Thanks for not putting up with my s***, and for helping me be all that I can be. I'm looking forward to the next 8 years! Happy Anniversary!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
More thoughts... I'm chatty today
I remember the first year Danny was around. I did not enjoy it. He was cute and whatever, but I would never go back to that first year. Here is how I chart kids development from the little that I know so far:
0-1: Nothing but sleep, eat, and cost me diapers
2-3: The awakening. A blob becomes a person. Makes the first two years seem really long and boring and pointless.
4-5: Learning to do cool things.
6+: Learning to do real things.
Also, here is another thought. We expected Danny to do so much so fast. He walked at 10 months, rode a bike at 4, etc. It was wrong of us- we should have been more laid back and let him be more of a baby, toddler, and kid.
Finally, a big thanks to some of our closest friends, the Slim Savvy's. Not only did they get our kids a slip n' slide and t-ball set, but our kids think of them as the aunt and uncle they never had. We appreciate the heck out of you for being our friends.
0-1: Nothing but sleep, eat, and cost me diapers
2-3: The awakening. A blob becomes a person. Makes the first two years seem really long and boring and pointless.
4-5: Learning to do cool things.
6+: Learning to do real things.
Also, here is another thought. We expected Danny to do so much so fast. He walked at 10 months, rode a bike at 4, etc. It was wrong of us- we should have been more laid back and let him be more of a baby, toddler, and kid.
Finally, a big thanks to some of our closest friends, the Slim Savvy's. Not only did they get our kids a slip n' slide and t-ball set, but our kids think of them as the aunt and uncle they never had. We appreciate the heck out of you for being our friends.
Follow Up Thank-Yous
Thank you Mom and Dad for the awesome car you bought Danny and Andrew (and eventually "The Jake.")
Thank you to Kristin for doing such a great job making the boys feel special on their birthday with the "eggie" sandwiches, the balloons, the decorations, the lunch at Wendy's, etc.
Thanks to the Boisvert's for the cards and presents and visits for each one of our kids and making them feel special on their birthday. They think of you like an extension of our family.
Thanks to everyone who sent e-cards or called to talk to the boys!!!
We're lucky to have so many people that love our boys!
Thank you to Kristin for doing such a great job making the boys feel special on their birthday with the "eggie" sandwiches, the balloons, the decorations, the lunch at Wendy's, etc.
Thanks to the Boisvert's for the cards and presents and visits for each one of our kids and making them feel special on their birthday. They think of you like an extension of our family.
Thanks to everyone who sent e-cards or called to talk to the boys!!!
We're lucky to have so many people that love our boys!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Some Thoughts, 6 Years Done
Danny turned 6 today. In the last month, he has started to do things that are real person like. For example, we went to play racquet ball twice this week. He got a "gear" bike today for his birthday that has 6 gears. I actually had to do real pedaling to keep up with him on our morning 5 mile ride. When we were riding, at one point he got out of the saddle to get up a hill and it was amazing- he looked just like one of the pros I see during the Tour de France.
Here is the perfect day for danny:
1. Up at 6 AM ready to go.
2. Presents at 6:02
3. Breakfast of Grilled Cheese with extra syrup at 6:30
4. Bike warmup at 6:45 AM.
5. 5 Mile ride on the path from 8 - 9:45.
6. Boisvert's come over at 10 to play and drive in the go-cart
7. Lunch with mom at Wendy's at 11.
8. School at 12 complete with pudding for everyone, singing happy birthday to him, getting a book from the teacher, etc.
9. Riding and driving for hours after school at 3.
10. Roast beef and "Favorite Macaroni & Cheese" for dinner at 5:30.
11. Gym to play racquet ball and swimming at 7.
12. Dunkin Donuts for a sprinkles donut at 9.
13. So tired that he falls asleep in the car at 9:45 pm.
14. Daddy carries him to bed and lays with him until he is all the way asleep at 10.
15. Last waking words "Dad, do you still want to take a bike ride tomorrow morning???"
I love you Danny- exactly the way you are. I see you turning the corner with some challenges you have and I see a bright, fun, intense, loving, and cool future for you. You are the coolest, strongest, most intense kid I know, and I wish I was more like you.
Dad
Here is the perfect day for danny:
1. Up at 6 AM ready to go.
2. Presents at 6:02
3. Breakfast of Grilled Cheese with extra syrup at 6:30
4. Bike warmup at 6:45 AM.
5. 5 Mile ride on the path from 8 - 9:45.
6. Boisvert's come over at 10 to play and drive in the go-cart
7. Lunch with mom at Wendy's at 11.
8. School at 12 complete with pudding for everyone, singing happy birthday to him, getting a book from the teacher, etc.
9. Riding and driving for hours after school at 3.
10. Roast beef and "Favorite Macaroni & Cheese" for dinner at 5:30.
11. Gym to play racquet ball and swimming at 7.
12. Dunkin Donuts for a sprinkles donut at 9.
13. So tired that he falls asleep in the car at 9:45 pm.
14. Daddy carries him to bed and lays with him until he is all the way asleep at 10.
15. Last waking words "Dad, do you still want to take a bike ride tomorrow morning???"
I love you Danny- exactly the way you are. I see you turning the corner with some challenges you have and I see a bright, fun, intense, loving, and cool future for you. You are the coolest, strongest, most intense kid I know, and I wish I was more like you.
Dad
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Devotion
Now this is devotion in my book.
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Finally, David Witthoft shunned his Brett Favre jersey for the first time in 1,581 days.
The Ridgefield, Conn., boy, 12, wore the No. 4 jersey every day since receiving it as a gift for Christmas in 2003. David's father, Chuck, said Monday that his son's last day wearing the jersey was April 23 -- his 12th birthday.
Witthoft conceded his son was starting to become more concerned about his appearance after the jersey barely came down to his belt line.
Witthoft first gained national attention three years ago and attended his first Packers game in December. He's also planning to attend the Sept. 8 game when the Packers retire Favre's No. 4.
His mother, Carolyn, had washed the jersey every other day and mended it when needed.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Finally, David Witthoft shunned his Brett Favre jersey for the first time in 1,581 days.
The Ridgefield, Conn., boy, 12, wore the No. 4 jersey every day since receiving it as a gift for Christmas in 2003. David's father, Chuck, said Monday that his son's last day wearing the jersey was April 23 -- his 12th birthday.
Witthoft conceded his son was starting to become more concerned about his appearance after the jersey barely came down to his belt line.
Witthoft first gained national attention three years ago and attended his first Packers game in December. He's also planning to attend the Sept. 8 game when the Packers retire Favre's No. 4.
His mother, Carolyn, had washed the jersey every other day and mended it when needed.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Pitching
Last March or so, I called WEEI to suggest the Red Sox might consider starting the season with a six man rotation.
At the time, Jonathan Papelbon had been moved into a potential starting pitcher role. The Red Sox had the following pitchers in place as potential starters:
1. Curt Schilling
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka
3. Josh Beckett
4. Tim Wakefield
5. Jonathan Papelbon
6. Clay Buchholz
7. Kason Gabbard
8. Kyle Snyder
The year before, the Red Sox again had in their mind one too many starting pitchers and traded Arroyo to the Reds for Wily Mo Pena. (Do not forget about Clement...)
I did not even make it on the air with WEEI as the producer told me "Dennis and Callahan will laugh you off of the air."
Then, before the start of the 2008 season, I heard Dennis and Callahan talk about how the Red Sox have an excess in starting pitching and might consider starting the season with a six man rotation including:
1. Josh Beckett
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka
3. Tim Wakefield
4. Curt Schilling
5. Clay Buchholz, and
6. Jon Lester.
I find it interesting that for three years in a row, the Red Sox have entered a spring training with seemingly an abundance of starting pitching, only to be in May in all three seasons with a shortage. In 2006, they traded away Arroyo for a bat that did not work out. They lost Clement for much of that season. In 2007, the Red Sox opted to keep the pitchers they had and move Papelbon to the bullpen in a highly successful move.
Now, in 2008, it is May. Curt Schilling can barely play toss with his kids. Buchholz broke a nail. Beckett has already had a stint on the disabled list. Despite Daisuke giving up more walks (30) than hits (28) in 47 and 2/3 innings, he is still a shaky 6-0, if it is possible to be shaky at 6-0.
The point is, pitchers are fragile. There is probably close to a 75% chance that each pitcher will not make all of their starts in a season. Bring on Colon!
Or does it matter? It is widely seen that pitching only matters in the playoffs. Take Fausto and C.C. as exhibits "A" and "B." In the playoffs, it is hard to find someone who would not take half of Schilling, all of Beckett, and a shaky Daisuke over any other rotation in the American league regardless of their regular season statistics.
So as fans, we will live with Daisuke's walks. We will accept Wakefield's near perfect nights followed by 2+ inning, 8 hit, 6 run outings. We will wait until July for Schilling to weigh in. We will watch as Beckett ramps up to his best fall stuff. Our only goal is to make the playoffs with whatever mis-match pitching rotation we have as long as the top three pitchers in the playoffs are Beckett, Schilling, and Dice-K. Maybe next time I call WEEI, I will not get screened...
At the time, Jonathan Papelbon had been moved into a potential starting pitcher role. The Red Sox had the following pitchers in place as potential starters:
1. Curt Schilling
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka
3. Josh Beckett
4. Tim Wakefield
5. Jonathan Papelbon
6. Clay Buchholz
7. Kason Gabbard
8. Kyle Snyder
The year before, the Red Sox again had in their mind one too many starting pitchers and traded Arroyo to the Reds for Wily Mo Pena. (Do not forget about Clement...)
I did not even make it on the air with WEEI as the producer told me "Dennis and Callahan will laugh you off of the air."
Then, before the start of the 2008 season, I heard Dennis and Callahan talk about how the Red Sox have an excess in starting pitching and might consider starting the season with a six man rotation including:
1. Josh Beckett
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka
3. Tim Wakefield
4. Curt Schilling
5. Clay Buchholz, and
6. Jon Lester.
I find it interesting that for three years in a row, the Red Sox have entered a spring training with seemingly an abundance of starting pitching, only to be in May in all three seasons with a shortage. In 2006, they traded away Arroyo for a bat that did not work out. They lost Clement for much of that season. In 2007, the Red Sox opted to keep the pitchers they had and move Papelbon to the bullpen in a highly successful move.
Now, in 2008, it is May. Curt Schilling can barely play toss with his kids. Buchholz broke a nail. Beckett has already had a stint on the disabled list. Despite Daisuke giving up more walks (30) than hits (28) in 47 and 2/3 innings, he is still a shaky 6-0, if it is possible to be shaky at 6-0.
The point is, pitchers are fragile. There is probably close to a 75% chance that each pitcher will not make all of their starts in a season. Bring on Colon!
Or does it matter? It is widely seen that pitching only matters in the playoffs. Take Fausto and C.C. as exhibits "A" and "B." In the playoffs, it is hard to find someone who would not take half of Schilling, all of Beckett, and a shaky Daisuke over any other rotation in the American league regardless of their regular season statistics.
So as fans, we will live with Daisuke's walks. We will accept Wakefield's near perfect nights followed by 2+ inning, 8 hit, 6 run outings. We will wait until July for Schilling to weigh in. We will watch as Beckett ramps up to his best fall stuff. Our only goal is to make the playoffs with whatever mis-match pitching rotation we have as long as the top three pitchers in the playoffs are Beckett, Schilling, and Dice-K. Maybe next time I call WEEI, I will not get screened...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Video from Late 2001 - 2002
Check out some video from the end of 2001 and the beginning of 2002 including:
- Party at the Kershners with the unmarried Wells'
- New Year's Eve Party
- Jim and Andrew Wrestling
- Toby's Birth
- Some quick Video of Danny
- Party at the Kershners with the unmarried Wells'
- New Year's Eve Party
- Jim and Andrew Wrestling
- Toby's Birth
- Some quick Video of Danny
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Danny's First Day of T-Ball
I missed Danny's first ever T-Ball game, but I got to hear some important things about it.
First-when I called Kristin at 7:05 AM this morning to talk to her for the first time in a week, she told me Danny's game was at 11:30 AM, and that he was already wearing his cup! He was so excited!
He called me on the way and said "Dad, I'm nervous about going to my first game without my dad." I told him to listen to the other coaches, to concentrate, and to do his best and it would work out!
Kristin told me that the first time he got up to hit, he hit the ball, started running to first, and then ran to the bench to grab his glove because he was going "into the field!" So cute.
I told the story to the guys on my mission trip, and AJ shared a story about his son. When he was playing soccer, he son always wanted to play goalie. Finally, after many games, the coach gave him a chance to play goalie.
The other team got a breakaway towards AJ's son. There were no defenders left- just the other team with the ball and AJ's son in the net. The crowd looked up, and AJ's son was turned around backwards with his head stuck in the net! The other team scored easily... HA
First-when I called Kristin at 7:05 AM this morning to talk to her for the first time in a week, she told me Danny's game was at 11:30 AM, and that he was already wearing his cup! He was so excited!
He called me on the way and said "Dad, I'm nervous about going to my first game without my dad." I told him to listen to the other coaches, to concentrate, and to do his best and it would work out!
Kristin told me that the first time he got up to hit, he hit the ball, started running to first, and then ran to the bench to grab his glove because he was going "into the field!" So cute.
I told the story to the guys on my mission trip, and AJ shared a story about his son. When he was playing soccer, he son always wanted to play goalie. Finally, after many games, the coach gave him a chance to play goalie.
The other team got a breakaway towards AJ's son. There were no defenders left- just the other team with the ball and AJ's son in the net. The crowd looked up, and AJ's son was turned around backwards with his head stuck in the net! The other team scored easily... HA
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