Yeah…. It is a gumball, but not just any gumball. This morning my son followed me downstairs as I prepared to leave for work. I was already running late, but it was obvious he needed a few minutes with me before I left for the day. He told me in short order about his evening having dinner with his Grandmother and a trip to the candy store. He asked me if I had seen his bag of candy, because he had something for me in it.  Now in that bag was Jelly Bellys, rock candy and a big green gumball.  If you know me you know I love Jelly Bellys and if you know Connor you know he has a fascination for gumballs.  So, I was expecting that he would be handing me some Jelly Bellys, but he beamed from ear to ear and pulled out the big green gumball.  He went on to tell me how he picked the gumball out for me, because he thought I would like it and he missed me. He reached out and handed me the gumball and said, eat it.  But I couldn’t eat it at that moment, because it became a reminder of my son’s love and how he missed me when I was at work and not around.  I carried that gumball in my pocket all day and it has reminded me that my most important job is  a father and to be there for my son and my daughters.
Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Green Gumball
Thursday, February 11th, 2010Pulled Pork
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
DC Deli Pulled Pork PoBoy
My family and I were camping last week in Door County and Monday happened to be a rainy day, so we decided to hit a local restaurant for lunch. After we drove into Sister Bay and walked around the marina we ended up at DC Deli for a quick lunch. We chose it because we wanted a sandwich and it was labeled a deli, but it also helped that it was next to the local confectionery and I had a sweet tooth that needed some comfort. We were immediately greeted with a smile and allowed to seat ourselves. The service from the time we entered the door until we left was friendly and attentive, which always earns huge points in my eyes, especially with 3 kids. As we went through the menu I was told about the specials, of which the first item was a Pulled Pork PoBoy. The server, Candice, told me the sandwich consisted of house-smoked pork, slaw, tomatoes, and Creole Mayo on a French baguette with Fries. I was hungry and it sounded great, so I went for it along with a local Wisconsin beer called Spotted Cow. When the food arrived the PoBoy was beautiful and thankfully made the way pulled pork should be made, dry not drowning in sauce. The pork was smoky, tender, and had a generous serving of coleslaw that was sweet with a little bitter bite, just the way I like it. This sandwich was what all should strive to be, perfect! If you happen to get to Door County, go to Sister Bay and stop in DC Deli, it is well worth the trip.
Door County Deli
Door County Deli
531 Bayshore Dr., Sister Bay, WI
920-854-4514
TripAdvisor Website
Crap! Now I am hungry for another one.
Best Friend
Saturday, July 11th, 2009
Glen Arbor Vacation
Friday, July 3rd, 2009Here is a rather large slideshow of photos form our recent family vacation. We spent a week in Glen Arbor, MI with Em’s family. The week we were there happened to be the week prior to the busy summer season, so the town was still fairly quiet, which is perquisite for a good vacation. It was a very relaxing week spent sleeping late, walking the small town, swimming, canoeing, wine tasting, and just relaxing. I believe we may have found a spot that we will return over and over again.
Sundays
Sunday, September 21st, 2008Sundays have become my favorite day of the week. I have gotten to where I look forward to it each week. It is the one day of the week where Em and I do our best to not set a schedule or make many plans. This wasn’t intentional at first, but we have now made it part of every week. This has become a great opportunity to hang out with my kids and make dinner with Em. The kids love the dedicated time to watch football, play video games, read, eat a meal together and review homework. I would highly recommend it as a part of your week.
Passing of the last Grand
Saturday, August 9th, 2008Sitting here in O’Hare waiting to board a flight to Dallas, board. My last grandparent, my mother’s mother, passed this morning at 4am in the small town of Mt. Pleasant, Tx. She has been in the process of dying for a few days and I understand that she had accepted her death. I guess I have become strangely numb, since her health has been on a rollercoaster for years and this has not been the first time we thought she was not going to make it.
As I head down to be with my family for a few days and ensure my Mom is okay. What this reminds me is how far I am from the remainder of my family. Oh, well they are paging for my flight. Gotta run.
Family Photos
Saturday, July 12th, 2008Here are a few photos from the past month, since Madelyn was born.
Madelyn is here!
Sunday, June 8th, 2008| Saturday, June 07, 2008 at 11:05am our newest addition joined our family. She was 7lbs 11oz and 20.5″ long. The birth went really smoothly and both Mom and baby came through healthy and happy. She remained nameless most of the day until I was able to run a few of the names we had selected by BabyGirl Jones. After speaking to her we landed on the name that she was most responsive to, Madelyn Anne. So far, she is a happy baby that like to sleep and eat. |
MMM. . .Good!
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
Last night I took the family out for dinner after a busy day. Of course neither Em nor I could decide where to go, but we knew what we didn’t want. We finely landed on grabbing dinner at Toyko Bay in Naperville. I ordered a 7-piece nigiri sushi platter, Naperville Roll and a Godzilla roll, which ended up being too much food. Connor asked for a piece of my shrimp nigiri. I had to warn him that it was different then the shrimp he was used to eating and that he had not eaten it before, but he wanted it anyway. He ate the whole piece and asked for more. I was out of shrimp, but still had some salmon, which he chose from the platter. To Em and my amazement he took the fairly large piece and started and ate it with a little soy sauce. After eating the salmon I explained that the piece of fish had not been cooked to which he responded with a weird face and said he wanted it again, but he preferred the shrimp. I now have another companion when the sushi bug hits me.
Rolling with the Punches
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008In June, Em and I are expecting our third child, which appears to be a little girl. I believe it is fair to say that we are eager to introduce this child to our family. My kids are doubly excited to have a baby sister that they can teach how to drive their parents crazy. This is exciting times for the Jones’s and we seem to keep rolling with every punch that comes along with this great news. The punches: my surgery, healing from my surgery, we have to find a new place to live, moving in the next few weeks, and a baby on the way.
Apparently this isn’t enough to keep me busy and at my wits-ends; Em’s employer has decided to change their work relationship/arrangement. Em has been working from home 3 days a week and in the office 2 days a week. This has allowed us the ability to only have our daughter in daycare part-time which has been financially beneficial, but also great for the bonding of my family. Just 10 weeks prior to delivery date of our daughter her employer has decided to adjust her schedule to work in the office 5 days a week. I am not really a distrustful sort and will not speculate on why this happening at this time, but will say that this stinks and quite honestly poor timing. Em had communicated with her employer that she cannot change the current arrangement they have, since the day-care cost for two kids full-time and one part-time and transportation would negate the salary she currently collects. Since, then they have posted her position on Monster.
My current assumption is that Em will return to freelance design and marketing work once her employer let’s her go. But, here is my struggle. I fail to understand how a small manufacturing firm in a small town cannot be more sensitive to their employee’s needs, especially after employment of a few years. This is in stark contrast to the how respectful and considerate my employer, Tribune, has been to me. I guess through all of this I am thankful for my job and boss. Thanks Barb and Tribune.
Happy Birthday Connor
Friday, February 29th, 2008 |
My son turned 7 this week! I can’t believe how fast these first few years have flown by and how big he is getting. He makes me so proud and assures me that I may have made a few good decisions in my life.
Happy 7th Birthday Connor! |
It’s a Girl!
Saturday, February 9th, 2008Em had an ultrasound today and we discovered the sex, it’s a girl.
