Jimmy at JV Bulldog Hockey Practice

Stumbled upon this picture that I had stashed away in my box of keepsake stuff.
This picture was from maybe 1998/99 or somewhere around that time.
It was one of the last JV Bulldog hockey practices of the season, so we were allowed to basically just mess around and have a good time, so Jimmy decided to put on the goalie equipment and jump in net for the day! (He's the one in the black jersey on the right side of the picture)
What a fun time everyone had (especially Jimmy), I'm sure we all scored on him at least once, but I'm also sure that he made some incredible saves and had a blast while doing it!

I'll be sure to post more pictures if I come across any while I'm sorting through old stuff!
-Kyle

Asked & answered or coincidence?

In the last few weeks I have been thinking about Jimmy more than usual and missing him more than ever. I have little "conversations" with him and more than once have asked him to send me a sign just so I know that he "hears" me (he use to do that often!). Yesterday against a stark white sky two little patches of dark grey appeared. The first was a capitol "J" and the second was a big "J" and a small one. The wind blew them away before I could take a picture but they were there none the less. I kept on asking for that "sign" thinking maybe it was chance and hoping he was listening. Now let me say that I have never tasted a SoBe but Jimmy was a huge fan. Somewhere there is still a drawer full of his SoBe caps with the sayings on them! As I was paying for my coffee this morning there was a cooler full of Sobe by the counter and something made me grab a couple. I popped the cap off of one about 20 minutes ago and the message inside said "MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY"! It may just be a coincidence but I believe it was my Jim just letting me know that he still listens. Miss you too, baby doll and love you like crazy! XOXO "Ant"

star

Come...come out and play
We miss your face
and the funny things you say

star/andrew ripp
(thanks kyle)

valentine

i love you jim
...always have
i always will...

Different Plans....

Different Plans

"I don't know how long I can do this, he said. I think the universe has different plans for me & we sat there in silence & I thought to myself that this is the thing we all come to & this is the thing we all fight & if we are lucky enough to lose, our lives become beautiful with mystery again & I sat there silent because that is not something that can be said." brian andreas/ story people This is a photo I took with my cellphone in August of 2007... One of my favorite photos! It is as if I was able to take a photo of Jimmy! I love you too J!

Happy Birthday Uncle Jim!!!!

Over the past five years, I always have
fresh roses and balloons
for Jimmy's birthday...
I go to his morning Mass at St. Brigid's and spend the day
reflecting on the happiness, excitement, and joy
that came into my life...
into my family's life...
with the birth of this youngest child of mine!

I make it the best day possible!
(because it is!!!)

This year was a bit different...but still so sweet!

Baby James and Layla were my company for a few days!
I did not want to miss Jim's Mass so
we made it a family outing!

The night before Jim's birthday little J and I
lit 29 candles and sung Happy Birthday!

We went to Mass without any problems!
(nasty weather held off for us!)
Layla helped Father by
repeating prayers in her own little language.

No balloons or fresh roses...but I did have
two of my little sweethearts
to keep me company!

This is the birthday cake we
baked for Jim!

I noticed a strange little crack on the top of
the one layer as I took it out of the oven!
I had to smile when I saw it was
a perfect "J"
with a little heart close by...

Of course we could not cover that bit of
heavenly art with frosting!

It was a perfect day!

It is wonderful to realize that Jim
is always remembered!
I so want him to be remembered...

and he is!

I do thank you Leah, Ashley, Keri...
Kyle...Mike and Mary Beth!
And of course Aunt Sue!
I also thank everyone
who checks in on Jimmy's blog!

I loved the song Kyle!
And I loved everyone's little stories as well!

Thank you!

I am so sure Jimmy touched each
and everyone of us in some special way
this February 1st!

Love you J!!!!

Happy Birthday Jim!

Sitting here in this horrible ice storm, I can't help but dream about warm weather! I found these two pictures from our Florida trip. One is from Margaritaville (looks like we all had Cheeseburger's in Paradise). The other one is from Disney (I forget which cute little twin I was carrying around). I remember when we got to the park a little lizard jumped on Jim's foot and just hung out there for a few minutes. He thought it was the coolest thing. Happy Birthday Jim! I wish we were celebrating your birthday on a warm, sunny beach.

Happy Birthday Jim!

Happy Birthday Jim! This one of my favorite pics LOL!!! This is the kind of stuff I remember about Jim...priceless!!!

"Star"

Happy Birthday Jimmy! Miss you buddy.

My wife and I got to see one of our favorite musicians (Dave Barnes) play this past weekend in Athens, GA.
We weren't sure who was the opening act for him but after the opener was finished, he had two, instantly new fans in Andrea and myself.
His name is Andrew Ripp and man is he talented. A great guy and very genuine.

Anyway, during his set, he prefaced one song with a quick story.
Basically, he wrote this song for a friend of his who was taken from this world way too early. Yet, he made sure to tell the crowd that this wasn't meant to be a sad or depressing song, he wrote it to be a celebration of his life and the memories that they shared. So every time he gets to play this song live for others, he gets to share in the celebrating of his friends life with each person in the crowd.

I immediately thought of Jimmy when Andrew was telling the story before the song and started to tear up during the song as it is so simple yet so powerful and moving.
Hope you enjoy the song as much as I did! ~Kyle

(And I guess the title of the song goes along with Aunt Sue's theme from her posts as well, so it all fits together nicely today!)

Love you

When I ran across this it made me think of you. It goes well with my last post!!

Every night

"Look to the sky at night

Not with your eyes

But with your heart

And witness a star

That twinkles

More than any other"

Happy birthday, my shining star!

I love you!!!

February 1st...2011

There is so much in my life to be grateful for
...and I am!
But today is your day...
and I want you to know
that I could never have been any more grateful
to have had you in my life...

You are one of my sweetest blessings and
I love you Jim!

Happy Birthday my sweet son!