Our big night out!!

Emily and I have reached a milestone. We went out for dinner and drinks and let McCamey with babysitters. Yes, we bit the bullett and invited two of my basketball players over to watch Camey for a couple of hours. Olivia my point guard and Constance my center came over and watched our little princess while Em and I headed to the Cortland Wine Cellar for a bottle of wine and snacks. Yes Cortland has a winery, it is located just over the bridge on rt 11, approx 3 miles from our house. I said we went out, I didn't say we went very far!!! It was a nig moment for us. Up till now we have not left McCamey with anyone except grandma's. We were a little nervous, and checked in very frequently, but the girls did a great job, and we actually stayed out longer than we had anticipated. It was nice to reconnect with Em. It gave us a moment to realize how much fun we really are together!! And I will commend my girls, we are very appreciative that I have such wonderful players who are willing to give up a Saturday night to watch Camey!!

On a side note, last night, i received another award. I was named Ashtabula County Basketball Foundation coach of the year. 2nd time for that award, but it brought to a close what was a great year in my life. I gat married, had a beautiful child and won 2 league championships. This could be tough to top, but it sure was a lot of fun!!

Still got game....sort of

Last night I put on the ol' high tops and stepped on the court for a school fundraiser. Steve Urcheck - yes the same Steve Urcheck that most of you know - has a faculty vs. student fundraiser for his baseball team. Our faculty team is very good, with a lot of college basketball players and other talented guys. The students try their best every year to beat us, but it does not happen. I used to really enjoy this game, but every year I seem to be a step slower and a hell of a lot more tired than before. Much the same this year! I am usually a pretty faithful work out person, but since I have been home with McCamey, my fat rear end has not sniffed the treadmill. So suffice it to say. I was dead tired on the court last night. However I did drain a long 3 point basket and made both foul shots during my time on the court. Em, McCamey and I left and half due to the lateness and some minor irratation with the senior boys, who were out for blood. But as usual, the faculty team was victorious!!! It is good to get out there and try to regain any of those glory moments from your youth, but it sure as hell hurts the next day!

On another note. I was named Ashtabula County coach of the Year today and 3 of my girls made 1st team all-county. There is a nice article if you go to http://www.starbeacon.com/ All depends on when you go to the site. You may have to scroll down the archives a little, but I do have an extra copy for anyone who needs to see it!!!

6 months already!!

Today my little daughter turned 6 months old. I know, I know time flies blah blah blah! That was a really quick 6 months. To celebrate her 6 months birthday McCamey and I went to get my hair cut this morning. Sounds like great fun doesn't it. I find it very comical. I get my hair cut at the Tara Mia salon in Howland where Em's friend works. It is a total girly salon where you can do nails, eyebrows, massage etc. Well the ladies pooh pooh all over McCamey. They tell me how pretty she is and then they say of my goodness does she look like you. Lucky girl don't you think!! Well we have had a great time being parents, and we thunk our little girl is a doll. 6 months really flew by and I know that the time does not go any slower, so we try to enjoy each moment and each day. Hope all is well in your world's thank for being a part of ours!!!

Shots!!!

There was a time not too long ago that the word shots had a whole different meaning. Some of my favorite were snakebites , jagerbombs, crownbombs (which David loved to share with me) etc. Today the word shotsmeant taking my little Camester for her third round of vaccinations. I had to sit and hold her while they stuck er 4 times, two in each leg. It is a helpless feeling sitting there hearing her scream while they continue to push those little needles into her chubby little thighs. We did however survive the day! I have been the lucky one to have been there all three rounds of shots. We also have to go soon for her last round of shots until she is one. Again, dear ol' dad will sit and hold the little princess while she gets poked. Some guys have all the luck!!! But I guess on the flip side it is nice to know that she is vaccinated from all those nasty things that could potentially harm her.

Emily and I are looking forward to spring break. Mom and Dad will be joining Em's dad and us in Florida. We can't wait for a little fun and relaxation in the sunshine state. We plan on doing some golf and McCamey's first trip to the ocean. It will sure beat being here. Hope all is well with my faithfull followers. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Back in action ... we think

Well hello to my favorite bloggers. We think we have gotten back on line and up to speed. As you know much has happened in the past few days. We had our offer accepted for our new house and have 60 days until we close. So we are very excited about that and getting ourselves into our new home. We hope to host some of the future family gatherings, especially in the summer, because we are on the golf course. I am sure that my nephews and brother in laws would love to be able to head up to the course to hit range balls or get in a quick 9.

McCamey has also had quite an exciting week. I took my little princess to her scheduled doctors appt early in the week. Dr. Johnson said everything was good, except that she would like Camey to have her hips x-rayed to rule out hip dysplasia. Nothing to worry about, just get the x-rays. Well Em and I took little miss precious to a couple of places looking to get x-rays and settled in at the Trumbull Memorial Hospital to take care of the x-rays. As we finished up, we encountered a little more trouble. We accidentally flipped Camey out of her car seat onto the hard floor head first. As we all watched helplessly McCamey flew across the room and smacked face first onto the floor. The nurse got Em and I calmed down, and quickly walked us to emergency, where we spent 3 long hours taking CAT scans and waiting. McCamey played happily and slept a little while we waited, no worse for wear. Everything came back negative, and we had survived our first scare. At the follow up with Dr. Johnson the next morning, she decided to have us go to see a specialist for her hips, as a precaution. Not from her fall, just from unequal measurements in the x-rays.

We are all doing well, very excited about our new home! We can't wait to see everyone. Hope all of you are doing well, and we are so glad to be back on the blog trail!

And so it begins

Yesterday, Emily and I officially began bidding on our" dream" home. We have submitted a beginning offer, which of course will be rejected, and then the fun can begin. We have set a price that we will absolutely not go over, but this is a bank owned home right now. Therefore we are not dealing with people, we are dealing with the bank. That could be good or bad. It is a beautiful home, brand new with all new appliances. It was the one listed on the earlier blog.

Emily and I can envision ourselves in this home, and hosting Christmas celebrations. As was earlier mentioned it is on Walnut Run golf course, which would be a plus for the avid golfer!!! It also has a huge unfinished basement, that could be made into anything. It has plumbing for a third bathroom and plenty of room for a 4th bedroom and a huge finished room which I would call the "man cave". We are excited about the possibility of getting this home, and if we do, we appreciate all the help that both sets of parents are hopefully going to provide with the down payment!

We will keep you informed! Keep your fingers crossed for us!!!

My partner in crime!

My wife is the best! I just wanted to pay tribute to her today. Emily is the most supportive person that I have ever met. Being a coaches wife is not easy. Emily made it to most every single game this year without much of a complaint. She roots for the girls and really cares for them as much I do, which means a lot to me and to them. She allows me to chase my goals with goals with love and support. And I thank her for that. I could not coach without her support.

As a mother, she amazes me. To watch her with McCamey, confirms that I have found the absolute woman of my dreams. She is everything that I have ever hoped and dreamed for in a partner. I am very lucky. She is wonderful to me, caring and loving. She has a wonderful family that loves and cares for me also. Emily and our mothers just helped put together a baby shower for one of my players. It was a special day for all. And I thank her and my mothers for all their help.

I have had some ups and downs in my life, but finally I have found the person who makes me whole, who loves and cares for me. Emily completes me and makes me want to be a better man, and I love her for that. So Emily, as you sit in school today, know that you are truly loved and appreciated. Thanks for being you, you are all that this man ever dreamed of!

All good things must come to an end... unfortunately!

Well, the dream season has come to a crashing halt. Last night we played Berkshire, yes the same Berkshire team who ended our season last year. At the half we were in total control up 29-15. But that is when the wheels came off. We were outscored 30-13 for the second half of the game and our season finishes at 22-1. Now that it nothing to be ashamed of. We set the school record for victories in a season and we were only 1 win away from the record for wins in a season for all Ashtabula county. But again it doesn't make it any easier.

These girls become a small part of your life. You spend 6-7 days a week with them for 5 months every year. This group is especially special to me. They are my first two league championships, my only undefeated season, they were there for my wedding and they all love McCamey. It's kind of like having 15 extra daughters. So the end of the season is bittersweet for me. I wish them all the best and I hope to have another group like them sometime in the near future.

Well after the game last night, I needed a little bit of liquid elixir, so Emily and I stayed up till midnight and toasted the great year and the end of the season. She had to get up for work and I was planning on a good nights sleep for the first time in a while. Well that didn't happen. My precious little girls decided to get up an hour and a half earlier than normal to remind dad what is really important in this world. It's not 20-0 seasons or gut-wrenching losses. It's being a good dad and husband, so thanks for the memories girls and McCamey and I will try to enjoy all our time together!!!

The next step in our lives

Well Emily and I have decided that we are ready for the next logical step in our relationship. No it's not another child...not yet! We have put our house up on the market and have began the search for "our" house. 10 years ago I was a bachelor and was looking to move out on my own. At the time I thought that I got a great deal on this nice little house, a perfect starter house. And it has served me well for the past 10 years. Now that there is a little baby around and all of her stuff (more stuff than daddy), we are a little cramped. Therefore, we are on the search for a new abode.

I know that my brother would tell me terrible time to sell, great time to but. We are anticipating on taking a bath on this house, but to get out would be nice and get a place we can hang our hat for a good long time.

On Saturday, Emily and I looked at 9 houses ranging from 3-4 bedrooms, with ample space and various ages. We think we found the home of our dreams. It is on Walnut Run golf course, not far from my current home. It is a brand new construction, currently bank owned. We took both parents over to see it last night, and we think that they loved it also. We are weighing our options, and looking very seriously at any opportunities available.

If you would like to check it our, go to http://www.jodysova.com/ and on the left side of the web page type in the mls# 1533884. We love this place and hope it might be ours in the future. So if there is anyone who would like to contribute to the Jeffandemplus1 house fund just let me know.

McCamey reunites with Noah!

Today was a fun day for us. We got up early and got ourselves ready for a special day at church. We were in charge of Cousin Noah. It was our job to play with Noah until Grandma was done with her weekly choir duties. In the past Emily and I have been able to get ourselves ready and get to church in under an hour. Well, the first time we took McCamey, it took us three hours to get her ready, ourselves ready and pack up the suitcase that we thought we would need at church. We haven't perfected the trip yet, but we are down to an hour and a half to get out the door. We made it to church just in the nick of time.

I was a little nervous to say the least. Noah hasn't seen us for a while, and when Grandpa handed him over to me, Noah looked back at Grandpa with a "Who the hell is this" look on his face. We did make it through the half hour with very little difficulty. Auntie Em was awesome with him, and Uncle Jeff finally won him over with juice and fish crackers. We played "wheres grandma and papa" that got him laughing and easily passed the time until grandma made her way to the balcony. We also then caught papa finding time to catch a 10 minute snooze during the sermon, I guess some things never change.

Emily and I would like to give kudos to Tiff. Noah was excellent with his "McCamey's and Jeff's and Emily's" He passed all the quizzes I gave him, with a smile and a mouthful of crackers! Also he kept telling Camey that her shoes "fit" He would squeeze her toes and say "fit"! He then did the same with my shoes and even checked papa out after church. Thank goodness we all passed!

It was a lot of fun to hang out with cousin Noah. We look forward to seeing everyone else sometime in the near future. We also decided that Tiff needs to get on the ball. Camey needs someone her size to play with, preferably a girl. Anyway, it was a fun day had by all!