We'll Miss You Chata

It was a sad day in the suite Tuesday when we had to put down our Family dog Chata. We bought Chata over 13 years ago for Sarah's birthday and after bouncing around the family a couple times she came home to stay. Chata was a sweet dog and will always be in our hearts and memories.

That's Chata with her shock collar. It didn't work BTW

Senior Citizen

After 12 long years that felt like 12 short months to me, my baby Michelle is a senior in high school. I can't believe it flew by so quickly. I can remember when she was around 2 years old and I got laid off from my job and for a couple months it was just me and her after mommy went to work and Sarah and Andrew were in school. We had a blast playing games, going to the park and swimming in the pool. Though we don't hang out as much as back then I am blessed to have a daughter that still likes to hang out with me. Before I start crying here are some pictures from her senior photo shoot.

Tamale Season...I mean Christmas Season is Here!

Twas the month before Christmas and all through the house was the smell of tamales watering my mouth. Ok, I know the real reason for the season is the birth of our Savior but I also know that along with Christmas comes tamales. Isella and the girls have been hard at work making tamales and I have been hard at work eating them. This is going to be our 3rd Christmas in our house and I'm excited that I am going to be able to take some time off this year. The suite is going through some remodeling so I don't think it is going to be a relaxing vacation but well worth it. We were the first in our neighborhood to put up our Christmas decorations this year but I think I am going to add some more because the neighbors are upping their game so I got to get into Clark Griswold mode and step up our game. We have so many blessings to be thankful for this year and can't wait to spend time with family and friends.

One of our decorations :)

 

oh the life of a princess...

Halloween in the Suite

I've never been much for Halloween but since we became home owners I've really enjoyed decorating the house for the Holidays. Here are some pictures of the Halloween decorations.

Insta-Graham

Actually I think this is a snapchat picture but I couldn't think of a clever title to go with snapchat. Mia loves to take these pictures but I don't get the big deal with this app. Other than the flowers on my head it looks exactly like me.

IT'S ON DR. KWON!!!

I left my last doctors appointment with every intent on finding a new doctor that wouldn't call me morbidly obese and tell me that I would be on medication the rest of my life but after a calming drive home I decided that I would keep him just to prove him wrong. Maybe it was his attitude or that he didn't remember me from 2 weeks prior but either way I will use his negativity as motivation to lose weight, lower my cholesterol and lose the diabetes. So mark my words Dr. Kwon, I don't accept your diagnosis and I got your "Morbidly Obese" right here (I'm grabbing my junk BTW).

I was athlete of the year so you can suck it Dr. Kwon

Sad Day in the Suite

Saturday was a rough day in the suite with the passing of Michelle's boyfriend Dominic. Dom had been bravely battling cancer on and off for the past 7 years and I won't say that cancer won but I like to think that the Lord didn't want him to be in pain anymore so He brought him home. In the year or so that Michelle and Dominic had been dating I never heard him once complain or let it affect his positive attitude. He was always extremely polite and made sure that he greeted Isella and I and shook my hand every time he came over. Being an old school dad I've made every effort to be as intimidating as I could be to any boy who comes calling for my baby but Dom made it really hard for me to keep up my act since he was such a good kid. The kid had guts too. I caught him trying to "round the bases" once and even though he knew I was pissed he had the stones to look me in the eye, shake my hand and say good night before he left. Any other kid would have hightailed it out of there and that's when I really started to respect him. I'm sure there will be a lot more boys knocking at my door for all of my girls but I don't think any of them will measure up to Dominic.


I'm really grateful for the time Michelle got to spend with him and I know that she will forever cherish her relationship with Dominic. I pray that my baby will always honor his memory by continuing to be a loving, brave, responsible and caring girl who loves God and loves people. I also pray for all of Dom's family and friends who are grieving and pray that our Lord comforts them by knowing Dominic is with the Lord, free of pain and watching over us until we see him again.


"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"  Psalm 147:3


Here are a couple pictures of Michelle and Dominic from prom.

Graham Cracker Mosh Pit

Thanks to Nino, Daddy got to see Metallica live at the Rose Bowl. I liked our seats at the side of the stage but didn't really use it once they went on. It was a great show and I had a blast tailgating with my boys before the concert. I wanted to go in the mosh pit but I figured I am too old for that kind of stuff now so I just did some crowd surfing. 😁 I didn't take as many pictures as I should have but here are a couple, one from our seats and one of me, Nino, Eddie and his 13 year old son. Eddie and I wrestled together in high school. His son looks miserable, probably because Nino was hammered and talking his ear off but hopefully he had fun at the concert.



I love it when she calls me Big Papa

Sarah, Bella and Eric came over last weekend to celebrate Sarah's birthday and they gave me a belated Father's day gift that was the best ever! It's a coffee mug with a little message from Bella. In case you can't read it, it says "Dear Papa, thanks for being my Papa. If I had a different Papa, I would punch him in the face and go find you" Now that is poetry Graham Girl style. Love you too Bell. 

The Graham Cracker Sweat!!!

Since my last post was around Christmas it looks like this has become a seasonal blog but since I don't do any type of social media it will have to do. It's been in the triple digits in Riverside for a couple weeks now and I'm so grateful for air conditioning. We went to the river last week where it was in the 120's so getting back to Riverside was actually a relief. It's been an eventful year in the suite since the last post. Michelle went to the prom with her boyfriend Dominic and I only cried a little when the limo drove off. She looked beautiful and had a great time and more importantly was home on time. Michelle is now going to be a senior and we have gone out driving a few times. She is not too bad but it scares the hell out of me to know she'll be out on these crazy streets. Sophia had a rough first year of Jr. High but was able to finish strong and bring home a good final report card. I am so proud of how hard she worked all year. Since Sophie's school is on the way to my work I was able to take her to school in the morning all year. I don't think I would have made it in my new job without starting the day with her. It is only about a 10 minute ride but we had a blast in that 10 minutes joking around, changing words to songs and listening to Ryan's Roses on KISS FM. Mia had another great year in school getting the student of the year award. She tried to pretend that it wasn't a big deal but I couldn't help but announce it at the restaurant we went to celebrate and refer to her as miss student of the year for the rest of the day. She was also invited to an accelerated school for gifted kids that is kind of like college in that she chooses her own schedule and attends when she wants to. She hasn't made up her mind yet but after visiting the school and seeing the accomplishments of the kids that go there I am just so proud that she was invited. Seriously, some of these kids have patents pending. Sarah got engaged a couple months ago and is pregnant with what I'm hoping is my grandson but I will be just as happy with another granddaughter. The new son in law to be is named Eric so he'll be the 3rd Eric in our family. He is an ex marine and a little goofy but seems to be all about Sarah and is really great with Bella. I'm hoping they move out to Riverside to be closer to us. Andrew is still working at Stater Bros. and going to RCC with me. I keep telling him we should join a frat together but he's not into it. He and I revisited the old days a few weeks back by going to the junk yard like we used to when he was younger and even stopped to get a slurpee and jerky like back in the day. Isella and I are celebrating our 16 year anniversary this weekend. We haven't made any real plans yet other than being together. We've become really good at just enjoying each other where ever we are. Sounds kind of corny but it's true and I am so blessed to have a wife that is so easy to please. We did stop by the Coach Outlet on the way home from the river and picked up a new purse for momma so that could count as an anniversary gift. As for me I had an excellent Father's day and vacation. After 9 months I'm starting to get used to my job and working normal hours again. I still miss Park Plaza and all the residents and staff but I have a new boss now who really likes me and is really supportive. He even told me that he doesn't care about my tattoos and I can wear short sleeve shirts which is really helping in the heat. I really miss coaching and hanging out with my friends in my hometown but I am thankful for my house and better financial situation. Talk to you in the fall.

Proud parents of the Madison Elementary Student of the Year

The Graham Clan on Easter

Girls with Bella

Michelle and Dominic

Daddy with the last remnants of the American Idol stage that I built for Michelle's 5th Birthday party