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

Christmas Time in the Suite

For the first time ever in the suite, daddy actually got all of the Christmas decorations up the day he said he would. This is our second Christmas in the new house but last year I had so much of the house torn up that I think I just put up lights. This year we added to it and I think it looks great. I'm no Clark Griswold but I think our house looks the best in Casa Blanca. Decorating really helped put me in the spirit since I've been a little grumpy with my new job being a pain. Thanks to the neighbor we have a new inflatable Santa going down a slide with an archway that says "Happy Holidays". I really didn't want to use any Santa stuff in my decorations because I really want the girls to appreciate the real reason for Christmas which is the birth of our Savior but once the neighbor inflated it the girls loved it so I guess I can let it slide. We are going to go pick up Great Grandma in Arizona this weekend and Uncle Ken is flying in from Minnesota so it is going to be a great Christmas this year with most all of our family together. I won't be able to take much time off this year but we are planning our annual snow trip the Monday after Christmas so I hope it snows a lot on Christmas. I have a good feeling for the suite in 2017 and looking forward to a great year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Graham Cracker Suite.......Resurrection

It's been almost 2 years since my last post and I'll admit that I am ashamed. I can say that I have been busy and we've had a lot going on but that's just another reason why I should be capturing it all on the suite. First and foremost....Family update. Isella and I just passed the 15 year mark last June which in this day and age is a huge milestone. I am so blessed to be given such an amazing, kind and gorgeous woman. We have had our ups and downs through the years like most marriages but I will say that we have had a great couple of years and our relationship is stronger than ever. Sarah is doing great and continues to make me so proud being such a good Mom and a hard worker. She is working full time, going to school and keeping up with Bella. Andrew has been with Stater Bros. for a few years now and is going to school as well. He just bought his first new car and is still as handsome as ever. Michelle is in her junior year of high school and doing excellent. She has good grades and is having fun in choir. She auditioned for a state wide honor choir and even though she wasn't selected I am so proud of her courage. Sophia is in Jr high now and is struggling a little getting the hang of it but I am so proud of how hard she is working to keep caught up. Uncle Chris is helping her get organized and I know she will succeed. She is a teenager now and is getting so tall and never fails to put a smile on my face and a laugh in my heart. Mia just turned 11 and is the last of the girls to eat off of the kids menu. We finally broke down and got her a cell phone for her birthday and she was so happy. As always she is doing great in school and is the best little helper at home. Bella just turned 5 and is getting so big. Even though we don't see her as much since we moved she still drops whatever she is doing and yells "PAPA" and comes running whenever she sees me. I love being a grandpa almost as much as being a daddy.


So yes I mentioned that we moved. OC just got too expensive so we moved to Riverside. We found a cute little craftsmen fixer upper and made an offer. It's a modest 3 bdrm 2 bath but I am already wishing it was a 3 bath. I really underestimated how long it would take to fix up my fixer upper. I thought I would tear through it like Chip Gaines on TV but I guess I didn't factor in work or school or just pure exhaustion. I guess there is no time limit but I don't think that Isella is buying that plywood countertops are the new granite and are all the rage in magazines anymore. I'm kidding of course, Isella could care less what our house is made of as long as it is filled with God's love and our Family. We are definitely blessed to finally own our house and live the American dream.


Along with the new house Isella and I both found new jobs too. She is working at another retirement home down the street doing manicures and pedicures part time. She really likes it and the residents really love her. I couldn't take the 91 anymore so after 13 years at Park Plaza I decided to find something closer to home. I am the new Maintenance Manager at Manheim Auto Auction 10 minutes from our house. I definitely love the commute and the paycheck but it has been challenging getting to know a new industry after so long. I really miss all the residents and coworkers at Park Plaza and really miss my boss Bruce. I'm sure I will get the hang of it soon but there is a big difference between senior living and the auto auction industries.


Sorry no pictures this time since I still don't know how to use my new I phone but I promise I will take some for the suite.


Until next time 

How can I get mad at that?

So I admit that I have been a little anal about my truck since I got it painted but how can daddy get mad at this. The girls must have been playing out in the driveway because when I got in my truck in the morning I saw some graffiti in the dirt on my car. I'll admit I got mad at first until I read what it said. It's kind of hard to see in the picture but it says "I love you daddy" on the lid of my truck. So of course I let it slide only to go to my truck the very next morning and saw another tag that said "Me too". Now you girls know that I love you so much but from now on let's just say it OK. :) Love you