Congrats Sissy!

My niece Taylor graduated from high school a few weeks ago and I couldn't be prouder. It was a perfect cool day and I got lucky parking right across the street from the stadium on some guys yard for $5. Taylor always got good grades and is a tremendous athlete and I can't wait to see what she will do in life. I'm not sure what she is planning on doing in college but I hope she still competes in track. Until then she is working 2 jobs at 2 of daddy's favorites joints, Porky's pizza and Panda Express. Sissy only weighs about 90lbs but probably not for long if she keeps working there.
Love you Sis!

Me, Taylor and Grandma

Schools out?

Is it me or is the school year ending earlier and earlier every year? This year the girls got out in May and it doesn't even feel like summer yet. Sophia made it through her freshman year of High School and Mia is going to be a freshman next year. Hopefully Sophia is nicer to her little sister than I was to uncle Dan when he and I were in school together. Mia actually goes to a different school but might be going to Sophia's school for some extra curricular activities since her school doesn't offer them. They both struggled in some areas at times but worked hard and finished strong. I am so proud of both of them for working hard and being involved in activities. Sophie is in theater and JROTC and Mia is in the Ballet Folklorico club. Michelle lightened her load a bit by dropping some classes and is still working almost 30 hours a week so I'm working on teaching her to follow her dreams and not chase the $$$. I am proud of her being such a hard worker but I want her to be happy with what she does for a living and not concentrate on money. Other than school and work her favorite activity is spending time with her boyfriend....go figure. So get to work on your chores girls then get ready for our first summer adventure.

Sophia as Lady Beatrice in Arlington High School's performance of "Once upon a Mattress"

I wasn't sure what to think of the name at first but it was very cute and I am so proud of her for working so hard at rehearsal, JROTC practice and keeping up on her school work and chores. 

Sophia's squad needs a little work on their timing but she was the best of the group and only cracked a smile when I whistled really loud

Since it is still spring after all, here are some pictures of our garden. 

These are radishes, kale, squash and a bunch of other crap I won't eat

I was about to give up on this Navel Orange tree but he started showing signs of life so I'll give him a chance. Hang in there little guy!

 Here is my corn field. GO HUSKERS!

The stalks have actually grown twice this size since this picture was taken.

It's Official!

After 20+ years my son finally has my last name and is recognized by the state of California and the "Law of man" as officially being my son. Of course I say this because in God's law he has always been my son and as the small keepsake Isella gave to Andrew and Sarah says "DNA doesn't make you family, Love does". A very simple principle when you think about it but it was still exciting to go to the courthouse and make it official through a ceremony. The judge and court staff made it very nice and informal and shared that these types of cases are their favorite as they have to deal with a lot of nasty family cases that don't have a happy ending as ours did.


Thank you Lord for such a blessing and I pray that you grant me the wisdom, compassion and all the tools I'll need to continue to pass down to my son the Love You have given us through Your Son.

This is the collage of Andrew and I that went out with the invitations. Thanks Auntie Veronica for pointing out that I'm not wearing a shirt in half of the pictures 😊



It's official. Not only did the judge let me slam the gavel but I am wearing an authentic Graham Clan Tartan Tie. That pattern has been on Graham family kilts and clothing since the beginning of time.

As soon as the judge said we can take pictures Bella got first dibs

Us with the judge

It's a Boy!!!

Yes I've been waiting to say those words for a long time now. No Isella is not pregnant and I am not expecting my first grandson. On Friday May 24th @ 8:30am at the Riverside Family Courthouse I will be officially adopting Andrew making him an official GRAHAM. Of course at this point after having been his dad for 21 years this is really just a formality but there is not another man on earth as proud as I am of my son. Since the day I met him there has been no doubt who his dad is and as long as we have been together Andrew has never once been disrespectful to me or done anything but show me love and respect. This initially began by Andrew wanting to take my name legally and after Isella did some research we found out that it is easier and cheaper to do an adult adoption. Just signed a few pieces of paper and paid a $40 filing fee. We asked Sarah if she would like to be adopted and since she already has her married name she said that me walking her down the aisle was all she needed and that she already knows who her dad is. Cue the tears 😂 I feel so blessed that the Lord not only gave me 3 beautiful, smart and loving biological daughters but also doubled down on that blessing by giving me 2 more amazing kids. Through all of our time together, ups and downs, good and bad Andrew and Sarah have never been anything short of an amazing blessing from the Lord making me a better man every minute I get to spend with them. My prayer for all my 5 kids are that they love God and people and that they will always seek Him first before all.

Here is the invite we sent out for the special occasion. I also made a collage of pictures of Andrew and I but I don't have a copy on my computer so I'll share those next time.

Please join us to celebrate the newest addition to the

Graham Clan

Introducing,

 

Andrew Damian Graham

6’3” 185 lbs

 

Official Adoption Ceremony:

Riverside Family Courthouse

4175 Main St.

Riverside, CA. 92501

Friday May 24^th 2019 @ 8:30am

 

Celebration:

The Graham Estate

7580 Casa Blanca St.

Riverside, CA. 92504

Friday May 24^th 2019 @ 5pm

 

Please RSVP by May 15^th for caterer

Spring is here!

Spring time is here in the suite and it has us all hopping around 😊 Even though mommy's allergies are killing her she is still amazingly dedicated to her garden. I don't have any pictures but I will share some in my next post. I do however have a picture of the first bloom on our almond tree. It is from a couple weeks ago and now all of our trees are blooming. Besides the almond tree we have an avocado, apricot, apple, lime, peach, navel orange and the newest pink lemonade tree. This year we should get fruit from all of them.

Spring also means that Easter is almost here. I love Easter dinner with the family but even though we all know that Easter is meant to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior and has nothing to do with eggs and bunnies, I still have to share a picture of Bella with one of her bunnies. Apparently Eric and Sarah are now rabbit breeders and I think they are coming faster than Bell can name them.

And here is a picture of Lexi smiling because she sees papa coming. Actually I think it is just really bright standing in front of the window but I like my theory more 😊

Now this picture has nothing to do with spring time, in fact wrestling is a winter sport but Mia spent the night at Grandma's house last weekend and found this newspaper clipping while going through grandma's albums. It was a proud moment for me and still a record pin time BTW. I've already told the girls how I changed my name to my grandpa's name before they were born so I didn't have to explain that but I did have to explain what a newspaper was.



Know when to fold em'

Bella was hanging out with papa the other day and as all papa's should I taught her how to play poker. Or at least I thought I was teaching her but I think she hustled me. Take a look at the first hand of poker she has ever played in her life. You can't really see the 7 in there but she had a straight and won the hand. Next lesson.....how to keep a poker face ☺

 

Happy Valentine's Day

Another awesome Valentine's Day came and went through the suite and we feasted on steak and lobster. Luckily the girls don't like lobster so daddy got to have an extra tail. I made my usual gift bags for the girls and planned on giving all my sweethearts a pedicure but after a rough day of swimming in storm water for 5 hours they let me off the hook for the pedicures and Mia actually gave me a massage. Hopefully Andrew takes notes on his dad's game because I was able to woo mommy, the girls and Bella for under $40 not counting the steak and lobster. All joking aside I hope all my kids love God, family and all others every day and know that Valentine's day is just a fun day to celebrate that love with a little chocolate.

Love,

Daddy

ooxxooXoXXx

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6CYPXFD7CcM