JT at takeoff: ATL to FLL
JT’s reactions to taking off from Atlanta and heading to Fort Lauderdale for a long weekend (vacation) and Daddy’s birthday.
“I just losed. Sorry Mommy.”
Gahmer took the boys bowling in May.
FT Laud Beach FL - Vacation
As always, we’ve been really busy … but we’ve definitely been balancing it all out with some much needed rest, relaxation and FUN!
We spent a long weekend in Fort Lauderdale, FL and had an awesome time going to the beach and just chillaxin every day. Celebrated Barry’s birthday with a cafe con leche and then a mojito on South Beach … hung out with some awesome friends (Hi Gil Family!!) and even spent some time with family!
Lots of photos from the long weekend posted and even video of JT taking off in the plane (though i missed getting the part on video where, when we were coming in for a landing from the ocean side - he’s yelling “WE’RE CRASHING INTO THE OCEAN!!!!” and laughing all the same.
April 2009
Kim’s been slacking on the photos and blogging …
catch up with us via the new photos posted.
Guns & Hoses 5k - “Run for Reagie”
We did it - we ran our first 5k in honor of our niece Reagan Newman. It was rainy, cold, wet, and we weren’t exactly fast … but WE DID IT!! Barry pushed JT in his old stroller all while running the entire race AND did pretty good with time - JT is no lightweight and that stroller is NOT a jogging stroller. We had fun though. We are (okay KIM is) sore but are definitely ready to do it again.
Check out the pics, oh, and find the one of my brother’s new fire helmet emblem in honor of Reagan … though my brother could not suit up in full gear or wear the helmet (because he’s still recovering from major surgery on his inner ear and not allowed to sweat and is still getting balance back) there was another fire fighter that wore the emblem AND ran the race in full gear (tank and all!!) for him.
RIP Robert Timko Jr
3/5/86 - 2/14/09
My cousin Robert passed away a little over a week ago on Valentine’s Day. Being that he was only 22yrs old it was an obvious shock to the family. My Mom and I drove down, and represented us all, to Florida to do anything we could for his Mom, sister and brother. We really did not know what we had to do … we just knew we had to be there for them. I do not think there is anything that would have kept us from going.
We all shared in the pain and loss of Robert’s father (my Uncle Bob) back in 1993 … we were all very close then, close like a family should be. Supportive. Comforting. Dysfunctional. Crazy. There are some things that just seem to help shape you who you are … the death of my Uncle was one of those things for me.
After Uncle Bob passed we went several years without seeing Robert. His Mom moved to the west coast and we just kinda lost contact but we never lost thoughts and memories on him. I’m glad Robert and his sister were able to come up and spend Thanksgiving with us in 2006; it was the last time I saw Robert. He’d grown so much since the time I had seen him prior to that. He was quiet that weekend, he seemed to be soaking a lot of it in. He smiled a lot, he hugged a lot. He had a good time, I know he did …
Robert is safe now. No more pains, no more worries, and no more troubles. He’s with his Daddy … just like he told him he’d be.
I’m back in Georgia now and slowly getting back on track … but i feel as if I’m still in a haze and still amazed at the paths life can take us all. Many memories both good and bad were brought to light last week. Let’s just say I’m holding my family tighter and closer.
We’re hanging in there
Just a quick note to let all know we’re still here … just been sick, busy, and avoiding posting photos. However, a new batch of photos has now been posted from Tater’s 3rd Birthday Party … yea, i know - i’m waay behind. Sorry, you’ll just have to deal with it.
This photo is JT hanging from the bars at Tater’s birthday party.
Reagan’s Funeral
This is the last photo I took at the funeral. This was the hardest batch of photos I have ever processed - putting emotions aside and doing my best to perfect every single one (i still do not think they’re perfect - i don’t think i ever will) … was no easy task, but it was all i could do for them. It’s what I know.
I’m not sure what else to say … just continue giving your support to my brother and sis-in-law, Kevin and Karen and their son Aiden.
Kevin/Karen have also begun a blog - you can see their thoughts directly here: Kevin/Karen’s BLOG
All photos can be found here: ON FLICKR
Giv’em hell little Angel, giv’em hell …
Many lasts, more firsts…
This is the last photo I took of Reagan. I actually forgot about them until I sat down to process photos. I did not realize how far I was behind.
It’s been a week now. A week I shall never forget … filled with family and friends celebrating, supporting, mourning, crying, laughing, whispering, praying, yelling, hugging, and much more. I’m working on the photos from this past week. Those photos will show a glimpse of all of those emotions and ups and downs.
I worry just a bit about offending someone with the photos i’ll post. Yes, i took my camera to a funeral - it goes with me everywhere. I do not believe only smiles should be photographed. Even though it was hard to take that first photo of a tiny little baby casket - the emotion and raw energy in those photos speak volumes. I have shown them to Kevin and Karen and they want me to post them. So send done send us your disapproving emails. We don’t care what you think. 
In between the wake and the funeral was Tater’s 3rd birthday. I give credit to Kevin and Karen - they dedicated the day to Tater as best they could and topped it off with a trip to Chunky Cheese with close family and friends. I know that was not easy. After the funeral was then Tater’s official birthday party - it was at a gymnastics gym and allowed a safe area for a much needed physical release for both kids and adults. The daily ups and downs of events, mixed with the hourly ups and downs raw emotions … this week was intense.
And intense it should be, as it is very obvious Reagan touched A LOT of people. My brother and Karen have been overwhelmed with the support … please do not stop it. After all the family and friends go back to their daily lives they must find the strength to go on as well, but one short. That is when they’ll need a phone call, an invite, a card, an email … whatever, just something to help pull them through. I’m glad they have their church family and I’m glad we live near by and we plan to be there all we can for them.
I know this post jumps around a bit and doesn’t make much sense - which is okay, as that directly reflects where I’m at and how i feel right now - which is the whole point of this blog anyway.
All i know for sure is this past week has brought family closer and many friends from all over and all backgrounds together as close as family. I am proud of my brother. Yea, I know that sounds weird, but I am - I ache for Karen (i’m proud of her too tho).
We miss Mater.
R.I.P. Reagan Marguerite Newman 11/07/07-01/13/09
I can not put into words or even begin to say enough about Reagan (or as we commonly called her: Mater). Or how much our hearts go out to my brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Karen, and their son Aidan (infamously known as Tater). Or how we are sending thoughts of strength to Andrea. I just can not even begin …
I will write more later I’m sure.
For now I hope this little new firecracker of an Angel is giving them all hell.
We love you Mater.
