Busy Lives Keep UVMC Volunteers Young

Good evening. Hope all is well with everyone. My aunt sent me this email about my Grandpa Raynes, so I decided to do a post about it http://www.uvmc.com/uvmcdefault.aspx?id=40584

Have a Blessed Day!

Columbus Zoo Trip

Took the kids to the Zoo on Sunday. The kids mostly wanted to ride on the boat and the train. I guess boys will be boys!



Have a Blessed Day.

Week of July 25th

Hope everyone is doing well. This week just flew by for me! To be honest, it has been a pretty lazy week for me! Other than work, I have really been a complete bum! Did not work any on the the retaining wall this week (up until today, that is...). Been staying really busy at work which makes the work days just go by really fast. Didn't even have time to eat my lunch on some days. Found out in the middle of the week that one of my fellow associates will be leaving. This just means that the workload will continue to be heavy. This also means that the upcoming weeks will most likely go fast as well.

Its hard to believe we are going into the last week of July. Six more months until Christmas!

Yesterday after leaving work I got a phone call from Jen. She seemed a bit upset on the phone. She informed me that she got a letter in the mail from the Heath Police Department. When she opened it up, she discovered it was a speeding ticket! She got caught doing 51 in a 35 mph zone. The fine is $100, OUCH! The city of Heath just put in cameras about 5 months ago at a number of intersections throughout the city. The van was photographed and there is a nice video of her speeding. The kicker though is the ticket is for me because the van is in my name! I can honestly say that my first speeding ticket was thanks to my wife :) I think Jen was scared to tell me that the ticket was in my name. She was surprised when I told her not to worry about it!

I spent a good portion of the day working on the retaining wall. Jen took the kids to see her parents. This gave me a good opportunity to make progress. The only problem was that it has rained through out the day. I did not let that stop me. I worked pretty all day out in the rain. I was pretty soaked when I decided to call it quits. Did make some progress!



Have a Blessed Day!

99 Reasons to Celebrate!

Yesterday was my Grandpa's 99th birthday party!

Got the kids ready in the morning after doing some yard work. This was my first long journey with me and the kids. Let me preface this with I am glad the car radio speakers work well! The journey to Troy was not so bad. However, the ride back was much more, shall we say...Trying! Jen told me to take the video player, but like a fool, opted not to take it. Should of listened to the wife! Got into Troy a little after 12:30. After we arrived the kids went inside and said hi to there Great-Grandpa. It was certainly a special moment. Around 2pm in the afternoon everyone went to the Gazebo to have the birthday celebration for Grandpa and Barrett (my cousin son - Ken). Had a great time at the party.



By the way I think my Grandpa looks wonderful and maneuvers quite well for being 99 years old! What do you think?

While the adults were socializing, the kids decided to go fishing. Andrew started off with the junior 'Batman' fishing rod without a hook and graduated to the adult fishing rod with a real hook. Thank you Ken for taking one for the 'team'!

Here is a video of the kids fishing yesterday.



The kids had an absolute blast!

Thanks Ken for working with Andrew and the kids. All Andrew talked about today was going fishing. The smile on his face after catching the fish was priceless!

Have a Blessed Day!

Thursday - Wall Update

Did not get to work on the wall yesterday. Jen had to work and I thought it was suppose to rain/storm. So much for the rain. Just like this past Saturday, the forecast was wrong. Don't know why I put so much faith in tv meteorologists. Should of just gone to the internet and checked the radar myself. Anyhow, I got back to working on the wall this evening. I was able to make some progress. Check out the video.



I hope to work on it some more tomorrow night and Sunday. I don't think I will be work much on Saturday. Taking the kids to celebrate my Grandpa's 99th Birthday over in Troy, Ohio. This is not a typo ... 99 years young. Looking forward to seeing him along with the rest of the Raynes clan. Going to take my video camera to capture the birthday celebration.

Have a Blessed Day!

Tuesday - Wall Update

Another evening of progress. I was able to get the other side of the retaining wall prepped with aggregate and got about 4 blocks laid and leveled. Have about another 3 or 4 more base block to lay, then the fun will begin! Don't think I will be able to do much tomorrow evening. Forecast is calling for thunderstorms. Did not get any video for tonight. Try to get something posted tomorrow or Thursday.

My neighbor, Robert (Bob) Dixon's calling hours are tomorrow and the funeral is on Thursday. Please continue to pray for Joane and the family. I am sure these next two days will be extremely difficult for the family. Bob was only 62 years old!

Have a Blessed Day!

The Wall - Update

Got another layer of block installed this evening. I was also able to successfully cut and position a block into a 4 inch area. Actually impressed that I did not waste any material cutting the block. Sure gets dusty cutting masonry.

Here is a video update on my progress.



Have a Blessed Day!

My Neighbor - Bob

My neighbor Bob passed away in his sleep this morning. I was outside working on my patio when I heard the sirens and saw the ambulances pull in the front of Bob and Joanne's house. Minutes later I heard a bunch of screaming and then uncontrollable crying. I knew right then and there something terrible happen. At that moment I fell my knees and started praying for the family. About an hour or so later I talked to some of the relatives who were visiting. They informed me what had happen. I just spoke to Bob a couple of nights ago! His wife, Joanne has been very ill for the last year, to be honest I thought it was her that passed away. I was sort of shocked to hear it was Bob. Please pray for Joanne (Bob's wife) and the family. They are completely in shock right now. Jen and I went over this evening and brought them cookies. We are planning on taking some dinner over to them later this week.

Have a Blessed Day!

Everyone is Qualified!

Wash Out!

My plans for getting the wall up got washed out today - Into Each Life a Little RAINS must fall, or in this case a lot of RAIN... I got up and started working on the retaining wall this morning around 9am. My dad got to the house soon after. Got about 2 1/2 hours into working and it started to rain! We were able to get one side of the leveling pad just about finished. Got about 4 base blocked laid and leveled when it started lightning and thundering. The forecast called for possible thunderstorms this afternoon. I was not planning on a steady ran all day! Not complaining though, the grass and plants need the ran (Thank You Lord). The rain subsided a little this evening so I tried to go out and do some more work. Unfortunately, the ground where the patio is going to be laid is very muddy. It also decided to start raining again. Decided it just was not meant for me to work on the wall today. I am hoping to get out tomorrow morning and make some progress. Might take Jen and the kids out to Lowe's tonight to get some bags of leveling sand. Dad and I were having a lot of issues getting the 80lb. block leveled. Hopefully the sand will assist in the leveling process. Hope everyone is having a good, dry Saturday!

Have a Blessed Day!

Week of July 11

This has been a busy week. Andrew is playing Upward Soccer again this year. He was a bit timid playing last year. Hopefully, he will be more outgoing and ready to play this year. He did fairly well during the soccer evaluation on Monday (see video). Later this week (yesterday) Jen and I decided to take the kids for a bike ride. Went over to mom and dad's and got the bikes and took the kids on a 10+ mile bike ride. We rode from Alexandria to Johnstown. Had a wonderful time. Took a number of video clips while on the bike. Not exactly the smartest thing to do! Some of you know that I have been talking about putting in a retaining wall outside my walk out basement. I have been talking about it for years. Well, enough talk! I have begun the work. Not only has the work begun (started beginning of June) but received the material today. Now I have no excuses! I know what I will be doing these next few weeks. Any volunteers to help???

Here is a video of some of the highlights this week. By the way, the camera I got is AWESOME! So easy to capture video and download to the computer. Had this video put together in about 30 minutes (Of course took forever to upload to site).



Have a Blessed Day!

Fourth of July at the Cybaks

Hope everyone had a great Fourth. We sure did! The family camped the weekend out at Joe and Karen's. Believe it or not, Jen actually slept in the tent both nights. The kids had an absolutely fantastic time. They even found a snake (watch video)

Here is a short video I put together of the holiday weekend. Enjoy!



I hope the video quality is little better than some of the other videos I made in the past. I got a new toy over the weekend. Purchased the new Flip Ultra HD camera. I have been extremely impressed with the quality. Let me know what you think.

Have a Blessed Day!

Trip with Grandma Cybak

Today Grandma Cybak came over to the house. The kids were getting antsy, so we decided to hop in the car and drive out to the best kept secret in Newark, Ohio - Dawes Arboretum. We love going out to Dawes. It is so beautiful and peaceful being out there! If you want to experience God's beautiful creation, I encourage everyone to visit this place, well worth it! This is our second trip in the last three weeks. I am sure we will be visiting many more times throughoutthe year. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Grandma and the family

Say Cheese!

A little plumbers crack!

God's Beauty!

Have a Blessed Day!

Recent Pictures

Hope everyone is doing well.

Man, it is hard to believe the month of March is almost over. Where has the time gone? I most certainly am looking forward to the warmer weather. Need to get the kids outside to 'blow' off some of there endless energy. I am also looking forward to getting outside to do a number of projects around the house.

Here are a number of pictures of the kids this last couple of months. Hope you enjoy!

Here is a picture of me tracing an outline Andrew.

Our little workerman, Daniel

Daniel is a wild sleeper!

Have a Blessed Day!

Mr. Mimic.

I hope everyone is doing well! I know it has been a while since my last post. Things are going well. I am really enjoying my new job. It is hard to believe I have been on the job for three months. I am really starting to fit in with the guys and feel I am a valuable contributor to the position.

I just want take a moment to thank everyone that has been praying for Jen. Both she and I really appreciate it. God has certainly been giving us guidance in this situation.

Here is a new video of the boys. Well, mostly Daniel is in video, but A.J. has a couple of appearances. Hope you enjoy as much as Jen and I did.



Have a Blessed Day!

Over the Hump!

I think the family is finally over the hump and everyone, at least at this time, is on the road to recovery. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. Hopefully, this weekend we will finally get everyone to where they need to be health wise. Maybe actually enjoy the days off!

Just want to let everyone know that Jen has been having a rough time at work these last couple of weeks. Don't want to get to detailed. Suffice it to say, she is really down in the dumps! As a result of the issues at work, she has been having problems sleeping at night and has had very little appetite these last couple of evenings! If I could just request that everyone could pray for Jen and her work situation. Thanks.

Have a Blessed Day!

....And It Continues

Just as I thought everyone was getting better! Andrew woke up this morning with a 102 degree temperature and complaining of an ear ache. My mom took him to the doctor's and found out that he now has a 2nd bout of strep throat. This sucks! This family just can't kick this thing. I think we are going to need to fumigate this house just to rid it of all the bacteria. We might have to start wearing medical mask and gloves (Ha!! Ha!!).

By the way, thanks mom for taking the kids to the doctors this morning. Jen and I both thank God each and everyday for you and everything that you have done for us over the years. I don't know what we would be doing without you being there for us. For that matter, the whole family has been absolutely wonderful over these last 4+ years helping out, Thanks. Unfortunately it takes moments like this to remind of how special a family we have.

Hopefully, tomorrow I will be able to report some better news!

Have a Blessed Day!

I Am Still Here...

First off, I have to apologize for my lack recent posts. I have to be honest, I simply have not been in the mood for posting. There really hasn't been much going on these last couple of weeks. The family has been fighting off the typical winter sore throats and colds. Three weeks ago, the whole family had a bout of strep throat (Yeah!). I can't remember the last time I had strep. To be honest, I am still fighting off something. I have been so tired these last couple weeks. Whatever I am fighting now, it is kicking my butt! If I don't start feeling better by middle part of this week, I may need to contact the dreaded doctor. The worse part about starting a new job is what to do when you get sick. I have some PTO time accrued, but I just hate to use it so soon. I just hope and pray that everyone gets well soon. It most certainly been a tough couple of weeks. Although the kids have been under the weather as well, it doesn't really seem to phase them as much as it does for Jen and I. I wish I had that type energy!

Have a Blessed Day!

Inspirational Story!

I saw Nick Vujicic on TV a couple of months back and was inspired by the man. I happen to be on God Tube this morning and ran across his story. I felt compelled to share this story to my blogger friends. Sometimes we get down on ourselves and wallow in self-pity. I hope this story will be motivation for everyone.

Part I


Part II


God is amazing!

Have a Blessed Day!

Two Weeks Down!

It is hard to believe that it has been two weeks since I started my new job. Things are going well. They are loading me up with work, which is fine. It makes the workdays go by fast. I am getting along with the guys pretty well. The only thing that I have to still get used to is the foul language. Everyone in my department uses colorful metaphors quite well! I have to keep on reminding myself a lot of the people I work with are ex-military. Needless to say they are a different breed. I am already looking at my first government holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) tomorrow. Sorry for those of you who have to work tomorrow (Hee Hee). I plan on sleeping in and enjoying the day off with Jenny and the kids!

Speaking of the kids, I caught Daniel a couple of days ago trying to blow our ceiling fan out. I had to get this on video. Hope you enjoy as much as Jen and I did.



Have a Blessed Day!

One Week Down

I have successfully completed one week at DSCC (Northrop Grumman). They still don't have me doing much, simply because I don't have my badge and login credentials. Hopefully, I will be able to get this on Monday. If I get all of my credentials on Monday, I have a feeling they are going to pile on the work for me. All I can say is bring it on. The more work I have, the faster the work days will be. I have noticed over the week that everyone at this facility is so nice. Walking down the halls, many people go out of there way to say hi. These are complete strangers mind you. That never happen over at my previous employer. It really is a great feeling.

Have a Blessed Day!

Feeling Comfortable

It is the end of day 3 on my new job at DSCC. Things are going well. The guys that I am working with have really been working with me trying to get me up to speed. I figure this time next week I should be in a much better comfort zone. I just want to thank all everyone who have been praying for me. I really have felt a sense of peace these last two days at work. I know this is not by coincidence!

Have a Blessed Day!

Information Overload!

Today was my first day on new job at Northrop Grumman. Man the day just flew by! To be honest, it seems like I should still be there. I don't know if this good or bad thing! Hopefully good! I am still trying to soak in everything that was thrown at me today. Major information overload!!! I got a better idea what my role is going to be their. My official title will be Desktop Engineer II. I will be working in the basement 'dungeon' of a 7 floor building. The building I am in is huge! It took me close to 2+ minutes to go from one side to the other. I know this because I got lost! I will be working in the hardware maintenance department. Ultimately, I will be responsible for imaging, repairing, upgrading, issuing all the laptops and desktops to the employees. Everyone that I met today seems very nice. There were a number of people that went out of there way to introduce themselves to me. My two friends, Lynne and Madonna greeted me early this morning with there smiles, that made me feel at ease thanks guys! I am looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully, I won't feel as overloaded as I was today. Please continue to pray for me as I transition into this new position. That is all for now!

Have a Blessed Day!

Happy New Year!

2008 left us with a blessing from God. Jen's sister, Karry and her husband Jeremy had a baby boy, Marshall on December 31. As many of you know it has been a long journey for them both over the last couple of years. We are just so thankful that God has blessed them with a very healthy baby. I don't have the exact measurements (what can I say, I am a man....), but I do know baby Marshall, weighed over 9lbs. That is one big baby! Jen went up to see Karry, Jeremy and baby Marshall on Friday. She reports that baby, mommy, and daddy are all doing well! Congratulation Karry and Jeremy!







Jen and I did not do much celebration for bringing in the New Year. Actually, we slept through it! I know, we are a bunch of party poopers! Hey, for those of you who have two energetic kids, you will understand....we value our sleep!

January 1, was rather uneventful day. We decided to just hang around the house and, just bum out! It was very relaxing! On the evening of New Years, after we gave the boys, we caught them on our bed watching tv and bumming out just like mom and dad.




Of course we did not coax them to pose or anything like that...

Well, tomorrow is my first official day at Northrop Grumman. I have spent this morning filling out all of the paperwork I am suppose to bring tomorrow. Hopefully, I have everything filled out that I am supposed to! I will keep everyone posted on how things go. That is all for now.

Have Blessed Day!