So today is my Mom and Dads 30 Year Wedding Anniversary. That is some milestone! I am sure today will be just like any other day for them down there in Florida. I am sure the pizza making business does not stop for them even though it is a big day.

I wish I had a picture to share of them when they were getting married, but all those photos are down there in Florida. I can however share a picture of the place they got married. It was at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick. It is one of the oldest Cathedrals in Europe. It is over 800 years old. Jackie and I got to go there when we went to Ireland. A friend of mine, who I went to school with, her parents were the caretakers there, so I have stayed and played on the grounds many times.

A story my Mom has shared with me a few times, is how she met my Dad. My grandparents owned a carnival that would travel all over Ireland. One of their regular stops was Limerick. My mom used to manage the “swing boats” which was a ride they had. One day when she was 17, my dad strolled up to her and asked her out, (my dad was 15). My mom said she laughed and told him to come back in a few years when we had grown up. So 2 years later their travels brought the carnival back to Limerick, and once again my dad shows up, this time 17 and grown up (my mom may argue that point) he asks my mom out again, and there you have it. From there it was marriage, kids, and then off to the USA. I am sure if you told them then that 30 years from now they would be in Florida, USA running an Italian pizza place, they would have laughed themselves silly, but that is the road they are on, and who knows where it will lead next.

Mom and Dad, thanks for everything, your road in life branched Jenn’s road and my road. Happy 30 years!

We Love You.

The Kids.

This will be an unusual blog from me today. I am not much of a talker when it comes to things on a spiritual level, I am stepping out of my “comfort zone”. I am doing this for me because I know it will make me stronger.

So the last few weeks/months have been a struggle for me. I guess I did not realize it or did not know how to pin point it until recently. On the surface I felt fine, it was not work, it was not home, but something was pulling me down. Then in recent weeks we have had a number of events happen that had a huge spiritual significance in the family. I think it was at this point I realized what my problem was. I am not growing spiritually. I am at what feels like a dead end. In Atlanta I would go to a men’s Bible study group every Tuesday, and it changed my life. It made me stronger, and got me through the week with all the energy I needed. It has been about two years since then and I think I am finally out of steam. Jackie and I have also been going to a church for 2 years, and as much as I like the church we go to, it’s not pushing me to grow. We have not made one single connection there, and to me that is disappointing. I am sure I could do more to get involved, but something about it makes it hard. So the title of today’s blog is “Man Up, but not without your woman beside you.” Well it means just that. No man can be a good leader by himself, like every successful relationship there is a sidekick. I have my wife Jackie, she keeps me straight, and pushes me to be strong, and lead our family. I will do that and more, because my love for her is endless. Just like the husbands of her sisters, all leaders, but better leaders because of the woman who stands next to them, and believes in them. I have never in my life asked for a prayer request, but I ask you pray for us in finding a church home that will help us grow, and find the connections and friends we are looking for.

Thanks, and God Bless.
Greg.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!! This is one of my favorite days of the year! Every year in Ireland the schools close for this day. The school I went to had to close a half day early because it was located right in the path of the parade, and in order for it to be ready we usually got a half day the day before, this made Paddy’s day even better.

So who is Saint Patrick? Well he is famous for a few things. The obvious is the whole snake thing. No snakes in Ireland, that is true. I think there are grass snakes, but I never saw any. The other thing he is famous for is the shamrock. He used the shamrock to tell the story of how God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one. The three leaves make up the one stem. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. It’s not rocket science, but I am sure when he was trying to explain this concept to a bunch of drunk Irish men at the pub one day, this was the easiest way he knew how. Maybe if there was a mixed drink that combined three ingredients at that time he might have had a different story altogether, but we got Shamrocks, and that works best for everyone.

My Uncle Paul lived next to a small park called Saint Patrick’s Well in Limerick, in this little park was a spring of water that was on a path that Saint Patrick used to take when he was traveling. He would stop here and drink some water from the well. Today every year the people of Limerick have a mass in the park on St. Patrick’s Day to honor him.

So you maybe are wondering about the picture up top. Well that was me junior year of High School. It was St. Patrick’s Day and I decided to celebrate it right. That was one of the funniest days I had at school. Good times indeed. The other one is of me 8th grade year in the Macon Paddy’s day Parade.

Anyway, Happy St. Patricks Day to everyone, and remember,
Éire go Brách! (Ireland Forever)

Slán leat (Goodbye)
Paddy G.

Joey posted Birthday pictures, head on over there to see them!

KELLYANDJOEY.COM

Also I have a big Paddy’s Day blog ready to publish tomorrow, so stay tuned!

I know its a day late on the blog, but Happy Birthday! So as I am sure you all know, it was good times this weekend, kick ball was great! That is a must do for some summer activities. We have the numbers! I forgot the camera this weekend, so I have no pics, hopefully joey can get them posted and I will pass along the link from here.

Today I went back to Rozar Park (I think thats the name) to eat lunch there by the pond. I think I am going to try and do that as many days a week as I can, I am seeing how important it is to get out of the office during an eight hour day. I think I am going to bring my fishing rode down there.
Just for kicks and giggles.

Ok well I am babbling, cya!
g

So I wished myself a happy Birthday on my own Blog. Who else was going to do it

Yup, it’s that time of year when the marathon of Birthdays kick in. 1st off this week we have Jackie and Kelly, Tuesday March 7th. Thursday March 9th it’s yours truly turning the big 28, and then to round out the week its Emmett Sunday March 12th.

I love birthdays. My mom would always bake me a unique cake every year; the cake always took some form or shape. The only picture I have scanned is of my 11th birthday she made the cake out of 4 Swiss cake rolls to make an eleven (11). I remember this birthday party; we had it at my cub scout meeting. Mom and Dad were the Cub Scout leaders. It is tradition in Ireland for the Birthday boy to get what are called “The Birthday Bumps.” Every boy during his Birthday knows its coming, there is no avoiding it and before you know it you are being tackled to the ground. Lets see if I can explain it; This is when all his friends pick him up by his arms and legs and throw him up and down into the air (not letting go of course) he is thrown the number of times it is his age. Then there was one more thrown in for good luck. This is a lot of fun, but terrifying at the same time as you can see from the picture. I guess parents in the USA frown upon this as I am sure it can lead to a lawsuit.

Anyway, Happy Birthday Kelly, Jackie and Emmett, let the good times begin!