At the zoo with Grandpa (who took the photo)

Uncle Matt comes to town

Matt took a few days to come visit us with his girlfriend Kristen. We would have loved it if they could have stayed for a few weeks, but we enjoyed the few days that we did get. The pictures above are from a great trip out to Grand Haven. A bit cold, but an awesome trip.

Happy Mother's Day

To all of our wonderful Mothers! Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

I put the following video together for Bobbie Jo, it's nothing "hi-tech", but I wanted to have something for her on her new laptop.

Great hat kiddo!

Yeah, this is my fault. I bought it for him.

This journey is now complete.

I didn't last long at MSU in 1994. Dropped out of GRCC in 1995. Dropped out of Washtenaw CC in 1996 (I think). I'm pretty sure I enrolled in classes at least two other times at GRCC without finishing a full semester. When I met Bobbie Jo, and after she decided to go back to school, I figured I should give it another try. That was 2001 or 2002.

I've been through 3 employers since then, and haven't taken a single semester off. And finally, my 16 year journey is complete. I am officially a college graduate! And a Magna Cum Laude one at that. I can't believe it's done. So, what's next?

The walls come crashing down.

On Monday of this week, we removed a barrier to Max's "freedom", and converted his bed to a "big boy bed".

So far, so good. He still sleeps, and naps, just as long as he had been when he was confined. Though today when I went into his room to get him after his nap, I opened the door into his head as he was trying to get out of his room.

Another adventure begins...

A bicycle modified for two

Bobbie Jo's parents gave us a couple of bikes so that we could take Max on bike rides this summer. The men's bike was a bit too "racy" for me, and I wasn't terribly comfortable driving Max around on a bike with thirty-some-odd gears.

I picked up, for quite a bargain, this beautiful bike yesterday.


I then attached this spiffy bike seat to it, and created this:


While the inaugural ride did end with a flat tire, Max is completely hooked. He is now constantly asking to "go bike riding". It's going to be an awesome summer!

The wheels on the bus...

I swear, if I hear "horn on the bus. Beep, beep, beep", one more time.....

Thanks a lot gramps. I've included one of my favorite photos of you here:

Celebration with the boys!

In celebration of my new career, Bobbie Jo insisted that I take in a Tiger's day game over my vacation between jobs. On Thursday the boys (Nikos, Brad, Tim, and Josh) and I watched the Tigers whoop the Twins and spent some considerable time at the Greektown casino, where surprisingly enough the Greek (Nick) made out quite handily.
Thanks for the roadtrip boys, we need to do it again soon! I can't wait to make the trip with Max.

A fond farewell

Today was the last day of my employment at Steketee Greiner, a great firm that allowed me to really stretch my wings. I wanted to share the blog post that I made earlier this week. It was originally posted at http://blog.steketeegreiner.com/2010/04/farewell-for-now/

"Farewell…..for now"

In March of 2005, while looking for a new challenge, my mentor recommended that I hook up with David JFM Greiner, an individual whom he had recently convinced to “go out on his own” and start a consulting/creative business. On April 15th, 2005 I began working with David for Fiaba Creative. We had one client, and our sights set on world domination.

Our main base of operations was a coffee shop in downtown Holland. We had a few other regular contractors whom we worked with, but David and I “were Fiaba”. Through many meetings, brainstorming sessions, and a 14 hour drive for a pitch in South Carolina, David taught me “the ropes”. In late 2006, with David’s blessing, he and I parted ways so I could contract directly for a client of ours. I always kept my eye on Fiaba as it grew, hired its first actual employee (Jill), and started to make real headway into some prestigious businesses in West Michigan and beyond.

In July 2008 I (re)-joined the team at Context MG. Fiaba Creative had a new partner (Brian) and an incredible team of employees. While the name had changed and the service offerings had expanded, the core of the business was still the same; “do what people needed to get done, but didn’t know how to do”. The next year brought many new challenges, new clients, a name change, a move to Grand Rapids, and the addition of more incredible people.

David and Brian have allowed me to attempt countless new things. I’ve tried, and accomplished, many things I never thought I could do. The skills that I have accumulated here have opened up many doors, most recently an opportunity to advance my career in a new direction. While leaving is definitely bittersweet, it is what Brian and David have been preparing me for this whole time.

Since that first day back in 2005, I am so proud of what this company has done, and the outstanding people who I have worked with through it all. This office is filled with my friends; great friends who put their heart and soul into everything they do. I know that I will look back at my time with Fiaba/Context/SGC as one of the best jobs and families I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of.

It’s funny that this week (my last three days here) was the week for my blog post. I’m glad to have had a chance to write it. I’ll be hard pressed to ever find a company with the culture we have here. Everybody works hard, but we play equally hard. I’m really going to miss this place, it’s been fun!

Who knows where my future will take me….we’ll just have to see.

Thanks for everything,

-James