Father & Son

Here is the latest poem from Johnathon that he wrote for dad! It will make you cry!

O, how I miss those Days, sitting there fishing, But in a haze. Watching how he does it, making sure I am doing it right, And keeping my line tight. O,how I miss those Days, Riding my Bike down the road, looking in the creek for that big old toad. Missing those winter days. Riding in the truck, through the country hoping not to get stuck. How I miss those Days, coming home from work together, cleaning up, sitting down, eating pizza and watching T.V. together. Missings those nights of him. Falling asleep in the chair, waiting to hear him say...... I am resting my eyes, which is nothing But lies. Everythings dissappearing, But I'll always remember hearing....... Him telling me those four words. I love you son. I'll never forget those days, I love you DAD.

Check this Out!!

First of all Happy Easter Everyone!! I wish I could be with you today but you know how life goes. I want to share a poem with all of you that my brother wrote. He has been writing a lot of poems and this one we published on poetry.com for him.

If Only, If Only
I thought you were different, I still don't know.If only, If only you could of seen, what else I had to bring.If only, If only you would of stuck around,you would of seen a new side of town.You say you were scared of me.I don't know why?If only, If only you'd give it a try.Maybe I am wrong about you,I haven't a clue.But all day I still think about you.If only, If only I could hear from you.So I know what to do.I haven't heard from you,that's probably a clue,So I guess I can't have you.If only, If only.
Johnathon Handy
Copyright ©2009 Johnathon Handy

Here is the link if you would like to check it out on your own. It is awesome, something I could have never done because I am just not a writer but it sounds like to me that he is a great one! Love you all!

My Birthday and Girls Weekend!

Well friday Mindy and I had a pampered chef party on my birthday. There was a lot of people there and I turned out to be a lot of fun!! Also Kate and Sarah came up on friday and left this morning. We had a great time with some much needed shopping and girl time! I cant wait for more of these fun times. Also thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. I had a couple cousins call me on my birthday and say they were my favorite!! We should start out saying that Brooke, Kel, and Matt all say they are my favorite. Kel called first and matt called second but Brooke sent me a card the day before so really who is the favorite? You are all great cousins adn friends and I love you all the same so there is no compition. You three can fight over it but as for my birthday Brooke became the favorite because I got her card first! Haha! love you all!

Sunday March 1, 2009

Last sunday mom and I went to Our Lady of the Assuption church and spoke to highschool and confirmation students about drugs and how they can affect not only you but your family as well. They wanted Johnathon to speak and he accepted but because of his current situation he couldnt so mom spoke for him. She told his story about his life before durgs, during his drug addiction, and his current situation right now. Johnathon gave her some thing that he wanted her so say so she just translated for him which as great. I was asked to give my perspective as as sister of a drug addict and this is my speech I gave. Im posting this for all of my family on blogger who want to know a little more about Johnathon's addiction. This was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do and Im very glad I did. I just hope that I was able to help someone to not make the choices Johnathon did. Who knows maybe when Johnathon is out and clean we can go and do this together to many schools!

Hello my name is Megan Miller and I am the sister of an addict. As a sister you can’t imagine the pain and suffering I had to go through seeing my little brother using drugs and his life falling down the drain. We had been so close since we had moved to Illinois about 8 years ago. There is only two and a half years between my brother and I and we have always been close until he began using drugs.
Let me tell you a little bit about him before drugs. He was kind and caring. He had such a love for his family, he was fun to be around, he loved to explore and we used to build forts out in the ditches of the corn fields back home in Indiana and pretend we were in some far off land and no one could see us. He loved life. This all changed when we moved to Illinois and had to start over with no family, new friends, new schools, and new everything. He was 14 years old when he started getting into drugs. Yes, he was 14. At first no one knew about his experimenting with drugs but then I started to see a change. One day I caught him smoking pot in the garage with a friend before school. Of course trying to be a sister and a friend I didn’t tell my parents because I thought well it’s just pot and we had a good brother/sister relationship that I didn’t want to ruin. I was very wrong. From here he went downhill. His pot smoking turned into smoking cigarettes, drinking, and using heroin.
His addiction had gotten so bad that he was steeling everything from all the people he loved for his drugs. He got arrested a couple of times for stealing and I couldn’t bear to see him sit in a jail cell so my husband and I paid his bail. He was so very thankful but continued steeling and he became homeless for a while when he turned to me. As his big sister I felt it was my duty to help him and couldn’t even think about him on the streets. Against everyone’s wished I opened my home to him only to find that while I was at work he had found someone on the street who knew where he could get drugs. Coming home to find him high and items missing from my house was the worst feeling I could have ever felt. As I sat to ponder I felt betrayed but still loved him and couldn’t let him leave my house. Since then my brother has been in and out of rehab centers only to return to the drugs. These situations caused him to overdose twice. When I got the call to come to the hospital my heart burst into a million pieces and so many things went through my mind. Seeing him laying in a hospital bed hooked up to wires, not awake, and knowing the events that had almost taken his life I began to fear his life would come to an end and he wouldn’t be this lucky again.
On June 14th, 2008 I had my wedding in our hometown in Indiana. My brother was going to be one of my brides maids. I teased him a lot and told him he would have to wear a dress like the girls but he was still excited to be a part of it after knowing he didn’t have to wear a dress. He even came over one Sunday with my mom and helped me put M&M’s into bags for the guests. Not knowing what was to come, Johnathon was court ordered to rehab the day before my wedding. Knowing that my brother wasn’t going to be at my wedding caused a feeling to go through my body that I can’t even describe. That day was the best day of my life but in the back of my head I kept thinking about how much I wanted him there to enjoy this day with me, and to see me walk down the aisle. Looking back at the family pictures from that day his face seizes to exist in them. I video tapped that day for him and when he went to watch it shut if off because it hurt him to see that he was not there.
As a sister and a friend who was so close to her brother you can’t imagine the pain and suffering that goes on knowing that your brother is in jail and that there is nothing that you can do about it. I started to blame god for what he was doing to my family and my brother. Were we such bad people that we were being punished? Questions like these ran through my head many times. After the arrest for his friends death in November our lives turned upside down once again because finally for the last two months before the arrest he was getting back to the brother I enjoyed to be around and loved spending every moment with. I then realized that God has a purpose for everyone, me, my brother, my family, and anyone who believes. All I can do now is pray. I had to find god again and be strong for my brother. I had to get him to believe in God again because God and Johnathon are the only ones who can make this change in his life.

Today our society has become filled with drugs, drug addicts, and drug overdoses. My brother’s story is just one of many. Remember that peer pressure is not east but you have to be strong and let God help you to say No!! Drugs will ruin your life just like it did to my brothers. It took away his childhood, his graduation from high school, his confirmation as you are all doing now, his family, his friends, and has made his life not worth living in his eyes. So I’m asking you today to remember my brother’s story when you are put into the situation he was put in the first day he decided to be part of the crowd who did drugs.

Update on the Millers

Today Matt and I went to look and test drive the car I have been researching. We found a 2008 Ford Focus at a dealer about 45 minutes away. We were there for almost 3 hrs and they wanted us to buy the car that day. They would not take no for an answer. We just wanted to look around at a whole bunch of places before we made a decision and yes they had the best price but they were so pushy that when we finally left I told Matt I didnt even feel like getting a car anymore. It ruined my experience. So we decided to go out and have a nice dinner together.

Tomorrow Mom and I go to our old church In Beloit, WI and talk to the confirmation class and their parents about drugs and how they can ruin their lives. Mom was asked to tell Johnathon's story and I was asked to tell my side of the story being a sister of an addict. Its going to be rough but I think it will be good. If i can just change the life of one kid, or prevent one kid from becoming an addict from my story I will know I went through this for a reason.

Got to see Brother

Today I got to see George and it was harder than I thought!! I tried not to cry but im a Handy and the tears flow, I didnt let Johnathon see them though. We got to do it face to face over a phone instead of through the video cameras which was so much better!! He seems ok but I know he is hurting by the few tears that came to his eyes when he saw dad, mom, and I waiting for him to come in.

The only complants he had were that the food was gross. the only good food is the hot dogs!! I miss him so much and want him out but I am starting to realize maybe it is good for him to be in there for a short time but not years!!

He still needs our prayer and support. If anyone wants to write him send it to:
Rock County Jail
Attn. Johnathon Handy
200 E. U.S. Hwy 14
Janesville, WI. 53545

Im sure he would love to hear from us family!

If Everyone Could Pray!!

The Handy family has had a rough couple of years and right when things were looking up they got worse then they have ever been before. I know everyone who looks at my page is family so im asking if you all could pray for us and for Johnathon. He needs us more now then he ever has before.. He is hurting and is so scared, and there is nothing we can do!! Attorneys for this kind of offense cost between 25 to 50 thousand dollars so all we have is to depend on God. Its really hard for me to do this right now but its all i have got.

Please im asking for as many prayers as I can get!! Johnathons whole life depends on it!!

Thanks

Why does God always have to knock us down?

I know God is with us at all times, but everytime something good starts to go right why does he always through a right jab into my face? I know he is always here but he never answers my prayers. Can anyone explain this to me?

First Day of School

Today was my first day of school and it started out with me having to leave early and drive in a blizzard. It took me an hour and a half to get there. First of all campus is so big that I walked three miles just going from class to class, and I only got lost once. Overall it was a great day, I love all of my classes but Biology and am excited to finally be in the last few years of my education. My Associates in Art dipolma should be coming in the mail any day and I cant wait!!!

Torn

Well I had my orientation at Northern Illinois University today and it didnt go anything like I had planned. I found out that I will be there for 3 years and not 2 which makes me very unhappy. Also im very torn on what to do about my major, im trying to decide if i want to major in early childhood ed and get my masters in special ed. or do my major in special ed. and get my whole 3 years paid for my the state because of the shortage of teachers need for this field and get my masters in early childhood. Ive wanted to be a teacher my whole life and now i just cant decide what is the best decision for me. I dont want the free schooling to decide my choice I want it to come from my heart and what I feel I want to do for the rest of my life. So im asking if everyone could pray for me to help my decision go a little bit easier. Maybe God has a plan for me and Im just not listening hard enough.

God please show me the way and let me help children, they are all special to me no matter what their abilities are. Just help me decide what is best for my future!

House Project #2

House Project # 2 Complete

Matt and I got up on New Years Eve morning and started our next project for the house and painted the living room. It was originally all white like everything else in the house and is now flint smoke which is a light grayish color to match the carpet and fireplace. We love it!! We also rearranged the living room which gave it so much more space. The house is slowly but surely coming along and we are so excited to have a new fun change.

you can hardly tell but the first one is the before which is white and the second is the after which is the flint smoke color.

New Years Eve

Partying Like its 2009

First the night started out going to Buffalo Wild Wings for Johnathon's Birthday. Dad, Mindy, Breann, Johnathon, his friend Mike, Matt, and I all went to dinner. It was a lot of fun and Johnathon is now a year older. I think Johnathon was glad to have us all there to help him celebrate. He got new bindings for his snowboard from matt and I, new shirt, hat, and shoes, which he is wearing from dad, mindy, and breann.

After dinner dad, mindy, breann, matt and I all headed down to the Wheel which is a bar close to dads and had a drink to start the night out. Matt and I then headed to my friend Chelsea's for the night. We had a great time hanging out with all out friends and bringing in the new year.

Matt and I

Kaela and Tony

Kyra (who I call Sugar)

Over all it was a great ending to 2008 and a new beginning to 2009. Hope everyones New Year was as great as ours turned out to be!

Hell No!!! I aint going!!

Us Crazy Handy's

Well the day after Grandma Handy's Christmas we all went out to Wanie and Mike's for the day and had a lot of fun being the Handy's. You all know, drinking, playing fun games, laughing, and just being the fun family we are.

To start the story let me just say that Kel and Lucy were in town and Lucy had this fake phone toy that was sitting in the kitchen and out of no where Grandma picked it up and started talking on it and this is what she said.....

(Hell No Noreta Im Not Going to Florida)

Then it became a fun game and we all joined in on the Hell No!! game. And we crazy Handy's ended up with this....

And this.....

And this.....

Oh and I also had to add this picture of my Wanie because it was just so cute and so her!! You will know what i mean.

Vera Bradley accessories Yeah!!!

Christmas 2008

Christmas With All My Family (Its the best time of year!!!)

Christmas at dad's. It's Matt, me, Colten(mindy's nephew), & Breann(Mindy's Daughter)

Here are the love birds, aren't they so cute!

Johnathon and I got really soft blankets and we were saying Oooooooooo so soft!!

This is us making corn casserole. How many people does it take? I guess 3.

Christmas @ Grandma Handy's

There are a lot more pictures from grandma's so look on the next couple of posts.

Here are two more love birds. gosh!!

Me and my Katiebug!

Christmas with Mom!

Mom and Steve playing the Wii. She was really getting into it as you can see, and steve's face was really funny in this picture.

Matt, Me, and George (our christmas picture)

Me and Malice, this was her new sweater from mom for Christmas (how cute)

My baby on Christmas morning with some of the stuff that santa had left for him under the tree.

Heading to Indiana again!

Yeah we are leaving for Indiana tomorrow to have the Handy Christmas on Saturday! We are so excited to see everyone! See you tomorrow family!

Fixing Up The House

Fixing up the house (Project #1 for winter)

Today Matt and I went to Home Depot and loaded up a Naturescape van full of blow in insulation. Yes we are going green and bought the Greenfiber brand that was 85 % recycled. It took us four hours to blow 25 bags into the attic. I had the job of filling the machine while Matt was in the attic blowing it in. We forgot to take a after picture but that is ok because it took a while to get it out of my eyes, nose, throut, eyelashes, and hair. Overall it was a fun project that we did together!!

Thanksgiving in Michigan

A Time to be Thankful

At 3:00 a.m Thanksgiving morning Matt and I left for a 6 hour drive to Michigan to visit his family for the Holidays. The drive really wasnt that bad considering it usually take us around 8 hours to get there but with my driving I cut it down to 6.

Day 1

On Thursday we went to New Baltimore, Michaigan to have Thanksgiving with his grandparents on his dads side. His grandpa is bed ridden and his grandmother just broke her arm so it was a Meyer bought dinner which Matt wasnt too keen on but it was still nice. Here is a picture of all the grand kids on this side of the family.

Day 2

* We went to YaYa's (means grandma in Greek) for Thanksgiving on Nancy's side. This was a fun filled day full of playing with children and eating realy Thanksgiving dinner. We had a great time. Here is a picture of YaYa and all her young great grandchildren and grandchildren. Doesnt she look like grandma Handy?

Day 3

* Matt and I drove up to Dana (his sisters) scrapbook store that she just sold to help her get the final boxes she needed and for me to do a little shopping before she handed the store over!! Hehe!! Here is a fun picture of Emerson with my sunglasses on! She loved playing in my purse with the perfume, chapstick, and sun glasses.

Day 4

* We all went up to Dana and Kevins and did Christmas with the kids early since Matt and I cant go back up for Christmas. The adults then had a Wii tournament which was so funny to see grown people fighting over who gets to play next. Here is a picture of Dana and Kevin boxing each other(they are husband and wife and Kevin really wanted to box her)

Day 5

* Matt and I went up to Dana and Kevins again and hung out all day with them and the girls. It was a fun and relaxing day!

Day 6

* Matt and I left to come back to Illinois in the blizzard.

I have been tagged!

My cousin Kelly tagged me so I guess I have to do this. So here it goes....

10 things that make me happy (in random order)
:1. Spending time with my family
2. Shopping
3. Reading a good book
4. Playing the Wii with Matt
5. Having girls night with the girls
6. Exercising
7. Renting a movie and curling up in a blanket
8. Scrapbooking
9. Cleaning the house
10. Trips to Indiana, Michigan, and Florida

Northern Illinois Univeristy

Yeah!!! On Black Friday, while in Michigan, I got an emial from the university of my choice. Northern Illinois University. I finally got in!!! I have been waiting for this for almost 2 years and I am finally going to be working toward my Bachelors Degree. By the end of December I should graduate with my Associates in Arts at Rock Valley College and starting in the spring I will be at NIU.

I cant wait!!!

Xango Distributor

Xango

http://www.xango.com/

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am now a Xango Distributor. Xango is an excellent company started by a guy named Joe Morton. Xango is the first company worldwide to market the mangosteen drink made from the Asian mangosteen fruit. This is a juice that has the most nutritional attributes that you will ever find from a single fruit.

Xango has been known to cure many ailments in many different people. For instance Matt's mother has horrible blood pressure and has been on medication for years. Since she has been drinking the Xango juice she is no longer on medicaiton. Matt's dad has had horrible acid reflex his whole life and took prilosec for years just to be able to eat. He now takes nothing. I have been drinking the juice for a few months now but not how im supposed to so havent had any luck but I am going to start drinking my two ounces everyday and see if it can cure my problems.

This company and this product is the most amazing thing I have seen in a long time and that company is still growing, providing healthy vitamins, juice, and skin care that is enviromentally friendly and great for your body. If anyone is interested I placed a link at the top of the page to the Xango website and you can give me a call if you have any questions or would like to sign up.