The Scoop

Mi Familia, 

So as to not let October run bone dry as August did and we're seriously luckily September was saved; I must admit that I as well am to blame for lack of news/updates/low downs/what the deals/ the happenins/the jazz; but I am going to give y'all THE SCOOP as of late in Atlanta, GA as how I've understood it just to letch'all know.  

Can't lie I'm lovin' the j.o.b., sure there are always complaints, but things are looking up for me as far as the working world.  I'm learning a good bit about commercial real estate and appraising everything from shopping centers, restaurants, and hotels to timber, acreage, and residential subdivisions..but it seems that it's coming a little slower than what I had planned, just very eager to learn and I wish I just knew everything about it and could just appraise any commercial property and had more money and boom life's easy with a cherry on top, but that's just obviously not how it works, right?!  Other than that I like my boss and the flexibility of the hours so it's really all good, and apparently I'm lucky to have a j.o.b. right now anyway, so again, we livin'.  The family is in great health and good spirits, the parentals recently moved down to where I and all of us ended up going to elementary school in Buckhead, Gus man currently is in middle school there now and our mom is the music teacher both love the new walk, and everyone seems to be liking the house so far, it's a refreshing change.  I moved to an apartment 5 months ago that's actually only one mile from where they live now and it's been fun having them closer.  I'll let them speak for themselves but briefly: Stephen seems to be doing really well, it seems like he's working 8 different jobs and still being a Georgia Tech student, dating a hot chick that happens to be one of my best friend's little sisters and dealing with a bunch of other mess and I'm not sure how he does it all; Jack changed majors and is back in the ATL schooling and a little closer to his chickadee who goes to UGA and digging hanging with old friends and being with the family, I think he's enjoying being back from New Orleans and the new move we just made; Sam is a Junior at Marist and after starting on varsity at quarterback the first few games has now earned one of two starting tail back jobs, and starts on defense and special teams too, and he's a student which isn't a cake walk at Marist and dealing with the high school schedule, so basically dude man is playin' hard; Gus is doing well in 6th grade at Christ the King which is about two doors down from his bedroom door so he basically wakes up when the first bell rings and is in his seat 5 minutes later (the running joke in the fam), he's also playing Little League Football and has played drums but started drum lessons not too long ago (check YouTube) and trying to go to Marist next year.  

...and there lies THE SCOOP...

We have missed a couple things that I definitely wish I could have made it to..Tim Congratulations!! on the wedding I know we all wish we were there; I hope the married life is treating you better than you could have imagined and wish y'all nothing but the best...Lisa & Michael I hope the moved went smoothly and you are settling into your new situation and enjoying the change...Also, if Trip reads this and or if y'all haven't heard this news, Robert Congratulations!! on passing the bar exam not too long ago, that's incredible and way to put that melon to use that we all have to deal with, I hope you LaGrange McNearney's are coming to Thanksgiving up in Atlanta with us, that could be fun!

Hope everyone's doing well and I look forward to hearing from you all here shortly and tell your family's I said hello.

Much Love.

1

Summer

It has been awhile since I have looked at the blog probably because I am a bad cousin but it appears to have fallen off of every one's radar a little bit. Tim sorry I missed the wedding between my summer schooling and my job its gotten very hard for me to do anything that resembles fun.
Anyways I have a week left of summer school and then finals and then I will never have to take Biology again THANK GOD. Summer has been fun I've went to Charleston and Fripp Island Sc for the fourth of July...amazing... Charleston might be one of the coolest little big towns that I've visited, If you haven't been I recommend you go. My mother wanted me to include her email address for someone I forgot who but it's, cmcnearney@bellsouth.net,
Oh and Trip will be taking the Alabama Bar Exam over the next three days so pray for his sanity.

Hope Everyone is healthy and happy
-Kevin

Hi Family!

I just graduated from Regis University in May and left a few days later for a sweet trip to Thailand and Vietnam. We taught English to 4-14 years olds in a small village just north of Chiangmai, Thailand for two weeks, ate a lot of sick (and I'm convinced some were not edible) foods, played with kids, overcame a language barrier with lots of love, and rode elephants.
Then, we headed to Vietnam--my favorite part of the trip. It was quite the experience to be in a communist nation! I really enjoyed spending two weeks with the college and adult students that we taught there. I loved the privilege of sharing life with each of them and I would love to go back for another visit someday. Anyone want to join me?
There are two things that I learned on this trip that I'll share with you: 1. There are a lot of Asians in Asia. :-) Okay, here is the serious one: 2. The one thing that I have found that crosses all cultural, language, and land barriers is this: love.
"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us." 1John 3:23

Summer Spot

So what are people's plans this summer? Any vacations already planned? I know I have the Netherlands from May 14-June 14th, Destin FL & Saugatuck Douglas, Michigan in August. Really excited for all of them....what about you? Make me jealous :P

Gus's music career launches...

Check it out, this is a video me and Sam shot of Gus's fifth grade band doing a rendition of "Just What I Needed" at a school talent show...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVipePj0brM

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!

What an amazing game and an incredible finishing effort by the Hawks!!! Conrats to all Jayhawk fans!!

the twentieth percentile

Twice every 20 years for the past 20 years, KU has DONE it. So has America. Look at HOV rappin about spending money from '88. Look at Self's reference to '88 CHAMPION Danny in the pre-game, much-too-mediated speech. If you're going to let the cameras in, make them edit your words, right? Super Mario came to the rescue though. Dorsey fouled out and Kansas was going to win in OT no matter what. Cole didn't play enough. Still, I remember when my girlfriends in the fifth grade were wearing bell-bottoms, tie dye shirts and peace sign pendants - that was the '70s in the '90s - the Rolling Stones have done it three times, for 40 years. '68,'88,'08 - Rappers are rapping about crack cocaine, that drug that was popular in the '80's. People are actually listening to Journey, again... Marx said there would be no new narratives in post-modernism, which sounds about right, now. Except for the re-mediation - you can even see the future of the '90's today. Pavement (the band). Kurt Cobain's negative assets. Heroin - drugs are worth mentioning - marijuana in the 70's and 90's, crack/cocaine in the '80's and ots, LSD, acid, and mushrooms always, for the past 40. It occurs in culture - a cinematic example: Ray Charles teaches 'Jamie Foxx' (real name: Eric Marlon Bishop, born in '67) how to play piano; 'Jamie' wins an Academy Award for best actor. Jamie Foxx does a rendition of the chorus to Ray Charles's "I've got a Woman" {which Ray bit from a gospel song (and oh by the way he bit his name from boxer "Sugar" Ray Charles Robinson)} for Kanye West's "Golddigger." The single hit number one on the Hot 100, Pop 100, Hot RB/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and Hot Rap Tracks charts (wikipedia). Jamie Foxx then found success as a recording artist, and the rest of the details don't matter because I could ramble infinitely on this one and I gotta get back to work. HAWKS BEAKED 'EM super Mario style. roc la familia

Oh, Canada!

Mike, hope things are improving for Jack. He's been in my thoughts.

P.S. I'm getting ecstatic for the next week! Visiting Columbus on Friday, seeing Michael Buble live here in Cincinnati on Saturday, heading to Toronto with my best friend Jordan Monday and Tuesday, and then hanging out with Jordan's family in Chicago on Wednesday and Thursday.

Not bad, eh? (Pun intended)

-patrick

gettin ready for L.A....

Me and my buddy Derryl are plotting the 3000 mile trip; I can't wait. Kelly! Molly! get at me with your e-mail/cell numbers/addresses - you can hit me at mcnearney@gatech.edu - I'm hoping to get in early Monday afternoon, but it turns out I may be flying solo and looking to crash with one of you two for the weekend until Derryl gets there, if that's at all possible. Anyway, give me your digits so I can holla atchall. preesh.

Prayers for Jack

Jack ruptured his appendix on friday evening and had emergent surgery. He is currently recovering in the hospital and will be for the next 3-5 days. He is really not feeling well and could use all the prayers you can offer. Thanks. Mike

For Sale

Anyone want a 3 bedroom house in Brunswick, ME? I have one just for you. We put the house on the market 2 weeks ago. Crazy times here. In the next 2 months we are going to sell our place here (hopefully) buy a new house in Kansas City, end a 5 year Navy career, start a new career in passing gas, and pile the kids in the car and move halfway across the country (literally). I need a nap.

Congrats Gerard on the new job, let us know how it goes! So you are staying in Georgia then, or is the job in Chitown?

Tim, we would love to come to your wedding, but I will be in only the second month of my residency in which they will be working my tail off and paying me in peanuts. How many peanuts for 4 airline tickets to Tucson? So it pains me to say that I am afraid that we will not be able to make it. But Gerard will drink a beer for me, right Gerard? I hope we will be able to catch up with you soon.

BTW, my dad missed Madi's birthday again, ugh. Unfortunately he remains a shadow of his former self. If anyone would like to discuss what has become a series of unfortunate events that have affected our family, fire away. Keep uncle Mike in your prayers, he needs all the help he can get.

Until next time,

Mike

...lately

Well it's been said but I've definitely enjoyed reading about what you all are up to and I think it's pretty exciting and cool that everyone's growing up and has had their own experiences to share and therefore have their own outlooks and values on life that suits them.  Personally, that's what I've missed about our family kind of being so spread out and going through some family hardships and confusions, is being able to share those experiences and being able to grow through the insight of family, not to mention just being able to sit down and have a beer together.  So it's been cool keeping up and I can't wait to have a beer with y'all when that opportunity comes and hopefully it's at Tim II's wedding coming up, I think Kelly is the only one (the KU trip dad sent me on as his last attempt to get me to go to school there, which by the way all I have to say is The Wheel) other than those of us here in the south that I've been able to do that with.  

Anyway the only thing that's changed here for me is that I did get a job in commercial appraisal and it starts this Monday March 3rd, so I appreciate any thoughts/prayers you may have sent my way because they worked.  I'm very excited to start work and the money thing will be kind of nice too so I'll let you know how it goes in the upcoming months.  

Off the subject but Molly, Kimmel after the Academy Awards was the best one I've seen, and if anyone stayed up or if you haven't seen it just youtube the Ben Affleck and Jimmy Kimmel video, I mean it's piss your pants funny in my opinion. Speaking of that do you get to meet the people that come on the show or did you have any say in that specific Kimmel bit because that would a great job to have, and I'm a big fan of his Entourage episode I mean isn't that like every guy ages 18-30's favorite show, has to be.  Anyway I'm just wondering I don't want any autographs or anything just interested to hear how that works so let me know.  

Have fun doin' what your doin' familia and keep us posted on your current events.  Much Love.   G

Not Cool Bro

...because she has 4 million different passwords and can't remember which one blogger wants. But look who's posting now, punk?!

So happy to hear from everyone. Tim, I am definitely THERE for the wedding. And I'm not even offended that you said you are asking the "talented" people to help, yet I have somehow missed that boat.

Good luck to all you trying to figure out the direction your life should take. Just try not to get too stressed about it. Since graduating less than 5 years ago I've lived in New York, St. Louis, Chicago and LA and am on my 4th job. Every decision you make is not final so try to put your decisions in perspective.

About grandma, she's not in the greatest health, it's true. But I think she's doing great. I had lunch with her over Christmas and she was funny and snappy. And I've talked to her twice this month and found her in good spirits and sharp as ever. Don't take that to mean you shouldn't call her. You should. But I wouldn't be preparing for any funerals just yet.

I'm in Maine now with Mike, Lisa, my mom and the kids for Madi's 4th birthday party. There are about 2 feet of snow on the ground. It's awesome. I forgot what Winter was like.

Steve, can't wait to see you next month. Let me know when you'll be in town. I'm very close to the Palisades.

Kelly is Clueless

How is it that Kelly has 9 million myspace and facebook friends yet she can't figure out how to post a comment on this blog?

Grand Ma

As I am hoping you all have heard Grand ma is not doing that well, She has burst a blood vessel in her good eye and is now dealing with the loss of her vision with her bad eye and her newly bad eye. SO KEEP HER IN YOUR PRAYERS. Her Birthday is this Saturday February 16. It's been great to hear from everyone, Molly I am so excited that you are going back to work along with the rest of your fellow WGA members. Taylor don't worry about Catholicism as long as you believe in Jesus Christ you're on the right path. So politics huh...I'm glad to see that some of ya'll are so passionate about who you are supporting and I'm all for some Huckabee and it appears that he is out of the race :( but with any luck we will at least get someone with a brain to run the country this time around. OH Snap thought I was a Republican for a minute didn't you well I'm not either I like to think, something I think everyone should get in on in this country.
Hope everyone is healthy and happy.
Kev
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men
-Colossians 3:23

Boooooo Longhorns

Frickin' Longhorns!! Seems no matter how loud I yell at the TV it just didn't seem to help. Great game, bad result!

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!

I has been great catching up and reading everyone's posts! I commented on most of them. We have quite the diverse group here and everyone seems to be doing really well.

Still MIA - Meghan, Robert, Douglas, Colin, Sam, Jack, Gus - last one to post gets exiled with uncle Bill and my dad. Anyone else concerned that our parents have become so dysfunctional as a family, ugh, what to do?

Don't forget Grandma's birthday this month!! I can't remember what day it is on, I will check with Lisa.

yo yo yo

What's good family?!? Hope everyone's great! BIG UPS MIKE -- It's about time i checked in...

I'm a third year at Georgia Tech - nobody here uses terms like 'freshman' or 'sophomore' because nobody graduates in four years...

I'm studying digital media and minoring in Spanish. I'm really interested in developing new media content, though I'm not really sure what it is. Example? Timbaland is putting out a mobile album through Verizon...interesting... I write a lot, mostly poetry and plots to make millions. I've tried the blog thing, but as you can see here i just don't get it done. Perhaps my del.icio.us is a better indicator of what i'm really interested in.

Like Patty I've been thinking hard lately about what I'd like to do with my life, and I've been trying to get involved with anything that's going to put me in the best spot to get at it, whatever it may be. I'm interning at Turner Studios right up the street with a production engineer and a couple other GT students; we're developing this website that's supposed to carry people and their ideas from brainstorming into production, breaking down communication barriers all ovadaplace. I'm mostly into design so I recruited a recent Tech grad and his company, 360hubs, to do all the back end computer science/coding/boring stuff, for free! Dudeman wants to talk to me about working with him out in the 

city of angels, so I'm gonna be making the 3000 mile trip for spring break with a buddy of mine who lives in the Palisades. Kelly and Molly, y'all can expect to see me in about five weeks! I'll get in touch with y'all about that. 

I'm also the graphic artist/editor of The Tower, Georgia Tech's undergraduate research journal. We're actually publishing the inaugural issue next fall - don't ask me why Tech has never published undergrad research before - anyway my cover design is all but approved so I'm really pumped about that. Check it out...

TIM TWO - CONGRATULATIONS! I'm sure she's awesome, we'll see what we can do from down here to make it out there for the big day.

Yo Taylor! eis aner oudeis aner brother! My dad's translation: "another beer, another beer" - he was a Phi at KU...

Man it's crazy hearing from all of y'all though, I love it! I think I can remember being as old as Mike's kids! Back then he was probably double bouncing me up onto the back porch and blowing on NES cartridges in the basement of that house in Chesterfield.

paz y amor, roc la familia

Hello from LA

Okay, so it has taken me awhile to figure this out. Note to everyone out there..you can't write something in word and then try to copy and paste it here. I tried. and failed. 

So happy to hear from everyone. I love catching up. The last time we were all in one place was Grandpa's funeral and I'm pretty sure Stephen beat us all in Spoons. And I, for one, look forward to the day we can all get together again and show Stephen who's boss in that game.

So here's my quick update (that Ive tried to post about 6 times now. let's just call it like it is...I'm the dumb one) After graduating from KU in 2000 and moving to Chicago for two years (best city on earth...move there Gerard. Like now. Pack a billion sweaters. um...why aren't you packing?) I moved here to LA, even after Aunt Mary begged my not too. I think she thought I would turn into a hippie communist or Britney Spears..or worse...a DEMOCRAT (gasp!) Please don't tell her Im voting for Obama :)  Ive been working for Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC for four years now. Over a year ago I was promoted to writer and the job is a lot of fun. I enjoy getting paid to make fun of Paris Hilton and tone deaf American Idol contestants and yes, George Bush (again-don't tell Aunt Mary :)) The job has been a blast. Im the sole female writer in a room full of dudes-it only made me stronger....um...and a bit grosser. (Patrick your job is not the only one that requires you endure a lot of gas!!) 

The last three months Ive gotten really good at doing nothing due to the writers strike. The WGA (Writers Guild of America)-of which I am a member-went on strike in early November. So I've been out of work (along with every single TV and film writer) and pay since then. The strike is rather complicated...but basically the studios are being penny-pinching punks who do not want to share the wealth with the writers of programs they sell to advertisers online for millions of dollars a year. But things are looking up and I will likely be back to work this month. In the meantime, Im getting really good at sleeping, sitting, staring, and sitting while staring. 

I couldn't give a proper update without telling you about my trip to Africa this summer. It was INCREDIBLE. Went to Kenya with an organization (Comfort the Children) my friend Zane started (he's a priest). CTC provides medicine, food, school, and they built an orhpanage for the Kenyan people. I thought I understood poverty. I did not. Ive never witnessed such hunger and desolation. There people were some of the poorest in the world, but the richest in spirit. I learned so much from them and cannot wait to return this summer. I am having a photo exhibit here in LA to raise money for the orphans. I will send you the link to the photos soon so you can check it out.

Hope you all are well. Love and miss you. Off to watch last night's LOST. (best show on TV)

And Taylor, we love you no matter what religion you are or are not. Except maybe Scientology. Tom Cruise be crazy.

Mike, thank you for taking the initiative and setting this up. I can see this helping to keep us a lot closer.

Patrick, we live less than 15 minutes from each other I really can't believe we don't hang out at least occasionally. You can come over for dinner, I can drive down to Xavier or something, but lets catch up!

Kelly, I didn't run into your boss at the X games, but if I did you know I would have said something great :)

Molly, TV is terrible without you and your writer friends! Feeling the urge to head back any time soon, PLEASE? Also Lindsey and I are enlisted all talented family and friends in our wedding. We have someone to take all of the "formal" pictures but we would be thrilled if you would consider taking fun/spontaneous pictures at our wedding. No pressure at all either way, but we would be honored to have your help.

GA cousins, It has been a really long time! ...Since at least Robert's wedding. It is cool to talk with yall again.

Here is my quick update. I'm engaged! Lindsey and I meet in college and have been dating for the last three years. Some of you know her and others don't, but she is awesome. The wedding is July 19 in Tucson, AZ. I/we would be honored if you could come, it should be lots of fun ...I for one and looking forward to it ;) Invites are going out in a month or so. Email me and let me know if you think you might be able to come so Lindsey and I can better plan!

I have been living in Cincinnati, Oh for about 18 months. I work for GE Aviation as an aerospace engineer designing jet engines. (http://www.geaviation.com/education/engines101/) It’s a challenging experience, which is great, but I hate working in a cubical. Overall however I love the company. They are sending me to foreign language school and I have become fluent in Spanish. ¿Algien habla español tambien?

I bought a small little house to fix up and live in. It has been a fun experience, and the little house is coming right along. I currently share it with 2 other roommates. We have a good time.

Work and language school keep me pretty busy, but I am also involved in my church with a bible study and am starting to volunteer with a group that tutors Hispanic grade school kids.

Lindsey currently lives in Tucson, AZ where she is getting a master's in teaching from the University of Arizona. We have been doing the long distance relationship thing for a while. After graduation she went on a mission trip to Kenya and then I went on one to Australia and then she went and taught English in China for a year while I moved to Cincinnati. She will be moving here in July, so I am stoked.





Maggie and I last weekend at the ESPN X games.

This is my little house. I asked the snowman if he wanted to pay rent, but he just kept giving me that stupid smile ...maybe next year.

And my beautiful bride to be. (She kind of likes her new diamond)

- Tim 386-295-5231 tim611@gmail.com

The One and Only

Hello everyone! Mike, I am also glad that you have decided to create this blog for all of us cousins to stay in touch. It has been a shame that we have not been very close the last few years. I know a lot of it has had to do with the fact that everyone is pretty grown up. Unfortunately, we are no longer tied to the same direct community. We can no longer get in the car and drive fifteen minutes to get together to celebrate a holiday. All of these things sadden me, however, I think that our generations really need to work together to get the McNearney family closer together as soon as possible.

I will not start off talking of myself, for there is a different issue in which I wish to address; that issue being, grandma. I am only bringing her up for the most distant cousins who have not seen her for a little while. Grandma has started losing sense of things in the previous few years. I have seen her wither away before my eyes, and it saddens me. I would like to say that she is standing around 4'10" and weighs in at a whopping 85 lbs. She still attends mass everyday (she reminds me every time I see her, haha), but sadly, that is about all she can really do anymore. I just wanted to give a quick update to those who have not seen her in some time in case anyone was not really sure. I know she can be a little arrogant at times and that can make it easy for us to keep her at a distance (I know you can relate to me on that one), but she does love us all very dearly; she prays for us every day. Please try and give her a call sometime, you will for sure make her day.

Ok, enough with the sappy stuff. I will give you all a little information about what's going on. Currently I am enrolled at UMC, or, University of Missouri - Columbia. That's right, go tigers! Last semester I pledged a fraternity here at school. The fraternity in which I pledged was none other than Phi Delta Theta. At the time I had no clue what I was getting myself into. I was hassled heavily, I slept none, and my grades took a good hit. No I did not party... at all. There is good news though! Pledge ship is over and I am on my way back up. I love it here now. I have a pretty simple daily routine. I wake up around 8:30, I go to class until around 1, I do homework for an hour, hang out with the guys, we all eat dinner at 5:00 (as a "brotherhood"), I go to the recreational center, I do the rest of my homework, and then I hang out again until I go to sleep around 1:00 A.M. Yes, I do have time to incorporate something a little more significant into my life, but I am very happy with how things are now, seeing as last semester I had no freedom... I guess I am just catching up on being able to decide what to do with my time. There is no girlfriend in my life, or anyone serious for that matter. Cat and I (The ex of four years) are officially over. We have not been in contact in six months, she now lives in San Diego, and that is for the best, for both of us.

It's hard where to go from here. I feel as though I owe you all something more than just an update of my daily life. I guess I know something I could say. Something a little more controversial... you know, the "good stuff".

I have always had a severe problem with interacting with anyone from the family as I interact with my other peers, at least until the newest addition to the family, Glen. I have never once been open anyone, or felt the urge to be for that matter, at least until now. It's not that I don't have trust in you. It's not that I don't want to be myself around you. It is just that I have always felt our family to be very conservative, whereas I am very liberal.

That's a little general though wouldn't you say? I mean, the term conservative can means a variety of things. I'll get to the point, I am not Catholic. That should be no real shocker to anyone. I am theistic. I wanted you all to know so that I no longer have to pretend to be something I am not.

I have been writing this blog for near an hour now. I have grown tired. I will address replies to this post in a few days if anyone wishes to respond to it.

Peace and Love,

Taylor

Oh and remember to call grandma!

[insert something witty here]

Family! Hi!

Michael, good call...this is a great idea! It's good to hear from you guys :-D

Sorry the Cantwells have been MIA! No real excuses, but Tim and I just got back from skiing in Aspen--our uncle on the Cantwell side hooked us up with some X Games tickets and lift tickets to Aspen. So, needless to say, we had a GREAT time. (We also heard a lot of executives bringing up Kelly's name. Apparently she is the latest and greatest of ESPN. But, everyone probably already knew that!)

So, this is my last semester at Regis University (I'm majoring in Neuroscience and Kinesiology) and I have very little schoolwork to do. So, I'm filling my weekends with skiing and my week days with road biking (when weather permits) and ministry. Right now, I am living in a Regis sponsored house (aka Uncle Regis picks up the bill) that focuses on social justice and community service. We have people over a lot to discuss different social justice issues and we are required to do community service. I'm working with a Christian ministry called Dry Bones Denver. It's a street outreach for the homeless youth of Denver. I really can't believe how much fun it is! I definitely value the relationships that I have with the street kids and I appreciate so much about them and their community. I'm also learning TONS about real, authentic Christianity, grace, and unconditional love from the staff.

Two of my biggest passions are college ministry and travelling and I've gotten to do a lot of both lately! I'm heavily involved with an organization called Campus Crusade for Christ and God's taken my passions all over the world this year to love and share life with college students...RUSSIA, Germany, Turkey, Mexico, El Salvador and, soon to be, southeast asia. It hasn't all been easy but it's been incredibly exciting and fulfilling. I can definitely say that life with Christ is an adventure! As for after graduation, I'm still trying to figure out if I will take a year off or head straight to physical therapy school. Either way, I'm eventually headed to Texas Woman's University in Houston to become a physical therapist. Hopefully, I'll be able to combine physical therapy and international missions in the future. I'd love to be able to serve people's physical needs in a second or third world country.

I'll let Tim post about himself, but our parents are doing well. Our mom is sticking with mentoring younger women and teaching Bible studies. Our dad is always out of the country for work...he's the director of a regional airport that is working hard with international cargo. Mom says "Hi" to all of you and sends her love and Dad "sends a shout out" (yep, he's cool).

Infamous Kevin

Hey Ya'll

This is a pretty good idea, that is coming from a Techie though...On that note I am spending the semester in LaGrange and taking classes here in order to make my parents a little happier and with any luck make some better grades. I will be back at Tech in August and should graduate Fall 09 putting me right at 5 1/2 years and I cant complain college has been one of my favorite expierences so far in life. I don't have a girlfriend right now I have been in two long relationships in college and I have come to think that now is a time for hanging out with friends and expeirencing new things on your own.

So for the past couple of years and in my spare time from Georgia Tech I have been working for Golfsmith selling and making golf clubs it has been a great expeirence and I have learned that I never ever want to work for a big corporation ever again. I think small buisness is going to be the way that I want to go from now on just not good at dealing with the whole corporate enviorment.

The Family is great Meghan has been informed of this blog and is awaiting to recieve an invite at mmcnearney@gmail.com, and I will let her tell ya'll what she is doing. Robert and Emily are in Birmingham living in their nice house with their two dogs. Robert Graduates law school this May and has already landed a job at a small law firm as an intern hoping to become one of their lawyers once he has graduated. Emily has just started Nurse Practitioner school and seems to be thouroghly enjoying her classes. Carolyn and Bob and both happy mom is still at LaGrange college working in the Academic Dean's office and dad is doing consulting work with Sodexho.

Hope everyone is doing amazing

The Missing and the Mute

Okay, we are doing well so far, but where is everyone else. We are still missing quite a few. Doug and Stephen have checked in but are mute (hint, hint). Molly has posted a picture, I guess we just supposed to figure out the story behind it. Is that Africa or South Central LA? The Cantwells and Bob McNearneys are still 100% unaccounted for and the Gerry and John Macs have minimal representation. Get on the horn and get your family in the action!

Julie, it is wonderful to hear that you and Glen are doing so well. I am sorry that we did not connect over Christmas.

Patrick, It is really good to hear from you. I had no idea you were in Cincy. Hope you are enjoying college. How much longer for you there?

I am currently deployed overseas and will check in periodically, but fully hope we can recruit a little more participation here by the time I get back in a few weeks.

Peace,

Mike

Change

only a boy in a story

McNearney's & Co.-

Hello from Cincinnati! It's been fun reading everyone's "scoop" the past few days so I figured I owed everyone my own little anecdote of Patrick's life as of January '08. I wrote this in my pajamas- forgive me if it goes astray...

So let's see. As to date I'm the only one to post who is not a college graduate so you may think my life is full of drinking on Tuesday nights, beating Halo 3, and having hot wing eating contests. Sadly, it's far from the truth. Now in my junior year I'm starting to really evaluate where I've been and where I want to go- which is of course fun, scary, stressful, and exciting all at once. I've had quite the extensive life for a twenty year old if you ask me. I've made some tremendous friendships, made the dean's list, become president of a student club, gathered two executive mentors, worked a small part-time job for a wireless company, and am an RA [you know...one of those guys that puts on corny programs and listens for alcohol. Don't worry- I'm "cool"]

This past summer I had a less than easy time finding a job and somehow or other ended up landing at a nonprofit summer camp for underprivileged teenagers. Now, I am probably the total opposite of Gerard here as I more or less despise camping (my bed in the AC works just fine, thanks) ...but I'm glad I had the experience nonetheless. I got to eat government camp food three meals a day (boy do I miss those biscuits and gravy), sing songs before every meal, got 1 day off a week, and lived in a cabin with eight boys who think farting is somehow cool...all for something like $8 a day. Like Kanye says, whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Ha but seriously it was an amazing time to get away from the cellphone-commercial crazed world and to not only live what summer is all about but to also get to have fun with teenagers who thought you were cooler than Britney Spears (pre 2003 of course).

I'm continuing to cook [Julie has proof] and loving it. I cooked dinner for a Christmas party in December for 30 people by myself and had a (tiring) blast. Still not sure how that does/will fit into my future but I have no doubt it will show up, atleast eventually. Two paths I'm also looking into is event planning and nonprofit work. I'd enjoy doing all three tremendously.

This summer brings some exciting new things as I'm going to Maastricht, Netherlands for a month for a study abroad program. Following that I move into an apartment with my best friend in Cincinnati. And not long after, should be working for a new HR company in the area.

I'm also a big fan of reflection and of blogs (more so reading than writing) so I thought I'd leave you with something I put on my blog earlier this month to talk about the upcoming year since I had (and continue to have) high hopes of it for myself and everyone else. I think hope can do a heck of alot of good. I hope you'll take it to soul.

So, in 2008 I keep many of the same messages. Go for it. Go be that starving artist you're afraid to be. Go out on a Tuesday night. Stay up and talk with a friend 'til 4am. Take pride in the little stuff. Open up that journal and get poetic finally. Volunteer. Suck it up and travel. You were not born here to work and pay taxes. You were put here to be part of a vast organism to explore and create. Stop putting it off. The world has much more to offer than what's on 15 televisions at TGI Fridays. Take pictures. Scare people. Be the change you want to see in the world.

Shake up the scene.

[oh, almost forgot. Go Obama.]

-Patrick
iwaswrong77@gmail.com

I forgot pictures:)

Julie's News

Mike this is the greatest idea ever! The first to get married....the first to have grand kids....the first to become a doctor.....and full of brilliant ideas:) Seriously, I have often wished that we would have all stayed in better touch than we have. This Christmas I noticed that there were not as many people at my Christmas Eve dinner as I remember being there just a few years ago. I know that we all grow up and start our own families but I miss those days when things seemed to simple. I remember the last time that we were all together at Grandpa's funeral. It was so great to spend time with my cousins and remember all of the great memories we have as a family.

Most of you know that I got married in November of 2005. I married this really amazing guy, really. I am not just saying that either. He is literally "everything I never knew I always wanted". I never thought that I would find this kind of love in my life. His family is amazing and I now have two new sisters, a new brother, a nephew and about a million more cousins. Glenn and I are doing really great. We are living in south St. Louis city and have two dogs, Lola & Pablo. He just transferred to a new high school where he continues to teach history in the inner city. He loves his work and for the first time in a while I have seen his passion come back. He loves those kids more than anything and it is so great to see him excited about his work again.

I have spent the last seven years in retail management working my up through Starbucks and then taking a position at a national salon/retail chain, Beauty First. I don't know how I lasted as long as I did. Since getting married my career has become much less important to me. I realized how much of my life was devoted to my job and I didn't like it. When Glenn started threatening to throw my cell phone into the street I knew it was time to make a change. I left my job, without having another one, and went on the hunt for the "perfect job". Like that exists right. I wanted something with a regular m-f schedule, good salary, good benefits, and I wanted to do something where I really felt like I was making a difference in people lives. This is honestly what I set out to find. After two months of searching and praying I found it. I have been working at Allied College as an admissions counselor. My close friends find this really funny because I don't like school and I flunked out of college. Minor details I say. I basically get to talk to people all day on the phone and in person and help them figure out a way to change their life for the better, and find a career that will give them self worth and independence. I have met some of the most incredible people. For the first time in a long time I can actually say that I love what I do.

My Mom and Dad are doing great. Dad is completely retired for the last 6 years or so. He plays tennis 3 or 4 times a week and almost always kicks butt. This last year he competed in the senior Olympics and took home a bronze medal. All of that at the wee age of 76! Mom is still very involved with her bible study at church. She is still struggling with her arthritis. I am blown away by her strength. She recently started on a new drug called Orencia. It is similar to IV chemotherapy medications. It is pretty intense. She takes a lot of pain medication to control her symptoms. As usual she rarely complains about her condition. They are both ready to travel more and enjoy what time she has left to be able bodied. As of right now she is not having to use a cane or wheelchair to get around.

I could write and write about everything going on in my life. I will simply say that I am truly blessed. I have an amazing family on all sides and I am married to a man who has brought the greatest joy and peace to my life. The next step is to have kids of our own and hopefully that blessing will come soon.

I am so excited to hear everything that is going on with all of you. My love and prayers have been with you and will contine to be.

Julie

The rules of the blog...

There are none. I have given admin privileges to everyone that has signed up so far and will continue to do so as the rest of the cousins sign up. So basically that gives you all control of all the settings and layout of this blog. If you want to add page elements, links, photos, video, etc. have at it. I hope this will be a good way for us all to keep in touch.

If you have the email addressed of those that are still MIA please invite them or send me the address and I will invite them. Under settings, go to the permissions tab and enter the email address.

MIA - Robert, Kevin, Meagan (sp?), Julie, Taylor, Douglas, Colin, Sam, Jack, Gus (does he have email, isn't he still like 5 years old) Tim, and Maggie. Let's round these fools up.

It is nice to hear from some of you on facebook already, that is a pretty cool site. Evidently Stephen is a web guru so maybe he can give us some pointers.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!!

Mike

G's Current

Michael, I must say that Stephen and myself have tried to figure out family e-mails, phone numbers, and addresses to be able to stay in touch which was a half-assed approach because this is very obviously much easier (although I would like to get everyone's e-mail just for future reference) but I really think this is a great idea and I hope this will catch on and will be a good way to stay up-to-date on family affairs.

Jack, Stephen, Sam, Gerard, Gus

And for my boring schpeal on the current happenings in my life:  I have recently graduated from Auburn University this last December 2007, which is exciting, a relief, and eye-opening at the same time.  I've had many jobs since we once Lawrence McNearney's have moved to Atlanta including Smoothie King, lawn mowing, pool cleaning, baby-sitting, catering/serving/hosting events for banquets at a bar/restaurant/hotel/spa, and cleaning up on Sunday mornings the evidences of Atlanta's weekend in Buckhead (not downtown but a bar hopping strip of Atlanta's youth and middle-aged partiers...not fun and usually very gross, ask Stephen as well, I think we both probably don't toss crap on the ground because of this experience).  However over the last four years I've discovered an interest in real estate.  I received my Alabama RE License in December of 2005, keeping it inactive but trying to show some initiative.  The summer of 2006 I had an internship in Atlanta for the large timber company Plum Creek, which has so much land that they now have a development subsidiary called Township 110 using some tracts of land for their highest and best use in real estate markets all over the nation, but I was obviously focused and helped in the southeast.  And presently I am working on finding a job in commercial real estate and have one offer but we're still in negotiations.  

I have to give last summer's update its own paragraph because I had a blast and the whole experience changed my life and I'll never forget the whole adventure.  Last summer 2007 I had the privilege to be able to drive out 2,000+ miles with a buddy of mine across the country to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and spend the summer at his family's estate in Grand Teton National Park.  

I worked for a raft rental company  in Jackson that was really an outfitter who could outfit groups with plenty of different kinds of outdoor gear, but we mainly helped people get on the river all summer.  I was out there with friends coming sporadically if they could get out there, but lived mainly with two other guys 50 miles north of Jackson in between GTNP and Yellowstone National Park.  This trip was probably the best summer of my life and truly an adventure, we worked almost everyday but were able meet people and party, we joined a softball team, camped, were were able to get on the river and raft and fish almost everyday, we saw tons of wildlife: antelope, buffalo, elk, brown/black/and grizzly bears, coyotes, moose, basically everything out there except wolves which I still have to see. Anyway I was truly blessed to have been able to get out there and for such a long time it really was a dream come true.  I'm hoping to get out there coming up at the beginning of February to ski for a week before I get in to the serious grind of work. Some pics are on my facebook account if you have an account and can get to them but I'd love to share many more of them the next time we could cross paths.

Me and my buddy Casey (his family's cabin was where we lived all summer) on the Snake River.  

Me and another friend from Atlanta, Ryan, in front of the Tetons.

Leisure Sports, the shop I worked at all summer.

Anyway, I'll let the others who have e-mails update you on their lives but Gus is pretty huge now and in 5th grade loving life and trying to maintain his rock-star status.  Pops, or Uncle Gerry is doing well and I know he thinks about his extended family a lot.  My mom, the other Lisa is doing awesome but she's always best when all her kids are under the same roof so she's keeping herself busy these days working as a music teacher where Gus is and we all went Christ the King School, whaddayaknow she's around kids, pretty typical.  

So that's a little update, I look forward to hearing from everyone, sorry it was so long but this is a very cool idea and I can't wait to keep up.  Hope to see you all soon, keep us in your prayers you're all always in ours, and keep in touch.  

Love y'all, 

Gerard 

- gerard.mcnearney@gmail.com - 404.723.6403  (just so y'all know) -

Kelly's Update

Great idea big bro. Lucky for us I am SUPER tech savvy. Or at least that's what my business card says. And my cousins Julie, Patrick and Stephen (who are my MySpace and Facebook friends) can attest that I make a mean photo slideshow.

Mike's right. It was crazy seeing pictures of the Gerry Macs and Bob McNearney's. Also crazy to see on Grandma's December calendar "Robert and Emily '04" Trip has been married for 3 years?! I am depressingly out of touch.

So on to the boring but obligatory update. I guess I should rewind a bit. I graduated from KU in 2003, moved to NY for an intership at ESPN the Magazine, then moved to Chicago to work full time at ESPN Customer Marketing and Sales. I spent 2 years in the Windy City, but bailed just before winter number 3 and moved to LA in January 2006, still staying with ESPN.

I am now working in sales and marketing for ESPN Digital Media (basically just selling ads on the website and mobile devices). And I love LA. It's so much fun, the weather is a whole lot better than what I was used to and Molly and I get to hang out a couple times a week, even more now that she's unemployed, but I'll let her tell that part.

Life is good. It's great to be home in St. Louis for Christmas hanging out with my awesome niece and nephew. You guys have GOT to see how cute these kids are. And Mike and Lisa are really good parents, which is weird to say about the guy who used to bang me into walls and toss me down the stairs.

Hope to hear from you all soon! Much, much love.

Lisa, Madi, me, Mom, Molly & Tiffany (stepsister) at Mom's Wedding 07/07 in San Diego

The Maine McNearneys kicking things off!

Hello family! It has been a long time since we have seen a lot of you and as time goes on it seems that we fall further out of touch. This holiday season has brought back many memories of Christmas past and good times together. Lisa and I took the kids over to see Grandma today and as we walked around looking at the old pictures it occurred to me that the last time I saw many of you was so so long ago. Then I saw a picture of the Bob McNearneys and it took much convincing for me to accept that the grown man in the picture was my little cousin Kevin. Where has all the time gone?

The last time I saw or talked to several of my cousins, aunts and uncles was at Grandpa's funeral. And while I remember a great deal about many of the cousins, as I was a bit older at the time, I realized that several of you may have very faint memories of me, if any at all.

I am not the most tech savvy guy around, but a friend of mine introduced me to this blog idea a few weeks ago and I created one for my family. Since I have no idea how to create or host a web page I figured this would be the easiest thing to do. I intend to gather every ones email address and make each cousin, aunt, uncle, etc an author on this blog so that everyone can share stories pictures etc. If one of the cousins is a web guru and has a better idea of how to create a McNearney web page I say Go for it. In the mean time, this is the limit of my web potential.
I have created my own McNearney Clan blog and profile (links on right side of this page) and hope that all of you will find the time to join in. I am very interested to see how you all are doing.

Lisa and I have been married now for 7.5 years, hard to believe, and have 2 kids - Madilyn, soon to be 4 in February, and Jack, 2.5. We have been living in Brunswick, Maine for the past 3 years. I am stationed there as a Navy flight surgeon for a P-3 squadron, its a big old Winnebago with wings. We are getting ready to move to Kansas City this May where I will begin my Anesthesia residency. I have been doing my best to stay busy, playing in a couple of basketball leagues and recently started learning to play the guitar.



Lisa is staying home with the kids and has just started a home based business as an advisor for Lia Sophia. She is very active with her martial arts and has worked her way up to a green belt. She is also very active in the community in our little town of Brunswick and the kids are keeping her on the go. She is excited to get back to the Midwest and close to family and friends.



Madilyn is in her first year of pre school and she is loving it! She also gets quite a kick out of bossing her little brother around. Jack is growing like a weed and is creeping up on his big sister. They are best buds, for now, and are a constant source of entertainment for Lisa and I.



I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and hope to hear from you all (that's y'all for you southerners) real soon. Here are a couple of pics of the family....

Bar Harbour, Maine 10/07

Acadia National Park 10/07

Madi getting ready for dance class

Jack playing in the leaves