Special Blessings

Maybe it's because I know that we'll be offline for a few days, but as Debbie and I were talking some tonight I thought of another blog I wanted to write. We've been blessed so much recently by very special friends as we prepare to leave this area. It's really been sort of overwhelming, the love and blessing we have experienced with our special friends, our church family and our neighbors.

But we've got even more special blessings just ahead of us and it's going to be good! We've spent the last 7 years about a thousand miles from our closest children and grandchildren and a whole lot further from the rest. And within a few days we'll shrink those miles a whole bunch!

Debbie and I are so blessed to have FIVE wonderful children! Yes, we started out 13 years and 9 months ago with my 3 children and her 2 children. But when we were married, our families became one family. So I write about our FIVE children with whom we are so blessed! (Yes, we remember that Debbie became an instant Grandma that day -- and now we have 13 grandchildren).

Yesterday, November 25, was Becky's birthday! What a wonderful lady she has become, a great Mom to her 8 children, a great wife -- but most of all of very precious daughter. Very soon we'll be back within just a days drive from being able to her and her family and that's going to be terrific! Happy Birthday, Becky!

Jamie is in Edmond and we'll get to see her next Sunday as we pass through Oklahoma on our way to our new home in Texas. Such a beautiful lady of God! She has endured and grown through storms she has experienced, and now she is enjoying the blessings that come after weathering the storms that life brings. She has stood strong as a child of God and is now enjoying her role as a new bride. We'll soon be only 3 hours apart and we're looking forward to lots of good time together.

David is at home in Florida, still a long ways from Texas, but only half as far as MN. He's doing great in his work and really shining as the man of integrity that he is. We're really proud of David and are looking forward to much more time together very soon.

Travis will be only 3 to 4 hours south of us in Hutto, just outside of Round Rock TX. He's doing great in his work with Dell and just returned from a couple of weeks in China. He and Sandra have a new baby boy that this Grandpa hasn't seen in person yet, so we're really looking forward to getting to Texas for this first visit.

Kendra is in Stillwater, taking care of little ones during the day and caring for her own family all the rest of the time. She has become an outstanding Mom to her two boys and a super wife to her hubby. We'll see her in just a few days, too, as we pass through Oklahoma on our way to Texas.

I just wanted to write a note tonight about the blessings of our five children. I'll write more later about their terrific families and those beloved 13 grandkids! But for tonight I just had a desire to give thanks for and give a blessing to each of our children! You bless us -- and we're excited about seeing you more very soon!

See you all real soon!