Family Affairs:

Grandparents always have great stories about their grandchildren as well as even better stories about the grandchildren’s' parents. So often we fail to record the joy or sorrows of family life. Playing with my children of all ages is not only a lot of fun, but a priority as well.

We have three children, Blaine 30 almost 31, Shannon 26, and Shane 24 soon to be 25. Currently, Blaine is the only one married with children, and she has 5 children not including her wonderful husband, Will. We are sure that one day Shannon and Shane will add to our numbers when the time is right for them. Hey guys, mom is not rushing you.

Blaine's family is a "his, hers, ours & adoption family." She and her husband, Will, were widowed approximately 6 weeks apart, and interestingly enough, went to the same church and did not know each other. However, that eventually changed and the rest is history. At the time Blaine and Will married, she had 2 children, Kayla & Daniel, and Will had one child, Tyler. They later added Justin and just recently adopted Grace. We have 2 eleven-year-olds (approximately 3 months apart), a nine-year-old, an almost four-year-old, and a ten-month-old. Certainly enough to keep parents and grandparents alike very busy. When recently asked if they planned on any more children since they emphatically stated they were "DONE" after Justin, and now we have our lovely Grace, the answer changed from "DONE" to "not planning on anymore at this time". However, we all know that the Lord has the final say! The only issue with this group is that they live in California and we live in Colorado. A grandparent's last wish!

Shannon is presently working for a hospital in Greeley, where she lives, and contemplating a return to college. She is a talented artist and may pursue that interest further. Shannon also likes to work the Greeley Stampede each year, which is going on as we speak. She is our only child left in Colorado at present and she states that she is very happy in Greeley with no intention of moving.

Shane has recently graduated from the University of Chicago Divinity School with his M DIV degree, and will be ordained by the Disciples of Christ on August 13, 2006. Once he has been ordained, he will head off to his first job in Lexington, KY. This job is actually a form of residency, and at the end of two years he should have some kind of idea as to the direction his ministry will go. Hopefully, it will lead him back to Colorado.

As we start this adventure, Blaine, Will and family are currently attending a family reunion in Utah then heading to Colorado to visit us for a bit. Shannon is working hard at her jobs (I forgot to tell you that she works a part-time job at a video game store) and Shane is "playing" with some friends on the east coast. He thinks he deserves the time off after three years of hard work!!! We agree. We have a number of family fun times planned over the next few weeks and you will read about them first here. Love and Blessings to all.