Yesterday Grandpa came home from work with a very, very sad story about one of his friends at work, Mike.  Mike's son and daughter-in-law were expecting their first child, a little girl, but something went terribly wrong and the baby died invitro a week before she was to be born. She would have been Mike and his wife's first grandchild.  My heart goes out to their entire family for the grieve they must be feeling. It made me stop for a moment and be so thankful for our four healthy, happy grandchildren that we are so blessed to have. Trinity who has the biggest zest for life and is ready to take on anything the world has to offer, whether it be rock-climbing, cheerleading or whatever new comes her way.  Madison with the imagination and sparkle of no other 5 year-old that I've ever known. My mother says she is like me when I was that age and that is a true compliment.  John, our one boy of the group and he IS "all boy".  He can go from bouncing off walls one moment to him bringing you a book to quietly read with him. It's so wonderful to have a little boy mixed up with all the girls....he brings a true sense of adventure.  And, last but not least, Isabelle.  Izzy is truly a little princess, feminine in every way, and our littlest angel even though she has been known to smack down her older brother if she feels the need.  She has her daddy and Grandpa wrapped around her little finger, she knows it and wouldn't have it any other way.

We have a wonderful, loving relationship with all of our grandchildren and for that we need to thank Shelly, mother of Trinity and Madison and Becky, mother of John and Izzy.  They have always acknowledged and respected the importance of their children knowing their grandparents as part of the family.  Even though we do not live close to any of them, we have been lucky enough to bond with our grandchildren as if they would be living in the same city. These kids KNOW us and have grown up knowing us.  But more important, we have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity of watching them grow up before our eyes whether it be through photos, telephone calls or visits.  Thank you Shelly and Becky for giving us that gift. 

We have been truly blessed........