Whew! I like the added time off but when you concentrate a week into half the time is it worth it?

My tail is dragging! Next week we flop and add another day. Conditioning, conditioning! While physically demanding it has been almost fun. I get to enjoy being a peon! Actually I find the "just" part a little difficult. I see something and try to handle it or give a heads up. I guess it is habit.

Today is a special day. Reid is celebrating (O.K., Reid isn't but all his kin are) his first birthday! Reid could probably care less! Reid is just a happy go lucky kind of guy who is so full of himself! He is adorable! I think back to last year when he was born and there was such a mob waiting to meet him I am surprised he didn't return to the womb to hide. His Mom had some complications but thankfully all are doing great! Rian and Erica have elected to throw a party tomorrow, Rian told me they had invited forty family members! Krl and I will leave about eleven in the morning and make the drive. If things go according to plan we will have all the grandchildren together for just the second time! Lauren, Ellen, and Kat are riding up with us while Addie is riding up with Kali. It should be an interesting outing!

Milestones! All the granddaughters will be in school for the first time. Reid, the one and only grandson celebrates his first birthday.

I often wonder what they will experience in their lifetimes. What difficulties, challenges, defeats and victories will they endure and enjoy. I worry. I sometimes think the most difficult part of being a parent or grandparent is watching your off-spring make their way. Often times the spoken word is not enough to deter, some lessons must be learned the hard way. I only hope that as the kids get older I continue to get smarter.

FATHER thank YOU for it all. Bless Reid on his birthday, I pray for many more! I thank YOU for the safe week and I ask for safe passage for all traveling to Lubbock tomorrow. FATHER, bless all the kids, and the grandchildren, be with them as they start a new school year. Be with Kat and Addie as they begin their schooling, be with Ellen as she begins middle school, be with Lauren as she returns to AHS, and be with Reid as he begins new day care! FATHER surround them and protect them with YOUR angels! Draw them to YOU and YOUR purpose! I continue to ask YOUR miracle of healing for Aimee, Rene', Carol, and Michelle. Bless them and comfort them. Bless Charles and Shelly and their efforts to rebuild. I am thankful YOU are a powerful and mighty GOD because YOUR plate is full. YOU are my GOD! There is none other.