Happy Birthday, Tracy

Today is our son-in-law, Tracy's birthday.   We first got to know Tracy back in June of 2002.  He and Amy have been married for nine years now and although we've known him for just over a decade, we feel like he's been part of the family for a lot longer.  Right away we enjoyed and appreciated his laugh, his kindness, and his affection for our daughter and her children.
A little while ago I interviewed Tracy but I had to keep it short because it's the last day of their camping vacation in Coldwater, Michigan.

Here's how it went.

Happy Birthday, Tracy.  I hope you're having a wonderful day despite the fact that it marks the end of this camping trip.

Has it been a good day so far?  Yes it's been an awesome day.  We got a new vehicle so that was good.  So you got Amy a new car?  Did you get anything else for your birthday?  No just that.  Any special plans for tonight?  No not really.  We're just gonna pack up and get everything ready to leave tomorrow.

And how has the camping trip gone?   Yeah, it's been just like all the other ones.  It's great getting away.  I love being outside and I love camping, fires, fishing, family....everything about it.   Did you catch any big ol' pigs?  I caught an 18 incher (one inch less than the one you caught).
I hear there's a new sport in your life.  Was it very hard creating a little golf course of your own?  No.  We had all the tools required which were the property and the lawn mower so it wasn't that hard.  Do you plan to expand it someday?  No I think we'll leave it the same for awhile.  We're looking to get a new greens mower eventually so we can putt but for now it's fun the way it is.

So not only do you have room for all kinds of sports at your house, but your best friends and favorite party partners live next door.  I'm curious.  Did you move there because of the neighbors or did you get to know them after you moved in?   After I moved in.  But, ever since then we've been inseparable.  We do everything together in fact they're camping next to us right now.

I know you do a lot of traveling for your job.  Do you get tired of driving all over Michigan or is it something you kind of enjoy?  I enjoy it.  Really?  Oh yeah, it's one of the best things about my job.  I'm not stuck in an office and I see new faces and new places everyday.

You seemed to glide into the role of father pretty seamlessly when you married Amy and all of a sudden had three stepchildren.  How does it feel to be a grandfather to four already and essentially the patriarch to a family of ten?  It's just amazing and extraordinary to have so many people that are really a big part of my life.

Is there anything you can tell us about yourself that we might not already know?  Amy says I can fix anything.  Can you?  Well, I've had electronics training and stuff. Basically I do the job I do because I can fix anything out there.  It's what I do.
What else?  Well, she says I'm really good at the drums on rock band.  And that although I have a rough exterior, I'm really sensitive. 

And that was about as much as I could drag out of the two of them.  Despite the fact that they were so busy, it was a good interview and he was, as usual, very cooperative.  However, there are a few things I'd like to add about Tracy.  He has a sweet, loving disposition and really is kind and considerate of his family (and everyone else).  He has a strong sense of right and wrong and is true to those principles.  He's extremely likeable and he's the guy you'll always want to invite to your party because he's so fun-loving yet kind and selfless.  We're so glad that Tracy is our son-in-law and we're wishing him a very happy birthday and a year full of everything he could wish for.

Oh, and I just remembered.  Earlier when I asked about the fish he was catching I should have inserted a picture of him with his catch but I didn't have one which is because when we're fishing with him, he's selflessly driving the boat, trying to get as close as possible to the best spots, maintaining all our fishing gear, and doing everything except getting to fish.  And that's the kind of guy he is!

Happy Birthday, Amy

Today is our beautiful daughter, Amy's birthday. 

She was born at the Holloman AFB hospital, near Alamogordo NM.  She was our second child and second daughter.  We were thrilled to have two girls and knew they would always be very best friends....and we were right.

Of course she ended up having two more sisters and two brothers . (And sometimes they're all a little strange, but she fits right in.)

Anyway, this morning I conducted this little phone interview with her.

Do you have any special plans today?  Yes, we're going out to dinner.  Just you and Tracy or the whole family?  The whole family including Chris and Amber and all the grand kids.

How do you feel about this birthday?  Is it any different from any of the others?  No it doesn't feel any different.  I'm just getting older.  But you don't feel older do you?  Not a bit.

What has been the highlight of this past year.  I would say the birth of my 4th grandchild on February 8th.

What are you looking forward to in the coming year?  Jeremy is starting high school which is really exciting.  More grandkids?  lol.   Camping. 

Tell me a little about your job.  I am a paraprofessional.  I work with kids with special needs, sometimes in a one-on-one position and sometimes in a classroom position.  What do you love about your job?  I love trying to break barriers with kids with special needs and having them begin to communicate or interact with me.  It's the small successes that really make a difference and keep me excited to go to work every day.

What do you hate about your job?  It can be the most frustrating job I've ever done because of the lack of communication.  Also because they are unable to communicate, they sometimes act out physically which can be not only frustrating but painful as well. 

You've always been exceptional at interacting with your nieces and nephews.  Do you think that talent has helped you in your job?  Absolutely.  If you can naturally interact with kids, it makes the job that much easier.  It's a job that requires a lot of patience and it helps if you have an understanding of how a kid might think. 

How much do you enjoy being such a young grandma?  I love it very much but there is one drawback.  When you're a young grandma and you also have youthful children at home, they grab all the attention from the little ones that I'm dying to spoil.  And you don't have all that free time that you think grandmas usually have to help out with babysitting and attending every grandkid function because you're working and involved in your own kids activities and functions..

What do you like best about your camping trips?  I like going out on the boat and fishing, I like the bonfires every night after fishing, I like the relaxation, and always catching the biggest fish.  lol 

What's your favorite leisure time activity (and you can include Hay Day and Candy Crush)?  We do like to do all kinds of things in our free time.  We often go to Gander Mountain, Cabela's, or Bass Pro Shop just to browse around and see what's new.  And I love fishing and on weekend evenings we'll often hang out with neighbors and just relax.    Also, we've built a 3-hole golf course and the whole family goes out almost every evening and golfs.  For most of us it's a work in progress but hopefully we'll all be good enough to go out on a real golf course some day.

What can you tell us about yourself that most people don't know?  Well, like Teresa, I was a high school cheerleader. 

What else?  Someday I think I'd really want to go back to school and get a degree. 

Anything else?  I'm a really good at cooking on the grill.  I've come a long way from back in the day when I thought you could put burgers on the grill while the coals are still flaming.

 And?  I'm in the third week of the C25K and I plan to run a 5K with all three of my children in the Fall.
Oh and one more thing.  I actually enjoy cutting the grass which I hardly ever get to do anymore since my kids have taken over the job.

 And of course there are a few things I'd like to add about Amy.  She's one of the sweetest, most sensitive people I've ever known.  She'd never hurt anyone's feelings or start any kind of trouble.  She loves peace, harmony, and a good time; and she's hardworking, loving, and smart.  We're so proud of Amy and happy that she's our daughter.  And we're hoping that this day and all of the days to come are wonderful - just like her.

Happy Birthday, Jenna

Today is Jenna's 12th birthday.  She's our tenth grandchild and our 4th granddaughter.  Jenna was born at 33 weeks gestation and weighed 4 pounds 1 ounce when she was born.

Although she's always been tiny, she's now growing into a beautiful young lady.

A little while ago, I conducted a short phone interview with her.

Here's how it went.

How does it feel to be 12?  Good.  So does that mean you're a teenager now?  No!  That's why there's a teen on the end of thirteen.  That's when you're a teenager.

Are you having a good birthday so far?  Yeah.  And what have you done that's special?  We went to Chuck E. Cheese.  What did you do there?  Played games.  Who'd you go with?  Amber, Chris, Jack, Dane, Aubrey, and my friend, Keayra.  Is she in your class in school?  No, I know her from Softball.

 Has softball season started?  Yeah, just practice.  Do you enjoy it?  Yep.  You're on a new team this year how do you like that?  It's better. 

Did Jeremy go to Chuck E. Cheese?  Yes.   You've always been close with him right?  I guess.  Is he a good big brother.  Sure.  Are you a good little sister?  Yep!

Who else are you close with?  Anna

How about your mom and stepdad.  Yes and yes.

How do you like being an aunt at such a young age.  It's fun.  Why?  I don't know.  I guess I just think it's fun.

Do you like school.  Kinda.  Why kinda?  Because sometimes it's boring.  What's you're favorite subject?  Social Studies.  Why?  It's easy.

What do you like to do in your free time?  Arts and crafts.

What do you like best about the week at the Christmas house?  Playing with my cousins. 

What haven't I asked about that might be interesting.  Nothing really.  How about things you like to do.  There's so many things if I told you all of them it would be too long.  Give me three.  I like playing softball.  I like Coloring.  I like shopping. 

And that was about it except that she admitted to being a huge One Direction fan.  (And you can tell by the shirt she wore for her birthday party.)

In conclusion, we're wishing this sweet, wonderful granddaughter a very happy birthday and a happy year to come.