I am a four seasons kind of girl. I enjoy the changes each one brings but that’s not the kind of seasons I’m thinking of this year. My mind is wandering as I sit back and consider what season of life we are in now

Gone are the busy days of family life; kids to raise, a career to establish and all those other things that took up all the hours in the day. The season Dave and I find ourselves in is the Grandparent season and may I just say it is awesome!

Let’s work our way from first to last this year. Ryan, Brianna and Miss Hadley Jean moved to Kalispell, Montana this spring. Thankfully we were a stopping point on their way and moving truck and all came for a visit. Ryan is now biding his time as a recruiter. The way he explains it is every Marine has to be a Drill Instructor or a Recruiter in their career. This was not his choice but I will say he’s stepped up to the plate and is knocking it out of the park. Our once self-conscious, not with a million dollars could you get him to stand in an auditorium and give a speech is doing just that. It’s been good for him. Brianna got a job at a hospital doing radiology and has found it’s a good fit for her. As for Miss Hadley this little monkey is almost 4! She’s sassy, fun loving and great for a video chat. Their big news is they are pregnant and due with a little boy on March 15^th. We are so excited.

Onto number two, our Sarah. This girl is busy. Her and Mitchell got the shock of all shocks when they discovered they are pregnant with number two and were already 16 weeks in. Their new little blessing is a girl due in January. Sarah maintains her full-time job at the bank, working the books, payroll, etc. for their business and the full-time mom gig. She’s handling it like a boss. Mitch is always busy. He likes it that way. Whether he’s in the shop or on the road he puts in a full day. Hunter Dean is this little happy boy that is just starting to take a couple unassisted steps. He has about five teeth, the bluest eyes and a sweet disposition. He turns one January 18^th.

Number three, A•N•D•Y. This kid has his hands full with the apprenticeship and work, not to mention two dogs! We are happy to report he’s top in his class and truly just gets it. I think about what he’s learning and admire his skills. He has a good mind for business and efficiency and the Waite work ethic. He has one more year left of school then he’ll work in a union for five years (they take care of his school bill) then who knows. Andrew has had two big events this year. First this fall he and Briana got engaged and are planning their wedding in October of next year. Second, they bought a house.

And for the youngest, Miss Emily. She is goal oriented, driven and heaven help the person or thing that gets in the way of that. (ahem, ice skating) Just before finals she had a winter checklist and let’s just say ice skating won’t ever be on another list of hers. She broke both bones in her calf and now has a rod in her leg, screws and all. Of course, her biggest worry and I’m not kidding, was finals. She ended up taking them online and did well. She’s still double majoring in accounting and finance and was just accepted into the master’s program.  

The grandparent season feels more relaxed, less hectic. It’s still busy, just a different kind type of busy. Just wait until 2023 with two more grands and a wedding. Life is good.

Dave and I celebrated our thirtieth wedding anniversary this fall. Thirty years of trials that strengthened us, change that we adapted to and love that has never failed us. We are so very blessed.

Whatever season you might be in it is our wish that you find happiness.