Some of my favorite moments

On the way back from a volleyball game last night I was listening to the radio. The d.j. was asking for callers to call in with some of their most favorite moments in life...Got me to thinking about some of mine...

Here are just a few:
1. June 18th, 1999-Kristen Jill/June 25th, 2000-Katy Janae/July 19th, 2002-David Weldon
2. June 6th, 1998-DDAY anniversary...AND when she said yes.
3. The last time I hugged Teri Jane's neck.
4. The last image of my Mimi on the her front porch waving bye to me after a visit.
5. When we won the Wagon Wheel from ENMU in the annual game back in 1993.
6. When we beat Brownwood in a high school football game in 1990.
7. When I got my first paycheck as a teacher/coach in Hart, America
8. November 8, 1982-Tonya Lynn...best sis a brother could ask for
9. When I found out ITP case was acute.
10. When I got to be in the coaching staff picture with Charlie Johnston.
11. Anytime I hear my babies tell me they love me right before they go to bed.
12. Feb. 2002-when Dr. Mike baptized me
13. Anytime my Gan-Gan would come in our locker room after a win or loss in high school and college to tell us all good job.

I'll stop at 13. Just because. If you want; you can add.
Have great "favorite moment" kinda day.

Did you know:

1. Every now and then I feel like blogging?
2. My favorite running shoes are called "The BEAST"?
3. I am not a fan of pro baseball?
4. My favorite color is blue?
5. I got the coolest compliment in church tonight?
6. That I just made you think...."wonder what the compliment was?"
7. I probably won't tell you what it was?
8. I very seldom smile?
9. I think there should be a game clock on baseball games?
10. That I wanted to be a firetruck when I was 3?
11. One of my cousins is a fireman for WFFD-Wichita Falls, another one is a fireman for RFD-Randlett, my uncle is President of Texas Firefighters Association, and my dad is the Fire Chief in Port Aransas?
12. I think instant replay in football is a detriment to the natural flow of the game?
13. One of my favorite quotes is, "Never take yourself too seriously"-seriously?
14. That I believe in happy endings?
15. That I am so blessed?
16. I probably need to go to bed?
17. That I miss my friends from college and high school greatly?
18. I saw my first college football game from inside my football helmet?
19. That if you are still reading I can make you think of the color red?-told ya
20. That turkey-eatn' season is so close, that I can smell the grub already.

A very cool day.

John and I went to the Texas Tech home opener the other day. It was a very cool day.

The day started with us getting there way too early. Anytime John and I travel together, we make it a point to get there ridiculously early. Like two old men.

Anyways....We get there and we are hanging out at this part of the campus were a lot of activities regarding Tech football is around us. We take cover under a tree to get out of the way and because, well...it was hot.

Low and behold we are standing right where the football players start their "Raider Walk" to the stadium. Very neat.

But here is where it gets very cool...

STOP-REWIND

When I started coaching in Childress, I had the opportunity to coach a 7th grade football team to an undefeated season. Then basketball went undefeated, then track...awesome group of boys. Among that team was an athlete named Sawyer Vest. I knew he was special the moment I assigned him that 7th grade locker for Athletics...

Along with all the other coaches at Childress I got to watch this kid succeed in every sporting venture he tried. He was a special athlete.

I got to be there for every single one of Sawyer's successes in the athletic arena. We had been through a lot since his 7th grade year to his 12th grade year.

BACK TO STORY

As John and I are standing there, off the bus comes Tommy Tuberville! I got to give him a high five. And then...right behind him, was my man, Sawyer Vest. I reached out, grabbed him and gave him a "KP" hug like he just threw the winning touchdown vs. Crane back in 05!

I know he went through a spell to get there. I know that he worked his butt off to get there. I know that he loves the fact that he proved some people wrong. I know he has an amazing support system in place like his family there that he was far more happy to see than me.

But, at that moment, it was me and my 7th grade quarterback, who was fixing to play at the highest level of college athletics "huggin it out"!

It was a very cool day.

FALL

I am having my absolutely best start at work this Fall. This is year 4 for us at CHS. I am very proud of our students and staff. They really are the best. Will there be issues and/or drama?....yes. Will we work through them and always do what's best for kids?....yes. Just know that I am really enjoying this years' start.

We are wrapping up the hottest summer we have ever had. Crazy hot. So glad it's ending. Summer is still my favorite time of year, but man, I'm glad we are to the Fall.

Kristen Jill is doing volleyball and cross-country this year as a 7th grader! She is doing great. Where did my lil' girl go?

Katy is in her first year of Jr. High. She is loving it. She brought home a musical instrument. I need to visit the school about that. Don't think they should be able to bring those things home.....hahaha.

David is in 3rd grade. Played his first flag-football game of the season yesterday. He did well. I like the way he has improved in this league. Makes me very proud.

Amanda is absolutely the hardest working person I know. I do not know how she is doing it. If you remember about a year and half ago she opened a screen printing business called the Locker Room. She is so busy, so stressed, so amazing. I wish I could express my admiration better on here for her, but can't find the words that would do it justice. I don't know how she does. I never knew how creative that woman was. Amazing. Is it a constant struggle?-yes. Is it a work in progress?-yes. Is she doing and making amazing designs and blowing it out of the water?-YES. Is small business an adventure?-YES. Needless to say, I love her and I am so proud of her.

My mom is doing great. She had some health issues earlier this year and did great in her recovery. She has lost more than a 100 lbs and looks better than I can remember. Amazing.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Favorite Movie Quotes

In case you don't know...I am a huge movie buff. I am full of useless knowledge in the subjects of History, music, and movie trivia. I was watching one of my favorite movies the other day and when it got to one of my favorite quotes, I stumbled a bit in the reciting of it....frustrated me. So, I immediately went to surfing the web and stumbled across some cool movie quotes..some of my favorite. Here they are in no particular order. Please feel free to add any. Have a "Movie-quotable, day"

P.S. and for fun, see if you can name the movie...answers to follow.


1. "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies"

2. "So shines a good deed, in a weary world"

3. "Here's to the sunny slopes of long ago"

4. "What in the wide-world of sports is going on here?"

5. "I wonder if these guys know the Commodores?"

6. "Call it, friendo..."

7. "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"

and lastly one of my all-time favorites....

8. "There's no reason to become alarmed, and we hope you'll enjoy the rest of your flight. By the way, is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?"

MY CHILDHOOD compared to my KIDS CHILDHOOD

This morning I had to get up and change the channel on the t.v. this morning. That act alone almost put me into a temper tantrum that would have consisted of a foot-stomping, arm folding, pout-fest. BUT, right before I acted like a two year old, some memories came back about way-back-when. Then that made me think of what my kids will never experience first hand. You know, things my generation had back then or what they didn't have back then, compared to what my kids have or don't have. Here is just a few. Please feel free to add any to this post.

1. Television: We had one t.v. on the floor with no remote.

2. Telephone: We had one phone, usually in the kitchen, that had a long cord and a rotary dial. In high school we evolved to two phones with a awesome little feature known as touch dial.

3. Video Games: We had ATARI then later, NINTENDO. We had a joystick and a paddle. Breakout was my fav.

4. Clothes: Levi's and Bugle Boys could only be found at certain stores....yeah, I said Bugle Boys.-POINT: specialty clothes are everywhere and accessible everywhere, seems like back in the day, only certain places had them.

5. Vehicles: Is it just me, or do kids these days have better cars than their parents? How is that happening? I had a 1973 super beetle when I was 16...that'll build you up some character.

6. OUTSIDE: We also used to do this crazy little deal when I was younger called playing OUTSIDE -just being OUTSIDE of the house. I don't see that as much anymore. GO PLAY OUTSIDE...WALK TO SCHOOL....SMELL LIKE THE OUTDOORS....if it is hot, get under or in a tree. One of my best memories was playing OUTSIDE and as it was getting dark hearing a very loud whistle, followed by a louder, "ERIK!!!!!!"-that meant get home as quick as possible..If I heard that sound today, regardless what I was doing, I would probably stop what I was doing and run towards the sound. Just like Pavlov's Dog.

7. We had to learn how to use a typewriter in Jr. High.

8. Computers were used for "smart-people" in big cities.

9. Friday Night Videos was awesome.

10. MTV played music videos

11. Reality t.v. was the "Price is Right"

12. All three networks had Saturday Morning cartoons and some played them after school.

13. We had no idea what "texting" was, we called them notes. Written by someone's own hand.

14. Walk-mans and Disc-mans (if you were rich)

15. When we rode in a car...we just had to deal with what mom was listening to on radio.

I know there are a lot more out there so please share.

Chillin

This is my niece. Her name is Kinley Mae. She came to visit me today at work. I think she is very special. Isn't she just awesome? She is one of the most laid back babies I have ever been around.

I can't believe how fast our extended family is growing...Seemed like for a while our three were the only ones around, now there are 7 cousins and another one to be here soon. Yeah, you heard me. Kinley Mae is about to have another sibling. WTG, John.

Anyways...I love holding this little baby. However, the best thing about her is when she starts to cry or get fussy....I just pass her on to someone else!

Being an uncle is the bomb-diggety!

Summer

I love summer. However, we have been so hot lately in Childress. We need rain. and we need it now.

I have been running. I ran in a half-marathon in OKC on May 1st. It was tough. Thanks to some good friends in an accountability system, I was able to accomplish that goal. I took a month off and that was a huge mistake. I am back on it again and I am hurting again. But, same friends are holding me accountable and it helps me along.

I have been golfing too. I love to walk the course. I am not very good. Seriously, I am not. I am not like these golphers who say they aren't any good only to find out that they are really pretty good. Just say that you are good. And I can deal with that. Also, don't ask me to play with you if you are good. I only play with people I can beat. And beat bad.

WOW

For whatever reason I haven't blogged in a while....a great while. Wonder if I can keep it up again? Wonder If I will have time? Wonder where in the world the time went????? Here is a quick look at our past year:

Did you read that? It went by real fast....as illustrated above. FAST. So fast I couldn't type it fast enough and you couldn't read it fast enough....I know, right?

Seriously where does time go? I have a 7th grader now. WHAT IN THE WORLD is up with that? She got her first cell phone for her birthday. She thinks she is really cool. I do too. The wifey and I debated long and hard on the whole cell phone issue and both agreed that the summer before her 7th grade year she could get one. Of course, that was when she was a 3rd grader! Now that she is to this point, we had to go through with it...

My middle child is going to MIDDLE SCHOOL...what? Her and Kris both are almost as tall as their Mom. Crazy.

David, is still a little boy. Thank you, Lord. Of course, he doesn't think so.

Amanda's shop is awesome. She is doing so good. I am so proud of her and THE LOCKERROOM.

I will be starting my 4th year as Principal of CHS. WOW.

I like blogging. I like reading over past blogs that I have written and I really enjoy reading my friend's blogs. I hope to continue to write this year. I did a poor job this past year...but, like I said, It went by so fast that I couldn't type that fast to keep up. Have a great day.

Summer is here

Finally, Summer....I love this time of year. I love the heat, and I love the smell of summer nights. I love the crickets. I love cooing doves. I love the smell of my yard after I have mowed it. I love the fact that at 8:30, it is still light out. I love the smell of a camp fire around a tent. I really do like the smell of OFF bug spray. I love the sound of a summer storm raining on my metal roof. I love summer mornings. I love waking up early when I don't have to. I love staying up late when I don't have to. I love the fact that summer vacation puts my kids in really good moods. I love the idea that my kids are one year closer to graduation and getting out of my house....well, maybe not that..well, sometimes..but, not most of the time..
I LOVE SUMMER

I have been away from the blogging world for awhile. To be honest, I forgot my password and had a hard time getting logged on...For whatever reason tonight, I found it in my summer time-relaxed brain.
We had another great year at CHS. Our TAKS scores came in and our kids and teachers did simply amazing. I am not a fan of standardized testing. I know we all need to be accountable as educators and this system is in place to assure that. It suffices in that area I reckon. Having said that, I am so pumped at our scores. Every area improved. Some dramatically. I would love nothing more than to get some much needed recognition to these kids and teachers through the state with an awesome accountability rating.

I am wrapping up my second year of my principalship. I work with some great folks. I sometimes find it hard to believe that I do what I do, principaln' and all.

I am looking forward to this summer. I am looking forward to relaxn' with my bride and kids. We got some trips planned over the break. Amanda has a big one coming up with her mission trip. I am excited to say that we raised the money and she is going to get to go. I am proud for her. The fam will be going to Florida this August for the Pickett-Egloff wedding. I think we will be driving it. INSERT: reference to Clark Griswald here.

Amanda's business is growing order by order. She appears to love what she is doing. She stepped down as teacher/coach. This is scary. We are nervous. We are scared. We are pumped. We are nervous. We are scared. We are excited. We are nervous that this is what we needed to do. But, in true Kirkpatrick formed we jumped in with both feet. Time will tell. and Business orders, and budgets, and....a lot of other stuff we are learning...

Now that I don't have so much on my mind, I will hopefully update this blog a little more than when the hectic days of school were going on. But, who knows.

Thanks for reading.

Funny....or at least I thought it was.

There was this one time that I talked my brother-in-law in helping me to try and push start my old riding lawn mower....I told him he just wasn't pushing fast enough.

Have you ever talked into the speaker at McDonald's the same time as the worker was talking...so funny.

Have you ever drove off from the window at McDonald's and said, "I love you"....very funny.

One time when Amanda and I were shopping for cars in Amarillo on car lots...she jumped in this Yukon in the driver seat and scared the heck out of this old lady who was sitting in the passenger seat. She thought it was one of the cars for sale. She jumped in and said, "look Erik, the keys are still in it...and someone's purse...what the..., Oh I am sorry, Is this your car?" Classic.

I liked running outside...but, people were always stopping me to ask if I was alright.

Believe it or not, I used to sing at folk's weddings...At one particular wedding, the sound guy played the wrong side of the tape and instead of stopping the wedding and having him fix it, I just lip-synched the whole song. And then at this other wedding, this old 150 year old organ player just stopped right in mid-stream. Everyone just stared at me and I had to put the mic down and just calmly walk off stage...terrible.

I was a pretty freakish first time parent. I still laugh in my head about this one. One time, (I can't believe I am writing this) I took one of Kristen Jill's dirty diapers to church to show Dr. Mike to see if what was in it was normal. Sorry, Dr. Mike. (Amanda was so mad!)

In an attempt to teach my kids chores, I was having them clean their rooms. Katy hates to clean. When she told me she didn't want to clean her room, I told her she had two choices, a spanking or clean her room. She asked me, "If I take the spanking do I have to still clean my room?" I said no..She took the spanking...cried for about 5 minutes, then went and played in her room as the other two kids cleaned theirs...lesson learned.

I hope you enjoyed these little FUNNY stories and such. Please feel free to leave a funny comment or two to this blog. Have a great day!

My favorites...

My favorite.....

Ice Cream flavor: Vanilla
Nascar driver: Karl Edwards
Wife: Amanda
Dog: Lab
Season: Summer
Time of day: Quittin' time
Music: The kind that makes me feel good
Shoes: Tennis shoes (but, I don't play tennis)
Meal: Steak
College: WTAMU
Cologne: Brut
Movie: Too many to list
Dancer: Me, when no one is watchin'
Computer: Apple
Smell: My kids
Sound: My kids laughter
Sight: My kids running to me laughing
Feel: My bride
Emotion: Completeness
Verse: John 8:32
Soap: Irish Spring
Hobby: Hunting
Hunting Shows: FATBOY Outdoors....baby!
Blog: I've been thinking...

Did you know?

Did you know.....
I sleep on the right side of the bed?
when Katy Baby was born she looked just like my d-line coach in college, Ray "Deacon" Dowdy?
my Granddad flew and taught other young pilots how to fly b-25 bombers in the second World War?
I have a fear of flying?
I remodeled my own kitchen 4 years ago?
that my kitchen is not completely done?
that I consider my bride to be one of the smartest people I know, but yet she found out only recently that you can't drink sea water?
that my kids are growing up too fast?
I have preacher that I truly, really, enjoy listening to?
that I think my wife is hotter now than when we got married?
that my wife was smoking hot when we got married?
that I used to love to watch movies, but now get real impatient watching them?
I have been to Australia?
that I have friends scattered all over whom I miss greatly?
I got in a fist fight at the sonic in Burkburnett when I was a Sophmore in high school with a guy that was 21?
that my cousin Rowdy made me fight a guy at the Sonic in Burkburnett when I was a Sophmore?
that my cousin Rowdy almost beat me up at the Sonic in Burkburnett cause I didn't want to fight this 21 year old?
I was and am afraid of my cousin Rowdy?
that I took shelter under a underpass on hwy 287 with other travelers while a tornardo went over us?
I feel out of a raft in a class 4 rapid?
I swam a class 4 rapid?
once I survived a class 4 rapid, the raft ran me over and the guide and 3 other guys couldn't get me out from under it and after surviving the swim of a big class 4 rapid, I almost drown in 4 inches of water on the edge of a river?
that I appreciate you reading my blog?

169

Went to the ole' Dr. the other day and my platelet count was 169,000...very normal..
No more meds, no more infusions! YES!
I will go back on January 27th. for him to tell me I am ACUTE and not chronic...Fingers crossed.
In a couple of blogs ago, I mentioned that I was in need of working out to help curb the side effects of the dreaded Predisons. Those stupid drugs have transformed my face and other parts of my body in a very unappealing way. I am on day 4 of no meds, and I am a little frustrated cause I can't see any change...Patience, I guess.
Cody has been meeting me up at the gym in a.m. and I am up to 1 1/2 miles every MWF..Resistance training to start this week.-I guess Rome wasn't built in a day...

In other news, my good dog Midnite was killed the other night. Very sad. I have had a heck of a time with dogs. I think I will take it easy for a while in the dog business.
I wasn't emotional at all with the loss of the family dog. What made me sad was telling the kids. It breaks my heart to see their hearts break. Kristen Jill was the most visibly upset. I sure hope she doesn't ask me for another one.-Cause, knowing myself like I do...I'll cave, and we will have another dog. Maybe I can talk her into a gold fish.
School is going good. Hard to believe we are moving along this fast. Basketball is in district play and both teams look to have a good year.
Amanda and I are looking into a little business venture. We are just scratching the surface in "looking". We want to really research all aspects of it first. Wish us luck. More news to follow on this deal.

Happy New Year!

Happy New year!
What a year...You know we always say that every year?

Anyway, It has been another year. Time to start over...but, not really. For me and others in the school business we kinda seem to track years by school calendar years. For example we refer to years past not as a single number like 08...or 03. Instead we classify past years by 05-06, or 09-10. And if you are a coach you classify past years as seasons. And if your a basketball coach whose season is in the middle of the change well, then...who knows how you do it.-You guys probably don't even know what year it is because all you can think of is BASKETBALL!!!

I had my last treatment. I'm not off of all my medication, but close. I am frustrated by what the steroids are doing to my body. I am ready to rid myself of that man-made stupid, helpful, body-swelling, irratable drug!
Enough of that.

Resolutions: 1. Secret-I can't tell you.
Best of 09: 1. Had a wake up call with my health
2. Had a new Nephew born
3. Sister moved to Wichita Falls
4. Celebrated another year with my smoking-hot, loving, best-wife
5. A whole year of being Kris, Katy, and David's Dad
6. Sister got engaged
7. Got a new brother in law
8. Cowboys made the playoffs!

Since some of you have proven to me that you are reading, how about I ask you to respond with either a "resolution" or a "Best Part of 09" comment.

Yea!

Thanks! My goal was met, and now I will keep my blog going...thanks again to Amy Smith with her advice on Blurb...I am looking forward to printing all those posts and putting them away.

facebook vs. blogging

Okay, okay...has facebook taken over blogging? I have been blogging more than ever and I don't think anybody is reading anymore. I mean, am I that bad of a writer? Why is no one commenting on my posts? Maybe, no one is reading anymore.
So, having said that, I am fixing to close up shop.
Seriously, I like to blog, I like to read what I write. But, apparently, I am the only one.
This is not an attempt to get you to respond. Yes, yes it is...
I am about to make an idle threat...if you don't know what that is, ask my wife and kids.
Here it goes:
If I don't get at least 8-9 comments on this particular posts I am calling it quits with blogging....
so POST a stinkin' comment, or nice comment..
I will check back in a few.
Have a nice day, and if I don't hear from you....I understand. I can take it...

PS: For those of you that comment on my facebook side of this thank-you, for those of you that read the notes then open a new tab and check out my blog, thank-you...all I am asking is that you leave a comment. or 8-9....later.

Auntie

This time of year always brings on great memories. My mind is always filled of traditions and people that were involved with them. Of all my childhood memories there is a person there who is always smiling and happy and loving. She is my Auntie. I would like to share with you a little bit about this special, great lady. She is my one of my mom's older sisters. She has been a very important part of my life. As a child, growing up in Burk, there was seldom a day that went by that I didn't see her, or tell her that I loved her. Since my mom went to work early in the morning, Auntie would take all of us to school. She would also take us home from school. She was always around. The great thing about that was that it was perfectly normal. In fact, if auntie for some reason wasn't around, it would cause great concern. It was the way it was because, well, it just was! She always was there with a smile and hug and an unbelievable desire to make you feel like the most important person in the room. I could and can always count on her to be on my side and one of my biggest fans. Of course there were times she set me straight too! (because I no doubt needed it)
We all have aunts and uncles in our lives or family members that we take for granted. I know I have spent a lifetime of assuming that I would always see Auntie at least every other day.
Those days are gone now. Auntie is still a phone call away, but I miss her. I wish we could see more of her. I wish my kids could experience Auntie's love on a daily basis like I did. (Don't get me wrong, my kids have GREAT-special aunts...but, not an Auntie.)
As I look back on all those wonderful Christmas mornings, I remember how me and Tonya would show off all of our stuff, and Auntie would make over them like she was just as surprised as we were...little did we know she was with mom when mom or santa got them!
We could always count on Auntie..still can...for her smile, hugs, laughter, ears, and most of all her undying love for her sister and her sister's kids!

Humble

I can’t specifically remember the story…but, I get the point of the story. It goes something like this:

A man who is down and out and tired of carrying his burdens around, compares it to walking around carrying his “cross”-his burden.

He is allowed by God, to go to a room and change or trade-in his cross for someone else’s.

As he enters the room he notices a ton of crosses. Before he can really focus on what cross to trade for his, he sets his cross down by the door.

As he starts shopping for a new cross or burden to carry he starts to notice that all the crosses in the room are bigger and more scary looking than his. But, luckily he notices one over by the door that isn’t too big and looks a lot better than any other cross in the room. He goes over to that cross and picks it out to trade. Then God tells him that that cross is the one he came in with.

I don’t know if that is how the story goes exactly, but you get the jest.

This story really got personal for me with all this infusion stuff. My infusions are going well. In fact, besides boredom and puffyness, they are going great.

There are a lot of sick people that come to the place I get my infusions. I am young, healthy, and getting better. Some of these folks are just the opposite. I am served a big piece of humble pie when I come here. Some or most of these people aren’t going to get any better. In fact, they are here just to stay alive. I am so humbled by their attitude and appearance. I can’t imagine what they are going through. I am lucky. I am getting better. These guys are so brave. Most have injection ports and numerous bags of medicine going into their already weak bodies. I am sitting here fat, bloated and constantly squirming because I have the audacity to complain how boring it is to sit here and wait for my one bag of medicine to empty.

It is the Tuesday before Christmas. I wonder for how many in this room it is their last Christmas. It makes me ashamed to feel sorry for myself and my platelet ordeal.

So, to say the least, I am very thankful and humble throughout this whole ordeal….I am thankful for my family, my God, and my health.

FYI: My count is up to 129,000. That is good stuff. I am coming down off the steroids gradually and just one more week of infusions. It is our hope that we maybe have this thing kicked. Either way, I am so blessed for the recovery. All thanks be to God.

Tough

Tough...
What is tough? I tell you what tough is, trying not to eat everything in sight while on heavy doses of Predisone...
What is tough? Sleep. Trying to sleep while on heavy doses of Predisone.
What is tough? Being married to a big, fat, bloated man who gripes and is short fused and is eating everything in sight and not sleeping while on heavy doses of Predisone.

Just kidding, none of that is true. I am fine as frog's hair. All I need is time. And of course a couple thousand more platelets. But, they are growing, and I will be getting some more medicine in the next couple of weeks and off of the dreaded "steroids"! Which in the KP house will be a blessing.

Moving on, School is going great. I can't believe we are wrapping up the semester. It has been a great fall. I am a part of a great staff, who truly cares for their students and co-workers and I have been extremely blessed with their hard work and dedication. I couldn't ask for a better place to work. We all have our moments, don't get me wrong, but, for the most part, I couldn't ask for a better place to be.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas break. I hope that Santa gives you want you asked for and I hope God blesses your family to it's fullest!