...up from Indiana down to Tennessee

The kids and I loaded up and headed to Indiana and Kentucky for a few days. We spent time with some dear friends from our days in Germany who now live in Evansville. They have three adorable boys. The eldest is a mini-me of his father if ever there were one. I had the privilege of reading a 36 paragraph paper he’d written and just couldn’t believe his talent at the young age of 10. The second grader fears nothing and is a heart-breaker in the making who loved rocking out to Skillet. Talk about a magnetic personality! And the up-coming kindergartner is a little spider monkey too cute for words! He and Inch got along so well that we married them in a gazebo.

TR made me so very proud! He was great with all of the boys, giving them each his undivided attention for as long as he had the energy (and some even after he’d run out). He also demonstrated remarkable maturity and sincerity around my friends who’ve known him since he was a toddler.

My friend Amy is one of those rare gems who “sharpens” me. Over the years, we’ve spent hundreds of hours (that’s no exaggeration) discussing everything from family to faith to politics. She encourages and challenges me in a direct way that I both need and appreciate. Our conversations this trip were no different and she’s left me with a lot to ponder.

On the way back, we stopped in Richmond, KY to see my brother and check out his work. He oversaw the development of a very nice shopping complex right off of I75. I’m so proud! Wish he could work some of that magic in our little town. We sure could use it!

This trip was much needed and long-overdue. Good times.