Balloon 19

Thank-you, Lord, for my Grandma Willrich.

With the loss of Heather's Grandma, I got to thinking about my Grandmas. I know she is with you know, but I have many fun memories of Grandma Willrich.

Christmases at her house are the first to come to mind. Grandma was always good for a pair of sock and some cash. However, if you got a gift from Grandma with the tag written in all caps, you usually didn't want it. I don't think those were really from Grandma.

One time I was at Grandma's for some reason, I don't remember exactly why, but she took me to Stuart for dinner at the local diner. It seemed to me to be the best taco salad I ever had. I have since eaten at that place, and the taco salad wasn't as good the second time. I think it was the company I was with that made it so good.

Grandma went to be with you a week before my wedding. It was sad that she couldn't be there with us physically on our special day, but I know her spirit was with us.

Thank-you, Lord, for my Grandma Willrich.

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Balloon 18

Thank-you, Lord, for those who risk our lives to save others.

On 9/11, I was reminded of those who selflessly risk their lives to help other despite the danger. So many people died that day in an effort to save the people trapped in the buildings. Certainly some didn't know exactly how much danger they were charging into, but those who went into the second tower after seeing the first tower collapse had an amazing love for their fellow man.

Thank-you, Lord, for those who risk our lives to save others.

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Balloon 17

Thank-you, Lord, for this beautiful evening.

I have spent the last hour or so outside with my awesome boys this evening. Right now, Levi is reading, Ben is a puppy and Seth is eating a pencil. I guess I had better get that away from him before he hurts himself.

Thank-you, Lord, for this beautiful evening.

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Balloon 16

Thank-you, Lord, for the financial position you have put me in.

I know many times I think about what I could do if I made more money, be it more charity, more savings, more for the kids or just an improved lifestyle. However, last weekend you reminded me to be thankful for what I have. Sunday morning we went out to discover an issue with the van. After getting it fixed I thought about how thankful I was that an unexpected vehicle repair did not put our budget into a tailspin. Certainly I was frustrated that we had to deal with it, but thankful that we could handle it.

Thank-you, Lord, for the financial position you have put me in.

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Balloon 15

Thank-you, Lord, for my sister Libby.

Libby is my baby sister, a lawyer, soon to be a wife, and an awesome aunt.

Since Libby is the baby, she and I did not do much together as kids. She is the only sibling I remember being born. As I recall, grandma Castello came to stay with us while mom and dad went to the hospital.

I really enjoyed the few sporting events that I attended that Libby played in. I was most impressed with her soccer playing. A good leader of the defence and not afraid to mix it up anywhere on the field.

I had more fun playing sports with Libby. She joined us on the soccer field a few times. In one game we all learned she had an aversion to people diving to get a call. On another occasion we were playing volleyball together and she took a hard shot right in the face. After a few minutes, she was back in there without showing any fear.

I look forward to Libby's wedding in January. Sounds like it is going to be quite the party. I like that she is taking a different approach from what the typical ceremony is, but that is her attitude. She doesn't do what everyone else does just because "that is the way it is done".

Libby lives in California with her fiancee, Matt. Please be with them and keep them happy, healthy, and safe.

Thank-you, Lord, for my sister Libby.

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Balloon 14

Thank-you, Lord, for my brother, Jake.

Jake is my little brother, a husband, a coach, and a dad. Somewhere along the way I dubbed him "Jakey Poo Poo Head."

I should probably apologize for the mean big brother things I did to Jake, like handcuffing him to the swing and putting sand down his pants, playing bull fighter and running him head first into a wall, missing his spring football game due to excessive celebration of my 25th birthday the night before, to name a few.

Being the boys, Jake and I played together quite a bit, even though we are several years apart.

My biggest memory as kids was playing football in the yard. I was in junior high and had all of my football gear. I would wear the pants, and Jake would wear the helmet and shoulder pads. We would play our version of one-on-one football for hours. I like to think I had something to do with his later success on the football field. I know it really comes from his hard work and dedication.

I always enjoyed making the trip to Kirksville to watch him play football. Then go back to his place and hang out. I am not sure where it went, but we made a sign for him to hang on the fence at the field. I wanted to put his nickname on the sign, but my wife talked me out of it, lucky for him.

Jake is now married to Erin and has a boy of his own, Payton, and another kid on the way. Lord, please be with them all and keep them happy, healthy, and safe.

Thank-you, Lord, for my brother, Jake.

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Balloon 13

Thank-you, Lord, for my sister, Erin..

Erin is my younger sister, a wife, a coach, a teacher, and a mom.

I remember a time when we tried to get the nickname "Moose" to stick for Erin. Turns out mom was not a big fan of that nickname. In the end, we settled on "Bear". I do not remember how we ended up with that name, but it stuck, and to this day many of us still refer to her as "Bear."

Growing up, I have a few memories of playing together with Bear. One particular memory was an accident ... I think. I must have been 6 or 7 and she was 4 or 5. We were with a group of friends digging in the yard with the claw end of hammers. I guess we didn't give Erin enough room, and when she took a swing, she hit me squarely in the top of the head. I ended up in the doctor's office getting stitches, and I still have a dent in my head today.

In high school, we had separate friends and did not hang out much. I do remember watching her dominate the basketball court back in the days of 6 on 6 girls basketball. It always made me proud to see my sister be the star of the game.

Erin has become quite a volleyball coach. Some in southeastern Missouri even call her a legend. She met with success almost immediately when she became a head coach. Many times I have heard her say that her teams continue to exceed expectations. Her teams are regulars at the state tournament. I can't think of a better person to shape the lives of young women and teach them the lessons of team work.

Erin is now married to Dave and has a feisty little girl, Lexi. Lord, please be with them and keep them happy, healthy, and safe.

Thank-you, Lord, for my sister, Erin.

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