Family

I just met a business partner this morning to prepare some “baskets” for our customers and hope-to-have customers. Typically, when we meet I drag some number of my 4 kids along. However, today, he had all 3 of his kids. While we were trying to figure out how to use a small trash can with a step on lid (my company sells janitorial supplies), his kids played nicely kicking a soccer ball around the warehouse. But, as the mornings donuts became fully integrated into the kids systems, it got a little crazier. We knew we needed to finish quickly when the youngest child had the middle child in a neck lock.

First, these were very good kids. But, as a father, the kids either know we are not as strict as the mothers or they just were sick of the day being about daddy’s errands. And, after having lived through similar embarrassing experiences where my kids seemed like wholly terrors in front of business parters (or grocery shoppers or fellow restaurant diners), it was a relief to know that siblings are just that way.

Second, the family dynamics are similar. The youngest kid knows they can yell and the parents may jump a little quicker knowing the parents wonder how they are being tortured. And, the older child is expected not to participate in behavior that leads mom and dad to be involved. So, the youngest child knows how to make the world revolve around them.

Third as much as siblings are capable of driving each other crazy, they also have a special ability to work with (and also torment) their siblings in ways that no one else can. Even when they claim to hate their siblings, they are also realizing that 30 minutes from now they will be playing (or existing together) with no hard feelings about the “ancient” comments.

Lastly, as a parent, it gives us profound relief when we know that other parents occassionally struggle as they attempt to give the world the best kids they can. With very few exceptions, no one event will alterate a child beyond repair. As parents, we hope we put in enough good to balance out the bad. And, if that fails, you hope your prayers can tip the scales…..

Dear friends and family:

Holiday Greetings from the Gruenbaums!! As the days and hours click by on the 20^th Century, we hope you are investing all of your free time stocking your bomb shelter. We plan on going to the moon for New Year’s, but we wish all who will be earth bound good luck.

Andy had a very active year. He started the year working as an Internet consultant at Battelle. He then spun the roulette wheel and worked on the Victoria’s Secret web site for a few months. However, Andy was last seen serving as a Systems Engineer (Business Analyst) at Qwest Communications. He seems to be happy…… In August, Andy said goodbye to late nights and excessive computer time. He received his Masters in Business Administration from Franklin University.

Judy continues her work at Bank One. Although she thought about leaving earlier in the year, it has calmed down a bit and is going better. She was very active in the speech-making department this year. It was her fourth year to teach at Northwestern University at an Employee Benefits Trust School. She was also invited to address a bunch of bank examiners (the feds) in San Diego, and she made her radio debut as a guest host on a weekly call in show about financial planning in Louisiana.

The boys are the highlight of our life. Both are enjoying their first year of preschool. Timmy (age 4 ½) is a bit more serious (and dramatic) than his brother, and is anxious to learn how to read. Timmy is capable of answering many of the first round questions on “Do You Want To Be A Millionaire?” When he is not asking questions or troubleshooting our old PC, he works on polishing his acting skills. Although Jeffy (age 3 ½) is all play, he has really blossomed this year. He gives his heart into everything he does, but will drop everything to color or eat candy. They bring us our greatest joy!!

No one every said having a new house is cheap. We concentrated on the outside this summer by investing in a swing set, a tractor, a brick patio, seeding the yard and a little landscaping. Thankfully, the boys are really careful mowing around me while we play on the slide. 🙂 We had a big garden, and were very concerned that our corn would be eaten by the numerous coons and deer nearby. But, alas, the drought got it instead. We will try again next year.

The family was fortunate to have two vacations this year: Rat World (Disney) and Country Music’s Eastern Home (Gatlinburg). The boys loved the swimming and the parents loved that they were away from their jobs. Finally this year, we have really placed an importance on the spiritual side of our lives. We are at the church a couple of nights per week and are very involved. We teach Sunday School, sing in the choir, and are involved in Bible studies.

It is God’s gift of His Son that gives value to the last Christmas of this millennium and all the Christmases of the next millennium. May God bless you with a desire to really know Him in the coming year.

The Gruenbaums