Follow Up on Christmas

Just to let you know that on Christmas Eve I had EVERY one of my kids, grandkids present.  It was a beautiful day.  I even got a photo of ALL of us.  I am so blessed.  My kids were on their best behavior.  I know that they are all different personalities and maybe every single person isn't their favorite person...but they were kind, welcoming and fun.  I am blessed!  We will be spending a weekend together at the end of January at the beach and I can truly say I am looking forward to spending it with each one of them.  I don't think I could have said that a month ago!  God is good!

Dreams really do come true!

Eighteen years....the dream - for this phase to come to fruition.  Actually the dream started even before I met my husband.  His dream is/was/always has been is to fly.  But even more than that.  To fly a plane that he built from scratch.  From nothing to a beautiful, amazing, wonderful flying machine.  He started on the 1st one before I met him.  Imagine me finding out that this man I was falling in love with was building an airplane in his garage!  30 years later this seems normal to me...but then?  Crazy!  Then for the next 5 or 6 years adding my blood, sweat and tears to the project.  Yes...I could be a "Rosie the Riveter" because I definitely learned how and became very good at that.  But we were still young, had very young children and definitely more bills at the end of each month than money.  The plane was absolutely stunningly beautiful. It was a single seater so I never got to fly in it.  We couldn't keep it.  We couldn't afford the insurance/fuel/hanger fees.  We sold it.  Heartbreak.  Started another one...sold it unfinished.  Another one came to us partially built...a little more work...sold it too.  Then in 1994 we started this one.  It began as a partnership...where he provided the labor and the other provided the financing.  Perfect?  At first.  But the partner wanted the plane done NOW and my husband doesn't do anything fast.  He is a perfectionist.  Years went by and the partnership soured.  I could write a book on all the interruptions we had in the building.  There were whole years where nothing got done.  Life in all it's messiness interrupted time and time again.  Kids, grandkids, parents, sickness, strains of marriage...all contributed.  But...kids grow up.  Children become adults and take care of their own.  Parents die.  Marriages are dissolved.  Marriages are healed.  A few years ago building began again in earnest.  Our goal was to be done by June of last year.  Considering all our other goals...we missed it by 6 months...not bad!  The airplane flew on Saturday!   Beautiful, shiny, perfect!  And it's a two seater.  Eventually I will be a passenger in this very special airplane.  As well as my sons, my grandchildren and maybe even some of my daughter-in-laws.  The memories that will be made are made for a lifetime.  The joy on my husbands face is priceless.  And because God is so good...we will keep this one.  He has provided us with the means to be able to afford to keep this one.  And I think I would sacrifice anything to be able to keep this one.  And now that it's done...the dream of where to go and what to see...begins!