A Four generational reach

While in Alaska recently our latest (17?) great granchild Rowan Alley was born. His parents Janelle and Derek (Marla and Jim) invited us in the birthing room about 45 minutes after he was born. It was a special moment as Rowan grasped both Carol and my fingers. It was also an emotional moment because our hearts were so full of the blessings of family since we had already experienced a wedding of Carly (Marty and Nikki) to Jed and many other family times. In this picture you can see Rowan, his mother Janelle's hand and Carol and my fingers. Only person not seen in this four generations was Marla who took the picture.


It is only fair since I blogged the gross picture of Carol's eye just after the doctor put steroids into the center of her eye. This is my gross forehead as I am on a treatment to get rid of a bunch of pre-cancer spots on my forehead, face and arms. The special cream I apply daily basically burns the skin off layer after layer for four weeks. And yes! it hurts.
Carol and I are basically in good health but seem to require a lot of maintenance.

Thankfulness

I seldom feel like adding to this blog unless I have a photo which adds the proverbial "thousand words".
I am at a loss for many pictures of the last three weeks from my camera that will do that . Most of you know that for over two weeks we were in Alaska. I can't imagine how many photos, both professional and amateur were taken of the events of those days.
We had a wedding of a granddaughter, a couple of showers, a birthday celebration , an actual birth of a great grandson, an engagement of a grandson and a retirement party for us. for those of you who are connected to our family on facebook, many of these photos of these events have been uploaded there. There were all kinds of other family events, potlucks, dinners out and in. We came

(Picture: Grandmother and mother of the bride)

back exhilerated/exhausted! I did a couple of different pictures, if only for pictures sake. Scott and Mason on a huge rock on the beach at Clam Gulch and a different photo of Carol and I with our great grandson Rowan Alley. We saw him when he was less than an hour old and he tightly held both of our fingers. A generational reach and touch that can't be beat.

I want to thank all who made this one of the most moving times of our lives. These included: All the Alaskans who provided hospitality. The professional photography of Kara and Jeremy. Jim's taking of the video at our retirement party and Jeremy's labor of love in making it into a DVD. Scott's helpful presence in many situations, the Van Diests for the use of their vehicles. I could go on, but most of all we thank our God for the blessing and permancy of a family that is founded on the Rock of Christ.