April 14, 2012

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams 6th President of the United States.
 

Howdy everyone! Hope that you have had a productive week and all went well for you. I am sending this early because I am scheduled to go the NASA Press Site at 3 am in the morning, and I know if I wait until I come home I will be completely wiped out. Sad time for most of the people that have and do work at the Center seeing the shuttles leave. The scheduled time for lift off here is at 7 am Tuesday morning. For those of you that live on the east coast from here to Washington D.C. keep your eyes out you just might see it. 
 

Took Dad to the wound center last Monday and all went well, can't figure it out...Lana takes him and she has to wait. I have been very lucky we get in and out without a hassle. I believe that this Monday when I take him the will do the skin graph, not sure but I think so.

Dad has been really down in the dumps lately, Lana & I can't seem to shake him of it. He is thinking about what will happen when he dies, and believe me that is not an easy thing to convince him about.

Was so pleased Jack sent me info on his life and I am going to share it.

I am the oldest son (62) but second in the line of seven siblings. I married Alison Rhoda Tucker RN (yes, another nurse in the clan!) on August 11, 1973 and we had four children; Rebecca Joy - May 24th 1976, Rachel Elizabeth - June 15th 1978, Daniel Caleb - May 28th 1980 and John Tucker - June 7th 1982. Alison died in an auto accident the day before Thanksgiving in 1996 after 23 years of marriage.

 The following year I met Heather Lee Jones; single, radio and TV background, and we married on April 18th 1998. Geordie Morton was born on April 28th 2000 and Lieghenna Joyce on January 15th 2004. Yes, I have six now, one LESS than my wonderful parents. I'm getting too old for anymore. :-)

I just retired last week after spending 23 years as an IT Exec at Ernst & Young LLP, a little global CPA Firm of 152,000 Partners and staff. I worked for 17 years before that at the Veeder Root manufacturing company in Hartford, CT also in IT. Next steps will include selling the current property and relocating out of VERY expensive (tax-wise) NJ. Looking at the Lexington, VA and Lincoln, NH areas. Can't talk the bride into going back to Maine!!

Rebecca married Christopher Erkelens from CA on July 12th 2008 and they have Alia Anisabel - July 15th 2009 and Claire Cecilia - Dec 7th 2010. They live in Southern California for part of the year and Baja, MX for the rest due to Chris's work responsibilities. Rebecca graduated from Northland University and spent time living in France, Belgium and Morrocco doing graduate work and teaching school.

Rachel married Ian McConnell from Philly on May 19th 2001 and they have Payson Andru - April 2nd 2003, Piper Joy - Sept 17th 2004 and Silas Owen - Sept 18th 2006. They live in Philadelphia, PA where Ian is pastor of Grace Bible Church. Rachel graduated from Bob Junes University with a major in youth counseling.

Daniel married Rebecca Anne Dillabauch from Indiana on May 20th 2005 and they have Abigail Faith - October 31st 2007 and Hannah Sophia - February 5th 2010. Elizabeth Grace is due June 1st, if all goes as planned. They live in Philadelphia, PA also where Dan is an assistant to Ian at Grace Bible Church and also works full time at an airplane specialty parts manufacturer. Dan graduated from Northland University in WI and Central Seminary East in Virginia Beach.

John married his high school sweetheart from Sellersville, PA Nicole Lee Mann on May 17th 2003 and they have Sean Tucker - August 14th 2004, Addisyn Grace - April 1st 2007, Sian Hope - October 19th 2009 and Sadie Nicole - April 24th 2011. John graduated from Clearwater Christian College, worked for Ernst & Young for a while and is now the Firm Controller at an hedge fund investment firm. They live in the Norristown, PA area and attend the same church in NE Philly as his siblings.

Here's hoping this was not too long to read but six children and 12 grandchildren do take a bit to cover when you're trying to fill in the blanks.

This is great! I think everyone should send me their info along with a picture is possible and I will pass one on each week...it would be great to get to know everyone after all we are family...come on now you can do it!

Judy & Greg went to Salem for Easter, and they are having a wonderful time with Eloise...and here she is with her Mom Jessica...
Dad loves those little fruit cups but I have been buying him fresh fruit and he loves it. Honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon to start with. Also we have a great vegetable stand here in MI, everything I buy there is great! So I have also started to take him a tomato once a week. He loves it.

I have an extremely busy week next week, not really looking forward to it. Lots of early mornings.

Diana and her family leave on Monday for Hawaii. Dan's sisters are going also. Dan had always wanted to go to Hawaii, guess you could say it was on his bucket list. So some of his ashes will be going also.

Brother-in-law David sent me some great bird pictures...but didn't put the name of the birds. Hopefully I will have them by next week to share. I tell you one thing I have at least two people in my family that can take some wonderful pictures!

I guess that is about it for this week, hope you have a wonderful week and all is well with you. Remember no one loves you like you do!

Lot's of Love,
a, aa ~g~