My family

[pais]

   Good morning to everyone,
   Just got back to the cottage from the beach. I am a morning person and enjoy the sunrise at the beach. As I walked along I started thinking and before I knew it. I was feeling rather low, for being on vacay. Reality is that our oldest, Olivia will have graduated from high school this time next year. Alex our son will be headed for his junior year.
    Very well could be our last whole family vacay for awhile  . Over the years there have been times I've sighed and said to myself, man if we could just get away by ourselves.... We have and do make time for ourselves but, it's never permanent. Inching closer to permanent and I don't much care for it!
    I have enjoyed being a parent and still very much do! We have good kids and never once have they made me think, "why did we do this" (knocking on wood right now). Each day I feel less and less needed. Don't care much for that either! Over the years we've made a conscientious effort to raise them to be responsible, independent people. It's starting to show!
     This country we live in makes me want to keep them close and protect them. I know that is not right and don't want them to live that way.
     Gotta go guys. Thanx for listening.

[hubcapsc]

We have good kids

You are blessed. The future is bright, not dark.

-Mike

[Spirited-6]

Man, I read you loud and clear and agree with you. BUT, I did not follow your plan as such. I put work ahead of family, much to my sadness.  I now sit here thinking of all the times I have missed over the years. I guess I`m hoping all will stop and slow down the years that are coming so quick. There is NO BACK BOTTON. Love what you have and enjoy it be fore it has gone. BTW, I`80 years old so I have been there and back !    God, I wish I could back up a few years. .

[G-Man]

I hear ya, Brother!  Enjoy everyday!

[Wizzard]

My kids are grown and gone. Time flew by but we enjoyed it all. Took a family vacation every year and my kids all say it is their best memories.
Now the house is quiet, but every stage of life has its advantages. I can now roam the house in whatever I am wearing and my wife of 38 years and I can do what we want whenever we want. We both still work and probably will for a few years as we can save up maximum amount now that kids are all out of school and paid for.
We still take a random vacation with one of the kids every year but wow has time flown.
In short I love my God, my life, my family, my valk and even when I leave this earth I have a great promise to look forward too.

And no its not 30 virgins,, wow,, I would think I went to hell if I woke up to that. 

[Big Rig]

My two sons will be 11 and 12 in the next couple of weeks...I stopped traveling when they were born...

I try to spend as much time with  them as I can...at this age, they want to be with their friends...which is how we are raising them...but I will admit, I miss the crap out of them when they are not home...getting on my nerves, playing video games, reading books or just asking questions...

Going for a 4 day ride to the Dragon this weekend...wish they could sit in the saddle that long to come with me. I look forward to the day the can ride their own bikes with me.

Now, I have golf and fishing to keep them close without their friends...

I have several more years to go before college...and right now they are saying they do not want to live outside our house...deep down I know better...but I will take it right now!

Ride Safe

[Gryphon Rider]

My two sons will be 11 and 12 in the next couple of weeks...I stopped traveling when they were born...

Going for a 4 day ride to the Dragon this weekend...wish they could sit in the saddle that long to come with me.

You are sure they can't do it?  My 13-yr-old daughter did just as well on our trip to and from InZane this year as my wife would have.  We did 370, 400, and 500 mile days together.  My 10-year-old son just did a 230 mile day with me a week ago.  Just make sure they go to bed a little earlier than they usually do.  A hot tub or swim at the end of the day helps with that.

[Ramie]

Enjoy them while you can, I lost my 30 year old daughter 6 years ago and miss her everyday but know I will see her again.  I spent too much time working when I was younger and wish I could have some of that time back but now I spend as much time with my other daughter and son and grand kids as I can, even if it's just helping them with their yard work.  You can't help but worry about them but I put them in God's hands everyday.

[pais]

      Good morning everyone,
   Thanks for listening to me and the responses. I guess the biggest point to my post was, the kids are a great example of how time flies. My Mom knew what she spoke of! We were sitting on the beach last night. A few people were walking up and down the beach. Families came by with small children. All I could think was, that doesn't seem that long ago. Yet it feels like ions ago. Both kids in life jackets 2 & 4 chasing waves out and then running back to us screaming from the waves. I loved it then and I love it now. Just doesn't seem like I have a firm hold of things like I did 13yrs ago.
    I try to balance work and family as best that I can. They are both important! We have missed a couple family vacations for various reasons. I don't think Ive missed a football game of his and maybe 3 baseball games. Never missed a tennis match of her's. Once we decided to have kids. There was no place else I wanted to be! I still feel that way! Yesterday the 3 of us played golf together and it was wonderful. Mom stayed at the beach.   Daughter and wife love the beach. Son and I are done with it after 3 days tops. I explain to him about compromise and doing things for the people we love. Besides the women never complain when we run errands on the Valk or in the truck and disappear for hours on end. As pops would say, "it all comes out in the wash".
    Guys have been a good outlet for me with this. Its been weighing heavily on me for awhile now. Thanks! Wish I could have made it to IZ '15. Just wasn't in the cards. Anxious to meet you guys!
   

[The emperor has no clothes]

I hear what you are saying.  But there is is a silver lining not too far out in the future. When you have grandkids running around you are going to think " this is the greatest". 

[czuch]

I miss that little hand in mine as we walk across the parking lot.
Reading "Ferdinand the Bull" was her favorite. Now I have to find a copy for my Grandson.
I plan to enjoy the grandson to the utmost of my available time.
Maybe not having to pay for shoes, food and all the rest for 4 kids will make it easier..
Its not easy Pais, but you'll adapt fast,,,,,,,,,real fast.

[pais]

I hear what you are saying.  But there is is a silver lining not too far out in the future. When you have grandkids running around you are going to think " this is the greatest". 

     Meathead, I here this all the time from friends that have entered this stage of life. They all say it's great!

I miss that little hand in mine as we walk across the parking lot.
Reading "Ferdinand the Bull" was her favorite. Now I have to find a copy for my Grandson.
I plan to enjoy the grandson to the utmost of my available time.
Maybe not having to pay for shoes, food and all the rest for 4 kids will make it easier..
Its not easy Pais, but you'll adapt fast,,,,,,,,,real fast.

   czuch, you have no idea how much I miss when she would sing along to The Eagles "Take It To The Limit. Now she rolls her eyes when the Eagles are playing and doesn't believe she ever sang "that song". Or when he would come into the living room and practice/play his saxophone "for me".
   It's not easy no sir!
    Well vacation is just about over. The kids and I went down to the beach before sunrise to see if we could catch a glimpse of the sea turtles making there way back to the ocean. No such luck. I did enjoy a beautiful sunrise with our kids. Always trying to get them to see the simple things in life and enjoy nature's beauty.
    My best friend in life and his wife turned me on to a wonderful place off the Georgia coast, Jekyll Island. I came a couple times with the two of them starting in the early 80's and after that I made Jekyll my destination on a couple motorcycle trips. My wife and I have been coming down since '90. I can take or leave the ocean but the peacefulness and solitude that this island provides is incredible. It's like a step back in time. I have not been anywhere at the ocean that compares. No high rises(limited to 4 stories), very limited development. The state owns the island and limits development to 35%. There is no true oceanfront anything, dunes separate all buildings from the ocean. I could go on forever but, I describe it like this. There is only 1 pizza shop on the island and it stays open "late" on Fri. and Sat. nights 'til 9pm! if you are looking for nightlife and retail stores don't come here. If you want to relax and decompress give it a shot. It will do the trick!

[hubcapsc]

"The Beach" is so developed now... bleggh... It is wonderful to find
low-key quiet places...

Last summer Carolyn and I stayed at The Seaview Inn at Pawleys Island
in South Carolina... "the beach" and the waves there are awesome...







-Mike

[HurstRob]

Being a Dad was the best job I ever had and I loved it every day; and still do since they still need advice.
But and a big butt, we were so wrapped up being parents, that when the kids left we struggled to be husband and wife. It took some time, but we made it and its better than ever, and now we look forward to our family visits and equally to them leaving for their own house. Life is good and better since God now comes first.

[cookiedough]

Almost in same boat as Pais,  senior and freshmen in high school this coming year.  Both say they want to move to a bigger city far away which upsets me some, they don't much care for small town life like we as parents do.  They think small towns are boring,  we as parents find them peaceful and quiet and cheaper living as well.  Times have changed that is for sure in the younger generations.

College is coming up quickly as well, will be here sooner than I know it am sure. 

It will feel odd when both are gone for some time am sure, but that means more time to chase around the house the wife I guess?   

[vanagon40]

Our four kids got married in 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014.  Three grandchildren (3½ years, 1 year, 6 weeks).  One couple in Whitewater, WI, one just moved from Wisconsin to South Bend, IN, and the other two in Columbus, OH.  My wife and I are just south of Indianapolis where the kids grew up.

The whole family (including spouses and a dog) just spent three nights (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) in Logan, Ohio, about 30 minutes from Hocking Hills State Park.  On Sunday, they were talking about where we might go next year.  We started planning this late October, early November 2014.  It can be done.

[Wizzard]

Grandkids are my pride and joy. I thought when the kids moved out life would get boring, ,but nope,, grandkids are loads of fun.