It really was a great end to a long day.  Amanda suggested that we go to dinner, and although we all were tired ALL FIVE of us were able to go eat together.  Scotty’s girlfriend Molly was not with us, but all three kids and Amanda and I made it a special time.

And of course as much as I enjoyed it, I could hear the clock ticking.  Steph has about a month left here and Scotty, although scheduled to leave for boot camp on December 10th, could go at any time.  In addition to this, I know that times like this are just a blessing as there are no guarantees that they will all be together like this again very often if it doesn’t happen like this occasionally over the next month.  2012 may be it for this, but in all honesty I have been preparing for it for years.

So tonight was nice, real nice.  Steph was the real trooper tonight as she had been with her friends in Bloomington all weekend and I imagine she did not sleep too much.  She was very tired and not hungry, yet she got up to go with us.

I will always appreciate these times.  I am certain they will not have the meaning that they have to me for them for quite a few more years.  But when I am long gone, I hope that they remember them fondly, and more than that, I hope they get the same joy that I have by spending time with their families.  And maybe then, they can share a story about their goofy old dad.  Good times!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+