Audrey turns 1!!

One year ago tomorrow, December 22, our family was forever changed by the birth of a beautiful child. Audrey Kate Parman has no idea of the lives she has already impacted. I can see it in the eyes of Vicki and Janis when they look at her. When I watch Reed and Joy take care of her, I can see how she has changed them. They both love her with that love that a parent discovers the minute a child is placed in their arms. God gave Audrey to us on my father's birthday. Had he lived, he would have been 66 years old when his first great grandchild was born. He would have been so very happy. Unfortunately he passed away in 2001, he never saw my sons get married, he never saw my daughter grow into an amazing young woman. There were so many things he was robbed of. Audrey's birth was a gift to our entire family. It seemed to lift a weight from our family and ushered in an era of new hope. I realize this probably sounds like the babbling of a grandfather blinded by love and I am sure it is. I had know idea i could ever love another human being the way I love Audrey. I remember instantly loving Quinn and Reed and Kelsey, it seemed natural, it was easy. I thought I would never feel that way again. I was so wrong. I hope that one day when she is feeling down, she might run across this blog and know how much she is loved, and how much she changed the world, or at least our world. Audrey Kate, you have a whole bunch of people that love and adore you. We have all been praying for you since we knew you were on the way and we believe that God has a very special plan for your life. Your Papa loves you today and always!

Thanksgiving 2009

Today has been a wonderful day. I am such a blessed man! I got to run a 6K race with two of my children, enjoy our annual family football game and then an amazing lunch with the family. We had one of the best Thanksgiving days that I can remember. This year has not been an easy one for our country and we have certainly struggled more than I ever thought we would. In the midst of all this, God has taught me so many lessons. He has reinforced the things that are really important; family, good friends, the grace and love of God and how important it is that we show that to others around us. I have always thought that financial gain is not a bad goal, so long as I didn't place too much importance on it. This year I have determined that money is a goal that returns very little happiness. I am sure that those who are rich will stop reading about now, but we spend so much time trying to reach financial goals, that we miss some important things along the way. This is not an anti-money blog, by any means. The goal of my business is to make money, and the more we make, the more successful we consider ourselves. However, this year has taught me that it is just as easy to be thankful and happy when times are challenging. Today, I watched my granddaughter walk, I saw the smile on my nephew's face when he caught a touchdown pass in a football game he has looked forward to all year, I watched family sit around and talk, and enjoy each other's company. Today I experienced joy, and it cost me nothing, but meant everything!! Real success is not exotic trips to faraway places, but is found in the simple things of life. May God help us all to learn this lesson on a daily basis!

Happy Thanksgiving!! Blessings to all!!

Some Days Are Not Fun

This morning I had to fire an employee. I have rarely fired anyone in over 30 years in business. You see, i believe that a job is something held in high esteem. In this, or any economy I have always understood that to have a job is pretty important. I have never had to search, or interview for a job in my life. I have been managing people since I was 16, but i never took for granted that a job was a right or a guarantee. I still feel like I have to prove myself everyday and i guess that will never change. I know so many people today that are struggling to get by because due to no fault of their own they are un- or under employed. When someone has a perfectly good job and refuses to take care of it, it really bothers me, particularly when it is in the company that God has allowed me to oversee. Even in the midst of firing this person, I was trying to give her the opportunity to give me a reason to allow her to stay especially at this time of year. What did she do, she gave me attitude and told me her personal life was none of my business, which I completely agree with.... until her personal life affects my business. Needless to say, it did not end well for her, even though I don't think she cared at all. Words of wisdom.. take care of your job, respect it, and it will take care of you. I hope my friends who are searching for jobs find good employment soon. To those who don't like their job, think their boss is a jerk, and can't wait to find another job...be careful what you ask for.

Blessings,

Fritz