Welcome to Elliott County, Kentucky. Welcome to the Skaggs Family Reunion.....it happened exactly how I had imagined. The deep, deep roots of this family reside in this small, Eastern Kentucky town. I have never been more proud and thankful for a close knit family as I was this past weekend. AND I feel doubly blessed as my in-laws share the same values with regard to the beauty & dynamic nature of a family. It works together almost so seamlessly that I forget not every family is this blessed. So, today, if you are reading this, give a little shout out to the Lord and thank Him for the family in you life. You don't know what you have, truly, until you're gone (or move to Colorado). The creek (or, crick, if you prefer) seen in this picture is where my sister Nancy was baptized by our Uncle Roger. I mean really people, who can say that? I'm so proud, you have no idea.





I've quit playing my guitar for the most part, but busted it out for the family reunion and baby did I play those G, C & D chords perfectly! Ok, so maybe I threw in an F or A minor, but bluegrass music is so forgiving. And I really just sat in the background and marveled at my cousins and Aunt Tricia. I think I take after her:




I just can't stop thinking about how much support Mike & I have been given to make this transition. Although I think dad is the first to say once we have those "red headed grandkids" it is necessary to head on back home. And I'm okay with that. And speaking of my dad, I have seen an incredible change in him in the past few years, espically since Nancy had Josie. Okay, so maybe it's more me, but nevertheless, his heart melts for those kids and I can just imagine he was the same way with me and my sisters. For years I struggled with his Love Language, as it was much, much different than mine. An for years I never appreciated him as a dad, yes, he was the provider, the guardian, the rock that held the family together; but I never REALLY took the time to see the inside. The guts, if you will. And my folks, does this man have some guts. At 65 he still works with his animals, why? Because he loves it. Why? Because he understands what it's like to hurt, when to let go, when to give a little love tap, and when to be quiet. The beauty of an animal is that it can't express wants/needs and you have to observe its actions to determine the problem. For example, here are two greyhounds, one, Gracie is 15 (the oldest greyhound dad has ever seen) and the other is Tika who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer (I saw the xray, not good). Both dogs need extra TLC and dad does what he can to make their life comfortable. He understands, but he can separate the emotions from the logical and when its time to put them down, he will do so with grace and peace. Reason # 551000000 I love my dad.




Mike is on his annual Baseball and Brews Tour. Pray that he returns safely. Spending time with the boys makes me miss my Huntington girls! But alas! Sarah is coming to vist in like a week from tomorrow. Have I mentioned I love visitors? Have I mentioned I love my family? Oh, and I miss my non-working husband. Anyone have any connections to the Park and Recreation field in Denver? Anyway. I'm continuing to eat it up here, loving it as usual. Really hard to leave home though, I cried....but it's just goodbye for now, not goodbye forever. I can just picture our house now at my favorite spot on the farm :) Ahhhhh the future holds endless possibilities. I truly enjoy blogging, and I hope that you enjoy reading about life in the Curry (Denver Curry) household.

Love wins. Love you.