Hoosier Daddy

Like the rest of the family, I have enjoyed reading everyone's posts over the past couple of weeks. It just further cements the close bond we share as a family. I have definitely taken advantage of that close bond over the past few years as I have lived with Grandma, Abe, Matt & Kelly, Tom & Jeanine, and John & Ann. In every home I was welcomed and felt like I belonged, rather than just a visitor.

Grandma housed me on a couple of different occasions as I tried to figure out what to do with my life. One stint saw me working at Old Navy, while the other had me spraying lawns and hanging Christmas lights. We enjoyed many competitive cribbage games (which I lost more than won), lots of Jeopardy, and plenty of meatloaf. Yum!

My time with Abe was possibly the best summer of my life. After completing audio engineering school in Arizona, I moved over to Chicago to intern at an audio post-production house and shacked up with Abe. When I wasn't "working" I spent much time playing music, going to concerts, eating great food, catching Cubs games, and just soaking up the city life. While it was a blast to spend a short time there, my small-town Montana roots were pulling me back.

I tried my luck out in Washington with Matt and Kelly for a few months. Will was just a little one then, so I had plenty of time to mold him into the great kid he is today. :) I tried finding some audio engineering work, but it just didn't pan out. Eventually I ended up back at Carroll and got my degree.

This landed me with a job in Billings and a temporary stay, that turned more permanent, at Tom and Jeanine's. I really enjoyed my time there and felt like the son they never had. (Unless you count Nate....) Jeanine and Shannon loved to bake sweets, and I loved to eat them, so it was a match made in heaven.

The following summer I shacked up with John and Ann while I worked in Helena. They were gracious hosts who just let me come and go. We had busy schedules, so we'd see each other in passing, but I really did enjoy my short time with them as well.

Now I am on my own in Billings, but soon to be living with Nate. I think it should be a great time and he may be a Griz fan before you know it! For those of you that don't know, I will be looking for a new job as I was let go from my other one. But even when I found that out, I wasn't really too stressed or worried because I knew things would work out, and I know that I have an awesome family to support me no matter what. Thank you all for your great personalities and everything you contribute to this great, and growing, family.