The End of 2009

So much has happened since the last blog. We knocked out all the cities on the Newsong CHRISTmas tour (18 cities in 20 days if I remember correctly). It was a real treat to get to know the Newsong fellas better. I have always been a huge fan of Russ Lee (the real deal on AND off the stage). I was honored to get to play in their set for a couple songs each night! Their road pastor "Bobby" was another highlight for me (one of those guys you just love being around any chance you get).

My family came to the next to last show in Pascagoula MS. I got to spend the whole day with the kids (and my wife as soon as she got off work). There's nothing like hitting your solos while catching the ear-to-ear grins of your kiddos on the front row (truly my favorite show on the tour). The one thing that broke my heart was strapping my kids in their car seats and hearing the question from my little girl: "Daddy, you're coming home with us too, right?" Holding back the tears I tried to explain that I had "one more show...and that's it…then Daddy's coming home!" Thankfully she understood what I was saying before her tears had time to really kick in. She gave me a huge hug and I assured her again that it was just "one more show". Oh the heartache!

Christmas was less than a week away when we got off the tour. I'd love to tell you that I ran everyday and hit the gym, but the truth was I enjoyed a more laid back position at the house with the family (bouncing from party to party…and sampling a few sweets…oops). I would love to give a shout out to the Dad's who stayed up 'till 2am putting decals on any "matchbox" style car garages and more. The garage had 72 stickers (not that I was counting). I'm not sure that my boy even noticed the stickers…but we're not throwing that thing away EVER! I know now why my Dad tried to convince me that "the real fighter planes (G.I. Joe) don't have any stickers…so don't you want it to look real?" But, because he loved me, he put all the stickers on anyway. I feel like I have been inducted (is there a trophy…badge…remote?). I don't know if I'll ever get tired of hearing my kids belt out "Angels we have heard on high" (especially when they sing the sax solo parts).

And with that we end 2009. I'll catch you next time with the first days of 2010 for "the Shirks".

- Joe