I’m posting a few pictures today from last weekend’s massive Stanglin-Richardson family celebrations in Tulsa. Our “Little Middle,” Valerie, and her husband David are in the middle of some dramatic life transitions that are changing everything for all of us. The clock’s been ticking for a while now, but it feels like things are really ramping up now!
First, congratulations to Dave! Last Friday night he officially graduated from Tulsa University Law School and we were all there to holler and yell and shout his name when he received his diploma. Then it was off to the Richardsons’ Airbnb for a wonderful family dinner (I promise I’m making a Christmas tree ornament out of one of those cupcake toppers). David’s already been hired to work in the Tulsa County District Attorney’s office, where he’s interned for the past year or so. And they’re going to help him pass the bar at the end of July. The days of full-time school and two or three part-time jobs are over! Now, he just needs to study his lips off and pass the bar!
Which is not going to be easy when those twin boys are delivered in late June.
In case you forgot, Valerie is pregnant with our first grandchildren–twin boys!! The C-section delivery has been set for July 8, but everyone believes those little guys are going to demand an earlier exit. July 8 would mark 38-weeks, and I think most twins only make it to 35 or 36 weeks. So, we’re expecting these boys to be born before the end of June. And I’m trying to figure out how to retire in the next four weeks. My financial advisors, Carrie-Anne and Scottye Ratliff, both tell me it’s impossible.
The day after the graduation, we spent a lot of time at Val and Dave’s house, sorting through all the stuff that comes with having two babies at the same time–two car-seats, two high-chairs, two beds, two everything! I was charged with hanging bookshelves and pictures in the nursery while the rest of the crew organized closets and stored about 80-boxes of diapers (that should keep them about a week). I kept using the Texas-themed books to cover up the Arizona-themed books. Dave was born and raised in Phoenix–it’s weird. Carrie-Anne and I also installed the car-seat bases in the back seats of both their cars. Two bases in each car. Can you imagine?
On the Sunday afternoon following Dave’s graduation, the Jenks Church, where Val and Dave are plugged in to a wonderful faith community, threw a really nice babies shower for the boys. While the girls were at the shower, Dave’s dad, Dave, treated all the guys to an afternoon of gripping and ripping at Top Golf. And when it was all over, we gathered for a huge feast together at Los Cabos, their favorite Tex-Mex place on the Tulsa Riverwalk.
Everything’s changing for Val and Dave. They’re graduating law school, quitting three jobs, starting another job, having twins, and studying for the Oklahoma bar exam–all in about a four or five week period. Oh, and their landlord has informed them that he is selling the house they’re renting, so they’re going to have to move next spring.
It’s encouraging to know that they have a tremendous support system in place with their great friends at the Jenks Church. That group of Christians has been so good to Val and Dave. We must have had a dozen people tell us Sunday that they’re already fighting over who gets to hold those babies during church. It’s comforting to know that they’re in a place school-wise and job-wise so they can do this thing together, at home, at the same time. Mostly. And it’s wonderful to be able to rest in the knowledge that our gracious Lord has them right where he wants them, providing and protecting these four, and blessing and transforming them in divine and beautiful ways during all the transitions.
Peace,
Allan
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