As The Old 1970's Sitcom Conveyed -- "Eight is Enough"

Since getting remarried last year, its been a bit surprising how many people have asked me if Kelley and I intend on having any children together.

Those of you who know our story are well aware that I am the father of four children from a previous marriage, and Kelley also has four children from a former marriage. Yep... that makes eight!

The photo accompanying today's writing was taken 8 months ago. It's of my four children -- who are all adults. From left to right are: Ashlin (age 24); Kyler (age 21); Jenna (age 26); and, Brian (age 19). We don't see each other near enough since between us we reside in three different states. However, they are always in my heart each day and I am constantly praying for them. Kelley has two adult children (ages 21 and 22) who have their own residences near us, and she also has two younger daughters, ages 11 and 14, who reside with us. So, six of our eight children are adults.

I'm 54 years of age and if there's one thing I know it's that posting the age of your wife in a blog is impolite. Therefore, I'll just say that Kelley is several years younger than I am. At this point in our lives, we don't intend on having more children. Of course, that's our plan... and God may have something else in mind (although we're in good communication with Him and we believe we're all on the same page!).

When I was a teenager, there was a popular television comedy-drama series that ran on ABC from 1977 until 1981 titled "Eight is Enough." The show centered on a Sacramento, California family with eight children. For those parents, eight was definitely enough. When it comes to Kelley's and my lives, we feel incredibly blessed by our children -- each of us having four children of our own as well as four step-children. I'll admit, I don't even think of the "step" portion of my "Step-Dad" title. I love Kelley's children as if they were my own, and I know that she feels the same about my children.

All of our children are excelling in their lives, and that makes Kelley and I very happy. It's wonderful to hear about their interests and pursuits, and we'll always be cheering them on. Our adult children are making decisions regarding jobs, advanced education, relocation, and more. They are blazing their paths in this world and we truly enjoy watching them handle whatever comes their way. It's important to Kelley and I that our children always know that they can call us if they ever need an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean on. We can't always solve every issue, and we'll never tell them what to do. However, as parents we want to see them succeed and we want them to be happy in life. If we can provide a bit of insight and/or wisdom based on our own life experiences, then we're glad to do that.

Being a parent is a constant joy. For us, perhaps it's not that eight is enough, but that eight is perfect!

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past

Growing as a Step Dad as my Step Daughters Are Growing Up

My two youngest step daughters, Hannah (14) and Kyndal (11), have grown so much recently. Looking back at the photos taken in 2018 at the wedding of Kelley and I show that the girls have grown a lot since then. They are beautiful, intelligent, fun young ladies and I am so blessed to be their Step Dad.

The three of us recently had our photo taken in a similar way as we did two years ago. The photos accompany this writing show just how much they've changed since 2017 -- and I can still hold them both with one on each arm! We might have to take a similar photo two years from now to see how they've changed in that time... and see if I can still hold them like this!

Being the father of my four adult children, I'm quite familiar with how kids grow through their infant, toddler, adolescent and teenage years. Height increases, weight increases, hair grows, teeth come in... come out... and come in again, and eventually puberty arrives. The first year of life is a time of amazing change during which babies grow 10 inches in length (on average) and triple their birth weights. However, I'm long past years of having children at that stage. The stage that I'm experiencing now with Hannah and Kyndal is that of approaching puberty -- which is usually between 8 to 13 years of age in girls and 10 to 15 years in boys. Puberty lasts about 2 to 5 years and during puberty an average boy or girl might grow four inches in a year -- twice the usual average! Generally, girls hit puberty earlier than boys, though some girls might lag behind their peers in breast development or getting their first period. All of this is usually normal. Depending upon when a child starts puberty, he or she could continue growing for several more years. Girls who start puberty late often continue growing into their late teens. Boys who start puberty late have been known to grow taller into their early 20s.

Interestingly, recent studies have shown that children are reaching puberty at a younger age than previous generations. Why? Some researchers believe that diet has something to do with it, pointing to better nutrition as being the definitive change in children over the past century -- good protein, vitamins and minerals.

I treasure this time that I have with Hannah and Kyndal. They've certainly grown a lot in the past two years, and not just physically. They're maturing in many ways and I want to savor these years of their pre-teen and teen lives. Life is about change... about growth... about moving toward, moving up, and eventually moving out. I'm going to hold on to these two girls with all of my heart and I will forever cherish these years of their lives. I'm still pretty new in my role as a "Step Dad," but I am blessed beyond measure to be able to grow as a Step Dad while my Step Daughters are growing up.

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past

I Love Being a "Dad" -- and Soon a "Step Dad" Too!

I'm two weeks away from watching my youngest child graduate from high school. As that time approaches, I've found myself thinking back over the past 25 years of parenthood. Having four children, ages 18, 20, 23 and 25, has me realizing that I am indeed every year, month, day and hour of 53 years of age. No, I don't "feel" that old, but I cannot deny that there is more sand that has slipped through life's hourglass than remains at the top. There are those who approach their mid-50's with dread -- digging in their heels to try and stay away from another birthday cake that burns like a torch. Not me! I'm embracing my 50's and have truly enjoyed being a parent for nearly half of my life.

For many years I wondered what life would become for me... a divorced father. Today, I am actually happier than I ever imagined I could be. I've been engaged to my beautiful fiancé, Kelley, since November 2016 and we'll be married soon. She too has four children, ages 10, 13, 20 and 21. So, between us we have 8 children, six of whom are adults. Just like the 1970's TV sitcom "Eight is Enough," eight is indeed enough... but eight is also great! Kelley and I have both been greatly blessed as parents in life.

I've been a "Dad" for 25 years, and soon I'll officially be a "Step-Dad." I can't wait! Following our wedding, Kelley, and her two youngest daughters, will be living with me in a new home recently purchased. In five short years one will be off to college, and in 8 years we'll have an empty nest. By then, I'll be 61 years of age and family gatherings of children and grandchildren will be so very special.

I'm so proud of all that my four children have accomplished so far on life's path. My eldest, Jenna, is an elementary teacher and volleyball coach. My daughter, Ashlin, is employed at a Neuropsychological practice. My eldest son, Kyler, is working towards his degree in audio production and engineering. And, my son Brian will be graduating from high school in two weeks and embarking on his adult life.

Yes, I'll soon be a Step Dad. It's one thing to fall in love with an amazing woman and want to spend the rest of life with her, but to also fall in love with her children is completely indescribable. Kelley's two eldest children are adults and I would describe my relationship with them as more of a "friend" than a "Step Dad" figure. However, when it comes to Kelley's two youngest daughters, I definitely am in the Step Dad role -- and I love it. There's not a pre-defined job description for the role of Step Dad and over the years I've aimed to be a friend, listener, encourager, example, and someone who is trustworthy and can be relied upon. Soon, Kelley and I will be married and my role as a step parent will be 24/7. It's important to me that my own children know that my becoming a Step Dad in no way takes away from my role of being their Dad. I will be both, and I plan to embrace both roles.

The sands in life's hourglass don't fall faster the older you get. However, as you realize that more sand is in the bottom of the hourglass than in the top, you find that moments are more precious and that life shouldn't be taken for granted. I'm blessed beyond measure at this point in my life, and am so thankful.

From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),

Paul J. Staso

_______________________________________

Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek

Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:

• United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
• Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
• Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
• Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
• The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
• Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
• Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
• Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
• Some Cycling Moments From The Past