This last week we saw the start of Royal’s baseball and celebrated the rite of spring with hope unwarranted yet present again.

The news on the Real Estate side is also hopeful. Sales of resale homes are up, interest rates are holding on and new home sales are showing isolated better demand.

Our family focus continues to be on the treatment of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma by our oldest grandson. A regimen of chemo, familiar to some of you, has begun. The prognosis is good. Michael is 15 years old, lives in Papillion Nebraska. Our daughter Kathryn, son-in-law Matt, and two siblings, Emily, 17, and Oliver 8 months, have made the adjustment along with Michael to the state of uncertainty, concern and regimens appropriate.

In so many ways, the family and their community have reached out to them to offer financial and emotional support. A K State walk for life has dedicated a luminary; a corporate challenge at State Street Financial has recognized Michael.

Kathy said a soccer team who competed against Michael’s team over the years made a significant financial and card acknowledgement to them. She was not even aware they knew Michael much less of his personal challenge. She wondered if the tables were reversed would she and Michael’s team have responded in kind or realized how meaningful that gesture was to her, Michael and the rest of the family.

We know this; our strengths and our weaknesses are deeply moved by how we reach out to each other. Barb and I wish to thank those in the Kansas City area who initiated a prayer effort and the gift of a prayer shawl made and presented to Michael visibly reflecting the time given in prayer on his behalf.

So in turn we say to those of you who have family members or experience with this, we extend our prayer in your behalf in the belief that the process of prayer gives comfort and healing grace in time of need.

So hope is appropriate this spring. BLESSINGS are in great abundance throughout; the best to all of you and your families.

God bless our service men and women.

Spring is in full bloom!

Spring is in full bloom!

Laura, Todd and new son, Noah, on Jan. 28, 2010 make 14 grandchildren. All’s well and beautiful.

We hear from many of you that the job market still remains tough but our respect goes out to those who have taken on alternative and multiple jobs or those who have teamed up as a couple working long hours. Likewise, it’s impressive how many have saved to take advantage of the wonderful housing market right now. We all know it’s a buyer’s market and there are lots of showings.

What many are also discovering is it’s a good time to sell. Consider this; Interest rates are at a low point, buyers are plentiful, selling their homes, and looking for another – IN LARGE NO’S!

What happens to the equivalent cost of your home if interest rates go up 1% or 11/2%? You will still have good interest rates: but won’t you wish you had made the decision to sell before the rates went up?

Four of the 9 homes we sold in the last 6 weeks averaged days on the market of less than 15 days! 300, 200, 180 & $125,000. They were priced right, staged, painted, updated and spotless. These are the key fundamentals in this competitive market. If you are able and desire to make a change, we can help you succeed and achieve your dreams.

We laugh at the saying at our house “We have a quota of 2 moves per kid per lifetime” Well they keep it up. Andy and Amber moved to Monroe City, Mo, Sarah moved to her new home last week, Rachel and Tony moved in with us this winter and Rachel back out to Sarah’s. John is preparing to sell and buy and Sarah’s first home is listed. Help.

Thanks to all of you for the many referrals. Remember we can refer all your family, friends, and work associates to the top RE/MAX agents throughout the city, state and country.

God bless our service men and women.