roundcorners_IHB
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<img src="http://www.irvinecompany.com/assets/images/sidebar/PAC20-74b.jpg" alt="" />
We just had the most wonderful Holiday on the Irvine Ranch. It all started this morning, when I took out some of my best clients out for a round of golf to thank them for all their support and business despite the economic recession. My business and income actually grew 20% this year and my clients continue to stay loyal and their businesses are also thriving. I treated the wife and here three best friends to a full spa day at Burke Williams; I really wanted to pamper her for all the stress she has been under with the kids this year and thank her again for being such a strong emotional support as I grew the business.
<img src="http://www.irvinecompany.com/assets/images/sidebar/girlsatfountain_130.jpg" alt="" />
After golf I meet up with some friends for a late lunch at our usual haunt, Prego?s. We lingered and reminisced the conclusion of another year. These are life long buddies that I walked life with. These are brothers that will die for me, they know my life story inside and out and they were there when I needed them the most, many times in the heat of battle. They help heal some of my major life wounds and were there to celebrate the many victories. I am certainly fortunate to have this band of brothers.
After the late lunch, I swung by John Wayne to pick up my folks. We greeted each other warmly and drove next to pick up the kids. The kids were at the neighbors on a play date with the nanny. The kids were ecstatic to see grand-ma and grand-pa as they ran to greet them with gifts in tow. On the way home dad handed me a $20,000 receipt that they deposited in the kids educational IRA. I normally just give mom a big hug, but I just couldn?t help kissing her this time; that felt really good it?s been years since I did that.
<img src="https://www.villagesofirvine.com/assets/images/hdr_29.jpg" alt="" />
Driving up to the house in Shady Canyon we had a huge surprise as we noticed that the housekeepers had decorated the exterior with holiday decor. That really brought out the holiday cheer in everyone. As we step in the door, we instantly noticed the wonderful aroma of the catering party. The next few hours as more family members arrive, including the in-laws and siblings; we enjoyed the sunset views overlooking the canyons and city lights with hors d'oeuvre and champagne.
<img src="http://www.westernexposurebrochures.com/29watercress/images/29watercress.jpg" alt="" />
Dinner was exquisite; the caters did an excellent job. We went around the table and shared deeply what each of us were thankful for. Big brother held high his 10 year sobriety chip that he just picked up the past week. Mom and dad shared pictures and stories of their recent mission trip to Thailand where they help stop human trafficking and prostitution ring. The in-laws shared deeply from the heart as they confessed to the tough struggles they had this year in their marriage, but also the hope they both finally feel after several break troughs they had in counseling. The words of affirmation and encouragement were plentiful as more than a few of us were downtrodden by the economy and unemployment. The most powerful part of the evening was after dinner; I felt the urgency to help a cousin and his family who is out of work and behind in their mortgage. The wife and I agree to take a private/surprise collection, we chipped in $5,000; and handed them a check. They were speechless and broke down in tears with thankfulness.
After dinner the nannies got all the kids cleaned up and ready for bed; it certainly feels good to have the house full with love, laughter and joy. While putting my son to sleep with his usual bed time routines, he shared an idea inspired during dinner to help the orphans at Casa Hogar. Casa Hogar Sion is an orphanage that our church sponsors with routine short-term mission trips. He wants to give all away all his allowance for the remainder of the year; and wants to see if relatives would give monetarily to his cause in lieu of presents this year. I reaffirm him of his generosity any how proud I was of him.
<img src="http://www.villagesofirvine.com/assets/images/hdr_21.jpg" alt="" />
I found the wife among the remaining guests that lingered afterwards. There were miraculous relational breakthroughs that follow as we caught up with each other. Third Uncle thought it fitting to share with everyone a forgiveness letter he wrote to his long deceased grand father for pain, resentment and anger he still felt from years of physical and emotional abuse he experienced as a teenager. That broke the wall to cousins asking each other for forgiveness with similar family resentments. One uncle in tears finally stood up asked for the forgiveness of their daughter; he was always disappointed of her career choice and husband. He expressed how sorry he was and how proud he is of her; she was in shock and simply hugged her dad.
<img src="http://www.prweb.com/prfiles/2008/03/20/226838/familyWalk023.jpg" alt="" />
We ended the evening with a walk around the neighborhood; our family was invited to so many get-togethers around the block that we just couldn?t refuse. We introduced some family members who joined us; there were many other openly warm homes; all with welcoming smiles and holiday cheer. We ended up at the biggest house at the end of the cul-de-sac; where if straight out of It?s A Wonderful Life, we sang Aud Anxine among family and friends; among strangers and guests; among young and old; among Christians, Muslims and atheists.
<img src="http://www.irvinecompany.com/assets/images/sidebar/family_365.jpg" alt="" />
I am indeed blessed beyond measure. I live the perfect master planned life on the perfect master planned community. All is right with the world and I wouldn?t change a single thing, I couldn?t ask for anything more.
We just had the most wonderful Holiday on the Irvine Ranch. It all started this morning, when I took out some of my best clients out for a round of golf to thank them for all their support and business despite the economic recession. My business and income actually grew 20% this year and my clients continue to stay loyal and their businesses are also thriving. I treated the wife and here three best friends to a full spa day at Burke Williams; I really wanted to pamper her for all the stress she has been under with the kids this year and thank her again for being such a strong emotional support as I grew the business.
<img src="http://www.irvinecompany.com/assets/images/sidebar/girlsatfountain_130.jpg" alt="" />
After golf I meet up with some friends for a late lunch at our usual haunt, Prego?s. We lingered and reminisced the conclusion of another year. These are life long buddies that I walked life with. These are brothers that will die for me, they know my life story inside and out and they were there when I needed them the most, many times in the heat of battle. They help heal some of my major life wounds and were there to celebrate the many victories. I am certainly fortunate to have this band of brothers.
After the late lunch, I swung by John Wayne to pick up my folks. We greeted each other warmly and drove next to pick up the kids. The kids were at the neighbors on a play date with the nanny. The kids were ecstatic to see grand-ma and grand-pa as they ran to greet them with gifts in tow. On the way home dad handed me a $20,000 receipt that they deposited in the kids educational IRA. I normally just give mom a big hug, but I just couldn?t help kissing her this time; that felt really good it?s been years since I did that.
<img src="https://www.villagesofirvine.com/assets/images/hdr_29.jpg" alt="" />
Driving up to the house in Shady Canyon we had a huge surprise as we noticed that the housekeepers had decorated the exterior with holiday decor. That really brought out the holiday cheer in everyone. As we step in the door, we instantly noticed the wonderful aroma of the catering party. The next few hours as more family members arrive, including the in-laws and siblings; we enjoyed the sunset views overlooking the canyons and city lights with hors d'oeuvre and champagne.
<img src="http://www.westernexposurebrochures.com/29watercress/images/29watercress.jpg" alt="" />
Dinner was exquisite; the caters did an excellent job. We went around the table and shared deeply what each of us were thankful for. Big brother held high his 10 year sobriety chip that he just picked up the past week. Mom and dad shared pictures and stories of their recent mission trip to Thailand where they help stop human trafficking and prostitution ring. The in-laws shared deeply from the heart as they confessed to the tough struggles they had this year in their marriage, but also the hope they both finally feel after several break troughs they had in counseling. The words of affirmation and encouragement were plentiful as more than a few of us were downtrodden by the economy and unemployment. The most powerful part of the evening was after dinner; I felt the urgency to help a cousin and his family who is out of work and behind in their mortgage. The wife and I agree to take a private/surprise collection, we chipped in $5,000; and handed them a check. They were speechless and broke down in tears with thankfulness.
After dinner the nannies got all the kids cleaned up and ready for bed; it certainly feels good to have the house full with love, laughter and joy. While putting my son to sleep with his usual bed time routines, he shared an idea inspired during dinner to help the orphans at Casa Hogar. Casa Hogar Sion is an orphanage that our church sponsors with routine short-term mission trips. He wants to give all away all his allowance for the remainder of the year; and wants to see if relatives would give monetarily to his cause in lieu of presents this year. I reaffirm him of his generosity any how proud I was of him.
<img src="http://www.villagesofirvine.com/assets/images/hdr_21.jpg" alt="" />
I found the wife among the remaining guests that lingered afterwards. There were miraculous relational breakthroughs that follow as we caught up with each other. Third Uncle thought it fitting to share with everyone a forgiveness letter he wrote to his long deceased grand father for pain, resentment and anger he still felt from years of physical and emotional abuse he experienced as a teenager. That broke the wall to cousins asking each other for forgiveness with similar family resentments. One uncle in tears finally stood up asked for the forgiveness of their daughter; he was always disappointed of her career choice and husband. He expressed how sorry he was and how proud he is of her; she was in shock and simply hugged her dad.
<img src="http://www.prweb.com/prfiles/2008/03/20/226838/familyWalk023.jpg" alt="" />
We ended the evening with a walk around the neighborhood; our family was invited to so many get-togethers around the block that we just couldn?t refuse. We introduced some family members who joined us; there were many other openly warm homes; all with welcoming smiles and holiday cheer. We ended up at the biggest house at the end of the cul-de-sac; where if straight out of It?s A Wonderful Life, we sang Aud Anxine among family and friends; among strangers and guests; among young and old; among Christians, Muslims and atheists.
<img src="http://www.irvinecompany.com/assets/images/sidebar/family_365.jpg" alt="" />
I am indeed blessed beyond measure. I live the perfect master planned life on the perfect master planned community. All is right with the world and I wouldn?t change a single thing, I couldn?t ask for anything more.