Gulf Coast Family

Meet the Blank Family

Keeping a household with four children running smoothly can be quite a challenge, especially during the month of December - trust us, we know. However, our 2009 December family of the month has not just four, but seven kids and somehow they have a way of making it look easy. “We love the month of December and we love Christmas,” the Blank family told us. “In fact, many of our friends and neighbors have called us the ‘Griswald Family’ because we love to decorate so much. Each year we begin setting special displays up in our home in early November and then continue to decorate until everything is complete by Thanksgiving. Some of our best memories are the times we spent decorating for Christmas.”

Kirk and Brenda Blank both grew up in southwest Pennsylvania just outside of Pittsburgh. They went on their first date 22 years ago this December while at college, and they have been together ever since. Brenda and Kirk have been married for nearly 20 years now, and they have lived in Pinellas County for almost exactly half of that time.

Brenda and Kirk were blessed with four children - all boys. Then five years ago, they received an unexpected phone call that dramatically changed their family. Due to a death in the family, Brenda and Kirk were immediately given custody of two beautiful girls. At the time, they were 16 and 10 years old. So overnight, the Blank family grew from 6 to 8. And for the first time, Brenda and Kirk had to deal with daughters - and a teenage daughter at that!

This year has been another exciting year for the famiy. Not only did the Blank’s oldest daughter Jessica get married in March, but Kirk and Brenda were also blessed with their youngest son, Benjamin, in April. That’s right, not only does that mean that the Blanks now have 7 kids (plus a son-in-law), but that also means Brenda was 8 ½ months pregnant for the wedding! As Kirk told us multiple times, “Brenda is truly amazing!”

In closing, the Blank family has been selected as our December family of the month not for the size of their family, but for their amazing example, their spirit of joy, and for the family love they consistently demonstrate to those around them.

Meet the kids

Benjamin is 7 months old and is one of the cutiest babys that you’ve ever seen. He brings such joy to each member of the family.

Toby just turned 6 and his feet rarely touch the ground because he is always moving! He loves anything related to drawing or painting. He is currently a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Joshua is 11 and is adventurer in the family. You’ll find Josh carving wood, climbing trees, riding his bike or shooting his guns. He also has a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Andrew is 13 and is the helper in the family. He loves to pitch in and help out. He also loves to read and spend time with his best friend.

Bobbie Jo is 15 and she enjoys spending time with her friends and has a strong love for horses. You’ll always find her with her cell phone and most likely texting. She has been a tremendous help to her mom with the baby.

Ryan is 16 and is your typical teenager. He is very involved in music, writes all of his own songs and he plays the drums in a Christian band called “Winter’s Last Fall.” He also enjoys weightlifting and loves being the life of the party.

Jessica is the oldest and she is also married. Jessica and her husband Jeremy are expecting their first child early next year.

If you would like to recommend a family to be featured as the family of the month, send a photo and a description of what makes your family unique to articles@gulfcoastfamily.org.