Funnies

Brandon says that I am the only one who finds this funny.  Which is ok.  The last part of the video is the best.  We were at the Baptism of my cousins daughter, Lilly, when out in the hall my brother Brian showed me one of the new games he plays with his son, Lincoln.  I enjoy watching my brothers hair and ears get pulled, along with the occasional eye gouging.  I think the reason I find it funny is it is happening to my brother.  Does that make me a good sister???

Prayers of a Young Woman

Well, Jill-a-palooza has come and gone. What is Jill-a-palooza you ask? It's my birthday month. I celebrate all month long. I gave it this name a few years ago when a co-worker was teasing me about being taken out for lunch for my birthday, three weeks after my birthday. Have you noticed that as you become an adult, having a party with all your friends becomes less likely? So, I get to have lots of mini-parties or lunch and dinner dates with my girlfriends. With kids, work and our hectic schedules, it works out for us to sometimes push the date out a bit. So that has led to my birthday month. (I think my co-worker was just jealous that I have such amazing friends! ha ha ha)

My birthday often falls over the LDS General Conference weekend. Laura who was turning 12 in April had never been to conference. I was able to get some tickets for the Sunday afternoon session. We were both excited to be going. We left our home about two hours early, leaving plenty of time to get to SLC, park and get in our seats. We were on the freeway and almost out of the Ogden area, when we came to a complete stop on the freeway. After 10 minutes, I turn the car off. There we sat. Both sides of the freeway had been shut down and the cars around us had turned off their engines as well. People were out of their cars talking and trying to get a better view of what was going on. My heart sank. Not just because of the accident but because I knew how important it was to Laura to attend conference. We decided to offer a prayer. Laura asked me to say it, and after praying for those involved in the accident we asked that the Lord to somehow make it possible for us to be able to attend conference. Laura got on my kindle and began reading some fairytale out loud to distract us, one we had never heard of....they were weird!!

While Laura was reading I kept praying in my heart. I glanced in my rear view mirror and noticed many cars backing up and literally turning around on the shoulder and driving the wrong way down the freeway. Maybe I could do this? Maybe if I back tracked, I could get off the freeway and get us to SLC, a different way. I realized that I didn't know what would happen if I turned around and tried to back track and go "my way", I might get lost or even get a ticket, or maybe worse. I did know, that the road I was on, even though we were not moving, led me straight to SLC and I knew it would get us to the conference center.  There was no doubt. I had a choice. I could do it my way and turn around or I could be patient and take the route I knew would get me there. We stayed on the freeway and continued to wait patiently.

Soon, we began to move. We were on our way!!! I felt the urge to speed, to get us there fast so that we might be able to attend the session. Through my mind the thought, "It will all be ok", was repeated. I felt that it was important to obey the speed limit, to be an example not just with the law but to trust in our prayer. After all, It would all be ok. Right? We got to SLC, found parking rather fast and began the speed walk of our life to the conference center. Typically, there are huge lines to get in. But when we got there, there were none. We walked up with a small group to the door.  I knew there was a good chance that we would not get in.  But I did know that "everything would be ok". We were five people away from security when the woman stopped us and said they had to do a count to see how many more of us could go in. I felt Laura's heart sink with mine. The volunteer helped to pass the time by telling us trivia about Temple Square and the Conference Center. I can't really tell you what was said. Neither can Laura. Come to find out, we were both praying quietly and fervently that we would get in. It never once crossed my mind to try to use the fact that it was my birthday as a way to get in or that Laura's was coming up, or the fact that I had a missionary badge on. I stood there, with my arm around Laura, and waited.  As patiently as I could. Both of us praying silently in our hearts. I knew it would be ok. I knew that did not necessarily mean we would attend conference but that we could wander the grounds and still learn and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Regardless of attending the session, I knew things would be ok.

We were the last two admitted into the Conference Center. The prayers of a faithful young woman were heard and answered that day.  She was the real example. This was a special day one that included a tender mercy from the Lord.  I always have the option to turn around.  To take control of my life, my will and my agency and do things my way.  I didn't know then and never will know, where the road will lead me when I decide to do things my way.  I do know that if I am patient, turn my will and my agency over to a loving Heavenly Father, I will get there.  As I pace  myself and follow the laws that have been set by Him and by the land, things will be ok.  I will return home to him one day.  I know this because I have been shown the exact route to take to get there.  Sometimes, I try it my way and when I find myself off course, I know how to get back on course.  I know to lean on my Brother and access his sacrifice of the atonement that I can just as quickly get back on the right route as I got off it.  That the peace and joy will come rushing back into my life as I do so, that it will be ok.   I will be ok.

My camera died before we got to SLC...but we got some pictures on the freeway and when we got to my mom's. My brother Brian thought he would be funny and be in the pictures....I asked him to take one of our outfits, which he did. I should have been more specific and requested our faces be in the picture too. I wanted a picture of Laura's hair, Brian missed the part about it being Laura's hair, and got in the picture too. Luke gave a gift that day. It was all the money he had in an envelope that said, "Happy Birthday to you! Hay!". That is how he sings the birthday song. He is a thoughtful boy.

I am blessed to be the step-mom to to these amazing kids.  I am grateful that my Father sees fit to teach me constantly and to put righteous examples, like Laura, in my life.  This birthday, was by far the best.  Not because of a party or a gift but because I got to be taught by the Lord.  I got to be in attendance with my beautiful step-daughter at General Conference and here the Prophet and Apostles speak.  I felt the spirit and got to draw closer to my Father in Heaven and His Son. 


 

Time Flys

Time is flying like crazy!!  I have been so busy but I feel like I can't say with what!  We have been having a fun couple of months.  I've been organizing and throwing stuff out like crazy.  We have enjoyed being with friends and family and having fun with the ones we love....This post is just a little one to show some of the stuff we have been up to!

I got to make my new little BFF Mak her birthday cake!!  Mike and Angie moved here with their darling Mak last summer.  Mike and Paul served in Iraq in the Army together.  Angie and I became friends when they moved here.  I'm forever grateful for Mike and Paul's service and sacrifice.  I'm known for saying that if you want to see what a real man is like, look at the men who serve our country.  Mike and Paul are good examples.  I had a lot of fun doing the Minnie Mouse cake.  Mak got sick the actual day of her birthday and had to cancel her party.  But you can't skip birthday cake on the actual day!!  So I got to make a second one for the party the following week.  Angie thought I was nuts, but I love doing it and it gives me a chance to practice more without having to eat the cake!!!  Liz and Laura were a big help in getting the cake ready.

I was recently called to be one of the Young Women's Camp Directors...Lilly and Laura have been having a lot of fun coming up with ideas for that as well with me. I'm not posting pictures as we don't want to ruin the surprise of what we are planning!

Hoppy Easter!!

We got to celebrate Easter multiple times this year! Brandon and his brothers have a tradition of going to the LDS General Priesthood Session of Conference together and afterwards go to dinner. With the men gone, the kids and I invited our aunts and cousins over to make "bunny cakes". MaCayla, my niece, had shown me a video on YouTube for these really cute bunny cakes. We had decided months ahead of time to do them. So everyone came over to our house to do so!! That morning, I was going up to Logan to help my brother clean his condo since he was moving out, the twins and my Mom went with me. Laura spent the morning and afternoon baking 15 cakes (yes you read that right)!! Granted, they weren't 9 inch cakes, they were a smaller size (not a whole lot smaller), but still it was a TUN of work....what an awesome girl!!! Each cousin was able to decorate their own cake!! Lilly had a friend over and so she and her friend, Laura and I made more frosting than we care to think about. The three girls ran the show and did a great job of helping the younger kids and making sure everyone had a good time.

On a side note, Liz and Luke worked their butts off at Paul's with me!! Liz even accidentally slammed her finger in the car door but never once complained, she got it bandaged up and went right back to cleaning with Grandma Connee and I. Luke was a huge help to Paul. We had a fun morning working together in Logan.

Anyways, we made a massive pot of Mac and Cheese, ate and then got down to the business of decorating. It was a lot of fun!! I am blessed with good family, this includes my "in-laws". Since there tends to be a negative connotation with that name, they are simply and truly, my family.



The kids were with their mom for Easter this year, so we celebrated with Grandma Connee the following weekend. Grandma Connee, Pookie, Brian, Andrea and Lincoln, came up to our house. We dyed eggs and had an Easter egg hunt. Andrea, my mom and I, have come to the conclusion that celebrating the week after a holiday is actually quite fantastic!! For starters, everything goes on sale. Big time! Wahoo!! And it is a lot less stressful. Brandon and I enjoyed our Easter at home and we had celebrated it the Saturday before with his family. We both noticed that by spreading it out a little, we got to really enjoy our time over the holiday. It made the time spent with our families more fun, less stressful.



Grandma Connee gave the kids water guns for when we go swimming. Pookie and Brian decided to teach the kids how to put their hands on the end where the water squirts out and push so that it makes a very annoying farting noise. Paul, Brian and Luke formed a boy band that they call, The Flatulent Fellows. UGH
 
Also, while dying eggs, I walked into the kitchen to see Laura's hand FULLY submerged in one of the cups of dye.  Stopping dead in my tracks I instantly look to Pookie.  "She is sacrificing for the sake of Egg Dying", he says.  Apparently, Paul asked Laura if she wanted to help make the best egg, ever.  Of course she agreed.  He asked what color she wouldn't mind her hand being for a while....she of course said orange.  "This is why you are my favorite" was Paul's response and so, he and Laura set out for the coolest egg ever, which apparently required the dying of one of her hands....which was an orange color for several days. While we had a wonderful Easter and enjoy the fun parts to holidays. Brandon and I are eternally grateful to our brother and Savior. For his ultimate sacrifice which allows us, such imperfect people, to return to him. Over the past couple of years, the atonement has become something new and more tender than either of us could imagine. All we can say to that is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is True! Amen!

Growth

For a long time now, my favorite flower has been tulips. I love them. I have always wanted to go down to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point, and I got to go for my first time when Brandon and I were dating. He took me last year and we plan to go this year. I love walking the grounds and seeing all the Tulips. The air is crisp and it just fills my heart with joy.

This year, with the move to our house, we have a yard and some flower beds. In October, Laura, Liz and I worked hard cleaning out the beds and planting tulips. I have never planted tulips before and was so excited. The tulips have started coming up and with spring here, I planted a few pansies for some color yesterday. My love for flowers and gardening started at a young age. I would work every summer for my Papa, taking care of his yard and the yards of my aunts and uncles. All the cousins did it. His yard was always beautiful and he took great pride in it. I can remember being ever so careful as we weeded to not step on the flowers. He was like the foreman and oversaw his grand kids as we worked. Some may see this as cheap labor...we did get paid. However, it was countless summers of teaching and lifetime experience. He taught us how to work. And how to work hard. After working hard in the yard all morning, he always went off for a round of golf with the "nooners" at the Davis Golf Course. He taught me to work hard and then play hard. He taught me the importance of friendships. He had many friends. He taught me the importance of growth and of learning from mistakes. I learned the power of the words "I'm sorry" and "I love you". He taught me the importance of being who you are and not hiding yourself. He loved the Lord and had a testimony greater than anyone I knew. He had his faults too. He smoked. So what? He still went to church he did not hide the fact that he smoked, he worked hard, he loved his family and took care of them. He was a good neighbor and friend. Men like him are rare. He wasn't perfect, he was an honest and upstanding man.

To this day, the best smell on this earth is the smell of dirt and concrete mixed with cigarette smoke. He worked in construction and started a cement company. His truck always smelled of dirt, cement and smoke. When I get the chance to ride around in one of those company trucks it makes my heart so happy. I smell my Papa.

Yesterday, as I planted Pansies, I thought of Papa. I still feel him with me. I have felt him in the worst times in my life. Loving me. Today, I went out to show Brandon my little garden and as I was thinking of my Papa, I started to think of something else close to my heart. The atonement. The girls we serve in our mission at the Women's Recovery Center and the men and women in the Addiction Recovery Program. Brandon's and my own recovery. I thought of growth.

My tulips are all growing at different rates. Some are in clumps, they were planted years before and have a stronger root. Others are taller and some are thicker. Some are barely coming peeking out of the ground. Some are exploding out of the ground reaching for the sun. My pansies add color, a smile, to the garden that is striving to grow and change from a bulb into a flower.

We are each at a different point in our growth, much like my tulips. Some of them have roots firmly planted in the ground from years of care and growth, much like some of us from years of learning and striving. Some are newly planted and striving to grow for the first time, one day at a time. Some of the tulips are in groups and others stand on their own. But they are all in the garden, together. Growing and striving to be the best tulip they can be. Some of my tulips may die. A deer might eat them, the wind blow them over, some kid may rip it out of the ground. Some might just give up. Maybe they just won't have the strength to grow as much as they would like. But they are out there, growing anyways. Trying. Despite what may happen. And next year, they will try again. As long as they have the nourishment they need, they will continue to try and grow every spring into my favorite flower.

My tulips are a lot like us. Some of us have our roots firmly planted from several years of hard work, service and recovery. Of coming unto our Savior despite our short comings and failures. No matter how broken we may have felt we were. Some of us may feel as though we have disappointed the Lord so much that we let him go rather than cling to him more than ever before. Some of us are newly planted in our faith. Still trying to overcome challenges and our own personal deamonds. We look up to the ones who went before us and are firmly planted in their faith and beliefs. Some of feel as though we are standing alone. Not knowing where to turn or who to trust. But if we step back, we can see that we are not alone. That there are groups of us striving and some of us alone as well. We are all in the same garden. Striving to grow and change and be better.

Much like the Tulip has the chance to grow each year with the proper nourishment. So do we. With the basics of prayer, scripture study and faith...no matter how small that faith may be, we can grow. Because of the atonement, we can continue to try and to grow. To fight our way through this life. And we don't have to do it alone. We are surrounded by others fighting just as hard to change and grow. We all will stumble and make mistakes but we all have the chance to change and grow again.

Today, I am grateful for growth. I am grateful for the atonement of my savior, Jesus Christ. I happened into the amazing experience of being a Service Missionary in the Addiction Recovery Program...the 12 Steps are the steps to the atonement. As I have been on this path, I have healed. I have watched others heal. I have witnessed marriages and families saved. I have seen the devastation of families falling apart but even those families are ok, because they have leaned on atonement with all they have, even with a divorce they heal from the pain of loved ones choices and are able to let it all go. I have watched women heal from their spouses addiction to pornography or drugs and to love themselves. I have watched men recover from pornography addiction. I have seen men and women fight their way out of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Weekly, I witness women fighting for their very lives and families. To come to their higher power and change. I thought that Brandon and I had so much to teach and help with, but we have been taught and helped. I have watched my husband heal from addiction and literally transform into a new and different man. Someone different from the night I met him, it's like night and day. Still with faults but with a different countenance and a desire to keep trying and a new approach to life. I have healed from things I never thought were possible. I was able to forgive myself and then see myself. As the Lord sees me. To love myself as the Lord loves me. It has been several years of work and growth, much like the tulips that have been in my garden for a while. I am no where near where I want to be, but that is the beauty of it all. I never will be. I get to grow, over and over through this life as I learn from my savior. I'm going to continue to make mistakes ad fall over and be weak but I always have a way to try again.

I'm grateful for this important life lesson and the new joy I have in gardening. Now as I think of my Papa, I think of the men and women I have served with and who have taught me. I think about my Savior and his sacrifice that I might continue to grow and make it through this life through him.

Cooking, chores and fun

I recently bought a deep fryer. I got my hands on a recipe for deep fried s'mores. I love s'mores. A lot. I was quite excited to try this out. The deep fried s'mores were and epic fail. They were gross, nothing like an actual s'more, and just down right disappointing. I'm now left with a min-deep fryer. Now what? Doughnuts!! Thanks to Pinterest, I found a recipe for Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Those were a complete success!! Seriously so yummy when saved overnight for a fantastic breakfast. Thankfully when I made them the kids were here so I didn't have to eat them all alone. Brandon and Lilly then had the idea to make fries with the fryer. Those too, were amazing. Only Brandon or Lilly can make them right. I tried but it did not work. I think Lilly and Brandon were making fries for all of us all weekend long!! Alas, the deep fryer has died. We haven't made doughnuts or fries since but the few times we made them were a lot of fun. Big thanks goes out to the person who gave me a gift card to Kohls where I bought the deep fryer on sale. It was awesome while it lasted!

Once Liz turned 8, she could participate in what is called Activity Days at church. She gets together with girls her age in their ward a couple of times a month and do activities together...hence the name! She recently had her first Daddy Daughter Date. It had a 50's theme, so she busted out my old poodle skirt from my competition days and Brandon did his best to throw together a 50's look. I have never seen a more excited girl. The weeks leading up that night she would talk often about it. When she came home from the date she was glowing. She gave me the low down...Dad CANNOT hula hoop. "It was funny" were her exact words. However, Dad did win the bubble gum blowing contest at their table and Dad pulled her around on this cart with wheels and a rope and apparently that was "so fun!!!". Liz also did the hula hoop, she is "much better than Dad".

Brandon started a part time job in Home Health. He really likes it. He is not away from us too often and it has been a huge blessing. We are very grateful. Something neat has come of it for the kids and Brandon. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, he sees a patient pretty early in the morning. Each morning he takes one of the kids with him. They stop for a drink and they ride with and even get to meet his patient. Maybe this doesn't seem neat or like a big deal, but to Brandon it is. I think to the kids it is too. Nothing miraculous happens, just a drink and drive with Dad.

Charlie has GROWN!! He is still a puppy but not the size of one! He is doing really good with learning his commands. He struggles when the kids are here because he is just so excited to have them around and he just wants to play with them. When they go back to their grandpa's he wanders to each of their rooms. At first I didn't notice til I watched him one day. It's like he is checking to see where they are. Then he sits at the back door with a look of "where did they go??". He also gets excited when company comes over. He is 99.9% house trained (knock on wood) so I cleaned all our carpets and couches. WAHOO!! I'm trying to enforce a 'No Shoe' rule...Brandon said "Good Luck with that..." We'll see how it goes.

Well, I'm loving Plain City. We have a fantastic ward and I have made some really neat friends. It's nice. It's nice to get to know these girls up here and feel included. It is a huge blessing for me. We had a girls night out...Luke wanted to know what we talked about at those....My lips are sealed shut. Ha! Today I am just so grateful for our new home, our new ward, our new friends. Life is quite the chaotic storm for us but right down the center runs a thread of peace and stillness that I love and cling to.

So there are some of our adventures. Brandon and I are getting super excited about this great weather...we are itching to go fishing!! Wahoo!!!



Last Friday, the kids were out of school and so they were at our house. Liz and Luke decided they wanted to get their chores done Friday so they didn't have any big chores to do on Saturday...Luke had the kitchen. Luke is such a smart boy. I love how he makes what could be boring tasks fun. Check out how he did our dishes and kept hydrated as well!!

A Husband and Father's point of view . . .

Social media provides for interesting opportunities. Tonight I choose to participate in this medium in a way that I never have before. Nope, this is not Jill blogging, this is Brandon, Jill's husband. All words to follow are mine. I alone am responsible for this entry. I believe this is my first entry in this little family blog. It may be the only entry I create. Tonight I wish to speak as a husband and a father.
My personal experience with social media allows me conclude that blogging, tweeting, facebooking, etc., can truly provide an appropriate and powerful medium to entertain, uplift, support, worship, bear testimony, and provide service (to name but a few). Unfortunately, I also feel these mediums far too often are used in a way that is superficial, hollow, and empty, where false, hateful, and unwise words, thoughts and opinions are used to create anger, confusion, and sadness. Social media is limited and imperfect. Tone, intent, and meaning often get lost, misunderstood and misinterpreted. Yet we are quick to cry, "It’s only entertainment". After my grandmother died, I received a portion of her journal writings. Written with a typewriter on nice stationary, I can feel her spirit each time I read her words. I sometimes wonder if similar writings provided in an online environment can as effectively capture the essence of one's soul. Maybe. The issue of cyberstalking in its various forms adds a worrisome element to our social media. I am the only one who has access to my grandmother's writings. But almost anyone anywhere may potentially have access to this blog. Sometimes, those who are mean-spirited use social media to gather data, twist and manipulate information for selfish gain. To say the very least, we often put ourselves at risk by participating in social media. Its a sign of our times.

Tonight I wish to direct my words to each one of you who have stumbled upon this little family blog. Whoever you are, welcome! I hope you understand that anyone who “steps foot” here is able go get a little glimpse of our family as presented by an angel.

You see, just over two years ago I met an angel. Seriously. At that particular time in my life, I was very literally at my lowest point. I won't elaborate on the specifics of what was going on at that time, but it is sufficient to say that in a very real way I was homeless, and soulless. I called my parent's couch home. Stripped of my identity, I stood in chaos. Character weaknesses in one hand, addiction in the other, I was introduced to Jill.

As part of the problem at this time of my life, I was trying to take upon myself the full weight of something that I did not truly own alone. I tried to own the fault, the blame, the dark cloud that seemed to hover over my family. In this, my extreme ignorance, God sent me an angel that would eventually help me see me for who I am.

I want to tell you about my angel. She has blond hair, beautiful eyes, shapely curves, and a smile that instantly pierced through my plight. She has the softest touch and offers the kindest words. She is funny and smart, quirky and talkative. When we met she knew I was a broke divorcee with 4 children. She knew of my character weaknesses and the addiction with which I tried to cover my flaws. She should have ran away. I wanted her to go away.

We first met at the invitation of my little sister. To be honest, it was nice to get off my parent’s couch for the night. That alone contributed to us going out a couple more times. But I felt the need to get away. I had to run because as I spent more time with her it became obvious that she, like me, was flawed also. Two screw-ups finding each other in the midst of chaos? It couldn't be. It shouldn't be. But somewhere along the way, on a path of fear and insecurity, my angel simply and honestly suggested something that has since become the foundation of our relationship: "Let's pray". Real words. Powerful words.

In spite of my fears and concerns, giving heed to those two words allowed for a friendship to develop, then a courtship, later a marriage. Shortly after our marriage, this blog came to be. The Sandall family blog with the silly title. Happily, eagerly, proudly, and humbly, Jill began to “shout from the rooftops” about our new little family. You have all witnessed much of it if you have spent any significant amount of time here. If you have paid attention, you have been able to recognize that Jill not only loves me, but she also loves my four children. Jill has graciously accepted the role of “step-mother”, with all the negative stereotypes and connotations this title often possesses. Always respectful of my children’s biological mother, Jill is called “Jill” as her heart and soul yearns to be called “mother”. Recognizing that our personal situation may never produce children of her own, Jill nevertheless has proudly, lovingly, appropriately, righteously, and excitedly put herself, me, and my children on display on this very blog.

I invite you to continue to take a look at this blog. Read Jill's entries. See my kids. I am proud of them. I am proud of her. Though I have made many mistakes in life, and will continue to do so, I am a very proud husband and father. I love my children. I love my wife. Where I fall short in expressing how I love being a parent, Jill shines. Where I lack personality, Jill provides laughter, silliness, and fun. Where I am shy, Jill, through her writings, does her best to describe experiences that we have as a family in a way that is open, honest, and appreciated. Where I sometimes forget to express words of kindness and love, Jill’s heart explodes with both throughout this blog. Simple yet effective expressions of love through writings and photographs posted here. She loves to post pictures. It sometimes drives me nuts how many pictures she takes. She is not a writer (neither am I). Her grammar isn’t the best, but she unapologetically expresses her love to me, my children, our God, and others, and then meekly asks me to go back and fix her grammatical errors.

My angel isn’t perfect. She makes mistakes. Hallelujah! She sleeps in too late. She’s often late to appointments. She gets pouty and often takes on way too many projects. She can be loud. She has offended people at times. She can talk and talk and talk and talk. But she is my angel. I sometimes listen to her breath as she sleeps at night just to feel of her wonderful spirit.

So here we are. Together. Married. A family. Maybe not the "ideal" nuclear family, but WE ARE A FAMILY. My relationship with Jill is based on prayer and faith. That is really all we have. We are broke. We donate plasma twice a week just to keep gas in the one vehicle we own. We try to pay the rent on time when we can, and we scrounge for change to buy a Coke when we can’t. Too often we borrow from parents and loved ones to keep the lights on, but in her honest, blunt way, Jill is constantly reminding me that she loves her life. She loves me. She loves our family. She absolutely adores our children even though she has to share them. She, in a very real way, took a chance on a broken man. We don’t stand a chance on our own, so with a “let’s pray” attitude, we invite God into our lives and try each day to follow Him. It’s hard at times. We often seem to struggle to figure out where the heck God is. But my angel is patient, so I can be too.

Some say, “reach for the stars”. Others claim that if such an attempt leads you only to the moon, than that’s pretty good too. For Jill and me, we reach for the sun, more specifically, the Son. Jill showed me her dependence on Him when she uttered the simple words, “let’s pray”. She recognizes that in her weakness she is nothing, and I choose to follow her hand in hand because of her faith that in the Lord’s strength all things are possible, including being my wife with all the mess that entails.

I post this entry this night because for a brief moment Jill shut down our blog because of some recent misguided comments about the entries and the hurt feelings it caused. Ignorance tried to clip the wings of my angel. As Jill’s husband, I will not let that happen! This is our blog. A blog about our family. A blog that helps put a little sparkle on me and my wonderful children, on my wonderful wife. A selfless act of my angel. There are no ulterior motives here, no hurtful words, no expressions of condemnation. I honor my wife in part this night by insisting that this blog stay put, open to our friends, family, and loved-ones. If you happen to be someone who is offended by what is here, then you are free to leave and I assure you your offense is a result of your own ignorance, not Jill's intent. If you are someone who would take her honest, kind, and loving words and try to manipulate them for selfish “gain”, to to attempt to tear down rather than build up, then please do it far from this little blog. Do it far from my family.
The only purpose that I see this blog serves is for Jill to lovingly and appropriately attempt to express love to me as her husband and to Lilly, Laura, Liz, and Luke, our children. She also expresses kindnesses to family and loved-ones. She expresses faith here and acknowledges our God and his infinite mercy. She has opinions and thoughts that she has a right to express here and as her husband, I fully support her efforts in spite of some of my personal opinions about social media.

I am a husband and a father. As such, the Lord has seen fit to also send me an angel to help me get through this thing called life. Jill you are my angel. If anyone, I mean anyone ever tries to clip your wings, you can be sure I will be right by your side following your wise counsel: “let’s pray”. I love you Jill, forever.