It’s been a tough year for our family. I won’t detail all of it, but the Lord knows the waters we have been wading through.

I came home this week to spend some time with my family – specifically my parents, my grandfather, and my brother Matt. Indirectly, my birthday happens to be today. I’m usually not big on birthdays, so being away from friends and being home was no big thing. But, I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to receive countless amounts of emails from friends and family. It’s been a welcome change.

But, in all the hoopla about birthdays, today I celebrate my parents.

To my father:
The man who epitomizes strength of character, strength of will, determination, hard work, sacrifice, endurance, and devotion.

To my mother:
For all her never ending love, caring words, bottomless well of energy, ingenuity, business savvy, making the impossible possible, and good heart.

I am forever thankful for the two of them immensely. Two loving parents who raised five sons in the way of the Lord. Two loving parents who never wavered no matter how much stress us sons have put on them, or what troubles we drug them through. My parents are the anchors that have kept us rooted in home, family, love, unconditional love, and faith, all the while trying their best to live their lives as examples we can pattern ourselves after. They have instilled in us words of truth that will never be forgotten. And by their dedication to us, they have provided us shelter, safety, and kindness at our times of need.

Our lives are in no way perfect. But, through our trials comes joy. And today, I celebrate them both. Mom and Dad, I love you both.

They treat their kids like royalty. But, little do they know we consider them saints!

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Many of you already know that two weeks ago my grandmother, affectionately known as “Momma Lew”, passed away and is now at home with our Lord. As sad as it was for us, her going home was a bit of a joyous occasion. She was no longer in pain, and the love that she shared with us all will always live on with us.

On a few occasions, I tend to write hokey poems. As I said at her memorial, I get older but my poems stay the same age. This poem is dedicated to my bubbly, always happy grandmother, Momma Lew.

My Grandmother

My grandmother was famous for her cooking
She was famous for her charm
She’d bake you up some brownies
And she let you run into her arms

My grandmother could play the piano
And she could run a tight ship
On holiday’s she’d have us all sing carols
And read scripture from the Bible, all without any lip.

My grandmother loved fishing
She loved to be outside
She taught me how to hook a worm
And she taught me to appreciate the sunshine

My grandmother could tell a story
All real and good ones too
She’d tell you about treasures and ghosts
And talk about pirates who’d appear out of the blue

My grandmother lived the life
A wife, a mother, and grand kids
She loved her family with all her heart
But her true feelings she never hid.

I’ve always loved my grandmother
It seemed like she was always there
Birthdays, proms, and graduations
One person, with a smile, who seemed to be everywhere

If there’s one thing I’d want you to know about my grandmother
It’s that she was always the happiest person in the room
Her giggly spirit, her loving laughs, and honest wit
Would always brighten the darkest room

Now my grandmother’s in heaven
Dancing with family all that she can
She loved life, she loved her family
But mostly, she loved her man!

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Wes, Kari, Grace, and Abby came to visit this weekend. It was so much fun. They arrived on Friday and we were able to see some small parts of the town. We ate and listened to music on the green at the Promenade, visited Charlotte’s children’s library, ImagineOn, at at Pikes, went to Elevation Church, ate at the Penguin, the Roasting Company, and enjoyed our last meal together this morning at Krispy Kreme.

The girls are so wonderful to be around. They are always so happy, cheerful, and incredibly endearing. (Continue reading…)

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Here are some of my favorite pictures from this fall. These are just a handfull of the bazillion photos we took of Grace and Abby in DC and Beaufort. These girls are so much fun to be around. Great medicine!

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Thanks to JibJab for helping me make this wonderful movie.

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Last weekend, Grace and I took a stroll to the park. I snapped this photo along the way.

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