Congratulations to Christie on passing her first Tae Kwon Do test and achieving her Yellow Belt! Dawn and I were able to make it up for the test - though we'll likely wait a few years and next attend her Black Belt exam, as four hours is simply too long for one of these things ;o).

Regardless of the length, Christie did a wonderful job and we are proud of her! It REALLY makes me want to get back to our karate school in Arlington and continue our Black Belt training. And who know, now that Dawn and I are moving 1/2 hour closer to Arlington, perhaps we'll be able to make it to class a couple times a month.

So congratulations to Christie on a job very well done and keep up the great work!

Posted on: Saturday, May 01, 2004

We just got back from Dawn's Dr. appt. . . .

Come the end of September, we'll be having a Baby BOY Paradise! :o)
Posted on: Thursday, April 29, 2004

Perspective:

Let me first say that no life is more important than the next. I value all human life, but there are those among us that are real heroes.

Today, in South Afghanistan, an American hero fell. His name was Pat Tillman. Most of you probably don't know who that is, but I do. He was a member of the US Army Rangers. He fought for 12 months in Iraq, and then went on to Afghanistan, where today, he made the ultimate sacrifice.

There are almost 600 Americans who have done the same since last year, but this story is a little different. Pat Tillman was a professional football player, he was a safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. In 2002, his contract expired, and he was offered a 3 year deal worth 3.6 million dollars, including 1 million dollars up front, to re-sign with the team. Pat had other plans.

That same spring, his younger brother joined the US Army. Pat consulted with his family, and decided to pass up nearly 4 million dollars, and join his brother. He was actually CRITICIZED by the media for passing up such a fortune to serve his country. He never gave a single interview, never made any fan-fare, never accepted any accolades. He simply wanted to serve his country beside his brother. The media camped out at the base where he did basic training, trying to get him to talk. He never did. He wanted to be treated like any other of his brothers and sisters in arms.

He got his wish. He trained, and volunteered immediately to serve in Iraq. He never came home again.

As a father, I can only hope to raise a son with this kind of a value system. I have been going through a big transition lately, trying to find my way. Today, I have a renewed sense of direction. I am not saying I want to sacrifice my sons for the good of our great nation, but I want to raise them to have the kind of heart, loyalty, courage and selflessness that Mr. Tillman has shown.

I did not know him personally, but I feel a definite bond. I was lucky enough, along with my brother Frank, to serve my country at war and live to tell about it. Pat Tillman wasn't as lucky.

To Mom and Dad, I know that this family has had it's share of ups and downs.
I know that Dad is struggling with many demons in his heart. But I can only say this: You have 3 sons, and one son-in-law, that have followed your footsteps in service to our country. None of us had to pay the price with our lives, but we were all willing to do so. As a father, I can only hope to be so lucky.

To my brothers (including Anthony), I am proud of you. Proud of your service, proud of your sacrifice, proud that we have the same blood flowing through our veins. I am now, have always been, and always will be proud to call you brother.

To my sons, who are far too young to understand: I love you, you are the light of my life. I want to watch you grow into men, see you raise your families, and have grandchildren of your own someday. I also want you to have the strength of conviction to fight for what you feel is right and just. This can be done in many ways, a doctor, a lawyer, a street-sweeper, a Congressman, a police officer, a soldier, they all fight for what they believe in one way or another. I want you to grow up to be what ever makes you happy, but I also want you to have the inner strength, the humility, the resolve to understand that there are some things in life bigger than us all.
Pat Tillman understood that, I understand that, your grandfather, great-grandfathers, great-uncles, and uncles all understood that. I pray I teach you the same.

I love you all,

~John
Posted on: Friday, April 23, 2004

Today is John's birthday!!!
Happy Birthday, John!

 I AM NOT EVEN GOING TO SAY shhhh (31)

I WILL NOT ACCEPT THAT MY YOUNGEST SON IS 31 . . . THIS IS JUST A REALLY BAD DREAM . . .

BUT, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE REALLY OLD!!!

 Happy Birthday

William!  have fun and enjoy.  We love you!  Hope school and everything else are going well.

 PAT . . . MAY TODAY BE ONLY A SHORT PAST WITH A LONG FUTURE AHEAD . . .

THIS IS WHY WE GOT MARRIED  . . . . I KNEW YOU WOULD FORGET HALF OF WHAT I SAID . . . .

Mom and I met 40 years ago Sunday. We married 35 years ago today. Mom has forgotten at least 10 anniversaries . . . probably more . . . It is supposed to be the husband who messes them up.

So, to the kids without whom our lives would be less fulfilled, . . .

To the grandkids we are doing our best to spoil . . . .

To a wife who, when grandma Crawford was alive called "the Bobbsey Twins"because we were almost always together, in spirit if not side by side, (Most of you will probably have to look on Google to see who they are.)

To a wife who has laughed with me as we finished each others thoughts and/or words . . . or for that matter, just laughs with me . . . (Okay, at me as well.) . . .

To a wife who has steadfastly stood at my side, not just when we were without challenge, but every time SHE KNEW I needed her most, whether I knew or not . . .

To a wife who struggled to make a home and happy life for six kids who she (we) said our sole purpose in raising them was to know if something ever happened to us, each would be able to face the world with confidence and an attitude of "THERE IS NOTHING OUT THERE I CAN'T DO!!!) . . . and each can . . .

And to not only my wife and partner, not just here and now, but forever and ever . . . the only woman in the world I could ever say is hands down, my VERY best friend. . . .

May everyone reading this post, family or not, find a soul mate who is so much a part of you that whether you are holding hands together or 25,000 miles apart, you remain one in the universe around you as we do, with nothing separating us in mind and spirit, only time and space  . . .

To my wife . . . I an SO happy you took a chance on me, blemishes and all . . . you stood by when needed and gave a little shove when needed, (Okay, sometimes a REALLY hard push.) and let us evolve into who we are . . . two as one . . .

Not recalling the number of year we have been together is nothing compared to knowing we will always be together, throughout time, two as one  . . .

Pat, you are, and without hesitation I say, will always be . . .

MLLB

 oh geeezzz..

You guys get so hung up on dates...59/60...30/35...it's not the years the count, but what you do in them...(whew....got out of that one!)

 Ummm...am I not counting right?

I thought this was 35 years?

 Happy Anniversary!

 30 years....wow

As I was standing there next to Dad 30 years ago, I knew I loved him, I knew I wanted to spend my life with him and raise a family with him. I knew it would be exciting, full of work, but with lots of good times and love. What I didn't fully understand was how much our love would grow and change over the course of the next 30 years.

Today, it is SO much bigger, the depth is so much deeper and the friendship is so much broader. He truly is my very best friend.

We have been through all the words of the vows, the richer and poorer, the sickness and health etc, but still it doesn't matter...as long as we are doing whatever it is together, then the world is right.

Thank you, my husband, for making my life the envy of many woman and for always being there for me. I love you more than you can know (but you do..:) )

 Just trying this to see if it works....

This should be posting a link to the Kohl's Cares site where you can vote for my school to get $500,000.  Please go vote!

 Some Corrections To Frankie's Post

I have just posted a revision of Frankie's original post. Most of the things changed were typographical and grammar. I did make some changes that more accurately describe what Frankie has himself said to me.

In my last post I think my views are clear.

 For Those Of You Who Have No Clue About My Last 8 Months

I am going to lay it all out for all to know why my attitude is not right towards other family member right now so here goes:

 I didn't know...

I knew most of what you described - but not the extent!  Goodness gracious!

I love reading this post though - it's awesome to "hear" the passion you have for your family.  Truly awesome. 

I have this image of you in my mind from back when we were in middle/highschool... and to juxtapose that image with the image you paint of yourself in recent years is... well, it's cool.

Certainly makes me wish we lived closer to you guys - I really believe my boys are missing out by not having a relationship with their Aunt, Uncle & cousin! (although JJ still talks about all 3 of you)

We certainly need to see what we can to plan a trip to Colorado!