How About Some Pictures?!

On Easter Sunday 2011 we went out strawberry picking with Grandma and Uncle Bobby to the Porter Farms strawberry field. For $8 you get a bucket o' berries! Yummy, yum.






Samantha and TJ all dressed up for dad's birthday dinner at Bellini's - our favorite make-a-big-deal/not-a-chain restaurant. These two make an awesome pair of siblings. He adores her and she loves him to pieces.





Lisa, Sam, and Grant pose for a picture! Look who's a happy baby! Look who's a happy mommy! Looks who's a happy big sis! With 13 years between Sam and Grant, when Grant is Sam's age now, Sam will be finishing her Master's degree.





Grant's first solid food on Easter Sunday 2011. He definitely liked the idea since he always followed mommy's fork from her plate to her mouth. Grant might be a messy eater - but he was ready! While mom got to feed him first, dad gets to feed him often.





This picture is funny. It would be funnier if Grant were crying and TJ was looking for relief! Or maybe the look means, "Whoa, this baby is h-e-a-v-y." TJ is a great big brother and "protector" of his baby brother. When we all get home from work/school TJ asks, "And how was Grant's day?" Precious.




I'm all suited up with my parachute at Green Ramp, Pope Airfield, Fort Bragg, NC for a jump out at Normandy Drop Zone. Lisa and the boys got to come down and see me get my gear on and the drove out to see the plane go over head as I completed my ninth jump.

Mark This Day

My sons,

Since before you have been born this country has been ever vigilant against terrorism since the attacks on this country in 2001.

You father has been a part of this "Global War on Terror" for over nine years, rising through the ranks and going farther in the Army Reserves than I ever thought I would. Soldiers never ask for a fight, but will embrace it once it comes to us. I deployed and spent time away from you, your sister, and your mom because I needed to be a Soldier as well as a father and husband. Perhaps one day you will understand what I mean.

Today we learned that the man and mastermind behind the attacks of September 11, and many other attacks that killed many innocent people is dead. He died violently at the hands of our military and the world will not mourn his passing.

Across America we are breathing a sign of relief after nine years of fear, frustration, and anxiety and we are celebrating like at end of the Second World War. I wish I could tell you that with Osama Bin Laden's death that terrorism and terrorist acts died with him but that is foolish. Unfortunately, unlike the end of the Second War War, killing the leader does not promise the end of the conflict. I hope for a world where you can grow up not having to know this fear and anxiety or have to follow in my footsteps. My worry is that we will always be on that watchtower and that one day my turn will come to an end and yours will begin.

God bless America and God bless our men and women in uniform. I am very proud to be one of them as well as your dad.