There is something about birthdays...

That make you think of all the wonderful things about the person you're celebrating.
Today is my Dad's birthday. Naturally I have been reflecting on all that he has taught me, and all the things I will teach my children because of him. I have always believed that your father is one of the most influential individuals you will ever have in your life. Or that you will never have in your life.

I want my children to love and respect me, the way that my siblings and I love and respect my Dad. I married a man who is very much like my father (irritatingly so on occasion) and it is the best decision I have ever made. My Dad gave me an example of what a man should be, and I found one because I knew what I was looking for. I will bring my children up, to be persons of honor, respect, purity, humility, integrity, and character. My children will be given an example, through my husband and I, of what my Dad has been for me.

Today I feel as if I have taken advantage of who my Dad is. Not appreciated him the way I should have my whole life. Not everyone is so blessed to have such an awesome Dad. I cannot make up the years he has not been honored as he should, but there are so many more to come.
Except now we call him Boss.

Happy birthday Dad.

Let the blogging begin.

Well, this is my blog.

The purpose for it I suppose, is to give people an option to read the updates about my life. I will consider it a public journal of sorts.

To kick it off, I'll start with some back round info.

I am one of five, (occasionally seven) a HUGE fan of books, a lover of most things edible, a pedicure enthusiast, and I have the rare but awesome ability to burn water.

On December 5, 2009 I married the hunkiest, most amazing, faulty man I know.

On January 12, 2010 our world was quite literally rocked when a 7.0 earthquake hit Port Au Prince, Haiti, just 60 miles south of St Marc where we live. It was a long year. 

Since then, we have placed the victims in tent cities and are in the process of building Homes Of Hope, with help from teams coming from all over the world. The victims receive the home for free, but then buy the land the home sits on from Youth With A Mission. So far, this has been hugely successful and the people are so proud to have a place they own. It's working to break a victim mentality and to show that things are not just handed out, but must be worked for. The work ethic in that community has changed and we expect the next generation to be different because of it.

One year and twenty days after our wedding day, we received the best Christmas gift in the world. Kari Isabel was born at 1:18 in the afternoon, weighing 8 lbs, 4 oz, and measuring 20.5 inches long. I never knew someone so small, and only able to communicate with grunts and screams could be so captivating. She is quickly working her baby magic (no, not the lotion) and worming her way into everyone's heart and she has no idea.

I suppose that will be the end for today.