A tribute to Jill's dad.

Jill put together this video tribute. It was excellent. See for yourself.

It's a fitting tribute to the man who gave us Jilly.

God bless,

Dadofmykids.

Thanksgiving 2009

To say it's been a crazy week would be an understatement.

My father in law passed away this week.  It's been tough, but there's still been some good times.  Jilly and Mickey, my mother in law, cooked the most amazing thanksgiving meal today.  The kids played outside some.  That's Riley and Asher wrestling on the trampoline, and Tucker wearing a wrestling hoody.  Tonight, Jilly opened her new board game based on the Twilight movie (pictured).  We played it together with Molly and some of the kids while sitting on the den floor.  Mitch called about the beef we're buying from him.  He offered us his largest one so we should get maybe 100 more pounds of meat this year.  Jilly and I have been working on a video tribute to her dad. 

Daniel got into some kind of altercation with a pit bull and ended up having surgery on his foot.  He's gonna be fine, no permanent injuries.  We went to see him at the hospital.  He should be discharged tomorrow.

Our friend Diana has arranged for the Patriot Guard to mobilize for Papaw's funeral.  The funeral will be this Saturday.  The Patriot Guard is a group of motorcyclists who go to funerals to help honor veterans.  They escort the funeral procession with American Flags on the backs of thier bikes. 

My heart goes out to our friend Mike who's brother passed away this morning.  We love you.

My parents are driving over from Memphis tomorrow.  It's always nice to see them.

We have tons of friends, both local and online.  You may be one of them.  Thank you for praying for us.  You are a huge encouragement.

Tough times, but we'll make it.  It isn't easy, but we'll stick together and help each other through.

Even in tough times, good times are still here. 

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody.

God Bless,
Dadofmykids.

 

--
Andy Brasfield

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me"  Mark 9:37  (NIV) 

I am thankful for my mother and MIL.

What a rich heritage I owe to these two ladies.

My mom raised me and three brothers, by herself for most of my childhood. She lives Christ in front of me. She preached some, too, but mostly lived. Whatever, she did, I ended knowing that I could be whatever I wanted to be.

My mother in law, "Mickey", raised me a wonderful wife. And now, we share a home. So she's helping with our kids, too.

Thanks to them both for making my life so much greater than average. I love them.

God bless,
Dadofmykids.

I am thankful for my Father in law.

Tonight, he is in the hospital.  I don't think he really knows what the doctor said about his condition.  That's today.  But there've been over 80 years leading up to this day.

During those 80+ years, he survived the depression by helping his mother fish for food, he picked blackberries, delivered milk, lied about his age to join the army, served in WWII, kept the hosiery mill running,  and fathered my Jilly.  Anybody can be a sperm donor, but it takes someone special to be a dad.  And Dad is exactly who he is to my Jilly.

He helped raise her to become my wife and the mother of my children.  I can't tell you how many times Jilly has told me that girls marry men who are like their fathers.  If she means I am like her Dad, then I take pride in that.  I hope to raise my girls to be as good of mothers as my Jilly.  Not just mothers, but whole women.

We usually call him Papaw, nowadays.  He lives with us since his heart bypass surgery.  I am thankful for him.

God bless,

Dadofmykids.

--
Andy Brasfield

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me"  Mark 9:37  (NIV) 

I am thankful for my job.

Sometimes, it's hard for me to believe it's been twenty years.  A lot has changed in the business and the industry.  But, thank the Lord, we're still here, doing what we do.

Obviously, the pay check is important.  I am thankful for that.  But, there is certainly more to a good job than the money.  Who I work with ranks high on my list, too.  We have a very strong and faithful team assembled here.  Most of our people have been here for years.  We have a couple of newbies too.  

Speaking of the people here, I am thankful for my partner, Jim.  We founded the company together when we were just kids...well, I was 21 years old.  It didn't take long to see that we were different and each brought our own talents to the business.  Partnerships often fail, but we have been blessed.

I know there are a lot people who wish they had a job right now.  This post is not meant to rub it in your face.  It is meant to express my genuine gratitude.  I hope it also encourages you to remain faithful, even if you are stuck in a bad job.  It will get better.

God bless,

Dadofmykids.

 

--
Andy Brasfield

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me"  Mark 9:37  (NIV) 

I am thankful for my children.

Needless to say, I have a lot to be thankful for.  

In the early years of marriage, we had many miscarriages.  We often cared for children of others, like Laken, Brooklyn, Danielle, Brittany and more.  Then, we started with foster care, which led to our full house.

Daniel
We some times refer to him as "Number One" because he is oldest.  I made lots of mistakes in my arrogance with him, but he always keeps his high  spirits and positive attitude.  

Sean
Such a good boy.  Easy going.  Laid back.  Everybody who meets him likes him.

Tucker
A sweet and loving boy.  Loves animals.  Is growing up too fast.

Riley
Always wants to please.  Likes to "rassle" on the trampoline.  Loves sports.

Tilley
The junior mom.  So smart and beautiful.  She looks like the perfect blend of Jilly and me.  Reminds me of her Mama Hardy.

Asher
A real gift from God.  He likes hugs and going to school.  Our friends at LensCrafters love him.

Kaymie
A pretty and smart computer whiz.  She can sing like Hannah Montana.  Loves cameras.

Levi
Aka "Bubba".  Aka "Leroy".  He has rhythm, and humor.  He can eat more spaghetti than me.

Georgia
She beat us all to Heaven.  What a sweet little baby.  She had the whole family wrapped around her little finger.  We only had her for three months, but what a wonderful time we had.

I am thankful for each of my children and pray they will all be blessed with such wonderful kids as mine.

God Bless,
Dadofmykids.

Giving thanks for my beautiful & caring wife.

Jilly.  I am so thankful for her.  She is beautiful inside and out.  Thoughtful.  Caring.  Loving.  Giving.  Smart.

Though she lives many days in pain, she makes life worth living for me and our kids.  She always puts the needs of others before her own needs.

Her loving, compassionate and mothering instincts draw people in.  Somehow she knows how to comfort the hurting, feed the hungry, laugh with the happy and straighten the crooked.  She lives to give.

Have you heard her laugh?

I know God had me in mind when he made her.  Thank you Lord for my Jilly.

I pray that my sons will be blessed with wives like her.

Jilly, I love you.

Dadofmykids
 

--
Andy Brasfield

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me"  Mark 9:37  (NIV) 

Thanksgiving Theme Tweets and Posts

Since Thanksgiving is just a week away, I want to express my thankfulness.  To do so, I will tweet or post at least once daily for a week about something or someone for which or whom I am thankful.

Yeah, yeah.  You think I am corny.  I don't care.  I didn't force you to read this.  I know a few will read the promised posts.  

Get ready.

God Bless.

Dadofmykids

--
Andy Brasfield

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me"  Mark 9:37  (NIV)