Ankles, grands, printers, business, mowers and "blankie".

Saturday August 24, 2013

We got in bed late last night - around 2 a.m.  Jill fell on the stairs and hurt her ankle. She was in severe pain, so we went to the emergency room for some entertainment. You know, hurry up and wait, endless questions, x-rays, shots and a TV remote that barely changed channels. Poor thing sprained her ankle. I love her.

Drake spent the night with us so morning came with the typical Saturday scene of Levi waking Drake and demonstrating his inability to use his inside voice. No sleeping in.

Our school room printer was down, waiting for new print heads which I had ordered. I brought a spare printer from work but some how broke it in transport. Drake kept pushing buttons and spinning motors saying he was fixing the printer. I was tearing it down to see if the problem was simply mechanical last night when Jill fell.  It remained in pieces this morning. I reassembled it with no improvement. We headed off to work to get the print heads and return the broke printer.

The kids like going to my business, especially on the weekends when no one is working. They can make all the noise they want without interrupting anything. But more importantly, I open the drink machine and let them each get one. They also got a snack. Levi pointed out his drawing hanging on my office door. Tucker played with the TVBA (Tennessee Veterans Business Association) coin on my desk. It's a cool souvenir that I toss or spin when I'm on the phone.

When we got home I installed the print head which fixed the printer. Then I scanned the nearby computer for malware. That's when the lack of sleep set in. I went to my room and took a nap beside Jill who was resting her foot (and maybe her eye lids too). Mickey and Tilley took charge of the littles.

The lawn mower tire was flat again. I've been threatening for years to replace the tires on our John Deere and today was the day, for one of them. The hardware store sells lawn mower tires but they only had one in the size I needed. Good thing too. Tucker and Riley helped me get the old tire off the rim but we could not get the new one on. I took it to Discount Tire where they finished the job even though they were closed and didn't even charge me. Nice guys.

Riley lost the retaining clip that holds the wheel on the mower. We took the clip off the other wheel so we would know what to get and went back to the hardware store. They were closed already. We had to go to Home Depot. They had the replacement clip for only 61 cents. We had the new tire secured on the mower in no time.

Riley got right on the mower and got started. I was looking out the window to see how the new tire looked when I noticed the mower was scalping the lawn.  The mowing deck was set on 1 - the lowest setting.

At bedtime we couldn't find Drake's blankie. He was upset but settled down quickly enough.  The next morning, we found it in the laundry.

It was another good day in The Brasfield Nation.

God bless,
Dadofmykids

Wedding vows renewed after 25 years. L

2013 June 27

Jill and I renewed our wedding vows in honor of our 25th anniversary
which was this past December.

Our friend Allen Ellsworth performed the ceremony, keeping it brief at
our request. It was beautiful and well worth the trip. We wanted to
renew our vows on the beach of Gulf Shores, Al. because we love it,
having vacationed here most of the past fifteen years.

Speaking of friends, this has been the absolute beat week because if
our friends and family. Allen and his wife Shelly, along with their
triplet girls came down from Chicagoland. Jennifer and Kimberly,
lifelong friends of Jill, came with us. Milissa and her boys came
over from Mississippi. My mom, dad, sister and her family came down.
We laughed a lot, played a couple games of chess and put together a
five hundred piece puzzle.

Our kids had a great time with each other, much like their parents.

Doc's was the favorite restaurant.

If you've achieved 25 or 50 years of marriage, I recommend renewing your vows.

Lost a long way from home.

We always teased them that they got lost on purpose.

After Youth Convention in St. Louis, Thanksgiving 1986, Jill and her
friend Jennifer headed back to Knoxville Tn. I went home to Memphis.
After I got home, Jill called me saying they were lost.

As the story goes, there is another Knoxville besides the one in
Tennessee. Being two inexperienced interstate travelers, they followed
the wrong road sign, toward Knoxville Iowa or somewhere. The wrong
turn landed them in - hold your breath - Memphis.

Andy to the rescue.

They spent the night at my house, under the close supervision of my parents.

My mom snapped this photo of us.

Sharing ipad with kids leads to sharing text messages too.

Asher sometimes comments on text messages between Jill and me.  As you might imagine, we significantly cut back on messages of a personal nature like, "Baby, I can't wait to (fill in the blank)".

Let me explain how this came to be.  When Jilly bought me this iPad. I set it up with enthusiasm.  I wanted to take advantage of all the cool features.  So I entered my Apple ID in the settings, plus my cell phone number.  At some point, I noticed that all text messages in my iphone were also on my iPad.  Since the iPad is good entertainement for kids of all ages, I let Asher and Levi play with it a lot.    So, if Jilly sent me a steamy love note, Asher might read it.  (PS. We don't think that actually happened.)

It took a couple tries and some help from google to figure out how to disconnect the texting on my iphone from my iPad.  Here's what we found (Jilly helped.):

• Go to Settings, Messages, and SIGN OUT of your apple ID account.  I completely removed all emails and everything from Messages.  That pretty much fixed the whole text message problem.
• Then, I strengthened the parental controls under Settings, General, Restrictions.  Turn Restrictions on.  Then disallow everything but Safari.  Now look down at Allow Content, reduce the settings for your family.
• Remember to go to Location Services and set to Don't allow changes. But don't turn off Find My iPhone.  That's very important in case someone misplaces your iPad.
• Check all the other settings under Privacy while you're in there.

Now, it's time for steamy texting with my lovely wife.

God bless,

Dadofmykids

What if we could save more children?

With all the pro-gun and anti-gun talk lately, I am reminded of how many different ideas there are here in the USA.  Smart people on both sides have strongly held opinions backed up by facts and reasoning.  Could it be that where you stand on the issues has more to do with where you started than with facts or reasoning?  I don't know about that, but I acknowledge that my opinions have certainly been influenced by living in the South, growing up in conservative churches, and by reading and studying the Bible.

It seemed that everybody was shocked by the mass shooting at Sandy Hook, and I suppose that is reasonable and expected.  Now Potus and his staff have embarked on a crusade for the safety of our children.  Potus even had children with him at the press conference where he announced his 23 step plan.  Who in the world doesn't care about children?

If we really care about children, there are some things we should consider:

• Tennessee alone has hundreds of children in foster care waiting - wishing and praying - for permanent families.
• Over 3,000 babies are aborted every day in the USA.

What are we doing for these children?  Somehow, we have become de-sensitized to these facts - to these kids.  There is only so much that we can do, right?  Sure, but what if God calls you to do something?  What if that something only saves one child?  What if that something can help save thousands or even millions of children?  Is that too big a goal?  Not if God is truly in it. 

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”   Matthew 19:26 


If you are in a difficult situation because you are unexpectedly pregnant, you have options.  I am sure it seems overwhelming right now.  That's normal and reasonable.  You will be okay.  You can talk to my wife and me, or someone else you trust.  You will be happy you carried the baby to a full term healthy delivery.  You can keep the baby or arrange an adoption. 


Are you childless?  Wonder if you would qualify for adoption?  Not sure you could afford an adoption?  Not sure you could love someone else's child as much as you love your own?  Ask someone.  If you would be open to considering adoption if the hurdles weren't to high for you to get over, then contact your local Department of Children's Services.  I know it's nerve racking, but a phone call or email is just that.  You are allowed to ask questions before obligating yourself to something you are not ready for.

Adoption - Aug. 18, 1999

What if more women chose to carry their babies rather than abort them?

What if more people learned about adoption?

What if God is calling you? 

Pray for our nation.  Pray for our children.  Pray for personal direction.  Then listen for an answer.

If Jill and I can do anything for you, please contact us.  We love you all.

God bless,
Dadofmykids

The Day the Brasfield Nation was Born.

"Wake up, Jill.  We're getting married today."

She didn't have a house phone, and it was the days before cell phones, so I headed to her house.

We were planning to get married by the Justice of the Peace on December 23, 1987.  I was scheduled off work at both of my jobs.  But, the 22nd was to be a busy pre-wedding day, with a job interview followed by three jobs.  I had applied for a management position with Eckerd Drugs, which would be more appropriate for a family man.  After the interview, I would go to my job as Santa in the mall, then to my next job as a shoe salesman, and finally don the suit again at 10:00pm for a paid gig at a company Christmas party.

One phone call on the morning of December 22 changed our plans.  The big job interview was postponed to the 23rd, at the same time we were planning to go before the JP.  The only option, if we were to keep our decision to be wed over the Christmas school break, was to rush to the courthouse right then.

Since she didn't have a phone, I drove to little house which she shared with her cousin.  It was the same house we affectionately called "The Love Shack",  so you know what I think of every time I hear that song by the B52's.

We quickly rounded up some of our closest friends, including Jennifer Morton (Perkins) and the Bounds family, and caravanned to the Knox County Courthouse where the Justice of the Peace performed a most excellent little ceremony for us, Mr. and Mrs. Brasfield.  The Brasfield Nation was born. 

I was late for work that day.  My boss thought I was telling one when I said I had just gotten married.  The ring on my hand helped convince her.

I can't believe that was 25 years ago today.  I hope the next 25 years are as great as these.

Jill, I love you.  You were made just for me. 

Andy

That's my boy!

I am often amused by how people will follow suttle suggestions, like
the line that formed outside the coliseum before the Billy Currington
concert.

We got there early. The doors weren't opened yet. A short line had
formed at the doors. Jill and I broke ranks and sat down down on a
bench-like concrete edging. As we waited comfortably, people rushed to
claim their place in line. The line followed the covered walkway. In
other words people were standing under the cover even though it was
neither rainy nor hot. It was amusing because there wasn't any real
need to form such a line.

On another evening, we took the kids downtown to Market Square for
dinner. Afterwards we wandered out on the Square to hang out. That's
when I saw a street magician setting up for a show. He began by
carefully placing a rope on the ground in the shape of a large letter
U. Then he positioned his paraphernalia top center of the U and people
instantly began to stand around the rope as though we had been
trained. Yes, I followed along this time.

After the magic show, we headed back to the van. Jill took the lead
and I took the rear. The kids filed along between us. I had Levi's
hand as we walked. Levi and I had a hard time keeping pace but I had
everybody in sight before me. We were spread out as we walked.

Suddenly a man approached Asher, who had distanced himself evenly
between us, not close to anyone. The man was talking to Asher but I
had no idea what he could have been saying.

I shouted, "Sir!" while trying to pick up speed against Levi's drag.

He didn't hear me.

"SIR!!" I knew he heard me this time. He continued at Asher's ear.

I didn't know what to say as we rushed along to catch up with them,
all the while not releasing Levi's hand. Jill was simultaneously
encouraging Asher to keep moving toward the van which was parked just
ahead of him now. I was worried what this strange man might do to
Asher. And I was very frustrated that he had ignored my "Sir!"s.

These words got the mans attention:
"THAT'S MY BOY!!"

With those words the man broke off from Asher and tried to explain to
me that he was innocently asking if my boy was going to the movies.

I've replayed that scene over and over in my mind. I am thankful it ended well.

And I am proud of "My Boy".

God bless,
Dadofmykids

Warning: Grandparent posts never-before-seen photos of Grandkids.

Meet Colten, the newest Brasfield.  

Father (Daniel) and son.

Mumzie and Colten.

Grandpa, Uncle Levi, Aunt Kk and Colten.

Aunt Tilley and Colten.

Grandpa and Colten, age 3 weeks.

As you can see, Colten is a precious gift from The Lord.  We are thankful that he is healthy and his mom and dad are well, too.

Here are a few photos of big brother, Drake.

Giving Drake a ride at the circus.

Daniel and Drake at the fall festival at church.

Drake uses The Chair as at the dinner table.


Here are some bonus photos for you.

Mumzie and Colten are content.

I took this from outside the window.



Colten, welcome to The Brasfield Nation.  
We love you very much.

Grandpa
(aka Dadofmykids)

Happy Memories of Baby Georgia

Today I want to share a few precious photos of Georgia Rose.  Today marks six years since she passed.

This first photo was taken the day we brought her home.  Jill wrapped her like a burrito in this home-made crochet blanket.  Who made the blanket?  I don't remember.  Doesn't she look sweet?

Homecoming was so exciting.  Here, Jilly shows off Georgia.  It was a great day for The Brasfield Nation.  We couldn't explain why Georgia brought us so much joy.  Maybe it was because we had come out of a dark period.  You can see the happiness on Jill's face.  There's not a mother on Earth that can take care of a baby better than my Jilly.

Look how little Levi was.  That's his Aunt Sandra holding his hand.  She rightfully wanted to keep him from touching too hard.

Here we are playing cards - probably Go Fish.  Or maybe it was Crazy Eights.  I like it better than Go Fish.  I think Jilly took this photo.  After Georgia died, I was thankful that we had held her so often.

This was also taken the first day.  A few days later, I shaved my beard because I thought my whiskers might be too rough on Georgia's face.  However, I quickly grew it back.

Today, I am able to see the happiness in memories of Georgia.  Other days, memories of her death over-ride.  Please say a prayer for Jilly and me, plus our whole family, today.

God Bless,
Dadofmykids

Thanksgiving, Elvis Style

Hello Memphis. The Brasfield Nation has invaded your city. We have all our kids together including our daughter in law and grandson. We are quite a force.

We drove most all day Wednesday then went out to eat with some of my kin. Asher and Levi asked about a million questions while I played an audio book by Cal Ripkin Jr. It all made the drive easier.

Today is thanksgiving and we went to my moms house. We got to see more family there including one of my brothers from Arkansas. We ate too much, as always. Now the leftovers are on the stove.

I took the youngsters down the street to the school playground and took some pictures. It's great to see little cousins getting acquainted and playing together. When we got back it was time for the annual exchange of Christmas tree ornaments. I got my first Grandpa ornament.

I have so much to be thankful for:

• I am thankful for God's grace and mercy. Grace is getting what I don't deserve. Mercy is not getting what I actually deserve.
• I am thankful for my amazingly talented, uniquely passionate, selflessly compassionate, terrifically beautiful and great smelling wife. Seriously.
• I am thankful for my children and my grandson. They are gifts from God. My quiver is full.
• I am thankful for all my friends and business associates. So many of you have come to my rescue in times of sorrow or need.
• I could go on and on. I am truly blessed.

We will be in Memphis for a few days to enjoy our family. Maybe I'll see some of y'all while we are here. Others I will see back in Knoxville or on the other side.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Dadofmykids