Bob said, "I guess you won't need me any more."

He took me fishing or hunting most Saturdays. The last time I saw him was the day I introduced him to my mom's fiancé. I've never forgotten him.

Bob was my Big. A Big is a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters. You've probably heard of them.

He included me in his normal activities. It was special for me, but probably not too much trouble for him. He was going fishing anyway.

I qualified for the program because I didn't have a dad in my life. My dad died when I was little.

You can learn about mentoring at the BBBSA website: http://www.bbbs.org

God bless,
Dadofmykids

All the way to school this morning, the kids were abuzz about St. Patrick's Day.

"Are leprechauns real?"

"How would you know if a leprechaun comes in the classroom?"

"Do they really have gold?"

"Is it okay to poke someone who isn't wearing green today?"  (Poke, not pinch).

I am trying to remember more of their questions.

At one point, Kk informed Asher that he was confusing leprechauns with elves.

Then, it occurred to me, he was describing the WWE character "Hornswoggle".  As you can see from the picture, Hornswoggle is a leprechaun.  

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

God Bless,

Dadofmykids
 

--
Andy Brasfield

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

Dates don't usually mean much to me.

I lasted most of the day without any fallout.  But during supper, I drifted off to the land where dreams happen while you're awake.  When Jill called me back from there, I realized I had been bitten by the memory bug.  It's been four years ago today.

I was remembering how my oldest brother drove to our house the night Georgia died.  He was simply there for me.  He said some cool stuff that night.  But what he said is not what I remember most.  I mostly remember him being there to hold me up emotionally.  And I needed to be held up.

You could say I am guilty of staying here in my own little world most of the time.  Not that my world is so little, but I try to stay here anyway, with my lovely wife (eye-candy-Jilly), our kids, my co-workers, clients and friends.  In other words, I don't talk to my "extended" family as much as I should.  That included my brothers.

Scott, you're my brother.  Thank you for being there for me that night.  I love you.  I hope to talk with you on the phone this week.

Dates don't usually mean much to me, but this day is hard to forget.

God Bless,
Dadofmykids

 

--
Andy Brasfield

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

A true American Hero

A little-known tribute some Navy SEALs gave to a fallen comrade is gaining notice.

Petty Officer Michael A. Monsoor was killed in battle in Iraq in September 2006, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in April.

His funeral in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego was attended by “nearly every SEAL on the West Coast,” President Bush said.

During the service, as Monsoor's coffin was taken from the hearse to the gravesite, Navy SEALs lined up in two columns. As the coffin passed, video shows each SEAL slapping down the gold Trident from his uniform and deeply embedding it in Monsoor's wooden coffin.

The slaps were reportedly heard across the cemetery.

The symbolic display moved many, included Bush, who during his speech in April's Medal of Honor ceremony spoke about the incident.

"The procession went on nearly half an hour," Bush said. "And when it was all over, the simple wooden coffin had become a gold-plated memorial to a hero who will never be forgotten.”

Monsoor — described as an "outgoing guy" by his grandfather, George Monsoor, Sr. — was killed on Sept. 29, 2006. He had been assigned to protect fellow SEALs on a rooftop in Ramadi, Iraq, when a fierce firefight with insurgents broke out. During the battle, a grenade bounced off Monsoor’s chest and landed on the roof.

Faced with the choice to save his comrades or save himself, Monsoor threw himself on the grenade, absorbing the impact.

(Copied from Fox News)

Confirmed by Snopes and by TruthorFiction.

Click here for video on YouTube.

--
Andy Brasfield
Southeastern Laser

Phone 865-235-1DAD (1323)
Office 865-675-5900

PS. Do you know anyone who would like to save 25-50% on their office printing expenses? Visit www.southeasternlaser.com/printercartridges to learn more about compatible printer cartridges and managed print solutions.

southeasternlaser.com
Matthew 10:40

Love letter to my Valentine

Jilly,

It drives me crazy when you do stuff like in the picture here. Crazy good. You are beautiful, and you keep getting better.

You have probably already thought about this being our 22nd V-Day together. That just amazes me. We've been so blessed. Love like ours is a life long journey, not a destination. Look at how much we have to look forward to.

I love you more than ever. Let the honeymoon continue.

Your Valentine,

Andy

XOXOXOXOXOXO (this is where Levi says "awww")

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO (and this is where Tilley says "Get a room!")

XOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO (and this is where I say "OK")

Attn parents of Farragut Primary students:

When there are no adults working the Village Green drop-off, don't leave your children there alone.

This actually happened to two children this morning while the rest of us were making the U-turn to take our kids to the front of the school.

I called the school office from my cell and got a half concerned answer. I realize it's not the school's fault.

Parents, if it means you will be late to work for your kids to be safe, then be late.

God bless,
Dadofmykids

Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.

A Lay-off letter from an excellent boss.

Dear Employees: As the CEO of this organization, I have resigned myself to the fact that Barrack Obama is our President and that our taxes and government fees will increase in a BIG way. To compensate for these increases, our prices would have to increase by about 10%. But since we cannot increase our prices right now due to the dismal state of the economy, we will have to lay off sixty of our employees instead. This has really been bothering me since I believe we are family here and I didn't know how to choose who would have to go. So, this is what I did. I walked through our parking lots and found sixty 'Obama' bumper stickers on our employees' cars and have decided these folks will be the ones to let go. I can't think of a more fair way to approach this problem. They voted for change...... I gave it to them. I will see the rest of you at the annual company picnic. THE BOSS

--
Andy Brasfield
Southeastern Laser

Phone 865-235-1DAD (1323)
Office 865-675-5900

PS. Do you know anyone who would like to save 25-50% on their office printing expenses? Visit www.southeasternlaser.com/printercartridges to learn more about compatible printer cartridges and managed print solutions.

southeasternlaser.com
Matthew 10:40

Do You Know Anyone Who Can Help in Miami on Friday?

An orphanage in Haiti needs some help. See the forwarded message below.

If we find someone in Miami who could purchase the item, then we'll find a way to get the money to them as needed.

God Bless,

Dadofmykids.

--
Andy Brasfield

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

----- Forwarded Message ----

From: Tom Vanderwell <tvanderwell@sbcglobal.net>
To: Andy Brasfield <andybrasfield@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thu, January 28, 2010 11:33:40 AM
Subject: Do You Know Anyone Who Can Help in Miami on Friday?

Hi Andy,

We have an opportunity to help better equip God's Littlest Angels to help the relief workers in Haiti. But in order to accomplish it, I need two things:

1. Someone (or more than 1 person) who is willing to spend $150 to $200 in the Miami area to purchase an item that our team would like to take back with them on Saturday when they go back to Port Au Prince.
2. Someone who can deliver that to the Miami Airport (it will fit in a normal size car).

Do you know anyone who can help? Let me know if you do.

Thanks!

Tom Vanderwell

tvanderwell@sbcglobal.net

3056 Viewpoint St. , Jenison, MI 49428, USA

At least the kids had a good time. #WWE #RAW

I admit I enjoyed myself too.

Some of the highlights included Jerry The King Lawler's entrance, John Cena's tag team match, the fireworks and homemade signs about Lane Kiffin.

Here the kids are pictured in their wrestling gear.

If you really want to partake in the torture, go see the rest of the pictures on FB.

This night will be remembered for a long long time.

God Bless,
Dadofmykids.

This is the day our kids have been waiting for.

Gone are the days of Jerry The King Lawler and Randy Wild Man Savage. Our kids don't want to see those guys anyway.

They want to see John Cena, some huge dude called Big Show, and a company of others that I don't know. Lord willing, they will see them.

WWE Monday Night RAW is coming to KnoxVegas tonight. My MIL bought tickets for us all.  

The kids have been counting the days, literally. I am not joking. Every day for the last week or more, they have been asking how many more days till RAW. They are so excited. Posters are made. Clothes are being washed and set aside. This is probably one of the biggest events to hit the Brasfield Kid Calendar since...I am thinking...give me a second...I am trying to remember anything this huge...that's it...I can't think of anything bigger.

Please pray for Jilly and me as we venture into the unknown tonight.  

Maybe Jerry The King Lawler will be there as an announcer at ringside. That would be comforting.  

Jilly says she's taking something to read, so she doesn't get bored. She should take that sign we talked about so Charles Fritts would owe us twenty bucks. Or was it five bucks?

Tucker plans on buying something. Jilly made me promise I wouldn't buy her a shirt or anything like that. She's afraid someone will know she's been to a wrestling match. Wresting match. Is that what it is called?

Don't worry Jilly, I set the dvr to record it in case the camera man looks our way.

God bless,

Dadofmykids.

 

--
Andy Brasfield

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