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) 

Beale Street (and some other stuff) on my mind.

Friday night we're gonna be walking with our feet ten feet off of Beale. Jill, Mollie and I plan to "do" Beale Street together. We are excited. But first, I have to actually GO to Memphis. Jill and Mollie are already there with Conner, Tucker, Riley and Tilley.

They went over on Sunday. I stayed behind with Papaw, Sean, Asher, KK and Levi. Asher, KK and Levi (AKL) will be out on fall break Thursday and Friday. So we're gonna go over and join the fun.

I haven't been to Memphis in a few years. My mom has been so patient. She lives there.

That's Friday. This is Wednesday. Yesterday...well that's another story.

Yesterday, Asher called me from school. He was sick. I had forgotten to give him his alergy meds and so he was breaking out. I couldn't get ahold of Sean to either take him his meds or to pick him up. So I went to get him. However, I did get Sean before I got there. He went to get Asher for me. I was not happy.

I took Papaw to the Dr. in the afternoon. He's been getting sick for some time. It finally got bad enough that he would agree to see his doctor. It took about one minute for the Dr. to determine that Papaw was sick enough to go to the hospital. I took him to the emergency room. He was admitted with pneumonia.

Then Linda called and said that Nettie had another baby.

I was NOT expecting that.

This means six of our kids have yet another biological sibling. It does NOT mean we are getting another child. However, it IS possible that we could be asked to take the baby. We just don't know what's going to happen.

We are praying that we will not have to make a decision about taking the baby. The main thing is for the child to go to a loving and capable family. I know we could love and care for a child, but we have a pretty full plate already. I don't know if I could say "No" to a baby. So I am praying that we won't have to face that decision.

Please pray with me. Pray for the baby. Pray that whatever happens will be best for both the baby and it's siblings in my home.

How's that for one day?

Memphis, here I come!

God Bless,
Dadofmykids

Ryne Sandberg Bobblehead Doll at TN Smokys

It was hot, but we got there early so we'd be sure to each get one. At the time I am writing this blog, the game was about a month ago. I don't think any of the bobble heads have survived. But that's ok. We got some good pictures.

A weekend to remember.

What an amazing time we had at Mike's 50 birthday celebration!!

You wouldn't know Mike was fifty years old. He neither looks nor acts old. Thankfully, he invited Jill and me to his party.

The party was held at America's Packard Museum in Dayton, Ohio. What a cool place! And he invited everyone to dress in 1920's outfits to match the cars there. Every one looked great, especially my Jilly.

The dance floor was special for us. Jill and I had never danced together, thanks to religion. Can you believe anyone would say that dancing is sinful? We danced slowly as well as, how would you say, "fast"? It would be great to do more of that. Is there somewhere in Knoxville with that kind of atmosphere?

Thanks again, Mike and Donna for inviting us.

We met some special friends, including Larry and Deanna Shrodes.

God Bless.

Asher broke his glasses, Again.

It's hard to pin down exactly how he broke them. When I ask Asher how his glasses get broke, he acts like he can't remember or like someone else broke them while he was sleeping.

After supper, we went to our favorite eye-glass store, Lenscrafters. If they ever transfer Kari Rogers to another location, I'll be mad. Countless times, she has repaired, fix or replaced his glasses. Never a complaint.

Going to Lenscrafters is a lesson in customer service and how it leads to customer loyalty. There are cheaper stores, no doubt. I've bought glasses at some of them. But none has matched the quality and service of Kari Rogers, Bill and all the others at Lenscrafters.

I wonder if Asher is harder on glasses than others.