My Family

My wife Jennifer and I met and dated at 16. We broke up and then at 18 we reconnected and dated until we got married at the ripe old age of 19.  We have been married for 11 years.  Some things I remember about when I think about Jenn:

• Our first date. We played mini golf and ate Ice Cream cones.
• Our first apartment. I remember the fridge was broken, the stove was broken, and the heat didn’t get turned on for 2 days…good times.
• When she learned how to drive a standard.  I was at home and the door flew open and she was in tears and said the car was at the light by the 7-11, there was a slight incline and she kept stalling.  Needless to say, all our vehicles have been automatic since then.
• The way she pronounces “frustrated” when we are arguing, she says it “fustrated”.
• Going to that crazy “bed and breakfast” in TN, we thought we were living a TV show…those people were nuts.
• Playing frisbee together.  Our record is 42 consecutive throws and catches without the frisbee hitting the ground.
• Running.  We have started jogging together and she can run circles around me.  When we run she pushes the stroller…with me in it.   JJ loves to ride and watch me suck wind.

Our daughter Kendall is 6, she is in Grade 1, and is a joy to be around.  She was a gift from God after 2 mis-carriages and a cancerous pregnancy.  Here’s some stuff about her:

• Her favorite toy is “Buddy 2″. Buddy 1 was lost on a walk one time, so we ordered the new one and told her Buddy took a trip to the beach.  A few weeks ago in the car she asked me where the first Buddy was…busted.
• She loves to play at the park, watch anything Hanna Montana related, wrestle, eat snow, and hang out with her friends.
• Her favorite movies include all the Shreks, Madagascar 2, High School Musical 1,2 and soon to be 3, Cinderella, and Alvin and the Chipmunks.
• She loves to be a help to her little brother, and although it can be frustrating sometimes, it is precious to watch her try and care for him…he usually hates it.
• One thing her teachers have always praised about her is that she constantly looks to help others in need. Last year her teacher told us she was trying to help other kids put their coats on and she didn’t even know how to put her own on.  I LOVE that trait about her.

Jarret James II (JJ) turn3 on March 7th, what a ball of energy he is.  He is a Canuck, actually a dual-citizen.  We tell him he’s Camerican.  JJ the good buddy:

• His favorite toys are anything that has to do with cars; if it has 4 or even 2 wheels he is playing with it.  He is definitely all boy.
• We like to take our shirts off at night and pound on our chests…we are primitive men.  In fact, if it were just JJ and I we wouldn’t have plates or silverware…eat it right out of the box.
• JJ loves his swimming classes, he likes to blow bubbles and often he makes them too-which always scares me.  I don’t want to be “that parent”, you know the one whose kid forced them to evacuate the pool.
• He loves his dog Titus.
• He likes to color and draw too.

That’s a very brief snapshot of my family.  I love them all very much, and they are a huge priority in my life.