I ♥ Autumn, Yet it is the hardest season

colors, sun, and a chill in the air....

leaves changing and leaves falling

hay rides, pumpkins, trick or treat, happy turkey day,

cheering, jeering, celebrating, losing,

notre dame v. navy, hospital, death...

Four years later and I miss him more than ever...

"Dear Dad:

Thanks, for whispering an idea in Abby's ear today to start 'mud ball' game with her sister.

Did you laugh when you saw Madi covered in mud?

Or did you laugh more when Rebecca asked Abby

'How come your sister is covered in mud and you are not?'

I am sure that you whispered her answer: "mom, i can throw farther than she can"

I am sure you heard the laughs and giggles come from my girls

and I know it brought a smile to your face... Thanks!

I wish they could feel your strong hands wrap them up the way you used to with me.

I am trying to be loving, strong, caring, and all that you stood for in front of my girls.

I will never understand why you aren't here, but thanks for reaching out today...

In case I haven't said in a while... I love you and miss you!

Hope to see you soon!!!"

PLEASE ENJOY THESE PHOTOS!

"Handsome smiles wearing handsome shoes,

Too young to say, though I swear he knew,

And I hear him singing while he sits there in his chair,

Now these autumn leaves float around everywhere."
(Autumn by Paolo Nutini)

I Have Become My Father

This past Tuesday until Wednesday afternoon was one of the worst times that my family has had to endure. On Tuesday night my daughter's (Abby) beloved dog "Coco" escaped out our back yard (while I was home with Madi) and ran into the street. She was hit by a vehicle who never stopped and drove away. (Please keep in mind I was inside the whole time) I was changing Madi and getting her ready for bed time when all of sudden Watson (my dog) started barking and going crazy at the back porch. Then there was strange knock at the door. This is what I heard

Stranger: "Do you have a brown dog that has a microchip in her?"

Me: "Yes"

Stranger: "Well, someone just hit your dog in the street and someone else took her to the Emergency Room."

Me: "Wha... Wha... Wait what did you say?"

Stranger: "She was bleeding from her mouth... and someone took her to ER Vet Clinic"

I was home with Madilyn and I don't have a car seat for Madi in my car, so I had to wait for Rebecca to get home from Bible Study. The next thirty minutes seemed like forever. When I arrived at the hospital I met the wonderful Good Samaritans who brought Coco to the hospital. Then the assistant put me in a room where I needed to wait for the Doctor. Once the doctor arrived she explained that Coco had brain damage and was in shock and not moving and she was waiting for X-Rays to come back. It turns out that Coco's back was broken and the doctor didn't think there was anything that she could do for her. So I made the decision that no parent ever wants to be force to make. We had to have Coco "put down".

Then the doctor said "would like to see her and be in the room for the procedure?"
I said "yes" immediately. I thought that since the dog had been with my daughter through thick and thin it was the right thing to do. I can tell you that this was my third experience of being in the room with someone (thing) who was dying. First was my nephew (T.J.), second was my father (the worst day of my life) and now Coco. All I could think of was to thank her for being so loyal to Abby and being a great dog for my little girls. I pet her bloody face and said "Thank you and good bye"

When I left the hospital I was rubbing Coco's collar between my fingers in complete silence and unsure of what I was going to say to Abigail. (Of course Rebecca already broke the news to Abby).

Well, the next day Abby stayed home from School and I took the day off of work. She woke up and I believe the first few words out of her mouth were: "Daddy is going to take me on a Daddy/Daughter date to get a new puppy right?"

-Little side note-

When I was growing up I can not remember a day when I didn't have a dog in the house. There was one dog who was specially close to me named "Scrapper" (cause he had color patches on his fur). When Scrapper had to be put down because of illness. I believe that the very next day I had waiting for me in the living room a new puppy. My dad was the second biggest dog lover that I know. Me being the first.

Well, long story short: We have a new addition to the family:

Everyone in the Blogging World I would like to introduce you Elle (pronounced Ellie) or soon to be named "Ella Bella"

But Coco will be missed dearly. No other dog I know would greet me every morning and evening with a smile... Well, if there is a doggie heaven I know that they have a new resident... We love and miss you Coco

Dear Elle: "Welcome to our family... You have some big paws to fill"

Nothing Better

At work I have a photo screensaver that pops up after a couple of minutes of the computer being idle. I have a specific set of photos that I like to have as the slide show. The slide show has mostly photos that I have taken or that I am involved with. So, recently I have been noticing a lot of the photos are of me and my daughters having 'a good ole time'. Some are of us playing football, or rough housing, some are of us at the beach. I had this thought the other day!

There is not one thing better in life then being a dad.

(Little disclaimer here: I am sorry if you don't have a dad active in your life currently. )

I am really grateful that I am able to be apart of my two daughter's lives. I love watching them learn, laugh, and love. The girls and I have been spending more time together lately and I believe that I am learning as much from the girls as they are learning from me. Through them God has been showing me what takes to be a child of God. It takes faith, patience, love, and grace. I am and will be forever grateful that God blessed me and my wife with these (and more God willing) wonderful gifts! Below are the photos from the our recent family vacation.

That time of year again.

IN THIS CORNER:
Standing: 5 feet 10.5 inches
Weighing: 235lbs.
(More on this later)
**************************************************************************************

Last night my wife and I were discussing how we enjoy this time of the year. I stated that I don't
really like it, but when I think about it I am not sure that there is a time of the year that I enjoy more. I mean, Baseball is wrapping up (or making a big push to the playoffs) and Football is starting. In another month or so Hockey and Basketball will be starting. So let me profess right now! I do love this time of the year. The weather is getting a little cooler and nature's colors are starting to shine.

Well, this past Sunday Abby and I went on a Father/Daughter date to Wendy's (she for some reason has wanted to go there for a long time!) and then we stayed home from church with Madi (only Rebecca went). So what did we do? I taught the ins and outs of Football. Really just running and tackling one another. We ended the night with them taking baths and watching our favorite "The Lion King". I think the most fun part for the girls was getting to "tackle Daddy''. It was a great night.


Here are some of the photos of the girls playing football.






This is Abby coming to tackle me


Nice Catch!

She is leaving on Jet plane... Will be back again (in 10 months)

So there are a few things that we have become a very used to here in Maryland: First, it is always Sunny even on days when it is overcast, there will be a a few moments of sunshine somewhere in the day.

Second, when you live in this city you are expected to follow this city's sports teams. Like the Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Orioles, and whatever... (Justin is always getting grief)

Thirdly, for the last 6 1/2 years we have become used to having Aunt Sarah (Rebecca's sister) sitting to our right in our church row. Well, that didn't happen yesterday, I (Justin) looked over my right shoulder yesterday and I realized that Sarah was not there and won't be there for a while. She is off to Asia and doing some awesome work there. (Actually, it is a huge testimony of God's amazing grace, mercy and provision. Her entire support has come in... THANK YOU JESUS!!! )

I wanted to tell you that it has been great having her so close to our family for the past 6+ years.
I have loved watching my girls play, laugh, giggle, and learn with Sarah. She really has been the perfect Aunt for Abby and Madi. I know that my kids lives have been enriched far beyond what I may ever know. I guess this is a long winded way to say thank you to Sarah and that we will be praying for you and naturally we are going to miss you!!! Please go do awesome and amazing things!!! See ya in about 10 months or so!!!!

If I (Rebecca) could put an add in the paper it would say this: WANTED: One "temporary" Sister/Aunt in the Baltimore area, Must be able to tolerate and love my quirks, let me manage your finances, sew, bake, and most importantly, LOVE/SPOIL and babysit my children as if they were your very own....accepting applications immediately (which must be accompanied with a plate of homemade cookies) position will terminate next May then resume again the following August...If you are named Sharon or Rachel Lewis you need not apply...just move south ASAP!!!

It's not only a new page in Sarah's life, but in ours as well. We will miss her terribly and are trying to adjust to life here without her. At the same time, we are so happy for her and proud beyond words and release her to the awsome plan God has for her....and thank God for SKYPE!!

God is the Great Teacher

WOE.... How He loves us....

Today I took a half day at work and the plan was to take my oldest daughter Abby to a movie (Toy Story 3). This week we have been a little tight on money but I was able to come across 20 bucks and I really wanted to take Abby to see this movie. So off we went and when we got the parking lot I noticed that there was this older lady in a SUV in front of me trying to park her vehicle. When she pulled into her spot she pulled too close to the vehicle next to her so she needed to back out and re-park. I wish I could tell you that I waited patiently for her but sadly I don't have very many patients for people are "bad parkers" I am not sure why but I always seem to be in hurry.... Funny how Jesus was never in hurry instead He would come across someone's path right on time... I can not recall anywhere in the Bible where the words read "Jesus was hurrying" In fact I am now reminded of the times that He ministered to others on His way to minister to someone who was dead. (I guess I thought well, she isn't gonna get any deader...) Please teach me this lesson Jesus...

Anyway, I shot around her and parked our van on my FIRST TRY. After all I am a professional parker. Then I got Abby out of the vehicle and started to walk toward the movie theater and I noticed that this same lady was kinda half staring and half waiting for us to walk by. I thought "She must be angry and want to give me a piece of her mind..."

Instead, she was trying to get her keys which she had dropped on the ground and bounced under her vehicle. I asked her if she wanted me to get them for her and she was so relieved... So I grabbed the keys and muttered something witty like "some times the keys seem to bounce in the worst spots". Then this lady started to walk with us into the movies. She asked Abby what movie we were there to see. "Toy Story 3, I LOVE TOYS", Abby exclaimed!!! Then she told us that she was there to see Despicable Me.

And this lady keep getting in front of me and again I was getting annoyed... I was thinking "it is one thing to be a bad parker and take forever with your SUV but come one lady I am in a hurry". I just kept laughing and kidding with Abby... Then I over this lady order her ticket and another ticket... I thought to myself that's strange she said she was there to see Despicable me? Why is she ordering a ticket for Toy 3? Of course I am sure now you realize that she decided to pay for my ticket... God, is so good to us... I mean here I am being a jerk in my head and thinking that this lady is in my way... then she shows God's mercy and grace to me... God then there reminded me of Jeremiah 2:13.

"Come and drink this water... Come and drink this water... Come and drink this water... Which you couldn't afford!!!!" (I Dreamed There was a Fountain by John Mark McMillan)

"God help me to rely on Your living Water and not find my source of water... My sources are broken and are not able to satisfy the way you do... Thank you Jesus!!! "

PS. If you haven't heard John Mark McMillan's new CD called "Medicine" please visit this link and give it a listen!!! Really good worship music... Also he is apart of project called "I dreamed there was a fountain" (title track) which is really good listening!!!!

Happy Father's Day BEST PRESENT OF ALL

So I wanted to tell you that I received the best present for Father's day. This past Thursday I received a text from my wife that said

"Abby prayed tonight 'to have

Jesus come in my heart so I

can do great things and love

you' all by herself tonight"

I can tell you that there is no better feeling as a father when your child starts to get to know YOUR FATHER... God, thank you for your gift that is Abby. Please continue to bless her life and yes, come into her heart so she can do great things and love you... From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2

AMEN!!!!

Then Rebecca said to Abby "All of Heaven rejoices???" and Abby replied in her cute little excited voice "YES!!!!"