An open letter to my family...

I felt the need to write this, after thinking about the last few months and years, so here goes.

Hey Family,

I just wanted to write and tell all three of you that how much I appreciate you. B, I will start with you. Amazing. You put up with so much, crying, screaming, pouting, and not to mention the kids! You are a brave woman, willing to go to the ends of the earth with me, to pursue what God has called us to do. I know the things that you desire things for our family, here, and I intend to provide that for you. Thank you for loving me so deeply, and overlooking my faults/stupid mistakes/selfish motives. Sometimes I think the kids are easier to handle than I am, but you endure a lot, and I want to thank you for your unwavering love.

IGN. You are a champion. You have been through plenty of challenges in your short 19 months. You have been acclimated to FIVE nursuries, and have done so extreemley well. I don't know if a kid can throw in the towel, but I know it isn't an option for you. You have shown a great rescilince and a determined will to be content where ever you are. Thank you for being patient me as your Father. I screw up a lot, and probably don't understand why you do things the way that you do. You have not only had to adjust to my uncertainty, at times but also your new bro. We always tell people that you are such an easy girl, and an amazing big sister. Its true. You capture the attention of those around you, and make people laugh. Its not uncommon for strangers to come up to us in a restraunt and tell us how good you are and they appreciate the way we have raised you. I think its more your personality, than our " "amazing parenting skills". I have seen a bunch of cute little girls, but Im proud to say that you take the cake. Your brother has an outstanding example to follow.

Jacob, Im so glad your here. These five weeks have been a wild ride, that you have endured with unbelievable excellence. I didn't think babies were as easy as your sister, but you have proved me wrong. I love how you smile in the morning, and when the sun shines on you when your outside. You even smile when you hear your sister running towards you, taking out her passy and diving in on you to give you a kiss. We are glad you are apart of our crazy clan, and are excited about watching you grow up. You are already showing your personality, and I love it. I am excited about doing "manly" things with you, as father and son. We may be even to fit in some trips, like taking you to Sanford Stadium to watch the dawgs play each year.

You have all been so patient with me, in my learning to fill the role of husband/father. I am glad that we have found our home in Georgia now. The Lord has blessed us abundantly. We hardly have to speak our requests, to ask God for different things, and he provides it. He has set us up close to our families again, with an amazing home, and amazing friends. We have arrived. We are making our home. We are settling in. We are putting down roots. Thank you for being who you are. I am proud of you all, and proud to march through this adventure called life with each of you.

I love you all.

John Mark