How Lucky Can I Be?

I am glad that I've been able to keep updating my blog with as much dedication and hard work as I put into the rest of my life.

For those that follow our family blog, which Jeanell maintains (and does a much better job than I do), you know that Jeanell gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Lila Rachel, a couple of months ago. When Lila was born, our plan was for Jeanell to be off work for as long as possible. Unfortunately, things haven't gone quite as planned and Jeanell had to go back to work earlier today.

This has been hard on both of us (I think more on her, but on me as well). I just need to take the opportunity to say what a wonderful woman Jeanell is. She has supported me in everything I've striven for. She tolerated me going to school in the evenings for three years so I could get my MBA. When I had a hare-brained idea to be part of a project team that would take me halfway across the country every week, she stood behind me. When I wanted to start exercising more so I didn't die of heart disease in the next decade, she told me to go for it. All of these resulted in untold sacrifice and inconvenience for the love of my life.

I just hope Jeanell (and all of my loyal readers) know how much I love and appreciate her. Not that I've amounted to much, but everything that I have amounted to is because of her unfailing love and support. She is tireless and even when working full-time, kept an immaculately clean house, prepared meals, helped kids with homework, worked on crafts and decorating, blogged, volunteered, and much more. I am truly a lucky man and am so grateful she consented to marry me almost nine years ago.

I love you, Baby. Thanks for everything.