My family network is large, close, and loud; making for some interesting events. I spent the majority of our youth playing around on my Grandfathers ranch with my brothers and cousins; building forts in the hay-barn, fishing, horseback riding, 4 wheeling, and all the other mischievous kids can get into. I have many great memories.
I didn’t do so well in school. I was a punk, got into fights, and basically spent my school years screwing around and doing my best not to learn anything. I now regret not being nicer and making more friends. I guess I had anger issues.
Despite my bad attitude and all the concerns my peers may have had for me, I maintained strong personal beliefs. I remember having this obsession with self-mastery, which only left me feeling frustrated. I'm sure no one would have guessed I was spiritual, but when I prayed I simply knew there was a God who loved me. I can only imagine how differently things would have turned out for me if not for this anchor of faith.
My dating life was moderate… nothing too wild to report; I mostly liked to flirt. I eventually ended up with this tall sexy brunette. I loved everything about her. She was a wild girl who knew how to make me open up and share my deep dark secrets. Turns out they weren’t as deep or as dark as I thought.
Eventually I came of age and went forth to serve a church mission; not because it was expected of me, but because I had developed a personal testimony of the gospel. In fact my Bishop even said I was the last guy he expected to serve a mission. So off I went to serve for two long years.
During this time I did a lot of growing up, but more important I learned to love others and respect their beliefs. I may not have been the ideal missionary, but I was sincere in my efforts. In the last area I served, before coming home, I met a girl I shared an attraction with. I was not allowed to date, but we did kiss a time or two.
A few months after returning home from my mission, this girl showed up to “go to college.” We went on a few dates, but I soon realized she was not the one for me. It was the sexy brunette from before my mission who still had my heart. Our connection was still very strong and after a year of dating we got married.
I worked as a plumber, framer, carpenter, roofer, rock mason, painter, table busser, cashier, and cabinetmaker. Finally, with the encouragement of my wife, I went to college, earning a degree in Multimedia. If nothing else, my college experience taught me that I really could do well in school. I finished with a GPA of 3.6
From 2000 to 2005 I worked for an online aviation program for the college. I created graphics, designed the website, and created instructional animations. I spent some time teaching instructional design at ITT Tech. Worked at a software company recording podcasts and building tutorials. I helped establish a start-up company creating online aviation courses for high schools and published some online courses for the FAA. But I eventually moved out of state and put my skills to work in very different arena.
As for my marriage, it started off rocky as we got used to living with each. This was made all the more difficult as we dealt with fertility treatments trying to have a baby. We eventually adopting a perfect baby boy, sold our rental property and moved out of state, where I put my skills to work in very different arena (from the education field, to commercial, to government contract work). Though marriage is never perfect and far from easy, it has gotten better.
We also adopted through the foster care program. My wife and children are my life. They have truly taught me how to love.
I'm hesitant to even include this in the blog, but I guess it helps put some things into context.
