Okay, folks, buckle up because this is going to be a wild ride! If you’re new here, let me introduce myself and my amazing wife. We’re not your typical couple; our story involves Navy uniforms, runaway RVs, and a healthy dose of “expect the unexpected.”

It all started back in sunny California, where we were both stationed in the Navy. Picture this: two young sailors, falling head over heels amidst the salty air and endless drills. We bonded over our shared love for the great outdoors – hiking rugged trails, casting lines in shimmering lakes, and roasting marshmallows under starry skies.

After a couple of years of stolen glances and shared adventures, I decided to pop the question. Now, here’s the kicker: I proposed the day before Christmas Eve. Why? Because my lovely wife has this superpower of sniffing out surprises like a bloodhound on a scent trail. To save myself from relentless interrogation and premature present-unwrapping, I decided to take the element of surprise out of the equation. (Let’s just say, spontaneity isn’t exactly our strong suit!)

Fast forward a few years, and we found ourselves trading our Navy blues for civilian clothes and a fixer-upper house in St. Louis, Missouri. We rolled up our sleeves, embraced the chaos of home renovation, and somehow managed to juggle school (nursing for her, health promotion for me) amidst the sawdust and paint fumes. OH YEAH! We also got married.

Life, however, had other plans. My dreams of becoming a Physician Assistant were put on hold when I didn’t get into PA school. Then, a little bundle of joy entered our lives, and our world shifted on its axis. Our firstborn, a beautiful baby girl, was diagnosed with hearing loss. Suddenly, our world was filled with audiologists, early intervention specialists, and the constant whirring of hearing aids.

But we adapted, we learned, and we grew. I became an EMT, and just when we thought we had a handle on things, the world threw us another curveball – COVID-19.

Amidst the global chaos, I decided to give PA school another shot. And this time, the stars aligned. We sold our house, packed our lives into an RV, and embarked on an epic six-month road trip before I started school in Tacoma, Washington. Talk about a baptism by fire!

Our second daughter was born in Washington, and she, too, was diagnosed with hearing loss. This time, it was more profound. To ensure she received the best care, my wife and our two girls moved back to St. Louis, where a renowned ENT surgeon could perform cochlear implant surgery.

So, there I was, a PA student in Washington, while my wife was holding down the fort back in Missouri, navigating the challenges of single parenthood with two young children needing extra care. It wasn’t easy, but we made it work (well mostly my incredible wife made it work).

After what felt like an eternity, I graduated, landed a job, and we reunited as a family. We even welcomed a third child into the mix, a little boy. We bought another house, renovated it (because apparently, we’re gluttons for punishment), sold it, and finally settled into our dream home.

Now, here we are, taking a deep breath and reflecting on our whirlwind journey. We’ve learned that life rarely goes according to plan, but that’s okay. We’ve embraced the chaos, found strength in our love for each other, and discovered that even amidst the challenges, there’s always room for laughter and joy.

Our goal with this blog is to share our story, our struggles, and our triumphs, hoping to help other parents navigate the beautiful, messy, and often overwhelming world of parenting. We want to simplify the complex, offer practical advice, and remind you that you’re not alone in this crazy adventure.

Stay tuned for more posts about our family, our faith, and our passion for embracing imperfection. After all, it’s in the messy, unplanned moments that life truly unfolds.