*36* years ago, this little sweetie pie was born.  :)

This is Brett at 4 years old.  *my heart melts at this photo*  Someday I must do a side-by-side comparison of this photo with Adin’s.  You might just crap yourself.

Brett’s Senior photo…..my heart no longer melts, more of an ON FIRE feeling.  DAMN.

Zack Morris who?? No, I’ll take Brett, thanks.

Ok, this is one of my FAVS although Brett hates it.  When I was 19 and met Brett at 23, he was such a “good” boy.  I’m sure the only reason he was drinking here was for some very practical reason, like keeping warm while camping or something.  But the photo totally cracks me up.

By the time I met Brett he had already been off exploring the world.  He went to school in New Mexico, came back to Ohio and then went to live abroad.  Here he is after coming home from Israel where he lived.  He also lived in Egypt, studying the Arabic language and living among the people.  He has such a strong passion for traveling, exploring, languages, and general vagabonding.

Very soon after this photo below, he came home to Cincy, met me, and “we” began.  How in the world he came back and married a straight up hillbilly is beyond me.  But I’ll take it.   ;)

Traveling in Germany with good friends.

So we met in 1998.  We dated, and were married 6 months later.  I knew I’d never find another man on this earth like him.  I knew I couldn’t let him go.

Thank the LORD I made that choice.  Look at these beautiful babies he gave me!!  :)  (That is Riah.)

Brett is such an amazing father.  He loves our children so much, and would do anything he could for their wellbeing.  His intentions are always with them in mind, and I respect him so much for that.  I couldn’t have asked for a better father for my babies.  :)  Oh, and he would GLADLY have 2 or 3 more.  In a heartbeat.

(Sorry honey….that’s not your birthday present!)

We married in 1998, and here’s what we had 10 years later.  :)

We celebrated 10 years with a photo shoot with our pals Bobbi+Mike.  Here, they photographed us at our apartment building where we first lived when we were married.  Is was so special to go back to where it all began.

This is the Brett you blog readers know.  :)

And this is my Brett.  :)  I adore him.

Honey, sweetie, baby pie….I love you more than I could ever put into words.  Your hard work and dedication to our family does not go unnoticed.  You’ll never know how much it means to me that you dropped your traveling, languages, and peace corp dreams to be with me and raise a family.  I cherish the man that God gave me, and I thank him every time I remember.  :)  Hope your birth DAY and this upcoming year are wonderful for you.  You are a blessing to us. Love you to the moon and back.

yours,

Jesse

Anthony is a good kid.  He loves his family, and is working hard to make his goals in life become a reality.  He wants to be a graphic designer, and he is a very talented artist.  He was working on one of his drawings at the beginning of the session.  :)

Anthony is also an AMAZING basketball player, specializing in tricks.  :)  He has plans to join a Christian organization that travels around performing- kind of like the Harlem Globetrotters.

We happened to go by the place where he had his tattoo done.

He was CRAZY with that basketball!

Thanks so much Anthony!  Brett and I wish you all the best in your future.  I have a feeling you’re going to go do whatever you set your mind to.  ;)