"Long Time Gone"..."Ode to Family (and Joy)"

Well, I recognize that it has been over TWO months since I last posted to the blog. I don't usually like to wait that long to post, HOWEVER I have been extremely busy with both work and family! Both of which are great things to be busy with in life.
As I consider the most important things in my life I ensure you that, without hesitation, I will ALWAYS (always) consider my family to be most important. I work for my family and so a career is a priority, BUT it is not my family. I worship, pray to Heavenly Father, and believe in my religion for my family and so religion is a priority, and it is because it teaches me of an eternal family. I love to play sports, eat well, and stay healthy so that is definitely a priority, BUT only because it means that I may live longer to be with my family. I LOVE MY FAMILY!
From a professional point of view, family is what makes me want to be successful, work hard, learn new skills, be a leader, and help individuals. My career is something that I share with my family.....it is our career. We share the good and the bad moments, the advances and the setbacks, the education and the teaching and the daily stories.
Each member of my own little family teaches me about leadership and life in their own significant way. I learn from my wife (Kara) crucial skills to be a leader. She teaches me about organization, planning, being on time, caring for others, and working hard. My three year old son (Will) teaches me important skills about following and being a part of a team. I learn from him all about accomplishing a goal as a team, seeing the bright side of little happenings, and even living through things I don't want to do even though they make me a better person. My new little son (Eli), whom we just adopted, has taught me a tremendous amount in his young, two-week old, life. He has taught me to appreciate my blessings, to role with changes in life and enjoy them, and to work with the team that you are given to accomplish the same goal.
I hope we all realize that the FAMILY is the greatest way to learn skills that are applicable across any career success, business idea, political platform, entertaining venue, OR religious belief. Family (a husband, wife, and their children...in most cases) is a wonderful blessing that I am very thankful for at this time in my life!
Kara, Will, and Eli....I love you, miss you, and can't wait to have you back home in the next few days....it feels like it has been an eternity.