When I was growing up, Mr. Mom was the last occupation on my mind. I wanted to be the starting pitcher on some future World Series winning Yankees team. They were my team. In our neighborhood, there were pretty much two teams. You either liked the Yankees, or you liked the Red Sox. I was blessed with a father who loved the Yankees, and they were my team. Therefore, it's not hard to imagine a boy from Connecticut wanting to play in the magical halls of Yankee Stadium.

As I grew up, my career goals changed. I began playing football as a youngster, but I became serious about the sport when I was an 8th grader. I developed a strong work ethic, and I rode the sport into college. In my junior year, I blew out my knee. My football glory days were over. Still, I had no desire to become a Mr. Mom.

A couple years prior to my career ending injury, I met the love of my life. She didn't care much for the danger of football, although she supported my dreams. Her name was Faith, a perfect name for the angel that God gave to me that day.

Faith and I married on May 11, 1990. We married in a small church ceremony, but I didn't really notice the ones in attendance that day. My eyes were fascinated with hers. I grew up with three older sisters, so I had been convinced from an early age that I did not want children. I learned quick that, to keep my girl, I had to give in a little.

Rachel was born on May 9, 1992. Faith's labor pains were matched only by my nausea that day, as I learned first-hand how amazing life is in its beginning. For the nine months leading up to the big day, I heard stories about how "connected" that feeling is when you see your child for the first time. Those stories are correct. Everyday, I thank God for the gift of a daughter. Rachel would be the only daughter we would have for nine years; because the boys kept coming.

Elijah was born on November 5, 1995. As soon as he came out of the womb, I naturally acted the way any father would act when his boy is born. I counted. Ten, ten, one; it's a boy! His smile lit up the nursery, and so did his cries. Having a boy connects me to my own childhood. It connects me to my father like nothing ever could in this life.

As the boy brigade continued, Brooks blessed the world on March 4, 1997. As I held him minutes after Faith gave birth, I noticed the look in his eyes. He was studying me. He looked straight into my faults, my fears, my weaknesses, and then he smiled (regardless of what others might think). My boy smiled at me.

Our last son, Chase, was born on October 14, 1999. As Faith was sleeping that night, I held him; alone. I poured my heart into this tiny miracle; just as I had done with his brothers and sister. Chase will begin kindergarten this fall. It doesn't seem possible. He's still my baby boy. I'm not ready for that next step.

After Chase was born, I thought we were finished with children. I had my "perfect" family, and I was content. Faith was not, and she held the final say in the baby department. Natalie was born on May 21, 2001. When she was born, time stopped for me. I had never experienced this next particular feeling in any of our other childrens' births. I knew that Natalie was going to change the world. I did not assume; I knew. Natalie was going to change this place. She came out with an agenda on her mind. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to hear it.

You might be wondering, at this point, why this site is titled, "Mr. Mom" when I was obviously married with children. On September 13, 2001, the rug was pulled from beneath my feet. We ran out of milk. I could not have predicted that running out of milk would have been so life-changing at the time.

I was upstairs giving our younger two boys a bath, when Faith yelled to me up the stairs. She told me she was running to the store for milk, and she was taking Natalie with her. About an hour later, I received a telephone call from a local police officer; who also attended our church. He told me there had been an accident, and he would be there to pick me up. I made arrangements with the children to stay at a neighbor's house, and a million different scenerios were flashing through my mind as I sat waiting for my ride.

As Doug and I were driving to the accident scene, I kept praying to God to not take my girls. I told Him He could have anything in this life; anything He wanted from me; if He only let my girls be ok. Unfortunately, I learned that night that God doesn't always answer prayers with an answer that suits you.

When we arrived at the scene, there were emergency vehicles gathered around like they were on a movie set. Then, I saw the scariest image of my life. Our automobile was almost unrecognizable. After an identification process, one of which I don't remember, I was told of the details surrounding the accident. A young man was driving home from spending the night drinking with his friend, and his car met our car head-on coming over a hill. Faith and Natalie were killed instantly, and the young man suffered only a broken arm. He did not even remember the accident. To this day, I still have nightmares of that scene. I can still see my daughter's car seat, smashed between the front two seats. I can still see the lack of skidmarks on the road, and that only makes it more difficult. They didn't even have time to flinch.

Shortly after their deaths, my mother-in-law came to live with us. She helped me out tremendously with the kids, and I owe an awful lot of our coping skills to her. She kept this family grounded. I learned, from her presence, how much I will miss growing old with Faith.

Prior to their deaths, I worked in stocks and bonds in outside employment. However, I quit my job in December of 2001 to be at home with my kids. They needed me, and I needed them. I opened up a tax service, which I still have today. Where I was once a workaholic, working in upwards of 60 hours a week; now I put my children first. I coach Little League, Pop Warner football, and I'm even a "squad father" on Rachel's cheerleading squad. The kids are now 13, 9, 8, and 5.They are growing like weeds, and they are the greatest blessings in this life. Although I have suffered the greatest loss, I have also gained. I have gained an understanding and appreciation for Faith like I never had on this Earth. I owe everything to that little Tennessee girl, and I only hope that I am making her proud.