Father of four. Writing about family, faith, and ordinary life. CranioDad began with a father’s craniosynostosis story. The Journal continues below.
North Carolina, USA
Joined May 2010
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Fourteen years ago, I went looking for another dad who understood craniosynostosis.
I couldn't find him.
Eventually, I decided to become that voice.
CranioDad started with her.
It always comes back to her.
craniodad.com/blog/why-crani…
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Tonight I'm taking my 12-year-old camping.
Steak. Root beer. S'mores. Stories. A fire. And our baseball gloves, just in case.
Tomorrow I'll wake up with a teenager in the tent across from mine.
I'm completely fine.
Obviously.
craniodad.com/blog/the-night…
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Thirteen years into a 20-year Army plan, I chose a different future.
My daughter needed her dad.
This Veterans Day, old deployment photos have me thinking about the soldier I was and the life that came afterward.
It was an honor to serve.
craniodad.com/blog/it-was-an…
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An empty calendar isn't an empty life.
This weekend filled itself with family.
This week, I'm crowding a few days on purpose because David turns 13.
Work will still be there Monday. His 13th birthday won't.
craniodad.com/blog/what-we-m…
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The pines don't join the show.
They frame it.
Dark green beneath a gray November sky while reds, yellows and oranges burn around them.
Maybe autumn isn't different this year.
Maybe I'm finally standing still long enough to see it.
craniodad.com/blog/the-color…
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Baseball ended Sunday.
I thought the calendar might finally exhale.
Instead:
Work.
School.
Sick kid.
Voting.
Flu shots.
Capstone.
CranioDad redesign.
Apparently life doesn't leave empty space empty for long.
The Hunt for Space
craniodad.com/blog/the-hunt-…
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Saturday, we made room to breathe.
Sunday surprised us with a doubleheader.
14-8 loss.
8-8 tie.
Nine innings.
One very tired family.
Then #12 walked off the field and his first fall season was over.
There'll never be another first one.
craniodad.com/blog/and-just-…
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I had a Halloween family lesson planned.
History. Traditions. Stew. Bread. A fire.
We're not doing it.
The family needs a breather.
Instead, Thursday night gave us pumpkin pie, candy, a science project, and time around the table.
Maybe that's enough.
craniodad.com/blog/maybe-nex…
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“The dumpster fires are ripe for a harvest, but all I have is a bottle of water and a towel.”
That was Tuesday.
Then the lights came on at the ballfield.
David's team won 7-0.
Their first win.
Maybe Tuesday gave something back.
craniodad.com/blog/a-bottle-…
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They were up 4-2.
Then down 8-4.
They fought back to 8-7.
They lost.
And it was fantastic.
Sometimes showing up isn't about how things end.
craniodad.com/blog/when-we-s…
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The forecast said 48.
The thermometer said 32.
Six people.
One fire.
And a night I wouldn't change.
craniodad.com/blog/the-half-…
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We went camping.
We survived.
We learned things.
We were cold.
Very cold.
Full report after sleep. 😂
craniodad.com/blog/shakedown
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We didn't demand it.
We didn't set the standard for him.
He saw something he wanted.
He knew he could do it.
So he did.
Proud Dad day.
craniodad.com/blog/because-h…
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Two weeks of rain.
Four increasingly energetic kids.
One increasingly frustrated dad.
Turns out we all needed the same thing.
craniodad.com/blog/we-all-ne…
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I submitted my anthropology final paper to my public administration professor.
Interdisciplinary education.
You're welcome.
Happy Friday. 😂
craniodad.com/blog/apparentl…
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The future matters.
So does the thing sitting right in front of you.
Apparently this week exists after all.
craniodad.com/blog/apparentl…
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Maybe this week disappeared from my mental calendar because I didn't need to live it early.
It's here now.
We'll take it as it comes.
craniodad.com/blog/the-week-…
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The roller coaster hasn't stopped yet.
But I can see the station from here.
Happy Friday.
craniodad.com/blog/hold-on-u…
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It's 7 p.m.
Dinner is done.
Kitchen is clean.
Catch has been played.
And I just realized...
I forgot to write the blog. 😂
craniodad.com/blog/done-and-…
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We can deal with the truth.
The truth gives us somewhere to start.
A lie means we first have to dig our way back to the starting line.
A Place for Everything.
craniodad.com/blog/a-place-f…
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Last night I sat down at my gaming desk and did something I haven't done in months.
I just played.
No multitasking. No guilt. No "I should be..."
That was the point.
craniodad.com/blog/make-the-…
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