Falling a Little Deeper

I've always marveled at the many sides of my husband.

There is the strong, protective, masculine, I have very tool under the sun, I know what they are all for and how to use them and can fix anything that needs fixing, side.

He really can fix anything! I've seen him work on cars,

motorcycles,

bikes... He can fix the closet door that doesn't want to stay on track or the drawer to my desk that just gave up. He can fix my vacuum when it makes more of a mess than it was supposed to clean.

If it has wires, he can make it work. He put a timer on the kids bathroom light so it would turn off and scare them out of their hour long showers! He rewired the chandelier in the babies room so I don't have to run a cord down the wall. He set up my computer so I have two screens that work together! He drilled holes in my ceiling to wire his projector through the attic so I don't have to see the wires. the projector in our bedroom

He wired speakers through my whole house so I can play music while I clean. He wired the TV in the RV to run the the stereo speakers, put lights in my garage, hung new ceiling fans- should I keep going? This wiring list could be very long! I'll move on. I'm sure you get the point.

He is the first to jump out of bed in the middle of the night to check on the unknown sound. (Sometimes in the complete buff, much to my amusement!) The one who's eyes become more alert, and who's back straightens as he tightens his hold on my hand when he thinks there may be danger near by... I always feel safe when he is around.

Then there is that incredibly smart and capable side that I admire so much.

Hanging on my office wall are several certificates and diplomas that he worked hard to achieve: a degree in finance, a masters in business, law school, state bar certificate and now, his brokers license. I am in awe of his hard work and dedication. He loves to learn! He loves the history channel, the "How It's Made" and "Mythbusters" shows. He is like a sponge for knowledge.

He can answer any question the kids have. "How do they make the bridges over the water?" "Where does the rain come from?" "What is gravity anyway?" "What makes that rocket fly?" I often laugh at the random knowledge he has in his head. He can answer all the question that I have. "How is it that when I talk into a cell phone in the US, someone in Italy can hear me? I know the words to that answer, but I don't get how that works." Somehow, he always knows the answers. He has an amazing ability to explain things in a way that makes it really easy to understand.

There is the side of him that is still just a big kid! He loves to play! He is always looking at "toys" online. He loves to ride his motorcycle,

spend the day out on the lake,

play sports with the kids and with his friends.

He loves comedy and often has to pause the TV to finish laughing! He has the best sense of humor!

I could go on forever, but tonight, it was the gentle father in him that had my attention.

Jason and Ashlyn October 2007

I was downstairs and I thought I heard Ashlyn crying. I had put her to sleep about 20 minutes earlier. I picked up the video baby monitor to see if she was okay. A grin spread across my face as I saw Jason's strong hand reach down to pat her back. I watched and listened as he whispered, "Papa's here... it's okay... Papa's here" as he stroked her hair and back. Time seemed to stand still around me and I was drawn in to the tenderness in his voice. Her cry turned into a complaint, and then contentment as she felt herself surrounded by his love. After a few minutes, I heard her protest as he started to leave. His gentle voice soothed and quieted her again. After a small rustling noise, I saw him place his shirt next to her in the crib and sneak out.

I didn't think it was possible, but in that moment, I fell even deeper in love.