Lord, We are so thankful...

Father in Heaven, thank you for our beautiful baby boy Evan. He has brought so much joy to our house and a depth of love and emotion that Allison and I did not know we possessed. We thank you for his health, his strength, and the family that was born when Evan joined us. On this Day of Thanksgiving, 2008, this is what we are most thankful for... Thank you for our blessed little boy. He is the answer to our prayers.

We are thankful for the family that has supported us from across this great country, the love they have shared, the prayers they have prayed, and the support they have showed to us as we learn to be better parents every day. We would like to share a special thank you to our brothers and sisters who have helped us survive, and thrive on the 10-month journey to this day. Jen, Jim, Chris, Rob. Thank you, we love you so much.

We are thankful for the friends we have had, both far and near, for checking in on us and offering their constant support and kind wishes. Allison and I feel blessed that we have come to know so many amazing people. As I said at our wedding, Friends are the family you choose... We love you all and can't express how fortunate we feel to know you. Please forgive the "yearbook-style roll-call." In no particular order, I would like to extend gratitude to Kris & Matt, Dustin, Brian & Jenni, Craig & Isa, Andy & Kelly, Parham & Zach, John & Cheri, Nicky, Christy, Heather, Bill, Renee, Ashton & Ashley, John & Dianne, Randy & Heather, CB, Azam & Farah, Christian & Dessi, Peter & Bethany, Paul & Laura, Kimberly & David, James & Allison (congrats on the engagement!), Johnny & Halen, Bobby & Anna. We love you guys and feel lucky to wander through life with you.

We are thankful for the job opportunity presented to our family in Osage Bio Energy. We are amazed at how this "work Family" is so loving, kind, generous, talented, capable, adventuresome, and reliable. I feel blessed to have been with Osage Bio Energy at the outset, and to have helped shape this organization of 20 of the best professionals in the biofuels sector with a world-class financial partner humbles me greatly and daily. I get to go to work with some of my closest friends every day, and the others in the company I am joyfully getting to know better. Thank you God for this opportunity you placed before Allison and myself, and for giving us the strength and confidence, both individually and as a couple, to strike out into uncharted waters to help realize this dream. Thank you for the team that you helped assemble, as we try to succeed in a manner you would be proud of. Thank you.

We are thankful for the kind folks at Transfield/VMS who have reached out to support Allison during the pregnancy and now that Evan has arrived. It was good to see those who visited in the hospital, we need to spend time together before your lives change, and we appreciated you who checked in on us during the induction.

Lastly, and not least, thank you for this gorgeous day here in this great nation. Thank you for the servicemen and women who lay their lives in front of ours to provide Liberty and security to us, the humble citizens. Please protect those who serve selflessly and provide them comfort as they are away from those that they love. We are proud to be Americans, where at least we know we're free... Thank you God for the land we live in, however flawed it may feel some times.

Happy Thanksgiving All! I'll post more Evan pictures either later tonight or tomorrow.