BREAKING: Son terrifyingly adds "spider" to list for Santa without further explanation.

First Day of Winter! Aaaaaand it’s 74 degrees

My niece, Maddux Rose, was born on December 9th. Maddux is my brother and sister-in-law’s third daughter. The next day, Maddux displayed trouble breathing. Hours later, she was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the area children’s hospital.

We learned last week that Maddux has [Edwards Syndrome](https://www.trisomy18.org/what-is-trisomy-18/). Also known as Trisomy 18, it’s a genetic disorder that causes developmental problems across many systems of the body.

Edwards Syndrome is terminal. Most children who have this disorder don’t make it to birth. Heartbreakingly, Maddux will not be with us for very long.

The outpouring of support for my brother, sister-in-law, and Maddux’s two older sisters has been unbelievable.

In the midst of this great sadness for our family, we’ve found many blessings. Maddux was welcomed into the Church through the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. She was able to do her own newborn photo shoot. She also took plenty of pictures with her parents and big sisters. Many family members have traveled to the hospital and gotten to meet our newest addition.

I invite you to join me in praying for Maddux’s peace and comfort as well as for her loving parents and two older sisters.

There’s something really special about the light of a Christmas tree

It’s nice to be home.

Good night, New Jersey

I love this town at night

Beautiful night

Beach.

Colorado is spectacular.

Stainless steel is a lie.

The Magic School Bus Rides Again is a crime against humanity

Gosh, remember when the internet used to be fun?

I love Fall

Y’all, someone needs to get their act together and figure out how to standardize children’s clothes sizing.

Every time Alison tells me to rework a project, the second version is considerably better than the first.

Remember when Chipotle used to be fun?

I don’t buy apps like I used to. Rare to find quality apps these days.

Why are we so obsessed with blame?

It seems to be our culture’s default response to any given crisis. In the immediate aftermath all that we’re focused on is who’s at fault.

We should be focused on how to help.

Las Vegas is no different.

Instead of getting off of the Internet and doing something about it, we hurl digital bombs at each other.

Blame the Republicans for not passing gun control. Blame the Democrats for targeting a Country music festival. Blame Donald Trump for being divisive. Blame professional athletes for being unpatriotic. Blame the media for lying.

Murder is a tragedy. Mental illness is a tragedy.

59 dead and 500+ wounded (as of 7:15pm) is a devastating statistic. But not nearly as devastating as the humans behind it. These are people, each with their own family, story, hopes, and dreams.

There will always be sick and deranged individuals in our society and, from time to time, they will act to hurt us.

We won’t rise above these events by tearing each other down. We won’t rise above these events by using hashtags. We won’t rise above these events by changing our profile pictures. We won’t rise above these events by casting blame. We won’t rise above these events by waiting for the government to fix our problems.

We’ll rise above by minding our corner of the world. So put an American flag on your front porch. Give blood. Volunteer as a firefighter. Mow your neighbor’s lawn. Donate to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Raise your children well. Hug your spouse.

Blame gets us nothing. Go do something to make our nation a better place to live.

Contentment is a beautiful thing.

Now, more than ever, I’m convinced that Apple Engineers created Safari reader mode for the Vatican website. That background... have mercy!

Relativism. lol

I’m not one to praise Walmart, but man, Walmart Grocery is keeping it 💯