Before Kara and I were married, I said to her, “It is
important before we are married to discuss how many children we each would
like. What are your thoughts?”
Kara stammered, “Uh, I don’t know-… three?”
“Three?” I questioned in an exaggerated tone.
“Well, how many do you want?” Kara asked in return.
With boldness in my eyes and perhaps a bit of a puffed chest
I proudly stated “Fifteen!”
The look on her face and to hear her say the words “Are you
serious?” was priceless. I’m sure she
began to reconsider our marital arrangements at that moment questioning her
body’s ability to survive 15 pregnancies.
I later explained that I really only wanted ten, but I said 15 as a
starting negotiating number to help her become accustom to the idea of a large
family. That did not offer her much comfort
Well, ten years later we have decided it is time to
pursue an alternate path of raising a family through adoption, and again I
reminded her with a smile on my face, “Perhaps we will still reach our goal of ten
children.”
 |
| Farmer Dave |
I was raised in Spokane, Washington in a large family and my
most fond memories are the moments spent with family, such as camping every
Memorial Day weekend, summer vacations, Friday night pizza, and family movie
night with Dad’s world famous popcorn.
Sports and outdoors were common themes in our home growing
up, and today, I enjoy just about anything that involves a ball or being
outside.
As an 11 year-old boy, I was given a school assignment of a
five-page report on a world explorer. Well that was the greatest challenge I
would have to face up to that point in my life and I wasn’t interested in
exerting the required effort to do it.
The day came when it was due and I had nothing to turn in. In fact, I had not even started yet.
Upon arriving home after school that day, I learned that my
mother received a phone call from my teacher regarding the report I failed to
turn in. I had made a decision and it was now time to receive the
consequence. I expected a spanking;
perhaps grounding, but I received neither.
What I received was far worse than any “typical” punishment she could
have given me. She told me that I would “sit at the dining room table and not
move from that spot, except to use the bathroom and to go to bed, until I
finished my report.”
For three long days I toiled over that report, getting up
only for the bathroom and to sleep. They
were the worst three days of my life because of how much I despised
writing. On the last day of school,
after having missed the majority of the day, I trudged the half mile trek to
school and turned in my report.
That experience has proven to be one of the most valuable
lessons of my life. I never again missed
an assignment throughout my schooling and I became a near straight “A” student,
graduating in the top ten percent in both high school and college. That lesson has stayed with me through life
and helped me live up to my potential to become who I am.
 |
| The Highschool Heisman Pose |
So off we went and I quickly jumped to the head of the pack
to ensure that I wouldn't endure any punishment. Well, right on my side was my good buddy Mike
to help motivate me, and on my side he stayed for the duration of the run. As we made the final turn for the home
stretch, I increased my speed to gain the advantage, and to my surprise so did
Mike. I thought to myself, “What is he
doing? He’s trying to beat me! Surely he will let me win.” We were at a full sprint for the last 50
yards neck and neck. In the end I lost
by half a yard.
 |
| Early College Years |
I turned to my coach searching for sympathy. Surely he would understand I put forth every
last ounce of effort despite losing. But
all I heard come from his mouth was, “Start running.” And run I did. From that
point on I learned what 100% effort really is and I have been at the front of
the pack ever since.
After high school I attended Western Washington University,
pursuing a biology degree to become a dentist.
I soon realized biology was not for me and transferred to Brigham Young
University where I attended for a semester before leaving to Ecuador to serve a
two year mission.
 |
| Relaxing from Proselyting in Guayaquil, Ecuador |
 |
| Backyard Pig Preaching |
Upon completing my mission, I returned to BYU, met my wife
Kara, and completed my degree in Construction Management. Following graduation
we remained in Utah for two and a half years where I worked as a project
engineer for a commercial construction company. I was later offered a new job as
a project scheduler with another construction company that took us to Little
Rock, Arkansas, where we have been for a little over five years.
Life has provided me many valuable experiences for which I
so very grateful. I am now ready for the
next phase of life and the opportunities that await me. I look forward to
sharing them with my children and to instill in them the many important values
I was taught in my youth.
What Kara says about Dave:
All
I can say is I sure am a lucky girl. Dave is everything I dreamed of in a
guy...smart, handsome, spiritual, funny, athletic, and hardworking. In fact,
when I first met him, I was convinced that he was simply too good to be true! I
soon came to find out how genuine he really was. He is all that I hoped he would
be. He is truly the spiritual leader in our home and
is very dedicated to his Heavenly Father. Dave loves to serve and help
those in need. Whether it be physically, emotionally, or spiritually, he
has a big heart when it comes to those who he knows are suffering. He
really enjoys learning and gaining knowledge and seeks
after opportunities to do so. I am so grateful for how hard he
works to provide for our family. Dave is one of the most financially sound
individuals I have ever met. He has always been very wise with his money
and works diligently in his career to be an excellent provider for our family.
I feel richly blessed that because of his diligence, I will have the
opportunity to stay home with my children.
You
can't be in a room with Dave for too long and not laugh. He loves interacting
with kids and teasing them. It absolutely melts my heart to see him hold a baby
and to see his tenderness towards a child. I know he will be an amazing father.
I am so grateful to be able to call him my husband and
more importantly my very best friend. I am so excited to start this
next step in our journey together with him by my side.
This video melts my heart every time I watch it. It is Dave with our friend's little boy, Abram. I only caught the tail end of the laughter but this shows my Dave...
*Note: Video may not appear if viewing site from a phone or tablet
This video melts my heart every time I watch it. It is Dave with our friend's little boy, Abram. I only caught the tail end of the laughter but this shows my Dave...
*Note: Video may not appear if viewing site from a phone or tablet
