2022: A Year I’ll Never Forget

A year I’ll never forget.

2022 was a year I'll never forget for two specific reasons:

• We welcomed our fourth (and final) child, Ruby Jane.

• We also lost our beloved Laura (something we're all still processing).

Both of these events changed our family forever.

My mother-in-law’s legacy.

In Laura's final days, so many people came to her bedside to say goodbye. I watched people pour their hearts out in gratitude. These were people from all walks of life. They were friends and family alike. They brought food, they brought gifts, they held her hand, they prayed over her, they sang to her. It was beautiful.

She was unable to respond during these moments, but in my heart, I know she was moved. I can't begin to explain the impact it had on me.

Laura with Gwyn Estelle

Death is inevitable.

Here's the thing — death is inevitable, but it's ultimately death that makes life so precious. Like everything else, it was designed to be this way by our Creator. My feeble human mind hates it, but I acknowledge His ways are higher than mine.

If you know me, you know I ruminate and wrestle with ideas a lot.

Wisdom isn't found in certainty. Wisdom is knowing that while you might know a lot, there's also a lot you don't know.

For similar reasons, both the joys and trials of 2022 got me hyper-focused on one word: "legacy".

• What is my impact on this earth?

• What will people say of me when I'm gone?

A family crest, manifesto, and core values.

I've had this idea for years and I've tinkered with it off and on. In honor of Laura, I decided to lock myself in my office during Christmas break and made a commitment to get it to the finish line before the new year.

As the owner of a creative studio focused on branding, I've seen the immense value that comes alongside the clear articulation of values, purpose, and aesthetics. Good branding does more than identify and differentiate, it establishes a sense of pride and rectitude. So, I've decided to brand the most important organization in my life: my family.

I've intentionally crafted a manifesto, core values, slogan, and even established a family crest. I'm excited to share them with you very soon.

These values and ideas have already been vocalized to my children — but I'm a big believer that "clear writing is a sign of clear thinking".

From this day forward, not only will they be written on our hearts, but they will hang on our walls, and we will share them with the world.

As the leader of my house, I have to articulate these things clearly. It's my job. If I fail to do so, it leaves the door open for others (who care much less) to clearly articulate the opposite values. I'm not going to let that happen on my watch.

A tertiary goal of all this is to honor those who have gone before me (my grandparents, parents, in-laws, etc) while also raising the bar for the next generation (Jude, Lila, Gwyn, and Ruby).

It may sound funny, but I spend more time than the average 37-year-old thinking about my future grandkids. I don't plan on being a Grandpa any time soon (it's at minimum 10-15 years out, Lord willing), but I can't wait for that season of life. Getting old doesn't scare me one bit. One of my biggest goals in life is to be surrounded by those I love and have impacted for good when I'm on my deathbed. Sounds morbid, right? It's not. You can't correct what you are unwilling to confront. To further elaborate, I'd like to point you to the last 3 sentences of the Stewart Family Manifesto:

While others are anxious and afraid, we remain calm and unwavering, because we know who we are and we know where we're going. In a world of convenience and passivity, we are ambitious and resolute. Each day is a gift—and we choose to live on purpose.

If you made it to this point, thanks for reading.

I pray that I don't ever come across as someone who has life completely figured out because that couldn't be further from the truth. Social media makes it pretty easy to share the highlights, so just know I'm also screwing things up on a daily basis.

Rest assured, I'll continue to make mistakes, but I'll also continue to wear my heart on my sleeve, fight for my family, and proudly champion my beliefs.

Sorry for the novel.

I hope everyone is as excited about 2023 as I am.

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Jude is thirteen

Jude turned 13 today. I recorded the video below when he was three. Ten years ago. Ten years. Time is weird.

When Bre was pregnant with Jude, I vividly remember daydreaming about what being a Dad would be like, wondering what Jude would look like, what his voice would sound like. All the things. I can say with complete conviction that this kid is everything I ever dreamed of and more.

My responsibility as his father is to raise him to be a God-fearing, courageous, kind, loving, humble young man. I don’t take that responsibility lightly, and I’m proud to report that the trajectory is good.

I’ve got five more years with him under my roof, and I plan on making each one count.

Side note: when Jude was born, I was much less busy. So, naturally, I built him his own website and carefully crafted films to commemorate important milestones 🤷🏻‍♂️

Have a look-see → JudeOliver.com

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Are we too old for this?

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Hey guys, it’s me, Josh.

I’m writing to let you know that Bre is pregnant.
It doesn’t feel real, but she swears it is.

When we told the kids we got pretty mixed reviews.
Here’s a quick overview of what transpired:

• Gwyn was confused and said, “when did you guys do this?”

• Lila screamed and kicked her legs with uncontrollable excitement.

• Jude sat expressionless with his arms crossed for a few moments and then proceeded to explain that he doesn’t like change and knowing that there is a 50% chance it could be another girl, doesn’t feel like it is “worth the risk.”

Feels weird to be starting over, but I think it’s the good kind of weird.

I certainly don’t have it all figured out, but I’m convinced that raising these kids will be my single greatest contribution to society (even Gwyn).

Godspeed.

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