Zach's blog: One big, happy family

Being able to share a letter with my dad was really important to me.  Now being a father myself, I repeatedly think of things my dad has taught me and things I want to teach Bradley.  I have quite a role model in my dad and I hope to be half the man he is as a father. Seeing how much dad has influenced and impacted other people’s lives from his childhood days was an inspiration to us. Dad has always taught us that investing in the lives of others is one of the greatest ways we can spend our time. So, it was extra special for us and all of his old friends to get to play a p

Zach's blog: The Dating Game

My favorite moment from tonight’s episode was Michaella’s answer about getting engaged. She definitely has the right frame of mind to know that it doesn’t matter HOW you get engaged, just that it happens.  She and Brandon have a loving and blessed future ahead of them, and I couldn’t be happier for my sister.

Zach's blog: Touchdowns and Turkeys

I always look forward to our annual Thanksgiving football game. Although I’m now married (and on the losing team this year!) it is one of my fondest memories from Thanksgiving at Papa Bill and Mama Jane’s. How about those skills coming from Trace?! I see a football career in his future. Aside from football, I enjoyed spending some quality time with my wife Whitney, son Bradley and my grandparents. How special it was to introduce Bradley to his great grandparents.

Zach's blog: Michaella Goes a Courtin’

I was so glad that Brandon was able to spend a few weeks with the family.  I know how important it is to establish strong relationships with family members and that takes time and involvement. It was a little easier for me and Whitney, because she lived close by and we were able to get together with family members often. On Brandon’s case, living far away doesn’t allow as many opportunities to bond, and often on visits the focus is naturally to spend time with Michael. So I think it was wise for my parents to an a trip just for the purpose of giving time for him to spend time with the rest of the family. Once he gets married, they are likely to move, so this time together will be treasured memories.

Zach's blog: The Art of Diaper Changing

Changing a baby boy is definitely a learning experience. This is all brand new for me and Whitney. We’ve learned the key is to keep them moving and to be FAST with the diaper change. If you’re not, you may get an unpleasant surprise ;)



Bonding with Bradley has been the greatest thing to ever happen to us, and it sure is a beautiful thing to watch Whitney with him! Becoming a dad is unlike anything I can begin to explain, but I am enjoying every single second of it. Whitney and I feel like the most blessed two people alive!



Also… I hope you all enjoyed my professional frozen pizza-making skills…haha! Those pizzas are lifesavers when my entire family comes over. We enjoy them coming over, but have to rely on the ready-made meals to serve so many!

Zach's blog: Our Little One

Whitney is taking over my blog this week! Here’s her blog, below:

There are no words to express the joy and fulfillment that comes with being a parent! Zach and I both have always enjoyed being around children, but nothing can compare to holding your own little one. There is such a bond of love. Any last minute trips to the store to buy diaper wipes, or any middle of the night feedings, or any adjustment to our schedule to accommodate for a new family member seems like no sacrifice at all! I enjoy every precious moment we have together! We are so grateful for the opportunity to have Bradley. We know many families might not have had that opportunity, and we don’t want to ever take our time together for granted. We recognize the huge responsibility that comes with parenting, and we are looking to the Lord for guidance all along the way. In the meantime, we are counting our blessings and thanking God for each memory each day. We have already seen how time flies, but each new day has brought new joys! I’m treasuring the moments!

Zach's blog: Project Starters

Just like Nathan said, my brothers and I can definitely be labeled as “project starters”… whereas Chad is definitely the project finisher. While I was still living at my parents, I tried to help out as much as I can, since I was the oldest. However, while Whitney was pregnant and now that we have Bradley, I can’t always make it over to the house to help out. I’m definitely grateful for Chad being another helping hand when it comes to helping out with my younger siblings!

It was so fun that Whitney and I were able to participate in the singing engagement before little Bradley was about to arrive. We both enjoy singing, and I got to play a little backup guitar at the music festival. Now that we have Bradley, I bet you can imagine that there is a lot of singing in our house!

Zach's blog: Cherishing Every Moment

I know he hasn’t made his debut in the show yet, but I’ve gotta tell you guys, Bradley is growing up so fast! Whitney and I are working hard to cherish every moment. Everyone keeps asking us how we’re adjusting to being new parents and if we’re having a tough time handling things but the truth is… Bradley has been easy on us! He is just a cool, chill and happy little baby. There’s no greater privilege in the world than to get to be his parents.

It was pretty cool to see Lawson record in Nashville. He’s definitely got a career ahead of him if he wants one. Proud of him!

Zach's blog: Learning from the Best

Believe it or not, being part of a television show isn’t always easy. Sometimes it’s hard to re-watch moments you’ve lived or to know that people see one small piece and think it’s the whole puzzle. On the other hand, it’s pretty cool to know that we have a time capsule filled with some of the most special moments of our lives because of the show. It’s been a wild ride that’s for sure. One of the moments I’m most looking forward to re-living this season is the birth of my son Bradley. One of the questions Whitney and I get asked a lot is if we’ll raise Bradley the way my parents raised us. Well, I can tell you one thing… my parents are experts at raising kids! I certainly wouldn’t be the Dad I am and intend to be without their training and guidance. Another question we get asked is if we’re going to have 19 kids like my mom and dad. The truth is… right now we have one very little and very special boy we get to be parents to and we’re having the time of our lives doing it. And if you’re wondering if I think my parents have gone soft and have ‘Grandparent Syndrome’… for Bradley’s sake and the other grandkids soon-to-come… I sure hope so!
Whitney and I couldn’t be more excited for the big news in tonight’s episode but I’ll let Erin share that. :)

Zach's blog: New Drivers on the Road!

Teaching my sisters to drive was… well… scary. I love Tori and Carlin, but few things are scarier than teaching your younger siblings how to drive. I’m not sure which of them made me more nervous behind the wheel. On one hand, we have Tori who hasn’t driven much and is shy, and on the other hand, Carlin thinks she can do anything. Yes, anything. At least I had my other siblings serve as parking markers. Did you think I would put myself in harm’s way?! But hey, they both passed, so I guess I did my job.
I have a newfound respect for my parents for watching us, one by one, learn how to drive. As the oldest, I had (and still have) a lot of responsibility for helping the younger siblings, whether they like it or not. It’s a big responsibility, although a fun one, to teach my siblings how to drive… but boy, is it scary. I can understand why my parents gave me that task! I certainly will not be ready for little Bradley to start driving any time soon. Every day is a learning experience with Bradley, and I’m so thankful for the responsibility that I learned while growing up. It has definitely come in handy now that I’m a father!
Watch out Tennessee, Tori and Carlin are on the road!

Zach's blog: All grown up

Growing up, we had a lot of family rules. One of those rules was to behave mannerly in public places, so to help us, my parents coined the term “Train-up” taken from the Proverb “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart.” When we heard, “Train up,” we knew it meant to line up quietly and orderly. As a new dad, I know that my son Bradley may not always understand the rules Whitney and I establish for him, and I know he’s going to make the occasional mistake, just as I did. My hope though, is that one day Bradley will know that we gave him rules because we loved him and wanted to save him from as much suffering as we possible could, just as my parents did for me and still do for my brothers and sisters. I can look back and see the wisdom of those rules and can be thankful for them in an even greater way now that I am a dad. So far, being a parent has been the most wonderful thing I’ve ever experienced and it has made me appreciate my parents all the more. Dad and Mom, thank you for always loving me, and now for loving Whitney and Bradley so wholeheartedly!

UP TV Zach's blog: Awaiting Baby Bradley

Whitney’s baby shower made this first episode a special one for us. A very BIG thank you goes out to my mom and sisters for helping put together a wonderful shower for Whitney. It was definitely a moment none of us will forget! Don’t worry, Whitney and I have come a long way since our failed attempt at the diaper contest. We’ve had plenty of practice with Bradley since then!

My dad was such a big help preparing me for becoming a father myself. It was a big relief to learn from him that he didn’t think he was ready either back when my mom was expecting me… and look how far he has come, 19 kids later! Having my son Bradley was the very best thing that has happened to Whitney and me. We can’t wait to share him with you all!