This is one of the rare pictures of us all together at one time.  This picture was taken in 1998, and it is evident that we need to get another family picture done soon.  In any case the members of the family are:  Tim - left side, Christopher - top center, Terri - right side, and Matthew - bottom center.

We are what I think, is a pretty typical American family.  We have been fortunate enough for the past 5+ years to only need one member working, and that would be me (Tim).  Terri has been able to stay home with Matthew (our youngest) to spend her time raising him.  I must admit that I am a believer in a parent staying home to raise the children.  There are so many things that the children seem to miss when both parents are working to try to make ends meet.  And in our case it has been even more important since Matthew is autistic and requires much more attention  than a normal child of his age would.  My wife has been extremely busy with working with Matthew and his disorder.  And if she had to work at a regular job (not that what she does at home is not a job) she would not be able to devote enough time and effort to give Matthew the best possible chances for a normal healthy life.  I of course work and therefore am not able to give the same quality time to the children as Terri, this leaves me with the task of learning from my wife all of the daily things that she must do for the family and of course just catching up on the events that I missed while I am at work.

As time has passed since this was first posted Matthew has grown and this has given Terri some more free time while he is at school.  She has decided that since he is in school she would like to work while he is away and make a few extra dollars for us to do different things.