Photo by Jamie Alexander
Tell us about your family and career.
My family has recently grown with the birth of my son, Miles, in April. He was born almost exactly 3 years after his older sister, Reagan. My wife, Jordan, and I have both of them on an early morning schedule. Coming from a farming family, Jordan has always been an early riser. Since coming to Eyewitness News in 2017 I’ve also become someone who comes up before the sun. Each morning I wake up around 3 a.m. to anchor the morning news show at our station in Henderson. Living in Owensboro, where my wife works as a teacher, it’s hectic at times taking our kids to and from places and getting to bed on time most days.
Do you find it difficult to find a work/life balance?
It’s very hard to balance the role of a parent with my career. Our job can be fast paced, detail driven, and time consuming most days. The news cycle can almost demand that you get lost in it to provide coverage that meets viewer expectations. There are very few 9-5 jobs available in news so though I may have to wake up very early, to be home with my kids in the evenings is something I consider very special. Every day they provide so much entertainment and a reminder of what really motivates me most.
What do you love about Owensboro and raising a family here?
The friendly people and the idea of progress. My wife and I lived in Bowling Green for several years before deciding to come home to Owensboro. Many things have changed in that time, and the energy of growth is apparent in town. Ideas from people from all backgrounds are listened to, and most importantly, implemented. Owensboro is a community that remembers family and welcomes the idea of something new. It’s that type of environment I want my children to grow up in.
What’s the best thing about being a dad? The most challenging?
The best thing is the indescribable feeling of having your children love you. The idea that they want to mimic you, spend time with you, or hug you when they are in need is incredible. Watching them grow and seem to learn something new everyday is very rewarding. The most challenging part is balancing the time you have with them. With two children now, we want to be sure they each have not only time with us all as a family, but also one on one time. All of that on top of work and other duties can be tough. Even at a young age, major decisions arise all the time when it comes to how you want to raise your kids. Being confident and prepared for those moments can be tough at times.
Tell us your favorite funny parenting story.
During my daughter’s first trip to Holiday World, we spent the entire day at a group of water slides meant for toddlers. We had also just started potty training her. We could tell by her body language she needed to use the bathroom but she was at the top of a small slide. We raced up and snatched her, rushing her to the nearest bathroom, which wasn’t all that nearby. It must have looked like one big emergency to the crowd that we elbowed our way through. To us it was. We made it to the bathroom on time and it was back to the slides. It wasn’t minutes later that the lifeguard whistles blew and everyone was made to evacuate the toddler slides area. Someone’s child didn’t make it to the bathroom on time. Thankfully it wasn’t us, and we had already had our fun for the day.