Happy Birthday Nathan!

Today we celebrated Nathan's 6th birthday. He got to celebrate the big day at Grandma Sandy's house with his cousins, which made the day pretty special. When he woke up this morning, Grandma Sandy made Nathan snowmen pancakes. He had asked for a snowman cake, so we also made that today. Tonight, Uncle Steve, Aunt Rachel and all the cousins came over for supper, cake and ice cream, and to watch Nathan open his presents.

The whole day would have gone off without a hitch, except Nathan happened to fall headfirst down the stairs that go to the basement. He ended up with a bump on his forehead, a rug burn above his upper lip, a bloody lip and what will probably be a black eye in the next few days. That put a small damper on the day, but he recovered quickly and the birthday ended well.

Here are some pictures from his big day:

A snowman pancake to start the day off

Getting ready to open his first present of the day


Nathan with his cake. He was not excited about getting
his picture taken because of his injuries.

This picture really doesn't show his injuries very well. They are much more

pitiful to see in person, but you can get the gist of the swollen lip,

the rug burn and a little bit of the swelling under his eye.

Dear Brian,

Nine years ago today, we shared a pretty big day together. We stood up before a group of people and made some promises to each other, exchanged rings, and shared an awkward and very long moment at the unity candle wondering why we picked such a long song. You sang to me as I walked down the aisle towards you, and you still won't let me forget that I didn't cry a single tear during that whole ceremony. We gave each other our hearts, and you gave me your name. What a day!

Well, here we are nine years later. Some days it seems like that day just happened, and other days it seems like we have been together forever. We have grown up and grown together these past nine years, haven't we? We have handled some tough experiences and experienced some great times together.

There are so many reasons for why I am so thankful for you, but since we have been married for nine years, I will share nine reasons why I am thankful for you and why I love you.

1. I love to talk to you. I am so thankful that I can tell you anything. I am thankful for the insight that you have on situations and how you are able to make me see things from a different perspective. You listen to my thoughts, ideas, problems, concerns and dreams, and you never dismiss them as silly, dumb, or something you don't have time for, even if you don't agree with them or if they are crazy.
2. I love how you make me laugh. You have that sarcastic sense of humor, and you know exactly when to use it. I can be boiling mad, and you always know what to say to bring a smile to my face and a chuckle from my heart.
3. I love to watch you be a dad. You are a great dad. I love that you have taught our kids to place God first in their lives. I am so thankful that you are involved in our boys' lives and there is nothing better than watching you with them.
4. I am thankful that you help with the dishes and the laundry. You help me out so much, and I really appreciate it.
5. I love it when you stop by my office to bring me a cup of coffee. Nothing makes me feel better than knowing that you want to go out of your way to see me.
6. I am thankful that you let me work on cars with you. We haven't worked on a car together in awhile, but don't think that I have forgotten or will ever forget our first date! :)
7. I am so very thankful that you get rid of any mice caught in the mousetraps in our house and that you will kill the spiders in the boys' bathroom without me having to ask.
8. I am thankful for your God-centered heart, and your knowledge of the Bible.
9. Last but not least, I am thankful that you chose me. You could have picked any other girl, but you picked me and have completely given me your heart. I could not ask for anything more.

Brian, you are my best friend, and if you asked me to do it all over again, I would gladly marry you again in a heartbeat. Thanks for choosing me and for all that you do to make this family a great one.

I love you and I will never forget...

Stacey