31 Years

So, I don't typically post on the blog because the honest truth is that K is much better at blogging than I could ever be. It wouldn't really be fair for the world to be subject to some of the ridiculous thoughts that go through my head on a daily basis.

But, for today, I feel it is only appropriate for me to blog about my amazing wife as she celebrates 31 years of life and independence from the womb on December 9, 1978. K is always amazed at how the readership of her blog seems to grow by the minute. Not a day will pass where we will not hear something about our family that someone has read on the blog. It certainly comes as no surprise to me how great K is.

To commemorate her birthday this year, I thought it might be best to give my top 10 reasons that I give thanks for K from this year -- so here is goes:

1. K is the most selfless person that I have ever known. She is always thinking about how she can help someone or do something for someone else while trying to balance her own life. The number of hours she spends on the phone with good friends to lend a listening ear is incredible.
2. K is an amazing mother. She makes it always seem SO easy to the outside eye. I can remember when Ella was born. It was only a few weeks later that K was out shopping for groceries will all 3 kids and she ran into a friend of hers who couldn't fathom being out with 3 kids, let alone all of them being under the age of 4.
3. K is full of wisdom beyond her years. In her bible study group, women who are twice her age are always so blown away by what she has to share. And, it is the honest truth, the Lord has truly blessed her with great intuition and wisom.
4. K cracks me up! There are countless times that I really cannot stop laughing with something she has said or done -- now of course, many of these things are not really appropriate to share on a public blog, but for those of you who have experienced these times, you know exactly what I mean.
5. K is amazing with her willpower! She is one of the few people I have ever known who will pick something and stick with it. She has probably held the longest attendance record at Jazzercise (except for some crazy woman who goes 3 times a day). She has stuck to her diet and has lost over 10 pounds in such a short time -- which leads me to...
6. K is HOT!! She is a beautiful woman and certainly makes me look good! We certainly know which side of the family the good looks of our children are from.
7. K's passion and compassion is always a model for me. She spends 1 week every year volunteering at Camp Fantastic (a camp for children with bad cancer) as well as now working at Martha Jefferson Hospital on the cancer unit. She has the patience and courage to work with people who are seemingly facing death on a daily basis -- but is always encouraging and compassionate. (and, let's be honest, I could never walk into a hospital without fainting).
8. Blogging, photography, and activities -- oh my! I don't think I would ever know what actually happens in my family or what anyone looks like without the excellent photography and constant capturing of our family life for everyone to enjoy.
9. Sacrifice. It seems like our marriage is filled with sacrifices and surrendering of our "ideal" family life for the good of others and where God is leading us. Many times this is not easy. Living as a spouse of a youth minister and now Diocesan Director of Youth Ministry can be a lonely one at times, but K is so strong and understanding through it all. Because of this incredible strength, she has become such a model for other families who face similar situations and strains in marriages because of vocations and career choices.
10. K is a beautiful daughter of our living God! God has outdone himself with generosity when he sent K into my life. I look back over the past 6 years of marriage and the path that God has led both of us on and am always amazed at how it all happened. I certainly realize that I could have never done any of it without my faithful and loving companion by my side.

K, on this your 31st birthday, I pray in thanksgiving for the amazing blessing you are in my life as a loving wife. I pray in gratitude for the gifted mother you are to our children. I pray with all my heart that you continue to grow in holiness and challenge us all to grow deeper in relationship with each other and our God.

Happy Birthday! Love always, MFS.