Sunday was Tom’s birthday. It was a busy weekend for us, so it was nice to have the calm and quite of Sunday to celebrate. Our dear friends Steve, Mary and their sweet daughter Lydia came up to join the festivities. I made Cafe Rio and chocolate cake. The meal turned out delicious, and the company was even better. We brought back old times with several rounds of Nertz. And while things are noticeably changed with two needy babies joining the group, it was wonderful to hearken back to old Oberlin days. This year we were going for creative presents. (Tom and I made a bird house for my birthday.) For Tom’s I surprised him by fostering two kittens from Cleveland’s APL. We’ll have them for two weeks before we have to return them to be adopted out. Scotland’s gift was to clean and detail Tom’s truck. He really was in the baby bjorn for much of the job.

I enjoyed thinking of Tom all week as I planned his birthday. I am so blessed. He is a wonderful husband and father. I often marvel at how fortunate I am to have him. He’s been working SUPER hard to finish up his PhD in the next three weeks. It’s meant that he has been away from home more. It has helped me be more grateful for all the time he spent with me in the past few years. He has always placed us first, and found balance between his work, church callings, and family. I’m glad that Scotland will have him to look to as the image of true manhood. I hope that someday our little boy will be just as happy, helpful, thoughtful, creative, smart, humble, and kind. I love you Tom! Happy Birthday.