Happy Birthday to ME

Well as you might suspect this is the infamous
Birthday Blog I had mentioned in our previous BLOG. I'm not that big on birthday parties at least for myself, but get great joy in having my family come together and watch them as they get to celebrate with me. Kim worked really hard to put things together, and both she and I got a big surprise when Joshua was able to pop in and join the party. Now that he is an area supervisor (or??? for Dick;s Sporting Goods" one of his stores is here in Charlottesville, and he worked it so he could drop in and surprise us and he did. I still have not gotten the knack for getting the pictures or captions for the pictures figured out yet, but I hope you will get it sorted out as you have the opportunity to read. As you can see in this PIC food is always a big part of a birthday party. I got to wear the outdoor cooks belt that Jessie and Tanner got me for Father's Day and made sure that we had some great grilled hot dogs, my famous baked beans, and Kim took care of all the rest. So we know no one left hungry! Then came the "Hot Fudge Cake" Kim made. It is not my favorite, but I will have to admit it was pretty darn good, and by the way it disappeared, everyone else must have thought so also. Then came PRESENTS. I'll have to admit I was too well treated this year. Holly and Micah bought me a bunch of fishing lures. Holly made the mistake of going into Dick's and asking for help, and the salesman tried to sell her the store, and from the picture you can see she bought a good part of it. I've already tried several of them, and caught fish on every one that I have tried to date...what an awesome gift for this Dad. Then I got another big surprise when I got a group gift from Josh, Mark, Jacob, Jessie, and their spouses (even though some spouses didn't want anything to do with it...but thanks anyway)...a 357 magnum 6 shooter, with enough ammo to pretty much do whatever I wanted to do with. I have wanted a nice pistol for the house for years but would never spend the money for it. It is a beautiful gun, has a big bang (see video), and requires much practice to be accurate (see video again). Jacob, Tiff, and Jessie took me out to shoot some last week, (see video again) and I came back a little bloody from the kick of the gun, but had a great time. But with all the goodness that was poured out upon me by my wife and kids and family, the best gift of all was to be together. I didn't get to take a group photo this gathering even though I know some were taken. The closest I got was this one of everyone getting ready for the family PIC. But I rallied in having us all together, and having opportunities like this to show we care for one another, will make sacrifices for one another, and that we find great joy when we are with one another. Are we the perfect family....not even close, but when the need is there we will be there one for another. And that is one great birthday gift for me. So I say thanks Kim, Josh, Ellie, Luke, Emma, Mark, Danielle, Holly, Micah, Jacob, Tiffany, Jessie, Tanner, Mom, and Charlie. You each made my birthday, truly a celebration of living. I love you all...hope you enjoy the video....love Dad....Well looks like the video will not post Sorry...but it was really cool........shucks!!!

Fathers Day 2008

There are few things that can compare to opportunities of bringing family together. There are times when it is emotionally challenging like when a loved one passes through the veil, and then there are these moments: Like Father's Day. I woke Sunday morning to a bevy of phone calls and Well Wishing. Let's see, there was Holly and Micah at 745am...(what were they doing up that early on Sunday?), followed by Jessie, then Mark, then Jacob and finally Josh. Kim made me a big breakfast...normally breakfast is one piece of wheat toast and a banana....not exciting but healthy!!! But this morning it was crispy (pork) bacon not the Turkey stuff and a pile of pancakes that would feed a small army. Now that was exciting to my taste buds and tummy. Of course that set the mood for a morning nap. Early morning meetings at church were canceled for Father's Day, so a nap was doable. Is "doable" a real word? Eh, works for me hope it does for you! We got to church and I was truly surprised to find Jessie and Tanner sitting in our unauthorized "Family Pew". Then Micah and Holly came to our Ward today for Father's Day. It was great to once again fill up our Family Pew with FAMILY, normally sits 5 comfortable, but today it sat 6 wonderfully cozy. As I said before I love my family each and every one of them and appreciate the small and large things they do because they know how much joy it brings to me. Kim and I have decided for Mother's Day and Father's Day we will let the kids, put in the major efforts for the type of celebrating and the level of celebrating they want to do. Of course we do our thing, but want to allow the children to
experience the opportunity of putting in efforts
of their own in this capacity, to help them learn the importance of giving and sharing in this capacity, without too much coaxing. So instead of a big dinner for Father's Day, we left it open and would only have light sandwiches etc...if anyone came by. Well free food of ANY kind is absolute bait for Holly and Micah, not that that was the only reason they showed up on our steps on Father's Day, but Kim and I are always glad for guests, especially when they are among the "guest we love best". Oh that list of guest we love best includes: Josh and Family, Mark and Danielle, Holly and Micah,Jacob and Tiffany, Jessie and Tanner, our Moms, and Our Siblings! But today only Micah and Holly made it by and that is OK. Jessie and Tanner were at church to visit, Jacob and Tiff were still at the beach, Josh and Ellie and kids live 2 hours away and Mark and Danielle are way south of here. But it was still a great Father's Day. I got to tell my Wife and each of my children how much I loved them, and for me that made for an exquisite and beautiful day for any Father. And for that I am most thankful!! Plus look at all the extras that came in...Chocolate and socks from Jessie....a new constellation book from Kim, Holly, and Micah, and I got to hang out with Holly, Micah, and Ethan... oh if you don't see Ethan he is the little pudge just below Holly's navel!!!! Awesome Awesome Father's Day. A great Father's Day...so let's not cry because it's over, but let's smile because it happened...I am, and I hope you are too! Check back soon for the big 56th birthday bash when once again, family comes together, and the ties that bind were snugged a little tighter, smiles were a little bigger, and I got some more great stuff.......................................kjb