Happy Birthday, Jared!

Today is Jared's birthday and I thought that as a tribute to him I would share some of the things that we know and love about him.

1. Jared loves to tell a good story. The funnier the better.

2. Jared has a really big, fun laugh. He has a great sense of humor.

3. Jared is a great dad. When Jared comes home all the kids run to the back door to greet him and fight over who gives him the first hug and kiss.

4. Jared is the ultimate reader of the FROGGY books. If I try to read one to the kids they are quick to tell me that I'm not as good as Dad.

5. Jared loves trains!!!!!! When we were first dating he told me that he was taking me someplace special. Then he took me to a hobby store where the entire basement was dedicated to model trains. We walked through it with reverence and awe. He has a dream of one day building his very own model trains. For now though he settles for building incredible train tracks (geotrax) for the kids and plays with them.

6. Jared loves peanut butter. I think that he would eat almost anything if I spread peanut butter on it.

7. Jared is very creative. He never ceases to amaze me when he designs a show. I'm impressed by all the research that goes into his designs. He has a vision of what the set should look like and then creates it. It is truly an amazing process.

8. Jared is a my handy man. I'm very blessed to have a husband that can fix pretty much anything. (Now, I must admit that his abilities could use some improvement in the promptness of fixing things.)

9. Jared loves to play games. Video games, computer games, board games, card games...it doesn't really matter what it is. (As a side note though, he will readily admit that at times he can be a poor loser. When he is losing he gets very grumpy and then when he starts winning again he gets really happy.)

10. Jared is always willing to help others. He willingly serves and helps others. I know that this sometimes takes him away, but I love the example he sets for our kids to love and serve.

Really the list could go on and on. But to I'd really hate for his head to get too big.

I love you, Jared! Happy 35th! (Yes, you are actually 35 now. He has been telling people all last year that he was 35 and I'd have to remind him that he was only 34. He'd look at me and say, "Really?")