HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JD!

About a month before JD's birthday, we were discussing what he wanted for his birthday. 

He felt a pellet smoker/grill would be an awesome birthday gift. We looked at a few, and I told him I did not want to spend that kind of money on something right before we moved into a new home. 

A day later, his sister Shari called to inform him that she had won one of them in a drawing. He was beyond excited for her and may have been a little covetous when he hung up the phone. The following day, his sister showed up with it in the back of her car. She opened the trunk and said, "I don't have any idea what to do with this. Nor do I have a place for it. Happy Birthday."  Since that day, JD has been like a kid at Christmas. He loves inventing new recipes and finding creative ways to use his new smoker. 

It is safe to say her gift to JD has benefited our entire family.

Today JD tried his hand at ribs...

They were DELICIOUS!

I can't believe how thoughtful that was of his sister. 

For at least 2 weeks after JD's sister gave him the smoker, 

I would catch JD pausing in the middle of something and making comments such as, 

"I can't believe she did that for me." 

Since the day I married JD I have admired 

the way JD and his sisters get along. 

JD, we love you and are thankful for 

everything you do for our family. 

Recently I started going walking in the morning.

 I love that you join me, 

even when you don't love walking. 

This last semester I was in a math class that actually taught me a lot of valuable concepts. 

However, I am terrible at math. 

JD would go through the entire lesson with me and try to help me understand

 what the heck it was I was supposed to be learning. 

We both learned a lot about math this term.

I'm thankful to be married to a man who is willing to help me with math, 

even during ROYAL meltdowns.

When it came to this class, 

neither of us knew the answers, most of the time.  

I am thankful JD would stick with me until we figured it out together. 

That's True Love:)

It makes me smile at how much our children love their dad. 

HE loves to facetime Alyssa in the morning so that he can talk to Luke. 

He is such a wonderful grandpa. Whenever one of his children needs help, 

he ALWAYS has the answer.

If he doesn't, our children know it will only take Dad 

a minute after the call to find it. 

We LOVE you, JD!

Thanks for the blessing you are in all of our lives!

Happy 48th old man:)