surprise . . . joe turned 33!

Joe's goal in life was to be married before he turned 30. In order to reach that goal (and for other reasons to) we decided to get married on March 1, 2008 just about 30 days before he turned 30. He made it right in time...married at 29. Our March/April seasons of life are just crazy busy.

I've always heard that turning 30 is a big milestone and being a newly married wife I wanted to try to make his 30th special, but the truth was, we just returned from our amazing honeymoon in Hawaii, I had my 25 birthday, I was moving all my stuff into our amazing home, we were somewhat broke, and then Joe turned 30. Luckily, my parents came through and let us go on a trip with them to Pebble Beach that year (which made up for my lack of doing something amazing)...

All that to say, I joked around with our families that maybe randomly I would do a surprise birthday for him when he turned 33. I guess I just liked that number at the time. Well, he turned 33 this year and my plan came through!

If you know Joe at all, he's a sports guy 24/7. Come to our home and ESPN will be on. He plays softball, basketball, flag football (reigning champs), etc. I was trying to figure out what would be a quick/easy set up...so I thought- let's do a sports (ESPN) theme with all his favorites represented.

I connected with our immediate families and a few of his close friends and they all came through. I got Joe out of the house with his good friend Shane (our neighbor too) to watch a RiverCats game (luckily Joe's friend who he coached growing up was pitching for the other team that day) so it was a great way to get him out of the house for the surprise!

I rushed home after church on Sunday to set up. I pulled stuff from my parents garage (old sports items from my brothers) and then ransacked Joe's stuff in our garage. It all came together in a couple of hours - thanks to my mom's help too for getting some fake turf for the tables!

I think it's the first surprise party I've ever thrown and it was a success! He was totally shocked that I could pull it off- in fact- he said it was his favorite birthday yet! I was super happy!

If you've read this far, you must just really be my friend (cause it was probably a really boring blog)...but here are a couple highlight pics (i'm missing so many good one's- these were all taken after the party by default) and one quick video- of course in the midst of the chaos I forgot to get all the details (like the cracker jack party favors, etc)...but it was a quick whirl of a weekend and it worked for us!

Take a quick look at the "golf" table, Joe's minimal hat collection, USC gear display and football table:



Judah, Joe and the Birthday song:

Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth...

So...this is a blog really for my husband...but I'll let those of you in my life read it as well...cause it's a good reminder to myself (and those wives out there...)

We were hanging out with some friends the other night for dinner and enjoying the conversation...Joe began discussing the amazing plans for the upcoming special needs prom, "Evening of Dreams" {www.eveningofdreams.com} and started taking some credit for his input...I jokingly said remember that verse in Proverbs- paraphrasing "don't let praise yourself, let others do it"...and he jokingly (but not so jokingly said) "well, if you did it for me, I wouldn't have to do it for myself..."

We really were laughing and joking, nothing was putting each other down (I guess you kind of had to be there)...but I walked away from that night thinking to myself...I really could do better...it's not that I don't think good things about my husband...I actually feel like I think pretty positively about him...but I don't really talk that openly in front of other people (especially when he is present) about how amazing I think he is...I think it's sometimes easier to talk highly about him when he's not around...weird I know (I think I've even heard my dad say something similar to this regarding thoughts about my mom...maybe it's a weird trait I inherited from him)...

So...I know we are all not sitting down together in a room, but here's a start...

Praise for my husband:

1. He's always been the provider for our household (even when times got really lean, he found a way to make life continue)
2. He has always made me feel secure in our relationship (I've never doubted his love for me)
3. He's got is own unique authentic relationship with God (different than the typical raised Christian)
4. He keeps our home immaculate (yep, he's the cleaner in our relationship...the dishes, the floors)
5. He does the laundry (yep, weekly laundry, and folds my clothes too)
6. He washes our sheets once a week (if you were ever a roommate of mine in college- you would understand why I appreciate this one so much)
7. He takes care of any problems I have right away (he's a "get it done" kind of person)
8. He's actually a pretty good communicator (he likes to talk)
9. He picks up after Judah and I (when we have play time together, Joe likes to clean up the aftermath- maybe "like" is an overstatement- but he always follows up and picks up)
10. He gets home after work and still will take Judah for a drive up the street in his car (even though he's probably pretty tired)
11. He let's me get away with take out or "to-go" food even when he's trying to eat healthy, because it's less work for me...
12. He watches the little man so I can go do kickboxing at 24
13. He helps me serve at church (simply worship, moms group outings...probably not his number one thing to do- but he helps me out regardless)
14. He cares about my happiness (he wants to see my happy)
15. He plans get aways and date nights to help give me breaks from the madness
16. He encourages me not to get overcommitted to things
17. He excuses my late requests for parties or obligations (when I should have confirmed weeks prior)
18. He helps keep me accountable
19. He cares about giving back (helping with Equal Start at Oakridge, Evening of Dreams, etc)
20. He worked hard to get this new job (which has hopefully taken away a big stress load in the financial stability department)
21. He's confident (confident in who he is, what he believes, what he stands for- not in a cocky way which can be pre-conceived before you get to know him)
22. He shows up at my work unexpected to take me to lunch
23. He's a great sounding board when I'm frustrated (and always willing to give good advice)
24. He loves meeting and talking to new people (I love how we are constantly building new friendships!)
25. He loves family (both mine and his)
26. He's a negotiator and compromiser on the important things
27. He's always wanting to learn and grow (taking new tests for work and expanding his education and knowledge)
28. He loves to read (even though I pull him from that good habit- he still loves it)
29. He's my protector (I always feel safe and secure in his arms)
30. He's honest (almost brutely honest sometimes...but I guess I like that)
31. He's an amazing dad! (Judah loves him and looks up to him, and he always finds the time to play with him- even when he's a lot of work...)
32. He's a great friend (I just like hanging out with him, going shopping- which he's great at too- and eating good food, movies, friends, game nights)

So...it's a good start... 32 reasons since he's 32 years old (turning 33 on April 10)
I could go on and on...but some of you have probably already stopped reading...

Love you babe- I'll work on praising you more often so you don't have too!

Proverbs 27:2

an ocd father's perspective

I just spent 2 hours tonight putting child locks on our kitchen cabinets. Why? Because we have a raccoon in the house. He is 14 months old, about 24 lbs and 34 inches long. Blond hair, hazel eyes and he just learned to walk on two legs and I swear to you he can talk. His name? Oh yeah, we call him Judah!

I have come up with 2 theories since my son has been born; either God is helping me with my patience or having a great laugh at my expense. I mean really, He knows I am an excessive compulsive clean freak and He gives me Godzilla for a child. You think I'm kidding? My son leaves a path of destruction wherever he goes, he eats my deodorant, destroys my wife's tampons and pulls anything and everything out of the cupboards.



I hear you out there; oh that is just like any child his age. I say to you NOOO!!! You have no idea, he is not the same. He is something different, something outrageous. He is uniquely him and he is mine and his mothers. We love our little tazmanian devil. He is ours and you can't have him.


{average joe}