Happy 36th Birthday Marty!!!

Happy 36th Birthday Marty!!!

I thought for your birthday that Iwould list 36 things that I love about you (of course I love you for lots more reasons, but I will leave it at 36).

1. You love Jesus

2. You are an awesome husband

3. You rock as a dad

4. You are a good friend

5. You are funny

6. You have never met a stranger

7. You don't get embarassed

8. You don't like to read, but you read your Bible

9. You are great at your job

10. It is cute how you love your Mini's

11. You like adventure

12. You don't freak me out by doing dangerous stuff

13. You are sexy

14. Your hugs make me feel safe

15. You are a great kisser

16. You know how to calm me down

17. You like to say shocking things to me to get a reaction

18. You told me to go for it and get my Mini

19. You didn't freak out when I dyed my hair red

20. You drive in foreign countries so I don't have to

21. You get me out of my comfort zone

22. You know just the words to explain things to me (like cars and football)

23. You don't make me mind being submissive, because I trust you

24. You are a great provider

25. You learned how to cook steak the way I like it (even though you like yours like shoe leather)

26. You dress nice for me

27. You make the effort to take me on nice dates

28. You took me to Germany for my birthday ;)

29. You indulge me in my caffeine addiction

30. You are very encouraging

31. You teach the boys stuff from the Bible

32. You plan for our future

33. You are a perfectionist when it comes to hanging pictures

34. You can fix anything

35. My family loves you

36. You help people in need

37. You do crazy stuff with the boys

I hope you have a great birthday. Go buy yourself something from Mini Mania to celebrate.

Love,

Holly

Are you ready for some football??

Are you ready for some football? This is the question that we asked ourselves this year when we decided to put the boys in public school. Alex was really excited about the idea of playing football. Marty was ok with it. Scott didn't care. I was thinking with my Mom head, wondering if he would be safe, but trying to cut the apron strings and let him be a guy. We decided to let him go for it. Shortly before school started, football conditioning started. It was kind of funny to hear the surprised words from the coaches and players about how big Alex is for a freshman. Alex didn't know what hit him. He hurt in places that he didn't even know existed on his body. The seasoned football guys took him under their wings and showed him the ropes. Next came football camp. Five days of 3 practices a day. The coaches even spray-painted barf stalls in the ditch for the guys. Alex was sad to say that on one day he visited the ditch several times. Then, official football practice started. He was excited the day he got his pads. The coaches decided that due to his size, he would make a good lineman. He plays this for offense and defense. Don't ask me exactly what everything means. One day Alex drew me little diagrams on a napkin, complete with little squares and circles. He patiently explained each position and some plays to me. I didn't have the heart to tell him that I only understood part of what he said.

Here is the picture that I made him take, so I could have a nice picture of him in his football gear. I teased him that I was going to take a picture of him with his gear on from far away, so I could recognize him out on the field. It is a good thing that the jersey's have numbers, because once the guys are all suited up out there you can't tell which butt it is that you used to change.

Here is Alex getting down into his stance. I know he called it something in particular, but I can't remember what. When he pops up, he is ready to clobber somebody.

Here is Alex and his good friend Eli. Alex is a lineman and Eli is a wide receiver. Aren't they handsome in their football gear? They look so grown up.

Here is a good picture of Alex from his game last Saturday. If you look at the guy in white blasting his way through the middle, that is my boy. Every time, he would rip past his guy and break right through. I know you are impressed that I know that terminology, but Alex explained it to me in great detail. He did very well. He tackled this one guy and Alex said that as he was running up to tackle the guy, the guys eyes bugged out in fear. Then he slammed him into the ground. Alex says that when he plays, he imagines that the ball is a steak and he wants it. That boy loves meat.

Here is a picture of one proud dad. Marty loves watching his boy play football. It has been really great to hear the two of them talking about football stuff. Marty cheered so hard, that his voice was hoarse the next day. It was very exciting to see my boy playing football. I thought he looked handsome and I was very proud of him. I can't wait to see him play in some more games.