Today is Paul's birthday. In his honor, I'm posting this list, most of which I wrote earlier this year:
1. He's an affectionate father.
1. He's an affectionate father.
2. He makes adorable cakes like this:
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| This was for our friend Adam Wickley (who is not a kid, but appreciated it nonetheless). Paul asked what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday--perhaps a doggie or My Little Pony, and Adam, joking, made a detailed description of what he wanted--a surfer riding a big wave, a girl on the beach, etc. And Paul did this! |
3. He's silly.
4. He's frugal.
5. He cooks yummy stuff.
6. He willingly stays home with the kids when I want to go somewhere alone.
7. He gives good advice, very often inspired.
8. He enjoys experiencing new cultures and helps our family enjoy it, too.
9. He makes an effort to learn Japanese since we're living in Japan.
10. He runs until he's tired and keeps on running.
11. He likes to think.
12. He has good taste in music.
13. He plays great stuff on the piano.
14. He sings to the kids at bedtime (and quite well).
15. He's committed to read the scriptures and pray daily with me and by himself.
16. He likes to go on family outings.
17. He's appreciative that I cook dinner for the family.
18. He's an effective teacher who engages his students. Sometimes I wish I could be in his classes.
19. He holds the priesthood and is worthy to bless and baptize our children, and give blessings to me as well.
20. He values temple attendance.
21. He has a strong testimony of the gospel.
22. He's a good public speaker (and doesn't even know it). He's entertaining, clear, and effective in delivering his message. I always enjoy listening to him speak.
23. He SCUBA dives. I like this because it took bravery to learn, it lets him enjoy nature in a different way than he otherwise could, he strengthens friendships with the guys he goes with (probably), and it's good exercise.
24. He has a good last name. I'm thankful I didn't marry a Smatty, Quackenbush, Buffenbarger, or even a J-surname.
25. He likes oceans (actually water in general) and sunsets. Sunsets over the ocean, especially.
26. He appreciates the arts--classic literature, art, music, and particularly musical theater.
27. He sometimes addresses me like a Russian: "Ah, Jill!"
28. He loves his mother.
29. He tries to influence people for good--especially young people. And he often succeeds at it!
30. He weeds the yard regularly. That's just a nice thing.
31. He fulfills his Church assignments faithfully.
32. He keeps a journal weekly. This helps him process things as he writes, and then he reviews what he wrote 6 months ago and learns from that as well. It also will be a treasure for our posterity.
33. He enjoys talking to our babies, making them smile, watching them develop.
34. He speaks several languages. That's not only handy, but it lends understanding about language in general, including his own.
35. His cartoon drawings are delightful. Seriously, they delight me. If you ever get to see one of his "Joseph" stories he wrote for his French I kids, you'll get a good taste. If he reads it aloud, the experience is even better.
36. He understands some very useful ins and outs of computers. Thank goodness for this. He backs up our computer twice a year so we don't lose stuff, too. I'm grateful.
37. He loves to read and influences our children in that area. He also taught me how to read to children who are too young to understand the words of a book.
38. He's mine forever!
Happy Birthday, Paul!
