Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my husband's 31st birthday so we can't let it go without a post dedicated just to the best father, husband, son, brother and friend he is to so many of us! Here's a few things that I love about him:

• He loves to have one big whole slushie to himself at the movies. No sharing. He sips the entire thing with a smile on his face.
• He loves my homemade pizza.
• He lets me control the heat and the air in the car, even when he's sweating - he doesn't say a word. I'm always cold, he's always hot.
• He will someday return to Earth as a Michigan football player, I just know it.
• If he could play anyone in a movie, I think he would pick Batman - The Dark Knight. Reading that line alone is sending chills down his back.
• He is completely comfortable driving our old paid-off Grand Am, and he's completely comfortable parking it next to another attorney's Cadillac Escalade every morning.
• He's loyal to anyone who is his friend or relative. He has their back to the very end.
• He could eat the exact same thing for lunch every day for years. Turkey sandwich with cheese and mustard. Every day. Side of chips optional.
• He contributes to our family's health lifestyle- encourages exercise and healthy eating as much as possible.
• He loves to hunt with his dog, he loves the sport of hunting - he does not love the outcome- the dead animal. I know this sounds odd, but Joe is an animal lover. He loves dogs, deer, rabbits, and pretty much all of God's creatures. So, you can see the internal conflict that goes on with each hunting season. Although, I think it's getting easier for him as the years go by.
• He loves the outdoors- fishing, hunting, dirt bike racing, boating, hiking - all of the above. His favorite place to visit: Ely, Minnesota. Hands-down.
• He makes us feel loved every day.

We celebrated his birthday on Sat. night with a meal at Royal Mile, followed by Arenacross. Joe loved it. I have to say, that if I go again, I will forego the cute turtleneck and jeans for a pair of Fox Racing Sweats with a Kawasaki sweatshirt. Joe even shared a secret with me, "When I lived in Michigan, I used to want to be one of these guys so bad." Some secrets are better left to yourself, honey.

Tonight, we will have our birthday meal with the boys and one small gift. But, Joey and I worked on a special gift for daddy last night. I asked Joey questions last night about his dad, and asked him to 'fill in the blanks.' This is the result of Joey's Birthday Essay. I wrote down his answers exactly how he said them - so bear with it! Sometimes, I honestly don't know what goes on in this kid's head!

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

You mean a fixer to me.

I love you because I love you so much.

I like to play with my batcave with daddy and my Spidey toys.

I like it when Daddy pushes me and wrestles with me and then I laugh and I laugh and I laugh.

My daddy is really good at getting me dressed up, taking pictures with me and playing games.

My daddy is most happy when we don't hit and when I share with all the people.

My daddy gets mad when I punch or hit or break stuff. Then he says, 'Joey- get up in your room and go to bed!'

The best thing about daddy is when he plays with me.

I know my daddy loves my mommy because he calls her a dork and then she is a dork but I know he still loves her.

And, my favorite line:

Maddox loves daddy because he laughs inside his heart.

I don't know what 'laughing inside your heart' means, but I love that he said that. Daddy-thank you for laughing inside your heart. Happy 31st! We love you....even when you do call me a dork!