Happy Birthday To Jeff

Today is Jeff's birthday and I thought that not only do I owe him a post (I believe I totally missed Father's Day blog-wise?) but I also owe him a huge thank you for being the best ever dad and husband.   I don't tell him enough how much I appreciate him.

He works long days-works hard to provide for our family, then comes home and plays with the kids-the little ones run to the door when they hear the garage door go up.  He stays up for the late shift for the teenagers and is SO much better at all this teenage stuff than I am, honestly.  (No over-reacting on his part-something I do way too much.)  He is sensible and present and I just couldn't imagine parenting without him.  I can be way too serious and worrisome-he makes things light and fun, but isn't a pushover or a non-participant either. I don't know if that makes sense but it's as close to perfect as you can get.

He coaches just about every sport our children have ever played, and he's darn good at it.  He makes it fun for all the kids, he has never ever has made one child he has coached ever feel badly.  He plays all the kids fairly, talented or not, and he really really works hard at developing not only their skills but their self-image as well.  Coaching is his true calling, and no doubt he'll still be on the sidelines forever.

Jeff has also been a super compassionate and patient and understanding husband this year-which started out harder than any part of our life together with me being so sick.  He has been through this so many times and it hasn't been easy but the first half of this year was super trying for us all.  My love of babies, in spite of the fact that acquiring them hasn't been easy, hasn't stopped him from being supportive one bit.  He assumed all my duties on top of doing everything above-working, playing with the kids, and coaching, as well as being there for me physically (forcing me to put something in my mouth even though I wasn't so nice about it) and more importantly, emotionally.  It wasn't easy, trust me, it wasn't, I know, I was there. :)  He might be secretly rejoicing in this "last baby", but he would never let me know that!

I feel so lucky.

Happy Birthday Jeff!
We all love you so much.