You've Had a Birthday, Shout Hooray!

We celebrated Paul's birthday.  I always feel bad when it's a work day because the celebration only lasts a few hours. Usually I try to celebrate the weekend before.  This time to make it up to him I brought cupcakes to work.  I found the most magical way to make salted caramel frosting...it was pretty amazing.  I also made pumpkin pie as per his request for a cake.  I should have brought the cupcakes on a different day. He didn't eat one, he just passed them all out to his coworkers.  He said he was saving room for pie.  I can't say I blame him.  

He came home and we ate dinner.  Audrey had spent the whole day decorating and making gifts for him.  She never ceases to amaze me with her creativity. 

Paul hardly ever buys anything for himself so I bought him the safe he's been eyeing for awhile. He was pretty happy about it.  There are so many things I could say about Paul but today but in my effort to save you from lists I'll just talk a little bit about this year.  

I may have fallen apart a little.  I usually hold it together pretty well but over the last six months I have struggled emotionally in ways that I have never struggled.  Through it all Paul was there, always pulling me in for a hug and telling me it was going to be okay, or sending me a conference talk I needed at just the right time.  I'm pretty sure we've made it out on the other side and I'd say it's all because of him in pushing me in the right direction and when he couldn't push he'd listen.

He works really hard everyday to spend quality time with Audrey and I'd say most days she loves him more than she's ever loved me.  He holds her world in his hand.  She looks up to him and I'm so grateful she does because he's her best example.  

He's so good at pushing me to do the things I love, as Sister Hinckley said," He has always given me wings to fly".  When I am inclined to pinch on paper he tells me paper is a cheap way to let Audrey explore her talents.  Making memories as a family is so important to me and he has always facilitated that, which means so much to me.  I'm so glad we get to call him ours.

I love you handsome!  I'm super happy and grateful for every year we get to grow old together. Happy Birthday!