Nate's 35th Birthday

It was a couple months ago, but a red-letter day like this shouldn't go unblogged.
For Nate's birthday this year he really wanted to hike to the top of a mountain. So he picked Ben Lomond, headed out early, and conquered! I love it when Nate gets back from his outdoor adventures. I worry the whole time he's gone, so it's part relief that he didn't get eaten by a bear or a snake or break a leg. But he also comes home recharged. Something about doing something hard outside helps him break free from the stress and monotony of daily life and show his very best self. I love it.

While Daddy was out getting his hike on, the kids created a birthday jungle for him. It was pretty spectacular.

He went through all the tunnels and spotted all the wild animals with the kids, and then opened presents and enjoyed his birthday treat of choice, fresh peach milkshakes.

I will take just a moment here and wax philosophical. It is incredible to me that after mere months of courtship, Nate and I got married. That's a terrifying thing to do, looking back. But here we are, 11 years down the road, having earned some gray hairs and wrinkles, and time has shown that it was the right choice. There's no way I could have known back then what a fun and loving dad Nate would be, and how he'd be the one to take the brunt of night time kid duty. I couldn't have foreseen that he would be the kind of person who donates to KUER, trains for marathons, and works his behind off in the yard with me. I could not have anticipated his loving concern when I am distraught and often ridiculous, or how quickly and sincerely he would apologize when he makes mistakes. I had no way of knowing what an excellent work ethic he has, and that he'd help me with the dishes every night and clean the bathrooms when I just couldn't bring myself to. So to Heavenly Father I say, "thank you, for knowing all these things, and leading me to make a decision that would be the best one of my life."

And unrelated, but adorable, this Asa boy is a delight.