Happy Birthday Jimbo!

This weekend is Jim's birthday. He never really "wants" anything so it makes it difficult to buy for him. The kids LOVE buying gifts so we have to get him something. There is one thing he really "wants"...a GPS (ugh). So, although its kind of expensive, we decided we really should get it for him. Payton, being like her mommy, couldn't WAIT to give it to him. She was so excited because she knew how much he would love it. Needless to say, we ended up giving it to him a week early. So, his birthday is Sunday and we already gave the gift.....now what??

Well, this might be morbid (or whatever you'd like to call it) but, with all the recent deaths in my family I've been doing a lot of thinking. When a friend or family member dies, their loved ones have so many wonderful things to say at the eulogy. There is such an "honoring" of the person who died. It is so unfortunate to me that, in some cases, we wait to say such kind and loving things until the person is gone. We never tell the person how special they are or how much they mean to us until they are no longer here. It doesn't really make a lot of sense. So, having said that, and in celebration of Jim's birthday, I wanted to put into writing how I feel about Jim, now, so he is here to hear and/or read the words himself.

Before I was old enough to drive, Jim walked into my life....looking back now, I know it was no accident. From the very beginning I insisted that I knew he was "the One" for me. My mom always thought he was just my "first love" and everyone feels like that....but for some reason, I always knew. I knew Jim was different than most boys. I knew we were supposed to be together. Jim is without a doubt my best friend and my soul mate. I often wonder why God blessed me with such a wonderful husband, because, as we all know, I'm not always easy to deal with. Why would God do that to him? (ha!)

We have so many memories that it would be hard to write them all here, but a few stand out in my mind...they are memories that define Jim's character and who he is. About 5 years ago we were pregnant with our 2nd baby....we were super excited because this time we actually "tried"to conceive...we were emotionally and physically ready to have another baby. We were laying out the plans. I was 3 months pregnant and on Labor Day weekend 2002 I had a miscarriage. I was devastated, traumatized and in a state of shock. To be honest, I felt so alone going through this terrible experience....I was convinced no one could understand....and one night, I heard Jim crying by himself in our bedroom. No matter how many words he had spoken to me to attempt to make me feel better, this very moment comforted me more than anything he could have ever said to me. Jim always gives me a "quiet comfort"....without saying anything he makes me feel better about situations just by being with me.

A few years after moving to Arizona, Jim had gone back to Columbus on business and made a quick stop into our old church to visit Dennis. When he came home we talked about his visit and he told me how he use to meet with Dennis often so they could pray for me...to pray that I would come to know the Lord, to pray for my salvation. I never knew this! This is such a true testament to who Jim is...he is never pats himself on the back for his acts of kindness, he is probably one of the most humble people I have ever met. He is never proud or boastful. And, above all, he is the most patient human being on earth.

And, finally, when I am really frazzled or stressed out about the house, the kids, just life....Jim will do something that really cheers me up....he goes in to "cleaning mode"(ha!)....He just knows that organization and a clean house make me feel less "out of control". I know it sounds silly (and it is) but Jim always puts the silliness aside and does it because he knows it will give me a little "boost". He's like this in everything....always putting himself aside to make me or the kids happy. So, Happy Birthday to my Jimbo! Without Jim, I would be lost. I would not be me. He is truly my (and Payton and Connor's) EVERYTHING!