Somebody is Getting Older... (a bit belated...)

Last month on April 16th, Matt turned 32. We did celebrate. We even took pictures. I have just been so preoccupied with other concerns that I didn't post anything. I am such a slacker!
Birthday posts are some of my favorites, because I really get a chance to stop and think about why I love that person so very much. So, even though it is a bit belated (sorry, honey!) I still want to talk a moment to reflect on all things Matt. Here goes...

1. Matt is a good father to his kids. Every day the kids watch for and listen for their dad to come home from work. At the first sound of the front door opening the kids pile into the living room to see who gets to give Daddy the first welcome home hug of the day. (Sometimes someone gets trampled in the process...) I love the smile on his face as he greets the kiddos.

2. Matt is horrible at Monopoly and Battleship. I used to think he was just being gentlemanly by letting me win, but it turns out he really is that bad. He is so conservative with his finances that he isn't aggressive enough to build up his properties quickly, whereas I take a big gamble and buy everything. I buy the cheapo properties and build them up very quickly, whereas Matt waits for the "perfect" buy, but then can't afford to improve them. He usually ends up paying exorbitant amounts of rent to me instead of building up his own. Also, being a Math Guy, he has such a methodical mind that he always lines up his ships in Battleship in predictable patterns. Locate one or two, and the pattern becomes obvious, and so I usually beat him. I think he gets flustered by my randomness sometimes.

3. I love that he continues to try to "talk math" to me, even though I really haven't the foggiest idea what he is talking about most of the time. I love that he still gets frustrated trying to explain that half of 1/2 is 1/4. (Whereas I know that half of 1/2 is really 1/4, I love to argue that half of 1/2 is really one half, because if you split anything in half, what have you got left? Half!)

4. Matt loves pork chops.

5. Matt is very ticklish. He probably won't appreciate me sharing this, but you don't even have to touch him to make him laugh. Just the power of suggestion and waving your fingers at him, pretending to tickle him, makes him squirm with laughter.

6. He plays the guitar. Lately, he serenades the kids while they are taking a bath. You should hear his rendition of "Rubber Ducky"... priceless.

7. Matt has a great sense of humor. He loves subtle jokes and dry humor. I think sometimes he married me just because he is so amused by the things that come out of my mouth. (I love to joke and tease with him, mainly because he blushes so easily!)

8. Matt loves to read. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a lot of time to read, since he works full time and comes home to a crazy house full of kids. We do read to our kids every night though, and I know he enjoys this. You should really hear his take of "Dooby Dooby Moo." (It's in the same series as "Click Clack MOO. Cows That Type.")

9. Matt is always singing. When we first got married he used to sing show tunes to me all day. I finally broke him of loudly singing "Oklahoma!" every time their was a lull in the conversation.

10. Matt is a great husband. He tries so very hard to be a little bit better all the time. He changes diapers, snuggles babies, does laundry, humors his wife, loves the kids, and wrestles the dog. Meanwhile, he faithfully serves in his callings and provides for his family. (and he rarely complains...) We are so blessed to have him.

We love you, Matt!