Happy Birthday, Jim!!

This year is not unlike any other year in that Jim is playing down his birthday. Always the humble one, he does not like to make a big deal about his birthday. So, what is he doing to celebrate? He is spending the weekend on-call in Clinch Valley. Why, you ask? So that he can come to the Strawberry Festival with me next weekend. See what I mean? Humble.

This is the first year of three where we won't be celebrating with a dessert creation meant to stump me ON his birthday. The impetus for this tradition is really that Jim doesn't want anything for his birthday, so he makes up a dessert that he believes doesn't exist. The year we started this tradition he asked me to make a banana carrot cake and last year it was a mint chocolate chip cheesecake. This has actually produced some of the most delicious desserts! BUT we will be doing this at a later date. Stay tuned. It's a fun tradition :)

In honoring the birthday boy, here are a few pictures and things I love about him :)

Honeymoon, St. Johns. July 2009

I love his fascination with all creatures and plants that comes with being a biology major and being lifelong student. He always wants to learn & do more in this area, though his time is limited. This isn't "work" for him,; it's a passion.

White Coat Ceremony, November 21, 2010

I love his hard work and determination as he finishes his third year of medical school in this last rotation. It's been a grueling three years but he's held steadfast to his dreams. One more year until he adds two letters to his name, Dr. or DO (Doctor of Osteopathy)! The driving force behind it all is to provide for our family and serve those in need.

Mt. Aspiration, Alaska. July 2011

I love his steady, calm, relaxed demeanor, putting those around him at ease.

I also love his desire to travel. Oh the places we'll go...

Lake Martin, Louisiana. April 2010

And I love his sense of adventure, with a desire to spend time in the great outdoors. We've had a lot of adventures in our almost 6.5 years of knowing each other and I don't expect them to end. Ever.

These are just a few of the things I want to honor him for, but the list could easily go on and on.

As we embark on this new journey of parenthood, I feel blessed to be traveling this road with Jim.

Happy birthday, Hon!!!