53 Years OLD!!!

Howie just recently had a birthday and turned FIFTY THREE years old! WoW he is really getting up there in age! LOL

I am always teasing him with how old he is but if anyone knows Steve they know he is still so young at heart. A BIG KID...that's for sure!

I was unsure as to how to celebrate with Steve this year. I got this hare brain idea in the middle of the night to decorate the kitchen area to surprise him. Usually I make big poster signs and decorate with balloons but this year we were pretty busy moving April into our home so I had to improvise.

The grandkids were sound asleep in the basement where I store all of my paints and poster board so I decided to just take strips of paper and write birthday messages on them.

Steve is alway making surprises for me and filling the "kitchen area" up with roses and gifts so I thought it was my turn to do it for him.

Balloons and candy kisses were also scattered around the kitchen for his early morning surprise.

It was hilarious to hear the girls when they woke up and found the balloons and signs. I could hear them saying, "OH NO!!! SOME ONE MADE A BIG MESS!" "SOMEONE IS IN BIG TROUBLE!!"

Lyss was excited to see the CHOCOLATES!

SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES CHOCOLATE!

Papa Howie waking up to his birthday surprise.

GOTTA LOVE THE BED HEAD hairdo!

Alyssa was waiting patiently for Papa Howie to finish reading the signs so that he would offer her a kiss. A candy one that is!
She carefully followed him around making sure she didn't step on anything. Once he shared his candy she was in heaven. The girls ate more of the chocolate than Howie did I think. What a wonderful breakfast provided by their papa. Talk about a SUGAR HIGH!

I am constantly teasing him about his age because all of our married life I thought he was several years older than he actually was.

It wasn't until just a few months ago that I found out that he was JUST turning 53 this year. I thought he was going to be 55 or 56! OOOPS!

It's okay....I don't feel too bad about NOT knowing how old he is because he is confused about my age as well. He is constantly telling people that I am his "39 year old wife." Don't know what he is thinkin'! I am the oldest, most wrinkley looking 39 year old out there. The funny thing about that is when I was filling out papers at my doctor's office last month I ACTUALLY WROTE 39 down for my age!!!! HE REALLY HAS THAT DRILLED INTO MY HEAD! Oh well....

We had a lot going that weekend prior to his birthday so I was pretty wiped out for his actual birthday. I took him out to one of his favorite restaurants to eat and we had a rinky dinky little cake. We spent the majority of the day doing service for others so I still owe him a celebration!


I did find a picture to add to our home as PART of his birthday gift. We needed to REMOVE an "OLD FAMILY" picture we've had hanging in our living room and I thought this one looked awesome! We have had several people speak to us at church lately about the importance of hanging pictures of Christ in our homes to help invite the spirit. Steve has mentioned several times how he would like to buy one as well, since he left all of his pictures with his ex wife. The counsel the church leaders gave us was wonderful. There is a totally different feel as you walk into the entrance of our home now, and see the picture of the Savior right in front of you. He seems so loving and gentle in this portrait as he watches over his flock.

I hope that Steve knows of the love I have for him and I am so thankful that he is an understanding, unselfish husband. I am so impressed at how he is so willing to help others in need EVEN ON HIS BIRTHDAY. He is really a Christlike person and I admire him and his willingness to serve. Happy 53rd Birthday Howie!