Happy Birthday Ethan!!!

In response to the, dare-I-say, annoying facebook note "25 Things" that has been circulating the Internet ... I have chosen to participate in this wide-spread fad but only to share with the world 25 + 1 things I love about my husband. He's 26 today!

1. He loves music. And as he gets older his taste continues to widen. Some of my favorite moments are just listening to music with him.

2. There is a suppressed dancer inside of him. Not freestyle dancing mind you. But give this guy a choreographed dance or teach him the two-step and watch him go!

3. He's incredibly laid back, but does not sacrifice his ideals or beliefs because of that.

4. He doesn't allow us to put ourselves in a "box." And if we every do, it's a fairly large box, with walls that easily break down ...

5. He's found his confidence this year. He's a man who knows what he wants ... whether is Thai food, playing music with his friends or setting career goals ... he's getting things done.

6. He's an amazing musician. Not like, he just plays the guitar kind of guy, but he really, truly understands music.

7. He loves to eat. I love watching him enjoy food. I think deep down there is a fat guy buried inside a skinny guys body.

8. He isn't selfish. He would tell you otherwise, but financially, emotionally and physically he's more than willing to make sacrifices for his family and for others.

9. He's already a great Dad. He glows when talking about the baby. And he already points out potential hazards and things we need to be sure to do as parents.

10. He's a pack-rat. It's often a struggle to encourage him to let things go so we don't end up in a house full of clutter.

11. He's got great hair and a rock star style that I LOVE! Just ask our hair stylist. :)

12. He's not afraid to unleash his inner nerd. If we are honest with ourselves, we all have one. Ethan sometimes chooses to embrace the nerd. :)

13. He's not afraid to set up boundaries or admit weakness. Which, as a wife, I think is incredible! It takes an incredibly strong man to admit weakness and failure.

14. He's a techy. Everyone comes to him with techy questions, and he loves it.

15. He's a gifted teacher. He is patient and has an uncanny ability teach others.

16. He loves to read and encourages my inner reader. Which is good for me because I love to read also ... I just have serious problems sitting still.

17. He's adventurous. Which is probably why I was so attracted to him ... he's up for trying something new or going someplace we've never been. I couldn't have married anyone else.

18. He shares my sense of humor. When we started hanging out/dating, I couldn't believe that I found someone who completely "got" me.

19. He's a lover of comic books and super heros. I love this about him. However, if we have a little boy I do worry that Ethan will be envious of little batman underwear and Spiderman PJ's ...

20. He really likes scary movies ... a lot. Something in him enjoys the erie and the creepy.

21. He has a natural ability to make friends easily and to minister to people. God truly does send people Ethan's way who need Jesus.

22. He's has a desire to continue to grow into a better person. He makes changes in his life and habits frequently in an effort to better himself. He quickly fought off his TV, computer and video game addictions a couple of years ago.

23. He's willing to submit to God's calling for his life. Although we really don't know what we want to be when we "grow up" ... and it would be much easier to pick a city or a job and just decide to stay there forever ... Ethan can see the bigger picture.

24. He believes the Bible is God's truth. Straight from the horses mouth ... it's the only truth in this world.

25. He loves Jesus and strives to see people and the world the way Jesus would.

26. He's the only man I ever fell in love with (outside of my Dad of course)!

God's got amazing things in store for you Ethan. I'm so excited to be right by your side!