We have had sickness around our place. It all began a week ago Saturday when Matt came into our room at 4 AM with a fever. He was sick for about three days. Then Leslie and Lauren caught it. Terry and I had a mild form of what they had. Because the kids were sick, I couldn’t take them out to do our normal gift buying for their dad, who had a birthday yesterday, April 25. Instead, we got a card and they all contributed some money to go inside it. They collected forty dollars for their dear old dad! Terry was thrilled because, unbeknownst to us, he has been wanting to get a watch. He is planning to use their money for that. He was also blessed to get many other cards and gifts from friends and family far away.

Of course, I got him the best gift of all. . . a weed-eater! We have been needing one since buying our own home two years ago. I was able to use some of my birthday money to get this for him. I tried to buy a nice one, and I couldn’t very well go and ask Terry’s advice, so I just did my best. When I gave it to him, one of the kids asked me, “Did you buy the electric one?” I replied, “I have no idea!” We all had a good laugh over that! I didn’t know anything about it, other than the brand (which I’d heard of before) and the price. I did know enough to save the receipt. Fortunately, it was the right kind – a gas powered one, in case you were curious.

We have been blessed with more rain so he hasn’t had the chance to use it yet. We are not complaining. We are grateful for each and every drop. That just means he’ll have plenty of weed-eating to do when the sun comes out.

The best part of any gift, for Matthew anyway, is the BOX! He made good use of it. He asked his brother to cut out a hole for his face, and Mitchell obliged.

I present to you, Matthew – the box boy!

We finished the day off with Terry’s favorite, Frozen Peanut Butter pie. Here’s a short video of us singing to him. Matthew was kind enough to help him blow out the candles.

I can’t possibly put into words what a blessing my husband is to my life. He is honest, hard working, loving, funny, easy-going and faithful to the Lord, and to me. I couldn’t ask for a better husband. I pray that our girls marry men who are just as Christ-like as their dad, and that the boys will grow up to follow in his footsteps.

Happy birthday, to my closest friend. I love you, Terry!

Now. . . if we can all just get to feeling better.