Ben's Big-time Birthday Bash

It's never easy coming down from a Birthday High. Yesterday, we celebrated my 29th birthday and it was wonderful. In case you've never had the privilege of having a 'Bethany Birthday', let me tell you how it works. Bethany absolutely loves birthdays. She makes them so much fun that the next morning feels like the day after Christmas. The first year we were together I was blown away at the lengths she went to to make my special day fun for me. Since then, I've had four more and each one has been special and memorable in its own way.

Yesterday, there was a really fun card waiting on me when I woke up and a note on the bathroom mirror reminding, in case i forgot, that it was my B-day. Then, for lunch, Bethany and Jackson surprised me by driving into the city and eating lunch with me at Steak and Shake (my choice).

And this is pretty much what I ordered.

Unfortunately, I had to go back to work after that, but when I got home there were more surprises waiting on me tucked in various covert locations around the house. There were two military books that I had asked for and Carnival Games for Wii that I've been wanting forever that included a complimentary super-tight t-shirt (OKAY i know it's for kids).

Just when it seemed that the day couldn't get any better, we went to Abner's for our usual Tuesday evening chicken dinner that was UNusually good. YUM!

After we got Jackson put to bed, Bethany and I were getting ready to play Wii when she asked me to get her a piece of cornbread out of the microwave. I know, that's what I thought - "When did you start eating cornbread for a snack?" But, I was excited about my game so I hurriedly went into the kitchen without thinking much about it. When I opened the door, there was my favorite cake - funfetti - decked out with confetti icing and candles. How great is that?

Oh, and in case you are not my age yet - 29 candles make a lot of smoke. Blow them out with caution (and perhaps with a fire extinguisher handy).

In closing, I just want to say thanks to the woman who made this all possible. The same woman who makes everything possible in our house. Ya'll may not know this, but Bethany is flat out amazing. Okay, I know that if you're reading this, you already know that. Seriously, though, she works so hard every day to keep our house running smoothly. Her job has no quitting time, no overtime, no pay and no vacation. Everything that Jackson has accomplished has been because Bethany worked with him until he figured it out. She has always been the brains behind this operation. She doesn't complain, doesn't slack off, and never quits. She's just perfect to us. Excuse me if I'm off track, I just just think it's high time she got a little recognition.

~ Ben