30 Reasons for 30 Years

Each year birthdays become even more special. 

Call me extra sensitive, which is true, but [life is just so precious], how could they not? 

So last weekend, the hubby turned 30! And naturally, I made it a big deal. And we decided to take a little get-away trip to Orlando, FL. 

Cheap plane tickets, time away, & theme parks- irresistible. 

I also thought I'd be that extra cool & creative wife and celebrate him for 30 days by giving him a tiny surprise each day. Piece of cake- said no full-time working, life-balancer wife. Ever. 

So that kinda failed. Royally failed. 

But I did surprise him with some much needed cold-weather necessities. And regardless, he would've been just as content with a homemade cake and a movie. Or even just a card. That man is so simple & humble [which is why he kinda hated me for telling the admission lady at Disney that is was his birthday...because she gave him a birthday pin...and I may have made him wear that said pin. All day.] 

Which brings me to all my mushy thoughts & 30 reasons why I celebrate him. 

1. His faith. 

Christ is first. It's authentic. 

2. His love. 

It's pure. And he gives his all. 

3. His silent ways.

He's not always a talker. But his words are full. 

4. His honesty. 

He doesn't fluff. He tells it like it is. 

5. His work-ethic. 

He gives everything he can. He works hard! 

6. His balance. 

He balances work and family like a champ. We are always most important. 

7. His patience. 

He's so calm. He thinks things through rationally. 

8. His humor. 

He's so sarcastic & witty. He's the king of movie quotes. 

9. His intellect. 

He's smart & rocked law school. He remembers people & historical facts like no other. 

10. His love of presidents. 

He's always loved them. And he loves to learn all that he can about them. 

11. His love of sports. 

Our Braves, Vols, & Chelsea. He's well-rounded. 

12. His dedication.

He doesn't waver. He doesn't quit. 

13. He loves Christmas. 

It's his favorite holiday. He's legitimately sad when it's over. 

14. His love of documentaries. 

We watch them a lot. They never get old with him. 

15. He's not afraid to be nerdy. 

He likes what he likes. And he doesn't care what people think. 

16. He's constant. 

His love doesn't waver. Even when we're at odds. 

17. His talents. 

He can sing & play guitar & trombone. It melts me. 

18. His love of maps. 

It's so random. And cute. 

19. His heart for animals. 

He loves all kinds, especially whales! And our sweet Dooley. 

20. His respect. 

He respects, loves, & honors his family. He holds them in high regard. 

21. He rarely eats sweets. 

It's out of the ordinary. But when he does, his fav is pineapple upside down cake! 

22. His love of traveling. 

We don't get to often. But we plan & dream all the time. 

23. He's a kid magnet. 

Kids will just come up to him in public. Maybe they sense he's a kid-at-heart? 

24. He has great hair. 

I mean, need I say more? 

25. He used to be in a punk band. 

He wore Hurley & skater shoes. And he still likes all genres of music.

26. I converted him to share my love of Harry Potter. 

It took a while. But we nerd out together!

27. He loves to make me laugh. 

He tells me all the time- seeing my happiness makes him happy. 

28. He really is humble. 

He doesn't like attention. He sees other's strengths. 

29. We're opposites. 

He complements me. We balance each other. 

30. He's Kyle Bentley Fuller.

His middle name is the coolest. And he is who our Creator & Lord made, and is molding him to be. 

Mushy-gushy stuff aside, he's my best friend. And I'm so thankful for his life. And in times where I'm not acting or being thankful, I pray to remember these things. And the million other reasons that I celebrate him. 

And most of all, I want to remember that I love & celebrate him, because Jesus loves & celebrates him. 

[If you haven't written a list of reasons you celebrate people, I recommend it. It's such a reminder of their individuality and Jesus in them.]

You should take a peek into our fun trip! We highly recommend these attractions, [especially The Wizarding World of HarryPotter]! We had a blast! 

Florida simply has the best sunsets. 

Could this be more real? I think not. And please excuse the 3 dreary photos. iPhones apparently have auto-edit settings now? Woops. 

Giddy. Just giddy. 

Yeah, we were there. 

And we were kinda happy. 

Yes, please. 

Accidentally started at the new park, but we hopped the train and went to Hogsmeade to meet up with Nathan and Mary Beth. 

We could live there. It was so fun to be back. 

Had a little lunch at the Three Broomsticks. 

Made a little call to the Ministry of Magic. 

King's Cross! 

The Night Bus. In all its glory. 

Entrance to Diagon Alley. 

It was so detailed! 

Honeydukes Candy back in Hogsmeade. 

Fudge. 

Again, so detailed! 

The Weasley's Joke Store. 

The Leaky Cauldron entrance. 

Our dear friends, Nathan and Mary Beth, that we spent the day with! So fun. 

We purchased interactive wands that  were tons of fun at little "spell stations" they had marked. 

It clearly took focus. 

And our magic talents were shocking. ;)

Did I mention the dragon breathed real fire. No? Well it did! 

Waiting for the ride, Escape from Gringotts wasn't boring. Photo credit to Nathan. 

They were kinda so real looking it was creepy. Photo credit to Nathan. 

He was crazy real, too. Photo credit to Nathan. 

Wand twinsies. 

Poor photo quality, but it was so dreamy to end the day back at Hogsmeade. 

Day 2. Epcot or bust! The big birthday day! :)

No question where we were! 

When the wife makes you wear a birthday button, and you get a million Happy Birthdays...;) 

Loved walking & tasting through the different countries. 

The architecture is so detailed.  

Hm, do you know this guy? 

Most of our time was spent in England. :)

Rose & Crown. 

This was the 10th generation of Twinings Tea! I'm not a creeper at all. 

Poor quality. Night-life was just as crowded. Who knew the Food & Wine festival was such a big deal?  

Fish & Chips by the water. Done & done. 

Rain made its way into the area around 7, so coffee and an English store was a good little recharge. 

It was kinda hard to say goodbye. Minus our feet...they were more than ready.

Plus, we missed this guy a little too much. 

We seriously had so much fun. 

Time away from the hustle & bustle was just what we needed! And getting to act like kids in your favorite theme parks is what every 30 year old needs! ;) 

Kyle, I love celebrating you & our Lord's grace.