Happy Birthday, Marcos!

I haven't been very good at sending birthday shout-outs, but I'm going to try to be better.  Today is my sweet husband's 34th birthday.  He's not even here for me to try to make the day a special one so the least I can do is publicly remind him how grateful I am for him.  He's off with the Young Men again on some crazy mountain man type hike.  Hopefully it ends up being a good way to spend his birthday.  It doesn't exactly sound fun to me.  

When someone has a birthday, my sister-in-law lists her top ten favorite things about them, which I think is a really good idea so here it goes.

Top ten reasons I love Marcos (in no particular order):

1.  He has always loved me.  I know that sounds lame and conceited, but it's true.  I could never figure out why, but I'm definitely glad he had more insight into our future than I did.  He knew very quickly that he had deep feelings for me and was willing to risk just about anything to get me to feel the same way.  I can now appreciate his patience and at times embarrassment to pursue me.  

2.  He is a wonderful father.  I'm sure everyone says that of their spouse, but he really is.  My boys adore their Papi.  They are sad when he leaves and excited when he comes home every day.  He is such a great example.  I can only hope my boys pattern their lives after such a great man.  He is fun and loves playing with them and teaching them all sorts of dad things.

3.  He is a sensitive and caring person.  He thinks he's all tough (or pretends to be sometimes) but inside he's nothin' but marshmallow fluff.  In fact, this quality is probably what drew me to him the most.  He has such a kind heart.  It's a gift.  I feel like I've always been the sensitive type myself, but he's definitely got me beat.  He cares about EVERYONE and has an amazing ability to see others as God sees them.  He is compassionate and forgiving as well.  It doesn't matter who it is - he can see people as children of God, no matter where they come from or what they may have done.  

4.  He's a great athlete.  Yes, I had to throw this one in or he would've killed me.  He insists the reason I fell in love with him was because of his mad soccer skills and I guess I can't argue with him completely.  Although that was not what drew me to this sweet, loving man, he is a great athlete, which I found pretty attractive.  It's fun to watch him play tennis or soccer and marvel at his skill and endurance.  Yep, definitely good genes.

5.  He motivates me.  It was a little annoying to train for my race with Marcos.  He hadn't been "training" at all and just flew up the mountain dragging me with him.  I'm glad that's the case though.  At times I had to tell him to turn all his motivational words off so I could focus on not passing out, but I'm so glad he has the ability to keep up with me and push me beyond my own self-imposed limits.  It sometimes drives me crazy, but I love it at the same time.  The man has way too much energy and cheers for words.  Seriously!  

6.  He makes me laugh.  Okay, some people make everyone laugh and I'm not sure I would quite place him in that group of true comedians.  Yet somehow he knows just what I need to not take myself so seriously.  I love that I can let loose with him and see the world through much less serious eyes.  I love laughing with him at things that only the two of us would understand.

7.  He's a hard worker.  Yes, he's a true procrastinator, but he is also a very hard worker.  He takes his work very seriously and always goes the extra mile.  I'm sure it helps that he loves his job, but he told me once that he's never disliked a job he's had.  Amazing, seeing as many of them were much less than perfect.  His attitude I'm sure adds to his ability to take his work seriously, but he is very committed and loyal to whatever he is doing.

8.  He loves life.  This may be the trait I most envy in my husband.  He really is a content person.  I often have to will myself into contentment, but he was just born that way.  He really isn't bothered by much.  Yes, people on the freeway make his blood boil and often the refs in his soccer games, but that's not what I mean.  In general, he's just okay with where things are in his world...no matter where they may be.  

9.  He is usually the center of attention.  This one can be annoying at times, but I do appreciate it.  I often lose his attention at a party or gathering and shift into the background when his desire to "perform" takes over, but I can't help but admire how easy it is for him to be in front of others.  There is not much embarrassment in him.  I'm a people person myself, but much more guarded than Marcos.  He is happy to be the one putting himself out there.  Everyone knows Marcos - he feels the need to get to know everyone and it's hard not to know him.  

10.  He compliments me in practically every way.  It's taken me nine years of marriage and eleven years of knowing Marcos to wholly accept the fact that we were made for each other.  Like I said before, I'm much more guarded than he is.  Although sometimes our strong personalities push a little too hard against one another, his differences seem to fulfill everything I'm lacking.  I think it became much more obvious on trek.  We really are much better together than adding the two of us separately.  I don't know if that made sense or not, but it's true.  Once our egos move out of the way and we recognize the need for each other, the world flows smoothly.  He seems to fill in right when and where I need him to and I do the same for him.  As cheesy as it sounds, I do think we were made for each other.  

Top ten (um, 17...he didn't want to stop) reasons Dylan loves his Papi:

1.  I love when he takes me on walks around the cul-de-sac.

2.  I love going hiking with him.

3.  I love when he jumps with me on the tramp.

4.  I love when he plants a garden with us.

5.  I love when he plays with Preston.

6.  I love when he plays with me in the toy room.

7.  I love when he takes me to the playground.

8.  I love playing guitar with Papi.

9.  I love watching movies with him.

10.  I love when he gives me hombros (carries him on his shoulders)

11.  I love listening to BB King with him.

12.  I love watching soccer and shouting "goal" and then we hug.

13.  I love when he gets me dressed.

14.  That he loves me so much.

15.  That he likes me.

16.  When he plays animals with me.

17.  I love taking naps with him.

Top ten reasons Preston loves his Papi (although I don't speak fluent jibber-jabber, I'm going to attempt to translate for the little waddler:

1.  He changes my diapers.

2.  He feeds me when I'm hungry.

3.  He gives me baths.

4.  He dresses me.  

5.  He plays with me.

6.  He teaches me to be nice.

7.  He holds me.

8.  He comforts me when I'm sad.

9.  He teases me.  

10.  He loves me too.