Happy 44th Bruce!

Today Bruce turned 44 so here are 44 things I love about him:
1. He is patient.
2. He has large, warm, strong hands.
3. He is good at math.
4. He is an excellent teacher, Trent is lucky to have his constant help with his math.
5. He is a very good listener. Sometimes Bruce answers the phone when my sister calls and she once told me she felt like she could talk to him all day, he's such a good listener!
6. He never whines, just gets the job done.
7. He's my heater at night - what would my ice cold feet do without him?
8. He's very strong. For someone who doesn't exercise regularly he sure can pull a lot of strength out of his muscles when we really need it, like when we move, which seems to have been often in our nearly 16 years together.
9. He is respectful to his parents.
10. He wants to stay out of debt.
11. His domestic skills put me to shame. It's funny that I can take a loaf of bread over to a neighbor and they naturally think I made it and later tell how good it was, Bruce just smiles and lets me take the credit (too modest to do otherwise) I can't believe I'm admitting this - I'm really blowing my cover (LOL).
12. He can seriously make the BEST bread, dinner rolls, cookies, and cinnamon rolls!
13. He's willing to mop the floor when I'm in a pinch and probably does as good a job or better than me. Cleans the microwave (jobs I hate).
14. Understands the sewing machine a lot better too.
15. He never drinks caffeinated beverages.
16. He has overcome some really tough things.
17. I love when we work together on a project and really connect over it.
18. He loves to garden and plant all kinds of things.
19. He has already planted about 200 trees on our lot.
20. He introduced me to sushi and I love it. (Served a church mission to Japan)
21. I love to spoon with him at night.
22. I am grateful that he works hard and is a good provider for our family.
23. He encourages our family to be our best.
24. He is an exceptionally great father and is basically worshiped by our children.
25. He chases kids through the house laughing rediculously during "tickle parties".
26. If he comes home and the house is a mess he never asks me what I've done all day.
27. He is five years older than me.
28. I love his broad shoulders and nice buns. (Can I say that on a family blog?)
29. When I was dating I hoped I could marry someone that was bigger than me, like if I sat on his lap I wouldn't feel like I was crushing him. I thing I got that.
30. He supports me in the things I want to do.
31. He fixes things around the house.
32. He gives great back rubs.
33. He never complains about the lunches I make for him.
34. He eats everything I cook (whether it's good or otherwise).
35. He makes the best homemade french fries. Idaho potatoes really are GREAT for that!
36. He listens when I talk about things that trouble me, and he works hard to make adjustments when necessary.
37. He encourages me and gives me good advise when I need to hear it and is quiet when I can't take it.
38. If Benjamin's behavior gets loud at church I LOVE, LOVE that Bruce takes him out and lets me enjoy the meeting.
39. I love when Bruce takes the lead with Family Home Evening.
40. The "hernia wall" (retaining wall) is almost finished and looks great.
41. He worked super hard on the window wells for the basement and THEY ROCK (literally)!
42. He is a good leader.
43. I appreciate his willingness to serve others; neighbors, at church etc.
44. He is kind: a great example of "a soft answer turneth away wrath."

Happy 44th Bruce------------I love you!!!