Day One hundred and sixteen

Happy Birthday Chris!!!

Chris,

     We thought about you all day today. Did you hear us singing "Happy Birthday"? We tried to sing our very loudest. Zoe even learned the word "birthday".

     This morning we celebrated your birthday by going and getting donuts before church just like you would do when I worked the weekend. We went to Ollie's but there were none. So we went to UStop. Again nothing. Hy-Vee was our last option. Although we were sad we couldn't get LaMars donuts, you would be happy to know that I ate an apple fritter on your behalf.

     We really miss you. Today especially. I would love to be making you your favorite dinner. Steak smoothered with sauteed mushrooms, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade beer bread, and a veggie thrown in for the rest of us. Followed by rich chocolaty brownies with ice cream for dessert. Cooking for you is one of my favorite things to do.

     I hope you know that when you come home we will be making up for all of the things you missed while serving our country. You will get a Christmas breakfast, Valentine's date, Birthday dinner, Anniversary date and yes some fishing with your buddies.

     We love you and miss you everyday. But we are doing our best because we know you are doing your best. Knowing that you are over there taking care of us, we can get up in the morning and go about our day. While it's not the same without you here, your fingerprints are all around us. I see you in our girls' sense of humor, in their blue eyes, in the way they smile, in their ability to kick my butt at UNO, in the way they laugh when they "toot", and in their love for me. Your prints are everywhere.

     Here's to a wonderful birthday even with all the miles between us and to an even better one next year when we will all be together.

     Hugs and Kisses,

          All of your girls!