My boy Johnny

So, Johnny and I have been checking out everyone's blogs and it seems that most of our friends have new babies which are often the focus of their blog. Since today is Johnny's 45th birthday, and he's my "babe," I'd like to take a moment to focus on him. I love him, everything about him. He's funny and kind, a great dad and husband, Scout Master extraordinaire, just to name a few. He gets up in the middle of the night or close to it (4:30 a.m.) so he can go to the gym. He's definitely in better shape than most men younger than him. His handyman skills are incredible. He's finishing our basement and he has done it all - frame, wire, plumb, insulate, sheetrock, texture, finish work, paint. And don't forget about the outside work - concrete, landscape, etc. He's an animal on any kind of bike - road or mountain. He's pretty amazing.

As far as aging gracefully, he's not too happy to find the occasional white hair that might pop up so he pulls it out. (If I did that, I'd be bald - been coloring my hair for years.) The hardest thing has been losing his "close-up" vision. His arms just aren't long enough to hold the papers he needs to read. It makes me laugh.

Photo explanations:
Last weekend he earned his Woodbadge beads, a big thing for Scout Masters. He earned them by attending a week long training during the summer and then working on different goals for the past 3 months. Way to go!

Check out the close-up on his hand. That's some serious Scout dirt. Johnny wearing his new Woodbadge beads proudly.

So even though he's a vision of health, two days ago he had surgery for the 7th time since we've been married. He keeps having his throat stretched so he doesn't choke on food. We've had to take him to the ER twice in the last year because he's gotten food caught in his throat (don't worry, he can still breathe). So, his doctor decided to do it more often - 4 times in the last 3 months. The doctor puts a tube down his throat with a balloon attached to the end and fills it up with air to expand his esophagus. Hopefully this will be the last surgery for awhile.

Doesn't he look peaceful? What you can't see are the 4 needle pricks in his arm where he let the BYU nursing student practice. What a good sport.

Happy Birthday Johnny - you're the best thing that's ever happened to me!