Happy Belated Birthday, Daddy!

We celebrated Daddy's birthday in a rather subdued fashion this year. We'd only returned from the mainland the day earlier, so we were all still pretty jetlagged. We did manage to go out to dinner. We had some of Daddy's favorites -- coconut shrimp and prime rib. Yum!

And because it's not a birthday without cake, we topped that off with some cupcakes and some ice cream when we got home. Kathleen was particularly excited about this aspect of Daddy's birthday. In fact, when we came through the gate onto post, she handed the guard our id cards (one of her favorite ways to help) and when he handed them back, she said, "Thank you. I'm going to get some cake. Goodbye!"

Madeline won the prize for giving the best gift this year: she said "Dada" for the first time during birthday dinner.

We won't tell you exactly how old he is, but we will tell you thirty things we love about Daddy, so you can probably guess!

1. He's given us lovely homes in beautiful places and has provided for all our needs -- and even our wants!
2. He believes that raising our family is the most important work we do. (He's never even complained about Mama's student loans for a degree she doesn't use.)
3. He makes us laugh. A lot.
4. He does a fantastic rendition of "The Noble Duke of York."
5. He is teaching his girls to love God.
6. He's a great dancer.
7. Although he never learned "Jesus Loves Me" as a child, he sings his own, very sweet version to our girls at night.
8. He's always reading and learning and thinking.
9. He works hard at everything that matters -- at being an officer, being a husband, being a father, being a friend -- and is willing to let go of the things that don't matter.
10. He truly cares for his soldiers and their families.
11. He insists he'll name a son Indiana Jones Golby. (Don't even ask about the rest of the names for our boys' basketball team.)
12. After a long day, he always finds time and energy for a trip to the park or some time at the beach or a game of tee-ball in the yard.
13. He encourages us to be healthy and makes time for Mama to run.
14. Even though we know he really wanted to command a cavalry troop (and he'd have been great at it!), he decided to go to grad school and teach at West Point so we could all be together.
15. He's always helping Mama think about what she would like to do when the girls are grown.
16. He taught Kathleen to sing the Notre Dame Victory March and Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
17. He was the driving force behind teaching our girls to sign.
18. Although he insists that he doesn't want any gifts, he gives the best presents.
19. Whenever the Army asks him what he'd like to do or where he'd like to go, he always checks with us first.
20. He rescues us from bugs and centipedes.
21. He never objects to carrying the pink Vera Bradley diaper bag.
22. He volunteers in the church nursery to give Mama a break.
23. He could sleep through the end of the world.
24. Even when he was far away and very, very busy, he found the time and energy to stay connected with us.
25. He doles out discipline judiciously, but gives hugs and kisses lavishly.
26. He loves a good discussion/debate/argument.
27. He takes us on adventures!
28. He initiated our pizza picnic movie night tradition.
29. He's let Mama purchase more baskets, Polish pottery, shoes, and baby clothes than she has any right to!
30. He makes sure we're safe and happy and -- most of all -- loved.

We love you, Daddy! Happy Belated Birthday!