Happy Birthday Joseph (two posts in one)

Today he is 11. Today we celebrated with our middle son another birthday. To sum up Joseph in just a few words:
unusual
hard worker
big hearted
deep feelings
overcoming difficulties
joyful

Joseph is all those and so much more. He is overcoming a learning disability. He loves to cook. He works with Mark on the semi. He can play with Jonny for hours on end. He is sensitive and looks beyond the obvious.




Joseph helping me can green beans this summer. We had so much fun.

Upon arriving in Ohio for Thanksgiving. The luggage was still in the car, but he couldn't wait to start shoveling snow. When he saw the snowplows in the street, he said, "That's a job I could do!"

At the COSI (Columbus Science Institute). He actually got lost while we where there. Not panicking, he found a phone and called Mark on the cell.

Happy Birthday big guy. I'll post about his special birthday present later this weekend!

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On another note, while we were traveling to Ohio (only 11 hours by car, great family time), we were discussing people we were thankful for in our lives. This year we wanted the boys to stretch a little. Of course we love mom, dad, brothers, grandparents-- but how about someone who is new to us, someone beyond the immediate family. Here's the list:

Jacob- Jay and Ali, Dr Jacobs (his scout leader and our vet), Hap and Boo

Joseph- Steve White (traffic manager at Dietrich), Hap and Boo, Mr Johnson (our

neighbor), the Corleys (neighbor who is teaching Joe to drive a stick shift)

Jonny- Cole (next door), Justin

Some of those surprised me, but the boys listen to our conversations, watch our actions and have been "touched" by these people. So, from Mark and I, THANK YOU for making an impact on their lives, you may not realize it, but you do!