MB: When we got home, Daniel had a surprise package waiting for him...

From Vozinha e vozinho -- a special motorcycle grand prix hat and shirt from Portugal! Daniel loves his present, thank you!!!

MB: Now frozen yogurt with a dear friend!

MB: Date day! First, pizza...

MB: Having fun at Wheaton park!

Happy Birthday To My Dear Wife!

As I always remind Ana at this time of year - she is a cradle snatcher (I don't turn 34 until August)! But, I am a very blessed husband that she decided all those years ago to ignore the huge age gap and marry me!

Dear wife, I love everything about you. You are a wonderful mother, are my best friend, always there to encourage me and I could not imagine life without you!

Here is wishing you a wonderful birthday and year ahead! I pray that you will continue to grow in faith and that God will be glorified in all you do.

Love,
Jonny.

Ana with the Boy Wonder in Charlottesville, VA

MB: Oh My Goodness! Jonny threw a surprise birthday party for me tonight!

I had no idea and was completely shocked! It was so much fun! More details later... Tomorrow I'm 34, wow, can't believe it!

MB: Arrived to pick up Daniel at school and this is what I found...

Daniel playing as a waiter at a restaurant! So cute! He kept asking his new summer program teacher, Ms. Samantha: "What are you going to eat for dinner? And for dessert?"

So Thankful For Papai

Something  that often brings joy and comfort to my heart, is to remember that Daniel has an amazing father, a very special "papai." I always imagined Jonny would be a good father, but to actually see him in action, first with Jonathan David and now with Daniel, is a tremendous blessing which I do not take for granted. He is so loving, so kind, so affectionate, so patient, so giving, so present...just so very wonderful. 

Still today in the middle of the night if he hears Daniel make a noise, he is the first to jump up from bed to go and see if his son is OK. I often have to say "wait darls, I think he is just dreaming, come back to bed"; such is his connection with Daniel, such is his care.

So today, as we had a fun filled day celebrating Father's day, we thanked Jonny for being the father that he is. And we thanked God for Jonny, for the precious gift he is.

I write this so that Daniel can read and remember in the future, how blessed he is to have Jonny as his "papai." May Jonny's example help bring Daniel to know and love God the Father for himself, for it is through His Spirit and Jesus' example, that Jonny is the father he is. And may Daniel grow up to be like his father and be a blessing to his own children in the same way.

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The next set of photos were taken at Daniel's 3rd birthday party, at the fire station. Jonny got to put on the firefighter's uniform and equipment in front of all the children. For Daniel, this was the most amazing transformation; to see his own papai as a firefigheter brought him such excitment and pride! 

The way Daniel looked at Jonny, the way his eyes sparkled, is something we will never forget. See below and enjoy! :-)

MB: Now enjoying popcorn with the star of the day!

MB: Bubbles!