I love you because you easily figure out how to use Legos to make a shaky table as stable as can be.  That would never cross my mind to come up with a solution like that.  You seriously rock.

For all these years, without fail, you have made sure that our Q-Tip cup stays filled.  It's a job that I don't think I have ever done because you are on it.  Thank you for all of the hundreds of little things you do every day that I never mention.  Now go treat yourself to an eargasm.

I love, love, love that you can talk about The Great Brain for ten minutes nonstop.

Do you know what an amazing teacher you are?

Just a few more hoops.  You can totally do this.

This is what your boys look like when you are making them laugh. 

Only you could make falling asleep and then suddenly waking up turn into such hilarity.

You are more playful than anyone I know.

Confession: I have eaten all of the chocolate dipped pretzels and I am working on the strawberries.

Thank you for making holidays special and fun.  My heart gets all fluttery when you tell me one of your ideas of how to celebrate. 

 

I love how you are

gentle

and crazy

all in the same night.

Three things I appreciated today:

1.  You mowed our lawn right when you got home.  It looks pretty.

2.  Passing a basketball back and forth with you as hard as I could...in our living room.  That made me feel giddy.

3. Being able to go on a walk while you manned the fort at home.  I desperately needed that.

Thank you, JK.

You and I are so different in so many ways.  

It makes marriage harder sometimes.  It creates the need for long conversations, seeking to understand each other.  Being able to see the world from your perspective becomes a huge accomplishment.  Disagreements can get complicated when we are on two separate pages.  Some of our interests differ so we have to purposefully connect them.  We work differently, but in the end get the same amount done.

I would have it no other way.  Because in every single part of our lives that actually matter, we are the same.

I hope you feel loved and known by me today.

You are the best hugger in the world. 

I really like the songs you sing when you are getting ready in the morning.  It somehow helps me know that everything is going to be okay.

Two minutes after the garage door closed this morning, I got a phone call from you.  You just wanted to let me know that the sun was shining. 

Is your favorite thing making me happy?

Here is a payback to spruce up your day:

The best part of today was delivering a coffee to you at school.

One day awhile back Milo asked you, "What does coffee do?"

And you answered, "It makes the whole world taste good."

Perfect answer.

I love you more than a Venti Americano with light cream, Work Sample King of the Universe.

This morning's scene was a total classic picture of our lives.

As you were getting up the courage to roll out of bed, I wanted to read you a part of my Jesus Calling book that meant a lot to me.

I started in, "Trust Me, and don't be afraid.  many things feel out of control.  Your routines are not running smoothly.  You tend to feel more secure when your life is predictable.  Let me lead you to the rock that is higher than your circumstances."

That's when the Kurtz boys started racing past us in their undies, armed with dart guns.

Continuing on, "Take refuge in the shelter of My wings, where you are absolutely secure."

The darts began flying past us.

Raising my voice a little, "When you are shaken out of your comfortable routines, grip My hand tightly and look for growth opportunities."

Dart nails me in the bootie.

This is my favorite part, Jeff, "Instead of bemoaning the loss of your comfort, accept the challenge of something new."

POW POW POW

Reading quickly to finish it up, "I lead you on from glory to glory, making you fit for My kingdom. Say yes to the ways I work in your life."

We both stopped, smiled, and rubbed our tired eyes at the same time.

Thank you for letting me share what's on my heart, even when we are surrounded by craziness.  Those are some quality listening skills you have acquired.

You and I, standing up straight together

Surrounded by so many others 

In a world that doesn't always make sense
We continue to grow

There is so much to fear
But we will stretch toward the Light

 

It's not always easy to tell, but your arrival home is really the best part of the lives of four people.  You often transition right into the craziness with ease and that is essential in our fam.

Your boys want to be like you so badly.  They wear your clothes, tell your jokes, become interested in what you enjoy.  

They even straight out say it...

Caden: I want to be Daddy.

Me: Why?

Caden: Because he laughs so much.

I love that and YOU. I am working on taking full advantage of your home-time, even when a million distractions beg to take me away. 

Tonight you came home exhausted.  This day held so much.  I am proud of you for coming through the other side, and straight to bed.  Actually, I remember some quick kitchen clean-up before you really landed - which I really appreciate.

I know everything will be okay...there's nothing Caden's Pillow Pet along with Max and Christi's Chocolate Chip Cookies can't cure.

Five more weeks until you graduate.

As my buddies Mumford and Sons would say,
You are not alone in this.

I LOVE you.

Sundays are the best.  I am almost always guaranteed a whole day with you.  Today while we are out and about I thought, "I really, really love being a mom when you are right by my side."  I enjoy it without you there too, but it's just so much easier and fun to do it together.  

I love you more than Peets and Powell's combined.

Did you know that you are very strong? 

Two nights ago you watched your grandma die in a hospital room.  She was such a solid person in your life.  Consistent, strong, fun, a woman of God.  At her house you always knew that you would be taken care of well.  You told me that her role in your life is probably what led you to a woman like me.  I don't I have ever received such a great compliment.

I am thankful for her.

I came home late from a long day out and about and the first thing I saw when I pulled into the garage was you - skipping in place and pulling up your lip so I could see just teeth.  You give the best welcome home greetings ever.  

Heck yeah for the weekend and being able to see you a little more.

This morning you had this song in your head while getting ready to head out the door to start this long day.  Thank you for making me smile in the midst of being completely overwhelmed with life.  He's coming to whisk you away on a fabulous journey today.

I like jabbing you with my pointy, sharp elbow.  

My favorite thing in the world might be watching you suffer from uncontrollable laughter.

Some days are overwhelming.  Your mind is going so fast dashing from the smallest little details to things relating to life and death.  

Here is a fraction of what you handled today:

Letting your wife sleep in.

Making breakfast for your boys.

Fixing the dryer.

Fixing the computer (which was actually the monitor unplugged).

Going to church.

Thinking about your family members.

Attending a meeting to decide what machines to keep going for your grandma.

Thinking about all the schoolwork on your plate, but unable to get to it.

Anxiety over your future job.

Missing a day with your kids and wife.

Worrying about your sick Max.

Interacting with family dealing with the prospect of loss.

Traveling home.

Considering all that tomorrow holds.

That is a lot, Jeff Kurtz.  But you are brave and strong.  The Lord is going to guide you through each day, giving you the energy you need.  I love watching you during those times when you have complete reliance on God.  It's kinda hot.

Oh, Husband, after being married to you for almost fourteen years, I know a compliment when I hear one.

You to Me: "When you are dumb, I feel really good."

Translation: You are so incredibly smart, that once in awhile when you say something so completely off, it makes me feel good that I'm not the only one.

You to Me: "If you die before me, I am just going to pick the first willing woman to marry me, it doesn't matter how ugly she is."

Translation:  Doing life without you, particularly parenting, specifically in the check-out line of Ikea, sucks.  Doing things on my own is so tough.  You are the best ever and nobody could ever top you, so I would just pick any ol person who could give me a hand.

Good thing I know you so well and can make instant translations. You make it evident every day how much you adore me and I am thankful for that!

Today was Friday Fun Day for those awesome fifth graders you spend your time with.  I love that you are out there playing with them...it's one reason they love you so much.  Well, I'm sure the love also comes from you turning a kid's embarrassment over a fart into something cool and funny.  That takes skill!!

I'm proud of you and your mad wall-ball moves.

Love you, JK.