ten

Ten years ago today I was laying in a hospital delivery room in Salem, Oregon, with this picture staring back at me ...

I know it's blurry, but, yes, it's a picture of a stuffed bear in a jogging suit ... with a walkman and headphones ... on a jogging trail.  This was the one and only picture hanging on the wall in my delivery room and, no, I'm not kidding.

But what occurred in this delivery room changed my life forever.  Amid some interesting circumstances (a baby that was eleven days overdue, a tardy anesthesiologist, an epidural gone-wrong, a "wet-tap," and the afore-mentioned bear), Sam was born.  And I am forever grateful.

Sam is one amazing kid and I'm so lucky to be his mom!  Here are ten things I love about Sam ...

1.  He lets me call him Sam-the-Lamb.

2.  He is usually a "go with the flow" kind of guy.  He's easy and fun to be around, and he has lots and lots of friends.

3.  He's a leader.

4.  He is sensitive and kind and he tries to help others feel better.

5.  When Sam was little, he spoke his own language.  We call it german-caveman.

6.  He has an incredible imagination.  He makes up all kinds of games around our house.  For example, I love that he turns our entry rug into a football field for his "NFL helmet" football game, or he takes all of his stuffed animals downstairs and plays "mini-baseball" with them.  (I don't even really know what that is, but he sure has fun playing it!)

7.  He always helps me empty the dishwasher.

8.  He loves sports and I frequently find random lists all over the house that he has made of all of his favorite teams, favorite players, and their stats.

9.  Sam is really funny.  Sometimes he says things that just crack me up.

10.  He loves desserts, snacks, and treats.  (Even though this drives me crazy sometimes, I can't be too upset, because I have a hunch he gets it from me!)

Happy, Happy Birthday, Sam!  Love you lots!