HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

Ryan tried really hard to be born early. I'm not sure if it was because I was still playing volleyball at 8 months pregnant or not but he was excited to come. The doctors told me he was a girl most of my pregnancy - you know - back in the time when ultrasounds were NOT. (Remember I crossed the plains with the pioneers and current bushes were not available for electronic gadgets). He decided to stay all warm an cozy inside of me for another 2 weeks making it another short term pregnancy for me (after walking the floor with Marti Tueller and Kathy Hagen and their babies due at the same time) (Later we would have Ryan, Mary, and Darron all within a month). When Ryan came into the world and the doctors looked at me from behind those draped bent knees and said, "Well for heavens sake, it's a boy!" I literally jumped up onto the bed and danced the dance of the "Na Na Na Na Na Na" song! (Not a pretty sight) I wanted a boy so bad - with Matt, Ashley and Mandy at home - a boy fulfilled my dreams. Ryan was born a very sweet spirit - his temperament was quiet and calm. He developed many personal traits over the years that I have never seen equal to in another human being and I know that he is a gift to this world. I look at him now - towering at 6'2" and I know that he is a giant of a man inside as well as outside. Whatever has been brutally thrown his way he has taken with dignity and understanding and reset his goals for higher ground. (and you freakin' know who you are) (ok - I feel better now) (and the whole family applauds) (loudly). So this year will be the last we can break birthday cake together - it will be a pineapple upside down cake with plenty of cherries at the bottom. Today I will look at you longer and make a moment to keep in my memory that will need to suffice over the next two years. But you know Ryan, that you can only deepen love over time, and so after 19 years of loving you as my son - I know that you will have an ample supply to take with you to Mexico. 19 is a very young age to be going out into the world - but you have all the goods to succeed. Happy Birthday son - and I know I echo that from all of our family, extended family, and your friends on this day. Love, Mommason