It's June 16th; Do You Know Where Rusty Is?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDWARD RUSSELL!

We hope your day is glorious and filled with all kinds of fun things (more than just Arabic!).  Do you and Meridth have anything interesting and fun planned?  Of course we'll have to celebrate all over again in another two and a half weeks, but you have to do something great on your birthday!

Can you believe you are twenty-eight years old today?  To me it seems like only yesterday that you were born.  I remember that Dad bought me the John D. MacDonald book, The Green Ripper to read while I was waiting for the surgery.  Because of the C-sections, I always had to go in to the hospital the night before, so the staff could do all the bloodwork and preparations for the surgery.  Knowing what was going to take place always made it impossible for me to sleep, so I would always bring a book to read.  (Betsey's book was The Empty Copper Sea, and Karl's book was The Lonely Silver Rain--same author)

I remember that you were ten pounds when you were born!  The incision wasn't big enough to get you out, so they had to cut a little extra on both sides so that you could be born.  Sorry to be so graphic in this blog, which should be all about you, and I'm making it all about me.  Anyway, we had already picked out your name, so we knew you right away!  You were always a happy baby and almost never cried--I think you must have been greatly entertained by your older siblings.

Edward, your father and I were both so grateful that you came to our family.  We love you so very much, and have always been so amazed by you.  We are proud of how hard you work, and pray that all goes well with your little family.  Happy, happy birthday