Betcha didn't know

Todd has a couple of hidden talents that not too many people know about.

A long, long time ago, he used to be a manager at Little Caesars.  

I call him the "Pizza Jedi Master".

 You may be thinking, "Wait! Little Caesar's doesn't offer hand-tossed crust." And well, you're right.  But sometimes when nobody is looking, teenage boys will try their hand at tossing the crust anyway.  And they may even get pretty good at it. And their future wife and kids will be really glad they did.

 One of his other hidden talents cannot be shown in a picture, but Todd has a great voice.  I love listening to him sing along with Josh Turner, because he can totally hit those low notes.  He can also whistle along with any song and stay on pitch.  Betcha didn't know...

thirteen years

Happy Anniversary, Todd!

I'm so glad we can laugh our way through life...together.

I made this tree stump with rings and had it printed on a 12x12 piece of paper.  I hope to add a new ring each year...at least until it outgrows the 16x16 frame :o).  The only problem is that I ended up with fourteen rings, because I have an entire ring for the year we were married (1998), and an entire ring for this year.  I haven't figured out how to get around that.  If you have any idea's, let me know and I'll try to fix it before I have it re-printed next year.  I'd really like the number of rings to match up with the number of years we've been married.

Sometimes a thousand words are worth more than the picture...

Todd does not like to be the center of attention.  Especially if it involves taking pictures. In public.

While in St. George for Spring Break, we stopped to visit our friend Bruce, who used to work at the ranch with Todd.  Bruce was at a scout meeting when we got to his apartment, so we had ten minutes or so to play on the lawn in his yard while we waited.

Since my boys were all wearing their superman shirts on the same day (including Todd), I decided it was a perfect time to take pictures.  Due to a group of people outside the complex across the street, Todd didn't want any part of it.  

I begged and pleaded with him, and explained that those people would think it was sweet that he was playing with his kids.

After an insane amount of coaxing, he finally laid down in the grass.  And wouldn't you know it, just as I was about to take the picture, a school bus full of high school students turned the corner and drove past our little photo shoot...laughing all the way.

Now I'm afraid Todd will never participate in one of my lifelong dreams--to be driving down the freeway and have each family member stick their arms out of the van windows and flap like a bird.


I live for little moments like that.

*Justin is wearing the sunglasses that Dillon bought for his Build-a-Bear.  They're a perfect fit!

Todd's therapy themed party

Several months ago, Dillon announced that he'd like a science party for his birthday.  Todd took the opportunity to mock me by requesting a "social science party" for his birthday.

I couldn't back down from a challenge, and it turned out to be a lot of fun to plan.

You know you're getting old when you blow out your candles and it makes this much smoke!

I made Todd's favorite "Fake Eclair Cake". 

He diagnosed the dessert as "Delusional Subtype Grandiose" 

since it thinks it's an eclair, when it's really only graham crackers, and pudding.

Nate and Erin came over tonight and we got some pictures of the babies.  

Justin and Billy are only 4 months apart, and will be in the same grade in school.

I used a t-shirt transfer to put the word "psychobabble" on Justin's onesie. 

We did three "experiential activities" with the kids:

"Shrink"y Dinks

Find Your Marbles 

(hot/cold game with a bag of marbles)

and Ink Blot Painting.

I wanted to make angel/devil puppets to hold over our shoulders and be our conscience (id/ego) 

but that would have put us over the 50 minute session.

I decorated with Todd's Freud collection (tickle me Freud, Freud bobble-head, and Freud action figure).

The favor bags had "tissues for your issues", "Freudian slips" (post-it notes), and Lifesavers. I tied them up with a jingle bell, and a note that said "Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?"

I made this poster for Todd to hang in his office:

We had cupcakes in addition to the Fake Eclair Cake. 

I didn't get a picture, but I stuck the following signs on toothpicks for cupcake toppers:

From left to right/ top to bottom:

"I can help you find your marbles"

"[reversed] Psychology"

"I'm ashamed of what I did for a Klondike bar"

"Proud therapist of the ObamaNation"

"Marriage and Family Therapists do it on the couch"  (we didn't use this one since it's a bit inappropriate--Char, there's a similar saying for Physical Therapists...)

"Your dysfunction pays my bills"

"Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?"

"Satisfaction guaranteed or your mania back"

"How many therapists does it take to change a lightbulb?  One, but it has to want to change."

"You think YOU have problems...I have 100 people's problems!"

Ink blot picture

"The doctor is 'IN'"

"If you're passive aggressive and you know it, make other people feel guilty until they clap their hands"

smile ball

The comic has a bunch of refried beans sitting in a therapy support group.  One bean is saying, "Once just wasn't enough for me...".

WWTD?

Today is Todd's 37th birthday.  We dropped Dillon off with my cousin Erin this morning, and drove "over the mountain" to look at saddlebags.

Yes, I said saddlebags, and I don't mean the kind for a Harley.   Unfortunately it's not saddlebag season (who knew?) so we had to order online when we got home.

We had a great time, though, laughing and singing along to Johnny Cash:

Todd:  "Daddy sang bass"
Me:  "Mama sang tenor..."

You probably had to be there.

(but I'm glad you weren't, or Todd wouldn't have been singing...and he has a really great voice)


Since it's his birthday, I'll take a minute to embarrass him.

A few months ago, one of his students graduated from the residential treatment center where Todd works as a therapist.  The girl's father was speaking at the graduation.  In his speech, he was debating whether or not to get an iPhone.   He said that he was going to stop at the Apple store on his way back to the airport, and if they had an app called "What Would Todd Do?" then he was SOLD.

It was a well-deserved compliment, in my opinion. If I had an iPhone, I would want that app too.

We're having his party tomorrow, when Nate and Erin can join us for cake.  I think it will be worth tuning in for the details :o)

I love you, Todd.  Thank you for you.  I had a great time singing Johnny Cash with you today.  Happy 37th!