Happy Birthday Ryan!

Today is Ryan's birthday! Having a birthday on Christmas Eve is tough, but Ryan has always had a good attitude about it. J.J. suggested that I just do a "Merry Christmas" post and put "P.S. Happy Birthday Ryan" in really small writing at the bottom. As funny as that would have been, I decided not to go with that option, and instead give Ryan the birthday post he deserves. 

When Ryan was born, he spent 12 days in the hospital, due to a sudden lung condition that developed during birth. Back then, they didn't have the technology or the medicine that they have now, so there was no choice but for the condition to hopefully work itself out.  Mom recalls the doctor saying that Ryan's heart had to work extra hard because only one half of one lung was getting air, and that his survival depended upon if his little heart was strong enough to sustain him. Luckily, Ryan did have a very strong heart, and he pulled through. This strong heart has continued to sustain him throughout many areas of his life. 

One of the evidences of Ryan's "strong heart" is the type of father he is. He is quick to help out Heather in any way she asks, and he is very involved with the kids. He goes above and beyond to make sure the kids have everything they need. For the past few months, providing for his family has required working 6 days a week (and long hours each day) at both his old job and his new job. After work, he has been working mostly single-handedly to finish off his basement so the girls won't have to share a room anymore. He says there are some nights in which he only gets 3 or so hours of sleep because he has been up late working. This is just one of many possible stories that illustrate the type of father Ryan is. 

Ryan's personality and his position in the family have made him a natural peacemaker. He has used these natural peacemaking skills in his professional work by being able to settle disputes between employees at his job, and he is also able to easily diffuse situations at home too. Ryan is extremely patient, even during difficult circumstances. We have never seen him lose his temper, even in situations when others might. Not only is he calm, but he maintains a positive and upbeat attitude throughout all of life's challenges. We believe that Ryan's positive attitude stems from his excellent sense of humor. Ryan is known within our family for being the source of many inside jokes, Phillips' "slang" and of course, he is good for any Seinfeld reference you can throw at him. Ryan's sense of humor makes him so much fun to spend time with. 

Ryan has always been athletic--ever since La Serna football. But this year, he has made more of an effort to take better care of himself. This has included quitting soda, training for and running a half marathon, and playing on a championship community basketball team. 

While there are other things I could write about (easily learning spanish, graduating from Chiropractic school, being a stylish dresser, etc.) I think the most important thing to mention is how much Ryan loves music. He played the trumpet in junior high school, and taught himself how to play the piano while he was on his mission. Since returning home, Ryan has also taught himself how to play the guitar and bass, as well as how to sing and write music. He has been in several bands--like "Sunset Strip", "Say it Aint Weezer", and "MIMIC". For those of you who haven't yet heard Ryan's music, check out this sample of a song that he not only wrote, but sings awesomely on: 

"This is Gonna Be Good"

 

Ryan, we love you and we hope you have a very good birthday!