25 Things I love about my daughter, Jaleh

I love her natural abilities with children
I love to watch her interact with her nieces and nephews
I love the way she picks herself up after she’s been knocked down
I love that through all of her tests her love for Baha’u’llah remains strong
I love her unique sense of style
I love her odd assortment of friends
I love that she keeps me up-to-date with music and the arts
I love her creative ideas for saving the “ambiente” - ecological bikes made of bamboo, creative grocery bags, concerts to promote awareness
I love that she can ride her bicycle to the U for Peace and back (lots of hills)
I love her cooking
I love her concern and caring for me
I love her eclectic taste in music
I love her off-the-wall sense of humor
I love her sincere expressions of joy and happiness for her friends who have babies, even though she does not yet have her own and would like to.
I love her neighborliness
I love her identification and concern with all kinds of people
I love her bravery and courage
I love her talent as a writer
I love the care she gives her cats
I love her optimism even in troubled times
I love to watch her swim – she’s like a very fast, smooth bullet going through the water.
I love that she teaches yoga to her friends just for the love of it (and her friends)
I love that she shuns imitation
I love that we share the news, fashion, films, the Oscars and our love for Barack
I love that she’s my daughter!

Happy Birthday, Jaleh

25 Things I love about my son, David

I love the way he takes charge and gets things done
I love that he is such a great father
I love that he puts his family's needs before his own
I love that he gets up in the morning with Ela so that Gianni can sleep in
I love it when he loses control and laughs out loud
I love that he is steadfast in his Faith and love for Baha'u'llah
I love that he still enjoys Chavo del ocho
I love that he is obedient to Baha’u’llah’s laws
I love that he writes poetry in song
I love that he sings when he’s asked, even though he doesn’t like to.
I love that he is devoted to Gianni and her family
I love the gleam in his eye when Ela does something special
I love the way he dances
I love that he is so loyal to his friends
I love his shyness
I love that he understands my shyness
I love that he speaks out on matters that count
I love that he takes care of his family’s every need the way his father did
I love his visits with Ela in the morning
I love his honesty
I love how he comforted me the night his father passed away
I love that he still plays basketball and surfs
I love that he’s generous with his family and friends
I love that he is such a beautiful enigma to me
I love that he’s my son!

Happy Birthday, David

25 Things I love about Aria

1. I love that she’s such an outstanding mother

2. I love her creativity

3. I love that she’s so patient with Sasha

4. I love her grace and inner beauty

5. I love her concern and caring for her mother, even though she’s far away

6. I love that she acknowledges her OCD moments

7. I love the way she looks at her husband when he says something funny

8. I love her persistence in achieving goals

9. I love the hospitality she shows to guests

10. I love her concern for others

11. I love her sense of justice

12. I love her undeviating loyalty to Baha’u’llah

13. I love her devotion to family

14. I love that she enjoys & appreciates James’ cooking

15. I love her silent laughter and tearful eyes when something strikes her funny bone

16. I love her artful touches in decorating her home

17. I love that she has fresh flowers in the house even in the winter

18. I love her ability to beat me at word twist every time

19. I love and appreciate her thoughtfulness in keeping the blog updated with Sasha pictures and videos

20. I love the delight in her eyes when Sasha does something special

21. I love her voice when she prays

22. I love her sincerity when she prays

23. I love that she connects so well to other people’s children

24. I love her obedience to the laws of Baha’u’llah

25. I love that she’s my daughter!

Happy Birthday, Aria

25 Things I Love About Colin

1. I love that he's such a great father.
2. I love that he cares so much about the feelings of others.
3. I love that he looks after his mom, even though she's so far away.
4. I love that he's so enthusiastic about life.
5. I love that he works so hard for unity.

6. I love that he challenges himself (even though I worry a lot about him).

7. I love that he continues to express himself through music and poetry.
8. I love his cut of hair?
9. I love his style in general.
10. I love that he rises to meet the needs of his community
11. I love how he treats kids in general.
12. I love his gift for making everyone around him feel comfortable.
13. I love to watch him at his favorite sports. I love that he still skateboards!
14. I love that he posts "virtues" on Facebook.
15. I love his boundless energy.
16. I love his communication skills.
17. I love to watch people's face light up when he enters the room.
18. I love his devotion to Baha'u'llah.
19. I love to watch his simple delight in a good cup of coffee in the afternoon.
20. I love to talk about deep feelings with him.
21. I love that he understands mine.
22. I love our chats on messenger - we always seem to connect no matter what the conversation or the time of day!
23. I love his unwavering integrity
24. I love his quick response to friends in need.
25. I love that he's my son!

Happy Birthday, Colin!
You are my best Ayyam'i'ha gift ever.