While I certainly do work a full-time job, most stores don't want to be paid in the wages that I receive (hugs and kisses and accolades reserved only for a wife and mom). Usually I'm limited in the gifts that I can buy for Jimmy since I'm less likely to splurge with money from our regular budget, but this year I decided to go big. With the help of Craigslist, a houseful of stuff I could sell, Ron's encouragement that we really could make it happen and his willingness to do the leg work (as well as some very generous financial contributions to the effort from both him and my parents!), we were able to really blow his mind with a gift that we knew he would love but never, ever expect.

Jimmy works so hard for our family and gives us so much of himself. And while he might laugh at himself a little when he's got the oldest bike in the sea of bikes at their adventure races, he would never put that want above the needs (and even wants) of our family. It was so hard to keep such a huge secret for so long, and while he might have had an inkling that my gift had a little something to do with a bike, I am certain that a full, ready-to-ride Niner bike wasn't even on his radar and that's pretty awesome. I don't get to spoil him very often but it's really fun when I do.

You're never too old to love getting a bike for Christmas joy...