The Arslains: January 2009

C-
I was with you in your teens, twenties and now your thirties. You get more handsome by the day, are an amazing friend to those around you and a wonderful husband, son, brother and uncle. I couldn’t ask for a better person to share my life with and I can’t wait to see the amazing things that you will do. From the moment you stepped into my life I have wanted to celebrate you and so I love this day because everyone will celebrate with me too. You are amazing and 30 years has nothing on you. I do love that you are there first and I still have 4 more years! Wooh Wooh! Love you! -A

Chris,
It is hard for me to believe that our "baby" is now thirty. It seems like yesterday that you were coming home with purple hair, mohawks, pierced ears, pierced nose rings, finding bongs in your closet, etc. At least no tattoos (not to my knowledge, but who knows?). You have made it through those times, got your degree in 4 yerars, started your career, married the most wonderful daughter-in-law a guy could ask for, and have become quite the cook. I am so proud of you!!!! I brag about you all the time. Even though you are now thirty, you will always be our "baby". I love you very much.
DAD

HAPPY 30TH Baby Brother!!
Aw, it seems like just yesterday I was changing your diapers, dragging you along on my high school dates, playing duck duck goose at your little birthday parties with your neighborhood (Riverside- you know who you are) friends, watching Smurfs side by side, spending endless hours at Disney (no food or potty breaks allowed). I could go on and on and on. I’ll leave out the embarrassing stuff until you turn 40. You were like my little sidekick and I loved indulging you and STILL DO!! xoxoxoxo Sissy Smother

Hey little brother Happy Birthday!!! Enjoy!!! I can hardly believe that you are 30 years old! Remember all the fun we had at Magic Mountain. I love you..... Laurie

Dear Uncle Chris,
Happy 30th Birthday! I have known you my entire life and I am so blessed because of you. A lot of my personality comes from you. Loving photography, computer skills, and (as my mother/Amy would say) DRAMA!! You held me at my christening when I was a baby and now you teach me all there is to know about photography. I love you SO much!!! Have a terrific day, I love you. Love, Maddy

Dear Uncle Chris,
Happy 30th Birthday! Thank you so much for being a great Uncle to me. Whenever we go somewhere with each other, I get so excited because you are so much fun to be with! I love you!
Sincerely,
Millie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTOPHER!
Remember, you will always be 29yrs to me... so if anyone asks your age while you're with me, say 29!
I love you very much! Mom Shelly xxoo

This is to inform you that you have reached a major milestone in your life. That doesn't mean crap!!!!! Wait till you have as many birthdays as Shelly has had! Happy Birthday to youuuuuuu. Love John

20, wait, I mean 30 is AWESOME! –Chad

Happy Birthday Brother!
I hope that you have a wonderful 30th birthday and that all your wishes come true. Luckily for you and my sister, you only get better looking with age! :) I am so happy that I can call you my brother and be a part of your birthday celebration. I love you so much and hope you have a epic day! Love, Katie

Hey Chris,
Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that people who have the most live the longest. =) Hope you have fun celebrating the big 3-0...you know, we were only 22/23 during the venice beach days. Who knew we would actually become in-laws! I'm glad you are my husbands best-friend and our brother! Remember, the journey has only just begun...Cheers!
Happy Birthday!
Tracey

Happy Birthday Papa. I love how you play with me every day and wish you were home all of the time. Please tell that lady that lives with us that she can leave now. I am perfectly happy to take care of you. Charlotte

Buon compleanno. Sono nell'amore con il Amy. Dove è la mia coperta? Ho fame. Ti amo. – Leo da Vinci

Chris,
My bud! Hope you have a totally wonderful day!!! From Amy’s e-mails it sounds like she has planned a really fun time for your birthday celebration for the two of you! Yahoo!
We love you lots and wish you all the happiness in the world!
Love,
Aunt Margie and Uncle Gary

Happy b-day! Welcome to the 30 club - Buddy

Hi Chris - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! We hope you have a great day and many more to come. The Vaughans

Happy birthday Chris!! - Chris Murray

Chris,
Last year you had a huge blow out party, this year nothing? You really are getting old! Next you will be too old for tailgating, Miley Cyrus and The Hills! I don’t even know you anymore! Happy Birthday man! - Roger

I'm gonna name our baby "Chris"tina Leo Charlotte Smart Car Arslain DeCato in honor of you 30th bday! - Diane

A man who once worshiped the cardinal and gold
Laughed aging in the face…”What me? I’ll never grow old”
But a torn shoulder here, a bum knee there
Not to mention a line of receding hair
Convinced him that hitting 30 can be cruel and cold!
Brian

Happy 30th Chris. We hope you enjoy the inspiration we took from Jackson’s favorite author Dr. Seuss……
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Congratulations! Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town.
You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)
Chris, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
We love you…the ride keeps getting better
Jen, Nick and Jackson

CHRIS:
I've always looked up to you like an older brother even though you're 21 years younger than me!!! hahaha....but seriously, your creativity and artistic photographic eye and then post-photo artwork is an inspiration to me! Really dude, you've got an amazing talent and I look forward to seeing you keep pushing this creative path you're on! ALSO looking forward to the first C. Arslain Photography Gallery Show! I can honestly say that your 30's and 40's will be great, even fantastic.....50's suck, but don't worry, that's 20 years from now so live it up! hahahaha! Have a great birthday and looking forward to some more mt. biking, running and photography shows!!!! - -RockStarJimDurgin

Chris,
Happy Birthday! We love you and Amy so much… hope to see you soon! Cheers to 30 years! - The Steeles

Happy birthday my man! 30 is the new 20 don't even sweat it! I'm right behind you don't worry:)
Jonathan

"Rejoice in the milestone, but don't dwell on it. The first instinct is to feel old, this is simply not true. You are only a third of (or less) through your life and only a sixth into your adulthood. Plenty of time for both serious pursuits and flights of fancy. Continue to follow your bliss and the rest will follow. Happy Birthday!" - Jose

Happy 30th Birthday Chris…wow you’re an old man now!!! Let me tell you in my experience as a 30 year old for 10 days now ;-) it has been pretty damn great. The way you have to look at it is age is simply a number and you’re only as old as you feel and every other cliché saying…which all happen to be pretty accurate. Anyway, both Scott and I want to wish you a very happy birthday. We thank you for your coolness, being so fun to hang with and of course your friendship. We both look forward to many more fun times with you and your lovely bride. Happy Birthday and here’s to you on your special day!!! Cheers!!!
xo
Amy & Scott

Chris,

As a child be well-behaved (Παις ων κοσμιος ισθι)
...as a youth be self-disciplined (ηβων εγκρατης)
...as of middle-age be just (μεσος δικαιος)
...as an old man be sensible (πρεσβυτης ευλογος)
~ From the Delphic Maxims posted at Delphi~

Since you have not yet accomplished the last two tiers of the Delphic Maxims I will say have a very well-behaved and self-disciplined birthday…..Oh who am I kidding have a wonderful birthday eat lots of cake and get rowdy!
ps. Shaun 3-Oh words of wisdom “May the Force be with You”….

Fight On & Best Wishes,
Kristin & Shaun

Chris,
Happy birthday. Reaching this milestone in life affects some people adversely. Some feel like they are getting old and life is passing them by. Hopefully this does not apply to you, but if it does, perhaps we can put a positive spin on this. First, don’t think of this birthday as number thirty, think of it as...twenty-ten. This actually works well regardless of which decade you are entering. Second, remember that today you have actually completed thirty years and are beginning your 31st year so, in a sense, you ended your twenties a year ago, and you survived. Third, remember, there are worse alternatives to growing old.

Well enough of this (not so) sage advice from your big older brother that I’m sure you could have done well without. My funniest memory of you was when you were about 3 years old. Dad had just bought an Atari (it was like and X-Box only more cutting edge) that played Pong. I happened to be visiting the same time that Uncle Jim was. Dad pulled out a joystick and handed it to Uncle Jim and asked him if he wanted to challenge you to a game. He warned Uncle Jim that you were pretty good. He took the challenge and then Dad flipped the switch to turn on the computer opponent. Needless to say you (the computer) cleaned Uncle Jim’s clock while hardly paying attention and only moving the joystick occasionally. What a laugh we (Uncle Jim included) had.

Here is a birthday related Bible verse that may inspire you or at least give you something to shoot for. After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt he sent twelve spies to check out the Promised Land before the Israelites entered. One of the spies was Caleb who was 40 years old at the time. Many years later after the Israelites finally did enter the Promised Land, and on his 85th birthday, Caleb requested his portion of the Land. Caleb said:

...I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me (to spy the land); as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore, give me this mountain... (Joshua 14:10-12)

So if you are as fortunate as Caleb, the downhill slide will not hit until you are at least 85. Enjoy the day and the journey.

Pete

“Live each and every day to the fullest and without regret. Enjoy your day today, and remember, the best birthdays are the ones you haven’t had yet…Happy Birthday, Boo! – from your “Boo”, Lisa.”