I know, I know, it is the Curse of the Middle Child.  Always sandwiched between brothers.  I must say however, our middle son Sam has excelled in the role.

Yes, our middle son Sam turns 10 today.  I remember that day and the sense of wonder and apprehension on his older brother Jacob’s face, when he met his little brother.

Taken a while later, older brother Jacob with his little brother Sam.

Then years later, as Charlene and I reflected on the imaginary friends of our children, Charlene observed, “Ben (Sam’s little brother) never had an imaginary friend, he had Sam.”

 Sam as a Big Brother “In Action” giving little brother Ben a bottle.

Sam, we love you.  Happy Birthday to the glue that perfectly holds the Paulsen Boys together.

Sam, our “Man in Black.” I believe Johnny Cash started out as a Fourth Grade viola player.

Oh and it also appears as if Sam is the only one who remembers how to smile.