Happy Birthday!!!

To MOM!!!

As I was thinking about my mom's birthday, I thought, "Oh boy, what in the world would I do without her?!?!" I can call my mom about anything and everything, from cooking tips to what to do with my sick kids, to interior design recommendations. She is one of the most selfless people I know. She is always taking dinner to people, visiting someone in the hospital, watching kids, volunteering for things nobody wants to do, I could go on and on. And on top of all that my mom is amazingly talented. Not many people know that she's an artist - drawing and painting. She's also a talented seamstress, one heck of a cook, and a pianist. If there was one woman I could be like, I would choose to be like my mom. I just love her! Here are a few of my favorite moments in my life with my mom:

1. When she would take me to ballet class when I was five. I remember her helping me put on my leotard and tights and sometimes tying a ribbon in my hair because it always made me feel pretty. Then she'd sit and watch me for half an hour. I'm not sure why I remember that, but I look back on that time with fondness.

2. When she home-schooled me. I have no idea how she did it, she home-schooled all five of us for about 3 years each. I'm not sure I could ever have the patience for it, but she taught me at home from 2nd to 4th grade. They were fun years. I remember her having my sister and I recite the Pledge of Allegiance and then a scripture of the week every day. I remember "Her first nurse worked early" (learning the "er" sounds) and learning my time tables to the skip count kid songs. I remember begging her to let me read just a few more pages in The Boxcar Kid books when reading time was over and I was supposed to be doing math or science. My mom was the best teacher I ever had.

3. Late-night giggling sessions. If you know my mom, then you know she gets very goofy after about 10pm!

4. When she volunteered to sew costumes for our girl's show choir and then our senior musical in high school. I was so proud of her for her sewing talents, and she even let me get first dibs on skirt colors after the material was bought!

5. When she and my dad took me to Prince Edward Island for my 18th birthday - that was an amazing vacation!

6. When she stayed with Kyle and I for two weeks after Janelle was born and I didn't know what the heck I was doing! She's given both of my kids their first home bath.

7. Our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch with my kids. We all love going there every year with Grandma.

8. A windy, rainy day at the beach in Hawaii riding the waves up to the shore!

Thanks mom for everything. I love you! Have a very happy birthday!!!

Also happy birthday to JENNI!!!
(My amazing sister-in-law)
You are one of my favorite people to be around because wherever you are is where the fun is! I miss you and wish we lived closer! Hope you have a great day! We all love you lots!