A Birthday Shout Out!

Today is my mom's birthday, so of course I have to do a "birthday shout-out". I was lucky enough to be the only girl in my family, which I can't imagine any other way. My mom and I stuck together and have always been close friends. I can't imagine ever having to share her. Although it just dawned on me that one day I will have sister-in-laws? I will dwell on that later, I guess. My mom taught me to be a strong willed person, and to always stand up for what I believed in. She taught me see the good in everyone. She taught me how to be thrifty and responsible. She taught me how to cook and clean, and has taught be how to be a good mom. Here are some fun memories, and lasting memories that I hold dear.

1. Birthday Dates - Every year on my birthday my mom would let me ditch school and she and I would spend the day together. She would take me shopping and let me pick out my birthday gifts, and take me out for my choice of lunch. Usually it was Leatherby's where we would split our favorite sandwich and ice cream sundae.
2. Thanksgiving - I remember every Thanksgiving morning waking up to the smell of Thanksgiving cooking underway. I would come down stairs and find a spot at the stool where I would watch my mom cook and we would chat. She would cook the turkey neck to use the meat for the stuffing, and when she was done I would nibble on what meat was left on the bones. My brothers thought I was disgusting. Ha.
3. Christmas - I couldn't wait until the day after Thanksgiving when we could put up the Christmas tree and start decorating the house. I would BEG my mom to get all the decorations down, and I wanted to have a say in where all the Christmas decor went. Looking back, I'm sure it drove her crazy, but I must have gotten good eventually because now she asks for my advice. Or maybe she's still being nice. Ha.
4. Loving Others - When I was in 2nd grade there was a girl in my class, I still remember her name was Meghan. She was a bully and didn't like most people. One day she decided she didn't like me either, and boy could she be mean. I came home and told my mom about this girl, and inside I was thinking of all the ways I could be rude back to her. But my mom suggested being nice to her no matter what. She told me to try and find something nice every day - whether it be if she was wearing something cute, etc. A week later I was shocked when this girl wanted me to come over to her house after school to play. It was a lesson I never forgot.
5. SO Mad! - Here is a funny memory. One day my brothers and I were not behaving and were getting on my mom's nerves. She angrily began sweeping (hmm I clean when I'm mad too!) and all of a sudden she tells all of us kids in a loud voice, "I'm so mad right now I could just spit!" We all looked at her with wide eyes, and then she turned her head and SPIT on the kitchen floor!! The room was silent for about 10 seconds, and then we ALL busted up laughing! She'll never lay that one down.
6. Encouragement - My mom always believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. She would always give me encouragement, and made me feel like I could do anything I set my mind too.
7,8,9... Wow there are so many fun memories I have with my mom, and they will continue...

Mom, I love you so much and I hope that you have a Happy Birthday! You are an amazing and beautiful woman both inside and out. I am so glad that I have you to look to as an example and that I can always lean on you for support and advice in my life. I feel so blessed to have lived and to currently live each day of my life with you by my side. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!