Happy Birthday MOM!

My top ten favorite things about my mom!

10. The woman can cook! Seriously! She usually makes enough to feed an army -- a daunting enough task-- but what is especially amazing is that each meal is "the best ever"!

9. She always manages to make every occasion special for everyone else. Even her birthday and mother's day. Last year, she begged for a swingset -- Yeah, she is good to her grandchildren! She couldn't think of one thing she wanted just for herself. She even refuses to go on vacations unless we can all come!

8. She's that person who not only thinks of doing something to brighten someone's day, she actually does it. She has a sixth sense for knowing who is having an extra rough day and really needs a little pick-me-up. She also usually knows exactly what that would entail.

7. She can make ANYTHING! She cooks, paints, sews, whatever you need. I once told a school teacher that my mom sewed my entire wardrobe -- even my underwear. Yup, my mom is awesome!

6. She's incredibly strong. She had a tough childhood, but used it to make herself a better person, instead of giving in to that and giving up.

5. She taught me that you can't just wait for life to be happy, you have to have the courage and determination to make that happen. She made sure that we learned from her tough childhood, while giving us a happy one!

4. She picked my Dad!

3. She still makes her kids her priority, even though we are all grown up (more or less!)

2. She's always been one of my closest friend! I'm only just learning how much work that involved on her part!

1. I've discovered that she has always actually believed all of the nice things she said about me, even when I didn't think that was possible!

Thanks, Mom, for being the very best! I love you and miss you!