Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Dear Mom

Today is my amazing mother's birthday.  She's pretty fantastic. 

Dear Mom,

Do you know how much I love you?  Do you know that you're my hero?  Well, I do, and you are.
Happy birthday today!  I hope you're having a wonderful day.  I hope this year will be even better than the last.
I was thinking about you today.  Remembering all the things that I love so much about you.  Here are a few, in no particular order: 
You love to have fun.  You're always game for a girl's night out, watching a chick flick, or getting a pedi.  I love that about you.
You can do anything.  I know, I've witnessed some of the amazing things you've done.  I love that about you.
You are an amazing cook.  The pies, desserts, dinners, Mexican food, basically anything you make is delicious.  I love that about you.
When I was young and in high school you would let me stay home and have a "mental health" day, even if I wasn't really sick.  I love that about you.
Another time when I was young you took me out, just me, for my birthday.  That was a big deal.  I love that about you.
When you come to visit me you're always willing to get Thai food.  I love that about you.
When I need you, you come.  No matter what.  I love that about you.
When I had my first baby, you were there right next to me to comfort me.  I love that about you.
You painted a beautiful portrait of my boys for me for Christmas.  I love that about you.
You let me get married when I was 18 years old.  You understood that it was the right thing.  I love that about you.
When I was a little girl you put candy pees and carrots on my plate to try to fake me out.  I love that about you.
When I need to know what to make for dinner, you always have a good idea.  I love that about you.
You made the most beautiful wedding dress I could have ever wanted.  I love that about you.
You and dad got married in the temple.  I love that about you.
You take your temple covenants seriously.  I love that about you.
You have always stayed firm in your faith.  I love that about you.
You know that staying true to your beliefs will always get you where you want to go.  I love that about you.
You have have always practiced what you've preached.  I love that about you.
When I was a little girl you helped me learn to read from the pages of the Book of Mormon.  I love that about you.
When I was a little girl you made me an amazing baptism dress.  You let me pick out the pattern and the fabric.  I love that about you.
When I was little I remember the first time you took me to the store to buy a Sunday dress.  I was about 10 years old.  I can't believe that you made all those dresses up to that point, and so many after.  I love that about you.
When I was little you would put Tabasco sauce on my tongue when I said bad words.  I love that about you.
You love being with my kids, and it shows.  I love that about you.
When I was a baby you used to sing lullabies to me, and you still sing the same lullabies to my babies.  I love that about you.
You love to do yoga.  I love that about.
You laid most of the flooring in your home.  I love that about you.
You serve everyone around you.  I love that about you.
You're always checking in on people, making meals, or helping people out when they need it.  I love that about you.
You're loyal.  I love that about you.
You say that you're bad at math, but I don't know anyone who can calculate yardage better or quicker than you.  I love that about you.
You're beautiful.  I love that about you.
You're skinnier than me, and have cuter clothes.  I love that about you.
You have a beautiful voice.  You can pick out a harmony and sing it out.  I love that about you.
You're not afraid to tell me to what to do.  You're still my mom.  I love that about you.
You've got some great dance moves.  I love that about you.
I can talk to you about anything.  I love that about you.
You always make time to talk to me when I need you.  I love that about you.
Mom, you're the best.  Thank you for being you.  Happy Birthday!
I love you,
Stacy



Friday, January 13, 2012

Conversation with Ben

Yesterday I had the following conversation with Ben.  It was hilarious.

We were talking about nicknames.

Ben:  "Wouldn't it be funny if I called Aunt Rachel, Aunt Hube?"
Then he laughed at his funny joke.
Me:  "I think you should.  I think she'd like it.  What about your other aunts?"
Ben:  "I would call Camille, Aunt Gomes.  That's what I call her now.  What's Katie's nickname?"
Me:  "I think you could call her Aunt Little Kay.  What about Aunt Lindsay and Aunt Gina?"
Ben:  "I would call Aunt Lindsay, Aunt B." (chuckling to himself)  "What's Aunt Gina's nickname?"
Me:  "You could call her Aunt Gi-na-na-na." (pronounced He-na-na-na)
Ben:  laughing
Ben:  "You could call me Chuck, that's my nickname."
Me:  "Ok, sounds good.  What about Tom?"
Ben:  "His nickname is GooToo."
Tom:  "I'm not GooToo.  I'm GooThree."

Me: Laughing hysterically at Tom.  My boys crack me up.