Mama

My mom's birthday was a couple days ago. As my dad says, she turned 9. So, in honor of her, here are just 9 of the reasons my mom is the best!

Dad and Mom, August 2012

1. She's extremely talented. Seriously. She cooks, sews, crochets, decorates cakes, plays basketball and volleyball, draws, sings, has the uncanny ability to make up new words to songs, and can always come up with fun/funny/cute sayings or gifts to give people. She's the white elephant champ. She also is very stylish. The majority of the clothes in my closet were picked out by mom. Even if she doesn't understand why we like the clothes we do, she knows what we like and I will always trust her to pick out clothes for me.

Me and Mom, August 2012

2. She went back to school when I was 9. It meant she was at home less, so realize it might seem weird that I love that she did it. But she taught me so much in those years, just by example. I learned that it is never too late to fulfill dreams. I learned that if you feel it is right, you should do it, no matter what anyone else thinks. I learned that it is important to always keep learning. I learned that marriage is a partnership with ever evolving roles and responsibilities. I learned that through hard work, we can do the things we set our minds to. I learned that quality time spent together is more important than the quantity of the time. I learned more about my own capabilities as I became more independent.

Grandma and Grandpa with their grandkids (minus Connor), November 2011

3. She believes women and equal to men and has gone out of her way her whole life to prove it. She was on the first girls' basketball team at Centerville Junior. She was in the first wood shop class that allowed girls there too. Same goes for college when she was determined to prove to her lifting teacher that girls were just as good as boys. Demanding respect as a women is something she's definitely passed onto her children.

Mom and Dad, August 2012

4. She loves to talk. I also love to talk. (I think that's where I get it.) The two of us have probably discussed everything there is to discuss. When we were little she use to talk on the phone a lot, but now she prefers talking in person. Whenever I'm struggling though, I call my mom and she'll talk me down from my breakdowns. She rarely gives me advice (something that is, admittedly, a teeny bit frustrating at times). Instead she imparts wisdom so that I can make the decisions myself.

Mom and me in New York, April 2010

5. She has a gift with youth. I mean, the woman has gone to girls' camp over 20 times. Sometimes, I think my mom actually gets along better with youth than with adults. She can always tell where a need is with the young people she interacts with and does what she can to help. Her personality makes it so that young people like her, even if they don't want to in the beginning. She has a great balance of wisdom, humor, stubbornness, honesty, and love that has enabled her to connect with people others can't, and to stay connected to them throughout their lives.

Me, Taylor Frey, and Mom, New York, April 2010

6. She's funny. When she gets in her "girls' camp mood", basically all anyone does is laugh! And, when she was in college, she and her cousin/roommate had a comedy show: Ethel and Harriet. They still pull it out occasionally. It's hilarious! (Also, I want to be as close to my roommates after college as she has always been!) Plus, if she can get away with it, she likes to tell people her name is Kate, which is a far cry from her real name (Helen). She's slightly crazy and it's awesome!

Dad and Mom, August 2012

7. She's an amazing Grandma. Those kids just love her. She's sort of the classic Grandma. You know, lets the kids win in games, gives them treats, lets them stay up late (shhh...don't tell Amy and Spencer!). She would absolutely do anything for them. She loves reading, playing, dancing, and singing with them. And she doesn't even get too annoyed when they always want to "help" her make things in the kitchen.

Dad, Lyla, Mom, and Dax, Christmas 2011

8. She has an amazing heart. Both my parents just care so deeply for all of the people around them. I hope someday I can learn to be as kind, friendly, and caring to everyone around me. She is always trying to come up with ways to make the lives of those around her better. She works with a lot of kids who don't have the best home lives, but she is the perfect person to work with them because she instantly cares about all of them, even if they drive her crazy sometimes.

The Birthday Kids, Nate and Mom, January 2012

9. She's my mom. There are times when I get sort of freaked out at how much I act like my mom. But then I think that there is no one else I'd want to be more like. She passed on her stubbornness, intelligence, musical abilities, love of BYU and sports, love of education, hard work, love, sewing skills, cooking skills, and emphasis on family first to me. Everyday I try harder to develop those things so that someday I can be as incredible as my Mama. 

Mom and all her girls, November 2011
(L to R: Mandi, Shannon, Mom, Lyla, Alicia, Amy, Abby, and Me)

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you so much, for reasons I can never fully express!

And Happy Birthday to my awesome big brother, Nate, too! He was born the day after my mom. You are an incredible big brother (as I have already said here) and I love you!