Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday, my mother had to say goodbye to her baby. My brother Ryan left for his mission right before her birthday. The tears were agonizing for all, but my poor mother was dealing with a heartache beyond what any of us could comprehend. I know she is aching and I know that this is going to be a hard birthday for her.


I have the most incredible mother in the world. For as long as I can remember, my mother has always told us kids we were the loves of her life. Her actions have never made us doubt that love for one second. Mom has always been there for every special event in our life...such as dance recitals, soccer games, shopping for dances, and she was even there when I got suspended in school for trying acid. Ok, that part is a joke...sort of. I didn't get suspended. :)

I was also very proud to show my mother off. I thought my mother was the most beautiful woman in the world and when it was bring your parents to school day,I would beg her to wear my favorite outfit with her pretty heels. I would always stare at her because I thought she was so beautiful. Vickie and I were fortunate to have 7 years of just the two of us. Some of my favorite memories with my mother were going to Pineview every Saturday to swim. I would lay on top of her on top of the floatie and we would float on the water for hours just laying there together. I also remember that she really loved The Carpenters, Barry Manilow and The Letterman and we'd dance all the time in our little apartment...and during slow dances she'd let me step on her feet and she would lead. Every night, she'd throw a record on the old player and we would sit in the rocker and rock before bedtime. We would talk and talk and then she'd carry me into bed and tuck me in.

I know my mother struggled being a single mother but she made sure I never went without and I don't ever remember wanting for anything. In fact, if memory serves, I wasn't very happy when she married my step-father.

My mother has always been my biggest fan. She always challenges me to be a little bit better. She teaches me how to love and about God through her example of how much she loves and serves others with no expectation. She takes a very active interest in my life and my friends and truly loves who I love...except those who've hurt me, and they can all burn in hell...how dare you hurt her baby?!? Whenever we hurt, she ached. I love children, and can't wait to be a mother someday. Hopefully I'll do my mother's love, justice.

My mother lives in my laughter.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

This was pretty much me at the airport this morning...

Saying goodbye was SOOO hard. I'm a very sad little monkey today.

It has started...

Be warned. I'm emotional. The realization hit me last night that I wouldn't have many more opportunities to just call my brother when I wanted to. I called him had to tell him how much I loved him. I meant to keep it casual & free of emotion...
No dice.

This morning I received a message from him saying he loved me and that I was the best sister and his best friend. BRING ON THE WATERWORKS. Has it stopped? NO!

Anyway...this post was merely for journaling purposes...carry on.

Quote of the Day

In talking with a dear friend, we'll call her Fritta (to protect her anonymity) she was telling me about post baby nookie. Then she said possibly the funniest thing that's ever come out of her mouth. "Nookie was really hard before the baby because both of our bellies were fighting for real estate."



I heart friends.

When I Die

It would be really cool if my loved ones would bury me in this...

Why Being Friendly To Everyone Isn't Always A Good Thing

Don't you love that feeling when you know someone has a crush on you? It's almost empowerment. You feel more confident, you feel sassy, and most of all, you feel downright hot.

EXCEPT...

When the person who has a crush on you looks a little something like this...
oh yeah...and she's a WOMAN!!!

Britta's neighbor loves me. Not only that, but my new lady friend has been to prison. Not only that, she asked me to make her more cupcakes. One time I gave her and her girlfriend some cupcakes but now I wonder if she saw them and thought it was some innuendo. They were beautiful creamish frosted cupcakes with 1 little blueberry in the center for decoration. I saw a cupcake. I have no doubt she saw a nipple.

"Forget Michelle, Thank you for Ryan"

I realize I'm not the first person to have their baby brother go on a mission or the last. I'm just the most proud. Today was Ryan's farewell. Though I've known it was coming, the reality that he's leaving didn't set in until he stood up before the large crowd and shared his thoughts on prayer and his testimony that he knew this was where he needed to be. I cried. My family cried. I looked up and all 3 members of the bishopric were wiping their eyes. Ryan is going to be such an amazing missionary because he's an amazing person. I ache. I don't want to, but I do. The simple truth is while I know this will be good for him, I can't help but think of my brother and friend whom I won't see for two long years.

We had lunch at my parents house following the farewell. There were so many loved ones there from our past and present. Even some of my girlfriends who just like to oogle Ryan came. It was so great to see everyone. We felt loved.

The highlight of the day was when my lovely friend Lowder was leaving. She turned and hugged my mother and said, "Forget Michelle, thank you for Ryan."