birthday post

so today is veteran's day...or if you're from my family, my mom's birthday! i'm not going to tell how old she is...let's just say not half a century *yet*.

here is my mom holding newborn adeline, woah--3 years ago!

& here is my mom at amelia's 1st birthday party.

there's a lot to say about my mom. i have learned many things from her, admire many things in her, & even now when i am feeling exceptionally terrible i like my mom to be around--just in case i need someone to tell me "well, heidi, it could be your thyroid". (inside joke)

so here's a list of things i've learned from my mom:

1. don't be judgmental. (that's for god to do on the day of judgment)
   
2. to forgive but not necessarily forget
3. to tell a person off with just a glance
4. stand up for what i believe/think/feel (even if it means getting yelled at by her *smile*)
5. good food can cure *some* of what ails you
   
6. that she does not think under any circumstances that a baby should ever have to 'cry it out' (again, *smile*)
7. how to be firm, polite, & intelligent when on the phone with customer service reps (who could care less about your problems)
   
8. how to be firm, polite, & intelligent when talking with doctors (who mostly could care less about your problems)
9. that life isn't easy but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed
10. money really has nothing to do with happiness, but neither does being dirt poor
11. that god has a sense of humor & to enjoy it

hhmm, a few memories? well, one of my favorites is the time i mentioned a recent post. when she was driving & starting crying telling me how much jesus loves everyone, not just the people who look or act good.

another time driving (when you live out in the middle of *nowhere* there's lots of driving time, mind you) i saw sun rays coming out of the clouds & mentioned to her that i think that jesus takes the souls of people who died to heaven walking on the sun rays (okay, okay...i was maybe 6 or 7, couldn't get any cornier, eh?). & instead of correcting me with some off-base bible verse or theology, she just said 'well, god could do that & that is a beautiful thought'.

i remember several times my mom becoming exasperated with how much tv we could watch. & then suddenly, she'd decide that it was time to get rid of the tv; so off it would go (i don't know where. their closet? trash? another family?) & then she would stand there & convince us of other things we could be doing, equally as exasperated. but the lack of having a tv (out in the middle of nowhere) brought on great imaginations in all her kids & a love for reading. so...i think some good came out of that exasperation.
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there are many funny, quirky things about my mom also:

1. when she gets overly excited about something, her voice sorta sounds like a hyena. not in a bad way, but still, a hyena.
   
2. her camera batteries will always run out.
3. she will use the word 'loathe' during a conversation at least once.
4. she knows more about thyroid & endocrine systems than most doctors.
5. if given the opportunity, she is not able to hit my dad with a snowball (lack of aim? strong wind?)
6. she actually has an 'emergency bag' packed just in case any of her kids need her at their home at a moment's notice.

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my mom is a passionate mother, grandmother, & wife. she is quite the protector of her family & now that i'm a mom...i appreciate her even more. i love you, mom!