An Ode to Mom

I'm always so daunted by Mother's Day. How do you begin to thank the person who literally brought you into this world? I mean if she did NOTHING else for you - who else (divine beings aside) has done something like that for you? I've not been pregnant, but from what I've heard, it's no easy feat. Then there's that whole raising a child thing. Nbd.

That said, I would like to try, though it be inadequate, cheesy, and a bit braggy (it's socially acceptable to boast about one's mother, correct?), to describe why my mom is the best mom:

She loves everyone. 

Like EVERYone. It's impressive. You show me someone who would drive anyone else absolutely nuts, and my mom will be able to find no less than five redeeming qualities in that same person. I'm willing to bet on it.

She's the best cheerleader. 
Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders listen up - you could learn a few things from this lady (plus she's hotter than all y'all). Every time I have a new idea, a new direction I want to go with my life, a new business I want to start, a new spiritual path I've decided to take, she's like, "I think you should go for it." She's always encouraging me. Believing in me. I could tell her I'm running for president of the United States, and she'd get out her computer and start making campaign posters. 

She feels my pain. 

From scraped knees to broken hearts and lost dreams - she hurts when I'm hurting; she cries when I'm crying. She can't take the pain away (though I know she wishes with all her heart she could), but she can take me in her arms and do that soothing thing that she's so good at. Man she's good at that soothing thing. 

She's steady.

Like a rock. I've seen this woman go through some really tough stuff. And I'm sure I don't even know the half of it. But I've never, not once, seen her faith waiver. I've never once seen her lose her hope. I'm over here losing hope all the time like no one's business, but that's just not her style. It gives me hope that maybe someday I can have hope like she does.

She's just so dang fun.

I'm going to repost a video at the risk of getting in trouble, but I think it's worth it. I can only get in so much trouble now that I'm an adult, right?

See that? Not every mom can get down like that. She's a zip-lining, adventure-loving, late-night-chatting, expert-shopping, down-for-whatever kind of mom. She's not only my mom, she's my best friend. And one that I just can't get enough of.

So. That's my attempt. Thank you, Mom, for being my mom. I wouldn't have it any other way.

For Grandpa

OneofthosesappyendoftheyearpoststhatIsupposeisnecessary

Did anyone wake up today and think "HOLY CRAP it's 2012 already???!!!!

Yeah, I didn't, but it did dawn on me after my usual morning drowsiness wore off.

Seriously this last year has FLOWN by... so I guess I need to, for my own sake, go through some of its highlights:

Getting a full-time JOB. Whoa. Seriously? I've been a legit grown up for a full year now? Someone send me to Never Never Land before it gets too out of hand...


Getting my braces off: One word--finally.


Getting a Lagoon season pass. Pretty sure if I keep doing this I'll never really grow up. Wherever I was there was usually a good 5-year age gap within a 50-foot radius. It was super fun... but I'm pretty sure I'm doing Seven Peaks this year. Gotta work on that killer tan (aka see how many more freckles I can get...).

Traveling: Vegas, Idaho, Arizona, Idaho, California, Idaho... well, I could work on this one a bit...

Met Jimmer: Okay, 2011 was definitely filled with a lot of Jimmer obsession. A big highlight was getting to go to the end-of-the-season basketball banquet, and meet Jimmer. It was... yeah. Amazing.


Zumba Instructor: After many years as a dedicated Zumba STUDENT, I have now become the instructor. I was already in love with/addicted to Zumba... and if it were possible... I am now even more so. 2012 is going to be a BIG Zumba year.


Back Injury Recovery: I had my first real injury in a while... but luckily I was able to recover quite quickly. Some people told me I might never dance again... but luckily I had already dedicated my life to dance and was able to come back.

Dedicated my life to dance: This really deserves its own section. After discovering Zumba, Just Dance 2 & 3, and Michael Jackson the Experience, I discovered my true calling in life. Dance. I even got to perform Thriller at our office talent show. It rocked.


Justin Bieber: This year has been full of JB. I saw Never Say Never in theaters (even got a few people to watch it who later became beliebers), became an official JB follower on Twitter (I may or may not have created a Twitter account for that purpose. Well, I also wanted to follow Jimmer...), requested his songs at every chance possible (unashamedly), and even dressed up as him for Halloween.




Emily's wedding: We were able to have a special reunion as the first of my closest friends from high school got married this year. It was a beautiful ceremony, and so awesome to reconnect with my BFFs.



11/11/11: Classiest/most epic party I have ever thrown. Anyone up for 12/12/12?
















Happy New Year!