About my Mom...

Today is my mom's birthday. She has now reached the very wise and mature age of a number I'm not allowed to mention or she'll start charging me for the wedding she paid for.

Andrew and I, being the talented musicians that we are, sang her a lovely rendition of happy birthday on her voice mail. He really wanted to get his mandolin out to accompany the singing but I wouldn't let him. No need to make her miserable.

We took her out to lunch at the Udipi Cafe... a vegetarian Indian place that is a-mazing, and then we went to get pedicures at our favorite nail place in Katy. Andrew decided it would be better for his manhood if he didn't get a pedicure.

I also put together a flower arrangement of gladiolas, one of my new favorite flowers. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a pictures of the arrangement, but I promise it was surprisingly nice looking considering my skills are not in the arranging department. (Side note- I think one of the best jobs in the world would be to be a flower deliverer... don't you?)

In case flowers aren't your 'thing', kind of like pedicures not really being Andrew's 'thing', here is what a typical gladiola looks like:
So Happy Birthday to my lovely Mom!
I wish everyone I know could meet my mom. She is more than amazing, there are just not enough words to describe how absolutely incredible she is. Mom has always been the epitome of the Proverbs 31 Woman. I've posted the verses below, don't skip over them, because they are the beautiful qualities and attributes that make my mom who she is today.

The Proverbs 31 Woman :
10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. rare, precious 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. trustworthy 12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. kind	Her Character as a Wife
13She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. works joyfully 14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. goes extra mile to get choicest goods 15She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. disciplined 16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. enterprising, prudent with money 17She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. energetic 18She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. good steward 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. diligent	Her Devotion as a Homemaker
20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. compassionate, generous	Her Generosity as a Neighbor
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. provident 22She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. elegant 23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. influential 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. industrious	Her Devotion as a Homemaker
25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. poised 26She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. wise	Her Influence as a Teacher
27She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. manages her home 28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: praiseworthy 29"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." distinguished	Her Effectiveness as a Mother
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. God-fearing 31Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates. honored	Her Excellence as a Person

Isn't that just beautiful?! One of my favorite parts is this verse: ²⁹"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all, distinguished." You know how sometimes people are beautiful on the outside and inside? That is my mom. She radiates wisdom, selflessness and love.

As a teacher I come into contact with many parents on a weekly basis, and I am continually thankful for the way my mom (and dad) raised me. I wish that I had been taking notes all these years so that when it comes my time, I'll be able to instill the many excellent qualities that it takes to build a character that is respected in my children.

One of my favorite things about my mom is her gift of hospitality. This lady knows how to throw a darn good party. And nothing is store bought mind you! That is for lazy people who don't care enough! All the homemade goodness is prepared in a way that puts food network stars to shame. Her food is legendary... just thinking about it makes me want Christmas to get here faster. Speaking of Christmas, the best gift I ever got from her was a recipe box FULL of hand-written recipe cards of ALL of her recipies. Who needs new clothes when you have a gift like that?!

She is the first person I call when something good happens to Andrew and I, and she is the first person I call when I need advice. All wrapped up, she is my best friend, and I love her so much!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom with one of the 'grand-puppies'

Mom and Lindsey on one of our trips to Bali