Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you to pieces!

Today is my beautiful mommy's birthday...she's !! year's old. : ) She's a cool chick and I'll tell you why!

• My mom loves the Lord with all her heart and instilled in us kids a solid foundation.
• She's an amazing wife and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 35 years - I can remember my parent's arguing from time to time, but never fighting, and at the end of the day, they always spoke to one another with affirming words.
• She's crafty and creative...she just finished a major bed/bath remodel and it shocked me that she used an interior designer (I guess after all these years, she deserved a little help), because she could have handled all the sewing and upholstering herself.
• She is a loyal and caring friend.
• She's a committed and loving grandmother (thankfully, my little brother has helped her to become one while I'm patiently waiting for Mr. Right).
• She thinks her kids can do anything and is the biggest encourager I've ever met.
• She's sensitive and can cry at the drop of a hat.
• She giggles until she sobs - at times annoying, but at times infectious. Ha!
• She's caring for her own mother as she experiences health concerns and dimensia with empathy and strength.
• She loves to read a good love story.
• She still writes me notes addressed to Dolly, because she had me at 23 and I felt like a little doll in her young arms.
• She loves to play video poker and can stay up all night in Vegas doing so when we're on the way to the river, which is totally out of character, but hilarious nonetheless!
• She's so short that when I put my arm around her shoulder it rests comfortably...which also leads to the fact that she's a great cuddler and hand-holder.
• She hates it when I call her Stephy, but she let's me do it anyway.
• She loves to travel, but isn't afraid to invite us kids along, too.
• She's tough...last year she broke her leg and hardly complained at all...but that could have been about the good drugs, too. ; )
• She's taught me more about being an awesome wife and mother through her actions than through words.

Thanks Mom, for all that you do, all that you are, and for all that you've given me. I love you so much and am honored to be your Dolly! See you tonight! Want to split a souffle with me?