It's my birthday!

Yay! I love birthdays. Especially when it's mine. :)

I was thinking this morning (as I was getting ready to meet Brad at Chick-Fil-A for a birthday biscuit!) about the great birthdays I've had through the years. Here's a little run-down on some of the highlights:

1. 4th grade: My friends and I were picked up from school in a limo! We had a "Star" themed party (of course, I was the star of the show). The limo was talked about for several days after that. Way to go, Mom.

2.. 5th grade: We lived in the Middle East and thusly had a Middle Eastern hoopla which included a room FULL of Muslim women, sans sharshifs, DECKED OUT and ready to party. Henna was involved and a lot of dancing.

3. 15th birthday: Surprise party! It's usually pretty difficult to completely surprise me, but, once again, way to go, Mom!

4. 21st birthday: I lived it up big. I got The Complete Sherlock Holmes and a mutual fund. I did have a sparkly tiara to wear.

5. 22nd birthday: My roommates blindfolded and kidnapped me. I remained blindfolded for TWO hours until we arrived at Lambert's in Sikeston. Surprise that I never saw coming. (<-- I wrote that and then realized that it was a terrible and unintended pun. And then I left it because it made me chuckle a little.)

6. 23rd birthday: Tornado warnings in Jackson, so we (roommates, Brad, and Hunter) were hunkered down in the hallway of the apartment, waiting it out. However, in the midst of the tornado, I got a phone call, letting me know that I would be moving to Ukraine for two years. No big thing...

7. 24th birthday: I was in Ukraine, and my Ukrainian friends threw me a surprise party! It included a lot of tasks in Russian. Stress...

8. 25th birthday: Spent on the road between Poltava and Kiev, in an effort to travel back to America for Amiee's graduation. It was the same day that public transportation was having some sort of strike and my marshrutka was FLYING across country. It was one of my least favorite public transportation experiences ever. When I got to Kiev, I wanted to kiss the ground (but not really because...ew) but rather went to bed at 6:00 p.m. because of my 3:45 a.m. check-in time. Good times.

9. Today! 26th birthday! Breakfast with Brad at Chick-Fil-A. Surprise office decorations, courtesy of Amiee (pictures will come tomorrow...Lord willing). Scones with my boss. Phone calls, cards, Facebook posts, and a cook out at church (this wasn't solely for my birthday, but it was great fun). All-in-all, it's been a pretty good day.

I love birthdays.

I love my mom.

I do. She's just the best. She's super smart and clever and thoughtful and wise. She never forgets important things (it's true), always has the right gift for every occasion, and always knows exactly what you need and also exactly what you want (even if you don't know exactly what those things are). She travels oceans/braves blizzards to see you in Ukraine or drives 3 hours to Jackson to take care of you when you have a migraine and can't get out of bed. One of her super powers is finding a way to keep in touch- no matter where you are or how limited your technological resources are. She knows how to fix basically anything, as well as clean any kind of wicked stain you can acquire. She plans the best birthday parties and vacations (I'm not EVEN kidding). She has a scripture for every occasion and will pray for any and every need that comes her way. She's an encourager and a comforter. She's so brave and strong and mighty, taking care of so many responsibilities. She's pretty much magical.

She's the best. Love you, Mama! I'm so glad you're my mother. Happy Mother's Day.