Happy Father's Day / Happy Birthday Mom

In my early childhood I remember thinking that everybody's moms celebrated a birthday the same day as Father's Day -- nope, just my mom.

My mom's birthday is today. Happy Birthday! We love and miss you.

I have so many fond memories of my mom. As a child, a few that stick out include:

• Playing card games with me ALWAYS!
• Back to school shopping and letting ME pick out what clothes I wanted--and how to budget for said event.
• Making my birthday the occasion of the year (even when I was in college she brought a German chocolate cake to my work so that I wouldn't be "forgotten").

As an adult, a few that stick out are:

• My wedding day and her making me chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast -- a favorite as a child (and even now I guess).
• Giving me "easy" recipes to make for my brand-new husband. Rusty still LOVES the lasagna
• After helping me for two weeks when Ben was born (Meg was 12 months old and Ben a new-born), both of us crying at the door step as she was leaving for the airport. She told me, "You can do this Vicki, you will be okay." After making many mistakes, she was right, I was okay.
• Now making my kids' birthdays the occasions of the year.
• Many hours doing scrap book pages together.
• Laughing WITH me at all the many crazy, fun and blessed events that occur in my life.

This is one my favorite pictures of my mom.

Also a shout out to my dad on Father's Day! As I've mentioned before in a post, my dad is one of the hardest workers I have ever met. He worked at least three jobs during my childhood including his full-time job at Geneva Steel, owning and managing rental units, as well as real estate. Although I never got everything I wanted (although we were the first family in the neighborhood to have a VCR), I NEVER needed for anything.

A highlight of my childhood was taking family vacations. My dad made sure that our family went on at least one or two every year. ALWAYS in our camper or motor home (most trips required a repair in some random town). As a young child it was to visit my grandma in Seattle, Washington, or camping with my maternal grandparents. When we got older we went to Lake Powell, and to see almost EVERY tourist site to see in the Western United States. Even when my mom was too pregnant to go anywhere, we went 45 miles away to Salt Lake City and spent a week there at the zoo, historical sights, Lagoon, etc.

Thanks dad for teaching me about hard work, how to play chess, and the correct way to caulk a tub. Most importantly, thank you for sharing your testimony with me through example. I ALWAYS knew of your non-wavering testimony of the Church as well as love of the scriptures and of our latter-day prophets. I love you.

With my parents and Rusty's mom (Kathy) at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building eating lunch. We then went and saw the movie, "Joseph Smith, The Prophet of the Restoration." It was such a fun day to be with everyone.

Tidbits

*I had just told Sam that I got him some special apple juice for his poetry celebration the next day at school. Sam said, "Mom, our Poetry Celebration tomorrow is a breakfast, so when Dad comes he can't drink Diet Coke." Sam, FYI dad doesn't care what time of the day it is; he will drink Diet Coke whenever he wants, especially for breakfast.

*Yesterday we were at the pool (and yes, I didn't re-apply sunscreen on my kids and the five hours we were there caused a sunburn on everyone's shoulders. I have learned my lesson after waking up last night twice to kids crying). Anyway, Molly was in the pool and a little boy had a toy watering can and was pouring it over her head. She turned to him and said, "Quit watering me, I'm not a flower." Makes sense.

*Today we went to Ben and Sam's baseball games. We were at the ball field from 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in 92 degree weather. Luckily it wasn't sunny, but the air was so thick (and full of humidity) that we all were dripping within minutes (anyone who has or does live here knows exactly what I'm talking about). Anyway, Molly asked to go home a few times, but we all toughed it out. When we finally arrived at the car at the end of the game, I opened the door to let her in and she said, "Mom you HAVE to crank the AC." Okay almost three year old, I'll do that. How the heck does she know to even ask me that? One word--MEG!

*Tonight we went to Graeter's Ice Cream because they give kids a free cone if they get at least one "A" on their report card (yes, our family is all about getting free stuff). A couple of happenings occurred:

1) Molly was a mess (I was kicking myself that I didn't have my camera). I don't mean just a little Black Raspberry Chip around the mouth. I'm talking ice cream in the hair, on the dress, arms, legs, forehead, floor table everywhere. This wasn't that unusual for an almost three year old, but as Rusty was clearing away the 57 napkins saturated with purple drippings, this lady in front of him looked at him disgustedly and quickly pulled her ONE daughter away as if Rusty had some contagious virus. Then she sat near us and kept giving the evil eye. Is it wrong that I wanted Molly to go over and sit on her lap?

2) Meg was struggling with the mess of Black Raspberry Chip ice cream on our table. Between Sam dropping his ice cream out of his cone onto the table twice and Molly, Meg was constantly cleaning up after them. I told her she didn't need to worry about it, but it bugged her too much. After about the fifth swipe and fourth sigh she said, "I'm turning into my mother." I don't think she meant that as a compliment. Do you?