Happy Birthday, Mom

I don't do Birthday posts for just anyone. That being said, I have been planning to post a special birthday wish today for a while now. Today is my mom's birthday! I'm so bummed that I'm not home, unlike every single other member of my family, lame.

I'm going to tell you the 49 things that I love about my mom and Karl is contributing to this list (this should be interesting). Also, the number 49 isn't significant at all ;)

49. She is a great housekeeper. Our house always looks awesome. She's one of those people who always says, "oh I'm sorry the house is such a mess" when people come over. It never is.
48. She can fix clothes that you mess up (Karl)
47. She gave horrible spankings as a child, and I'm pretty sure she knew it. They were a total joke. Thanks, Mom!
46. She's a Pi Phi. Obviously I love this about her, even if she was the most uninvolved Pi Phi in history.
45. She never let my sister's and I wear store-bought Halloween costumes. The greatest gift a mother could give, homemade costumes.
44. She's nice to animals (Karl)
43. She is very, very intelligent
42. She has vowed to save my wedding dress in the event of a house fire. I mean, what a selfless person.
41. She has the most well-equipped purse. You name it, she's carrying it on her shoulder.
40. She trusts The Lord. She has shown my sisters and I how to trust Him with our family, decisions, jobs, and finances. A huge lesson for us to learn through her actions and words.
39. She's not afraid to dance when music comes on. In fact, I would venture to say she gets an adrenaline rush out of busting a move to a rap song every once and a while. There's video footage to prove it.
38. She is a brilliant gift giver. I can always count on my mom for the perfect Valentines, Halloween, Christmas, etc. gifts to brighten my day and week!
37. She is a people pleaser in the best way. She receives joy out of doing things for others and making others happy.
36. She's a great cook (Karl). There is nothing better than coming home from a college life of soup and frozen meals to my mom's food.
35. She has passed on some ideal likes and dislikes to yours truly, which I can't help but love her for. Her hatred of scary movies, late nights, foamy textures, and driving and love of baked potatoes, being polite, and pulp-free orange juice are commonalities between the two of us.
34. She takes care of us when we're sick. I know this seems like an obligations as a mother, but she does this in a way that makes my only heart's desire to be home when I am sick up here in Fayetteville.
33. She's thrifty. She can grocery shop and clothing shop more efficiently than most and knows how to get bang for her buck.
32. She has always praised my sister's and I for everything we do. Even the small things.
31. She is joyful, not just happy, but joyful! My mom can put a smile on the grouchiest person's face, even if it is through lame humor.
30. She picks up after our messes (Karl). hahaha, funny that he came up with this. Not funny that it's unfortunately true.
29. She was the best homeroom mom. I love nothing more than the fact that she served as homeroom mom for me so many years for me and all of my sisters.
28. She'll talk to me late at night when I'm walking in alone to my dark house or when I'm in an awkward situation and just want to be on the phone.
27. My mom was and is a stay-at-home mom. The biggest blessing. We have been so fortunate to have had her home throughout our childhood and even now. It is so great in so many ways!
26. My mom never uses bad language. In our house that includes but*, shu* up, cr*p. We used to hate not being able to say the word but*. BUT (no pun intended), I totally appreciate being sheltered from crass.
25. She has all the fruits of the spirit.
24. She has common sense and street smarts. Like, who would know to rip up your junk mail. Oh, thats right, my mom would.
23. She'll stay up late to dry my hair. I know, I'm 21 years old, but I hate drying my hair.
22. She's healthy. She has never been one to completely withhold all things pre-packaged, frozen, sweet, carbonated, and fattening from my sisters and I but she is health-conscious, and it makes us health-conscious too! Thanks, Mom for making none of us fat!
21. She balances all parts of her life very well between church responsibilities, my sisters and I, my dad, my dad's business, friends
20. She's stylish (Karl)
19. She's never been one to "live vicariously" through us, her children. Praise The Lord for that.
18. She will listen when you need to talk (Karl)
17. She doesn't do gross things, like put her feet on anyone, burp, or do anything that ladies shouldn't do.
16. She loves our dog, Billi and would protect her with her life.
15. She has nice teeth (Karl)
14. She's a great friend. I think all of her pals would agree that she is loyal, tried and true.
13. She loves Karl (Karl)
12. She has impeccable taste. Decorations, clothes, hair cuts...you name it. My mom is no Michelle Duggar.
11. She genuinely cares (Karl). My mom is the type of person who will lose sleep over the neighbor who she suspects has a broken air conditioner and will continue to do so until she ensures it gets fixed.
10. She can make something out of nothing (Karl). Although I didn't come up with idea #10, I do wholeheartedly agree! My mom makes the best of every situation. Karl's example of this was that she comes up with great ideas!
9. She never complains (Karl). This is true. Except over her "messy" house. See #49.
8. She serves the church selflessly.
7. She loves and treats our dad in a way that my sisters and I desire to emulate. I think this is so rare and such a blessing.
6. She is the world's most accommodating person (Karl). Try and walk into my house and not feel at home. I dare you.
5. She's always classy (Karl)
4. She says "yes" whenever it is humanly possible. I was never denied the opportunity to try any instrument, rush, sport, or pair of shoes that my heart ached for, no matter how fleeting she knew my desire would be.
3. She loves others like Jesus.
2. She gives the best advice. Anytime I'm upset, happy, excited, depressed, confused...I just want to call my mom. She always knows exactly what to say. Every single time, exactly.
1. She loves The Lord in a way that makes each of her daughters desire to seek after Him in a bigger and better way day in and day out. (Karl said it too)

So, basically I have the best mom ever. Happy Birthday, Mom! I can't wait till I get home on Tuesday so we can celebrate more!

Love,
your best daughter