My Mom's Birthday is Tomorrow!

Mom,
    You are the most amazing woman that I know.  You have taught me so many things and I am the woman that I am today because of you and your influence.   You are such a Godly example.  You are the kindest, most selfless person I have ever met.  You have gone without so that I could have.  I am so very thankful for all that you do and all that you are to me, Stephan, and Kinley. 
     I remember when we went to Christian school and you would pack our lunch every single morning, even though you had tons going on and had to get to school yourself.  There were some morning that we didn't have time, and you would drop us off at school and then on your break go and get us fruit cups and personal pan pizza.  When I would go to the gym for P.E. I would see the three little boxes of pizza with fruit on them, and I would know that you were taking care of us.  Even when you were busy with school and everything else that you had to do for us, you were taking care of us.  Making sure that we had everything we needed. 
     I remember going to second grade and you letting me skip school the day before Christmas break so that I could help you get ready for Kenneth's Birthday.  Just me and you hanging out. 
     I remember sitting in the car and you telling me that we would drive backwards to Indiana, but we were not going home mad at each other.  (oh the teenage years!)
     I remember my first car and you trying to teach me how to drive a standard.  For some reason, you thought it would be good motivation to stand behind the car while I was on a hill to teach me how to do it without going backwards!
     I remember you taking me to Competitive Cheerleading class twice a week in Little Rock....Sitting there watching me while I practiced and then helping me study when I got home. You would watch me do my toe touches and tell me what I needed to work on, etc.
     I remember dress shopping with you in Dallas because you wanted my Winter Formal to be special...
     I remember the trips that we would take with HOSA and all your students.  California, Atlanta, Ohio!! What fun times we had and good memories we made...
     I remember one time when I was little and you picked me up from school and when I got home there were all kinds of surprised on my bed....I can't remember exactly what they were but I think it was clothes, and little things....I remember how special that made me feel.
    Or what about the time we were in a prank war with the boys and you snuck out your bedroom window and got their vehicle while we were in the living room watching a movie???
    I remember the wedding festivities.  The dress shopping, the food shopping, the decorating, the getting ready.  You wanted me to have everything that I ever wanted....
      I remember the morning I found out I was pregnant.  After I told Stephan, I wanted you to be the first to know.  I drove to your house at like seven in the morning, pregnancy test and all.  I remember everything you did for me during the pregnacy.  The clothes shopping (for me and Kinley)....I remember you sitting with me in labor and even though I had to push for 3 hours, you were there encouraging me, helping me....
      I remember all these things, and even though a lot of times I don't show it, I am so grateful for all of these things.  I am grateful for the way that you raised me.  For the times that you were there for me, for the times that you had to "put me in my place."  I am thankful for all the times that you did without so that I could have.  I am thankful for the prayers that you prayed for me, even when I didn't know that you were praying them.  I am thankful that your marriage to my dad has been one that I can learn from, that I can look up to. I am thankful that when times were hard, you stuck with it, prayed for it, and I am thankful that I can say that my parents are married, and they are happy!  I am thankful for all the little things that you have done for me as well as the big things.  I am thankful that I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt, that you will always be there for me, to bail me out, to support me, and to love me.   I am thankful that Kinley gets to learn the same things that I learned from you.  I love you so much, and I honeslty don't know what I would do without you.  You are such a blessing to me----You are my best girl friend!  I love you!