A mom must take a thousand pictures of their children in their lifetimes.... and yet this is the one I've chosen. Ryan was fighting for his life in the hospital, and Mandy was trying to shorten it my making him laugh to death. This pretty much sums up their relationship. My two youngest - born 2 years and 2 days apart - making quite the 2-some growing up. This week is their birthday's, Ryan's on the 13th and Mandy's on the 15th. Both arrived 2-3 weeks early - but have never been on time since for anything. (ok - unless it involved root beer floats with limited root beer and the necessity to fight for the remaining ice cream) When they were little we had outrageous parties for their birthday. Now - I call them up - tell them how freaking much it hurt to deliver them, how I can remember every single night I stayed up while they were sick, crying, or late from a date.... (not particularly in that order). I'm not a 'I'm going to find you the perfect present for your birthday' mom - I get a gift certificate for them to go out and eat somewhere fun and say - enjoy. But to me - I celebrate their lives every single day that they exist - because of the joy they have brought into my life. Mandy was born quiet, and tiny and petite - she's still tiny and petite... oh well - 2 of 3 isn't bad. Ryan was born quiet and tall. He's very very tall - but he's starting to noisy up a bit which is a good thing. Each have made choices that have thrilled me beyond words. They are close to the church - they have testimonies - they actively attend the temple, they have wonderful goals, Mandy has finished college and Ryan is right on course in college. Each have served those around them in callings, in the community, and have been encircled by good friends. They are known to tell each other EXACTLY what they are thinking about each other - making eyebrows raise, and hearts thump faster, and we wonder if they'll punch each other out - but they don't. They are brutally protective of each other - I like that a lot. I love watching them when they are together, they are SO FUNNY... my sides ache from laughing at the things they do. Each one knowing what the other will do and or say in any situation. They are most frightening when in the same car, when any window is down, and Mandy is in the back seat. I'm pretty sure there is a warrant out for their arrest. Sometimes I look at them and I see the most tender moments. When Ryan was sick - I watched Mandy praying for him. When Ryan was far away, his e-mails would include how Mandy was feeling. Those moments that remind me that they have been friends long before even coming to earth. Their lives have changed from the birthday parties of yesterdays - but there will still be cake, and well maybe root beer floats somewhere in this week. Mandy is now a mom, and a wife, and a musician and is living her dream. Ryan is studying hard at school, just completed an amazing mission for the church, and has found a bright little light in his world, he's found joy, and I hope he takes good care of her. There are actually 4 favorite kids in my line up of children - Lucky me. I look forward to seeing the events of the year ahead as we continue to grow older as a family. Mandy and Ryan I hope you have a wonderful birthday - and that you know you are loved by all of us. I hope Jaffar blesses you in every way... if we can find him... at Disneyland.... again... in It's A Small World....
Oh Happy Day!
Yo Momma Loves Ya.
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