Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday, and I am the most homesick I've been since getting here. I baked cookies tonight and they turned out flat, misshapen and in need of about a pound of salt When my mom bakes cookies, they always turn out wonderfully. It doesn't matter if we both bake the exact same recipe, with the exact same ingredients, at the exact same time, with the exact same oven (point is all variables are the exact same) her's will without fail, be better. She seems to always contest this, but she's just being modest. And it's not just her cookies. She makes all sorts of wonderful, delicious things the way no other mom I know does. Tonight I wish I were eating her cookies in her kitchen. (of course she'd have had to bake them yesterday since it's not fair to make her bake on her birthday)

But as far as my mom goes, being a great baker is just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone jokes about the dread of inevitably turning into their mom. For me, with the exception of perhaps yawning at the same decibel level as my mom, there are so many things about her I'd like to be. My mom is disciplined like no one I know, faithful, and has an amazing servant's heart. She loves her neighbors and is often looking for ways to reach out to them. She doesn't allow intimidation keep her from sharing her faith with those needing to hear it, from the janitor at her school to the ladies on our street. My mom has taught me so much about what it means to be a good wife just by her example. If I one day get to be married, I hope to be half as good of a wife as she is to my dad. (my dad's a good husband too, but that's for another post, perhaps on Feb 9th) My mom loves him so much and it shows in the way she serves him, respects him and laughs at his lame jokes. (just kidding dad!) As far as my mom and my relationship goes, we have been growing really close lately. I call her all of the time, and she doesn't seem to get sick of me. She lets me talk on and on about whatever mundane thing happened to me, and somehow finds a way to act enthusiastic about it. She is someone who I always can go to for advice, support and encouragement.

Anyway, all that to say I am homesick today and wishing I were home to give my mom a long hug and eat her chocolate chip cookies.