Happy Birthday

A few stories about Mom
I know now how brown cows bow down lowly. Amy wanted to know how many "ow" words I could do in a row.
Anyway, I remember all the crafts you did when I was little. I didn't understand then why you were always doing them. I know you enjoyed some of it, but I spent enough time in the craft store to earn a few points up in heaven. It's akin to enduring religious persecution. I'm sure I could have behaved better in the stores. I enjoyed getting to stay up on occasion- seems there were alway M&Ms or Snickers and Dr Pepper. I remember doing exercises as a family during the summertime. I don't know that we did it that many times, but the bicycle kick exercise was my favorite.
One Birthday of mine in Massachusetts I asked for a bicycle. I wanted a BMX, but Mom and Dad could afford a garage sale special. I remember when Mom came home and told me she had bought a bike. I was excited, until I saw it. Now, I watched the Brady Bunch too much just like any other kid, but I didn't want to experience their lifestyle. This bike was reconditioned, but it was from some ancient time long ago when bikes weighed nearly 100 lbs. I went down to my room and cried for a while. I felt bad that she had spent the money on something I thought was the dorkiest looking piece of garbage I had ever seen. After a long while I got the courage to go tell her how I felt about the bike. I don't know how she did it, but she agreed to go to the store and buy a "cooler" bike. I chipped in $ of my own, but Mom found the money to buy me another bike. I think Aric didn't eat for a week- sorry, but that bike was important to me.
Oh yeah, those jams were hip. Actually I didn't care that they were homemade.

I ran for student council in 8th grade. Mom helped me make posters and write a speech. I lost, but it probably had more to do with those dang Bugle Boy jeans. I thought they were awesome- stone washed and all.

Mom helped me put a nest on my head for crazy hair day. I lost to the Tom Noss who put his long hair in a spike and put silver spray in it like a hershey kiss. That guy had mostly chocolate in his head anyway. I thought mine was original, and plus I got Karo Syrup dripping down my face later in the day!

Enjoy the day and know that we love you mom.
Alan, Amy and the kids