PS - Last but not least

It looks like Lauren failed to mention another incredible mother - herself! This is the voice of Stephen, Lauren's husband, and I thought I would make my introduction to the blogging world by letting everyone know what a great wife I have, and how great a Mother she is to our children (including me sometimes:-)). Here are top 5 reasons (for purposes of this post, I am limiting myself to just 5) why, along with the two amazing mothers listed below, Lauren will someday be a 1st ballot nominee into the Mom's of America Hall of Fame. Here they are:

1- Lauren is a doer - As an accountant in San Francisco, I was very accustomed to the words "busy season", I time out of the year where I would spend a rediculous amount of hours completing year end audits. It usually last about 3 or 4 months. I have learned that Lauren has a busy season as well, and it lasts for 12 months out of the year. I still work some long hours, but there are certain people that I know to never complain to about that: Investment Bankers, Lawyers, and Mothers (especially, Lauren!).
2- Lauren is a giver - I don't know that I know anyone who gives to others (including our children) quite as much as Lauren does. This actually took a little getting used to for me. Not only have I had to make the adjustment of seeing batch after batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies made and given away without actually being able to eat one of the cookies, I have also had to see gift after gift go out our door all the while wondering where the money is coming from to pay for all of these great gifts! I actually still haven't figured that last one out, but I do know that Lauren has taught me that what goes around comes around. Our family has been blessed in abundance because of Lauren's willingness to give.
3- Lauren is fun - How lucky our children are to have a mother who spends so much time thinking of fun things for our kids to do. Yesterday was one small example when she dug the blow up swimming pool out of our storage and filled it up with water for them and the neighborhood kids to play in. It was hours of fun for the kids, who were lucky enough to have a mother who supervised them the whole time. Other fun things she does for our kids is: Throw parties, make treats, play games, teaches them in creative ways, etc.
4- Lauren is a great teacher - Lauren knows that people learn by repitition, which is the method she uses for our kids. Each day, our girls are taught academic, spiritual, and social principals that will guide them throughout their lives. The great thing is that our kids have so much fun doing it, that they rarely ever realize that they are being taught. Not a bedtime passes where our kids are not being read to, talking about their day, and saying their prayers. With a mother like Lauren, our kids are will have plenty to offer society when they are older.
5- Lauren is determined - As her grandfather would say, Lauren is fiercely determined in everything she does. This is illustrated by when she reorganizes the furniture in our home (which happens on about a semi-monthly basis I might add). When Lauren was 8 months pregnant with Ella, I came home one day to the piano settled in the middle of the living room. As part of the funiture reorginization, she had apparently been trying to move it to the other side of the room by herself!!

There you have it - 5 of the many things I could go on listing for pages and pages. It is easy to see why I am continually reminded (by Lauren) that I am the lucky one in this relationship! There is no denying this so I quickly agree with her.

My kids are lucky to have a mother like Lauren and I am eternally grateful to have her as my wife!

I love you, Lauren. May you have a well deserved Happy Mothers Day!!

Stephen