TO THE BEST MOM I KNOW

Today was supposed to be a special day.  A day where Paige could relax and enjoy thoughtful gift after thoughtful gift from her husband and kids...where she could be pampered.  Unfortunately, due to a busy weekend (a result of my overplanning and carelessness) and a husband with the foresight of a twig, today has turned into a pretty pathetic excuse for a Mother's Day.  Not to mention the fact that both our kids are sick today and Paige had to go to church all by herself.  In a last ditch effort to salvage the day, I am doing something that Paige has wanted me to do for years...publish a post on the blog. 

Paige is much more eloquent and whitty than I am, so I've always been hesitant to throw in my two cents to this masterpiece that is the blog.  But if I'm going to post something, I figure it's best to talk about something that comes easily:  talking about the love of my life and best friend. 

This isn't meant to be a slight on my Mom (who is the best mom I've ever had :) ), but Paige really is the best mom I know.  It always amazes me how much she loves our kids.  She spends the majority of her time caring for them and thinking about them.  She is an amazing teacher, always taking time to teach our kids important things.  If you were a fly on our wall, you would quickly learn that CJ and Mattie know scores of primary songs and nursury rhymes, they have entire books memorized thanks to Paige's insistance on reading to them, CJ can quote the 1st Article of Faith, and (most importantly) our kids can recognize the Savior in any picture and understand that He loves them. 

Paige has the strongest desire to make special occasions (birthdays, holidays, etc.) the best ever.  She spent hours (seriously...HOURS!), baking Spongebob, Ladybug, and other cakes that our kids barely took a bite out of.  She is also constantly thinking about what to get people for their birthdays.  I can almost guarantee that somewhere in her purse there is already a Christmas list in the works!  This past Easter we had enough candy to give an entire elementary school cavities for the rest of their lives.  You would think, at first glance, that Paige just liked to shop and had very little self control, but you'd be dead wrong.  I've learned that the painstaking time, effort, and energy Paige puts into these events is a result of the deep love she has for her family and her overwhelming desire to make them happy and feel special.  And she's never let us down on that front.

I just have to mention that one thing that CJ loves about his mommy is "hugging her" (he just told me that).  She really is a great hugger :)

Unbenownced to Paige, she already has experience with raising three kids, myself being the biggest child of all, requiring constant care, encouragement, instruction, and re-instruction.  Despite how frustrating it must be to have to parent a grown man, she does it lovingly and patiently.  I can honestly say that Paige makes me the best me I can be.  Besides just flat out making me happy, she constantly encourages me to do the right things and grow personally and spiritually.  I honestly don't deserve her and will be eternally grateful to a loving Heavenly Father for blessing me with her. 

Paige, if I am not able to give you anything else today, I hope that I can at least help you to know that you are loved.  Your kids love you and I love you more than anything...and will forever.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!