Happy Mother's Day

First, a few quick comments about what I love about my really cool wife;

1) She lives passionately
She's energetic and ambitious in just about everything she does such as planning to remodel the basement and completely landscape the backyard at the same time! But when she gets an idea in her head whether big or small she goes after it. This makes life both a deathdefying and thrilling ride, just remember to hold on tight! At the same time her passion for life makes all those little moments all the more exciting like making the perfect batch of cookies, finding a good parking space, the smell of kids after a bath, deadheading flowers, or being her kid's favorite.

2)She has a fantastic memory
This is a trait I greatly envy. Not only does she remember holidays and birthdays, she remembers to get people a card or present. She can keep in constant memory all the clothes in the kids closets, what goes with what, clean stuff, dirty stuff, what fits and what doesn't, and she always knows where to find that lost pair of tights or the missing shoe without even looking. Combine her memory with her organizational skills and she runs a pretty smooth operation around here.

3) To use the words of a good friend, "She a Fox"
After 9 1/2 years she's still got it. I am frequently guilty of checking out my wife. The hair, the smile, the figure, it's just a great combination.

4)She's concerned about others
There is a good number of people who have been the recipient of meals she just happened to "make too much of." She's aware of what is going on in other people's lives and tries to find ways to help out, whether babysitting, phone calls, meals, or inviting them to go shopping, she does a lot of nice things for a lot of people.

5)She's loves her family
I am far and away the greatest recipient of her thoughtfulness and it's not hard to realize if she stopped, my life would fall apart. Her love for me is a great motivating force in my life and her passion is contagious. In other words, "I got me a keeper."

Finally, a theory to help make Mother's Day enjoyable for Mom

"The Breakfast in Bed Theory"

Adrianne's mom once said that breakfast in bed, although an incredibly thoughtful gesture, wasn't all it's cracked up to be simply because you end up eating alone. This got me thinking and here's what I came up with. Evidently, the mom doesn't want to be isolated in her room she wants to be where the action is, and despite the fact that all moms get annoyed and/or frustrated with their husband and kids, they don't want the boot. They just want a little payback. They want us to do for them all those things they do for us, even if it's just for a day. In fact, they would probably prefer just one day otherwise we would strew up the rhythm, balance, and order they've so perfectly created. So here's a few tips to keep your mom happy.
First and most important, I can't stress this enough LET HER SLEEP. Really, husbands get out of bed, you can be distracting (especially on a morning you don't have to be anywhere). Sequester the children to a remote location to ensure perfect sleeping conditions. This is quite possibly the most difficult item so think it through, if you don't make it work you may as well stop right here.
Second, SHE REALLY DOES LIKE SURPRISES, really she does, simply because it means you were thinking of her without being prompted. If she can't remember asking for something, or rather, you hearing she wanted something, and you surprise her, there will always be a smile.
Third, GIVE HER A BREAK. This is where breakfast in bed works so well, it is both surprising and something she won't have to do when she gets up. This works exponentially better if you add some pampering to go with it. Assure her everything is taken care of and insist she doesn't need to help. This is difficult for some moms so be confidently considerate and insist.
Finally, and if this is forgotten you've screwed up royally. PICK UP YOUR CRAP. If mom has to get up just to end up cleaning up her own breakfast in bed the whole thing will fail miserably. So keep the place clean. Picking up after other people is one of mom's least favorite things, so stay on your toes and if there is anything suspiciously out of place address it immediately.
GIVE HER JUST ONE JOB. This may sound odd, but if you don't give her something to do she might get confused. So have her get the baby dressed after you give him/her a bath. That way mom enjoys a clean moment with the kid and doesn't feel isolated.
S. in short, simply apply the golden rule and do for you mother all those things she's been doing for you. And tell her you love her.