my mom.

it was my mom's birthday last week and i was stuck living here in utah, so i couldn't make her a chocolate whipping cream cake, sing her happy birthday, or even send her birthday present on time! i've been thinking of her a lot lately as i adjust to my new role as wife/chef/maid/house decorator...mostly because my mom does it ALL.

i'm sure everyone wants to say their moms are the best, but trust me, even my mom's hair stylist tells me what a perfect mother i have. so why is susan hatch so great? well, i'm going to tell you! just for the record, i asked cory what he thinks my mom is good at and he said, "what can't she do?"

1. culinary prowess-i could probably devote a whole blog post to what an amazing chef is, with character references and pictures and everything. mom can make anything and she does. i am so grateful for the family dinners we had every night, which not only showcased her abilities, but also gave us a chance to talk. even on evenings where we were busy, there would be dinner on the island for us to grab and go. sometimes it's hard for me as a student because i'm so used to having these masterpiece meals and cory and i can't afford to, don't have time to, or even have the stomachs to eat like i did growing up :) i mean, an entree, side dish, fruit/vegetable and bread, sometimes dessert, EVERY DAY PEOPLE. and homemade snacks and cookies. i am happy to have used many of her recipes when entertaining our friends, though, with rave reviews and i owe it all to my mother! another little thing i'd like to point out, is that i love to cook and i think it's because my mom was always cooking and taught me.

2. sense of style-how many girls can say their moms were their personal stylists growing up? now, my mom probably doesn't want to take credit for my outfit choices, particularly in middle school, but she was always there to offer an opinion (don't wear glittery camouflage pants with a purple "Tokyo" shirt!) or point out cute clothes on our shopping trips together. so many times, people will compliment me on things, even now, and i have to shrug and say, "well, my mom picked it out". she is known for surviving on broccoli and rice during college, so she could spend food money at nordstroms. and that has not changed! my mother always looks immaculate and gorgeous. my friends think she is the classiest lady and it is so true. once again, i have a lot to live up to!

3. service-oriented attitude-would you be surprised if your neighbor welcomed you home from vacation with fresh bread and milk in your kitchen? not our neighbors. would you be surprised if a fellow church member drove you to your doctor's appointments, therapy, grocery store, church, multiple times a week, without complaint or compensation? that's my mom for you. i can guarantee that at least half, but probably 75% of her time is devoted to serving other people. making meals, helping clean, volunteering at shelters/events, volunteering at the chicago botanic gardens, doing things for our family-this lady is always SERVING. i wish i could adequately describe how kind my mom is. i truly admire how much she helps others, and does it with a smile!

4. p-a-t-i-e-n-t-i have no idea how on earth my mom handles everything she has to deal with. seriously. my mother doesn't like to burden others, and thus, acts like superwoman. if i were in her situation, i would have given up on so many things that she's accomplished (A's in her master gardening class and final!) as well as with personal matters, like raising erik, ainsley and i. she and my dad had to struggle for a long time (two kids) while he finished up his doctorate. nevertheless, she graduated with her degree and was able to stay at home with us, while dad worked two jobs, talk about a patient wife! then, when we were in school, she went back to work and still managed to have dinner on the table every night. thank you, mom.

5. hard worker-remember that time your mom landscaped the entire yard with your dad? oh yeah. or when she painted the entire house? or when she mowed the lawn every week? or when she prepared a gazillion lessons and events for church? or when she threw bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, birthday parties, holiday dinners? let's not forget how the house always looks like a museum-perfectly styled and spotless. my mom can do everything from crafting, sewing (pillows, bedspreads, costumes, curtains), cooking, decorating, painting, landscaping, baking, refinishing, planning...i can't think of any more things but if you do, she can do it. i feel bad for cory because after watching my parents do literally everything, i expect us (him) to do the same. luckily, he's lived up to said expectations. mom, you probably should sleep in past 6-7 am at least once.

6. full of love-i know without a doubt, that my mom loves me. i miss being able to shout, "mommmmm" throughout the house, or lounging on the leather chair while she's on the computer, or praying together before school, or texting each other from different floors. even though she's in illinois and i'm in utah, she manifests her love daily. i love our family group texts, where mom sends tons of memes. she surprises us with girl scout cookies or fresh salmon. we get to facetime her lovely face almost every week (not to mention the daily phone calls-"mom, how do i cook this?")....she gave me the most AMAZING wedding ever. i just love her!


so...HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM! you truly are my hero, my advice-giver, my stylist, my inspiration and my best friend.