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Last year I found a mother who decided to take a few minutes each birthday, and record what our lives are like, right now. The little things that we may not remember about what we do every day. I read through last year's list and it all still applies to today, so I will copy that and add those things that we have built upon this year.

…I still love being your mother. Sometimes it is really, really hard and other times it is really, really great. We also have a lot of good times in the middle.

…I love watching over each one of you as you sleep. Yes, even you A.J.! I have such amazing dreams for each of you.

…I spend most of my day doing your laundry, preparing your meals, and driving you EVERYWHERE, but I wouldn’t trade with daddy. I LOVE my job!

…Speaking of daddy, I am still madly in love with him and every one of you know this, because I am often heard saying, “Guess who I am totally in love with?” Brooke and Ellie, you always smile and answer, “We know…daddy!”

…You trust me. I can tell because if I ask, you will almost always tell me.

…I love tucking you in at night. You each share great details about your life that I would have missed. Thank you!

…I cry often. Not because I am sad, but because of a lot of other reasons…joy, happiness, the Spirit, fatigue and sometimes just great commercials.

…You know I have a strong testimony, because I can see you believing me whenever I share it.

…You are mine forever. I never forget, but sometimes I am not so great, but I try really hard every day.

…We always stop and smell the roses, literally. Sometimes we are at Costco, sometimes it is the grocery store. On days I forget, Ellie you remind us all.

…I am not a great cook, but I rock at baking. Ok dinners, but awesome desserts!

…I love my friends and they make me want to be a better person, so I encourage you to choose friends wisely. The friends of yours that I really like, I always let you hang with.

…I love making you “detail” your rooms. You guys usually hate it (except Madie who can do it in her sleep now.) But every one of you find a treasure you have lost every time we do it. Yeah mom and chores!

…I think you should read your scriptures for 30 minutes every day. You think you should read them for 10, so you read for 20 minutes.

…I take every opportunity to capitalize on every single teaching moment. It is one of my great talents. Sometimes you love it, and sometimes you don’t. I am sincerely grateful every time I have the opportunity.

…I love reading to you. It doesn’t matter if it is Goodnight Moon before your nap Annie, or your current chapter book, Easton, I love it.

…When I pull in the driveway and open the garage door after being gone, I love the moment just before each of you funnel out the garage door to greet me.

…I know that Captain Crunch and fruit snacks are terrible for you teeth, but every once in awhile I surprise you and they say hello for breakfast or in your school lunch.

…I always make you show me your teeth before school. Easton, you win for having to do them twice the most!

…I love the smell of rain, and I always make you come outside and smell it with me.

…I love having teenagers. I know it is crazy, but I have been waiting to talk to you as the adults you are becoming. A.J., you are so teachable and Madie, you are a better mother than me some days!

…I love sitting together in our pew at church. Not every Sunday, but the good ones are REALLY great! It is like my forever is just contained in that pew.

…Everyone groans almost every night over scriptures and prayer, but I know that it is the right thing to do, so we push through. I pray that you will drag your kids to read and pray together someday too.

…I love to sing to your music (and sometimes mine) in the car. It doesn’t even matter if we have company. Your friends love it, you roll your eyes, but deep down I know that I am the coolest mother around.

…Nothing makes me happier than when you are helping each other, and nothing makes me more angry than when you fight.

…We are preparing to add another little one to our family soon, and EVERYONE is excited!

...I love to watch each of you try hard at things that you do whether you succeed each time or not.

...All of you are braver than I ever was, and I admire that about each of you.

...I love watching your testimonies grow, one story, scripture, and experience at a time.

...We really do celebrate each others' victories, and it makes us a real family when we rally around each other when we fall short.

...I love seeing you be kind to each other, and I can't stand it when you are mean.

...I still love those teaching moments, and even Annie is getting in on them now.

...Family prayer is still my favorite time of the day, and dinnertime is still the hardest.

...We have had to apply new rules to phones, but I love being able to text you and tell you little things and you are able to let me know the little things in your lives as well.

...I love the Savior. Every chance I can I bring him up. His sacrifice, His love, and His role in our lives.

...I love each one of you very much!

...May we welcome our new little girl, and continue working hard, forgiving, trying and thriving!

**Love, MOM