Happy Birthday to Mama Lauer

I meant to post this on Friday, but apparently I was too excited about the opportunity to join in on the birthday festivities that it completely slipped my mind. We celebrated my Mom's birthday on the 27th and I venture to say that it was one of her best. And not because of what we did for her, but because of all the family and friends she was surrounded by. She is one loved lady, and for good reason.

Here is a re-post from last year's birthday... a few of the reasons why she is the greatest Mom in the world. And since I rarely hold back the cheese on this blog, I'll add one more thing. I shared a business idea that has been on my mind over the last few months with my Mom and Dad last weekend. I knew that they wouldn't shut it down right away, but I had a feeling that they might be a bit reluctant. After all, I'm a 27-year old Activities Director who is not business savvy in the least bit. Instead of being reluctant, Mom told me it was a great idea and that she thought it could really work. We even spent the majority of our time in the car between wineries thinking about names for this business venture. Mostly funny ones, of course. But my point is that in addition to this list of positive qualities and funny tidbits that make my Mom who she is, she believes in me. In all of us. That's something that I will always be grateful for. Oh, and one from Firas... she makes some damn good appetizer plates.

So to the one and only, Mama Lauer....

~She can stay on a pogo-stick for a longer amount of time than anyone of any age.

~She used to make my best friend EJ wear clip-on earrings to every dance before she got her ears pierced… they clearly came off before EJ stepped foot into the dance, but she was always a good friend and humored Mom until we got in the car and waved goodbye.

~When my friend Maggie and I suffered the most humiliating moment of our teenage lives (upperclassmen finding our “monkey book” that shared every secret, every deep and shallow thought… and busting into the classroom to find them reading it aloud to a math class filled with boys all mentioned on one or ten pages of the book… oh, I still turn red thinking about it), Mom started a fire in our fireplace and helped us to burn every page of the book.

~She has volunteered for about 75 committees and always finds a way to improve them.

~She started playing tennis in her forties and paddle ball in her fifties… and she could definitely whoop me in both.

~She busted her heel on a kitchen cabinet while showing me and EJ that she could still do a cartwheel.

~She can accessorize any outfit with a piece of jewelry, wrap, or hair piece.

~Her favorite store may or may not be Big Lots. She put Big Lots undies in our stockings as a joke one year. I think it was a joke….

~She taught us the words to “The Littlest Worm” and allowed us to sing it over and over again on long car rides. I hope my kids don’t do that.

~She is the most thoughtful person I know.

~She could turn a run-down shack into a home featured in Good Housekeeping. Best decorating skills ever.

~She let me move to Texas, even though it is way, way, way too far away.

~She and my Aunt Lori laugh so hard together that it makes me so glad I have sisters.

~She is the best listener and gives the most sound advice.

And to prove that she really is the coolest, my best friend Tara wrote a song about her in college. Yes, everyone would agree, Mama Lauer has got it goin’ on.

Jaclyn’s mom has got it goin’ on
Jaclyn’s mom has got it goin’ on
Jaclyn’s mom has got it goin’ on
Jaclyn’s mom has got it goin’ on

Off to Jaclyn’s house to get away from school (away from school)
We’ll go out in C’ville maybe act a fool (act a fool)
Hope your mom is home from her tennis match (tennis match)
Mr. Lauer’s lucky ‘cause his wife’s a catch (his wife’s a catch)

You know I love it when your mom makes cheesy eggs for me
She’s just so hip and sassy now, people can’t you see?

Jaclyn’s mom has got it goin’ on
She’s all I wanna be when I am that young
Jaclyn can’t you see, I’m so glad you’re friends with me
That’s why I wrote this song, Mama Lauer you are totally the bomb

Jaclyn’s mom has got it goin’ on
Jaclyn’s mom has got it goin’ on

Jaclyn, do you remember when we played ‘what-if’? (played ‘what-if’)
Your mom’s great answers made me laugh in a jif (laugh in a jif)
I’m sad I missed her dance to the song ‘my humps’ (song ‘my humps’)
But love that she won’t take no crap from any crazy chumps (crazy chumps)

You know she was so kind when I got my mullet
So I didn’t return to Master Cuts with a bullet

Jaclyn’s mom has got it goin’ on
She’s all I wanna be when I am that young
Jaclyn can’t you see, I’m so glad you’re friends with me
That’s why I wrote this song, Mama Lauer you are totally the bomb

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!!!