This is a tag from Vicky.  I hope I'm doing this right!

10 random things about my Mom...

1.  My mother is one of my best friends. 

2.  Today (August 3rd) is her birthday.  My kids and I will be going over to her house today when she gets home from work with a cake to celebrate her day.

3.  She is the 4th of 9 living children.  One of her brothers died just after he was born.

4.  She still has her natural hair color - dark brown - although these days she gets a lot of blond highlights in it.

5.  She is the mother of 5 children (I am her oldest), grandmother to 11, and step-grandmother to 3.  Her oldest grandchild is 17 and her youngest will be 2 in September.

6.  She has always been a child's fiercest protector.  She walked down the street and went nose to nose with a person who was yelling at one of her sons when we were younger.

7.  She is the best cook in the world and has taught all of her children to be comfortable and creative in the kitchen.  We didn't have a lot of money growing up, but she always managed to feed us good, nutritious food.

8.  She has been happily married to the same man for 38 years.

9.  She will always find the time to help out at church, spend time in her garden, help one of her children or grandchildren (or nieces and nephews) and never really takes too much time for herself.  She gives and gives out of love and sometimes seems genuinely surprised when she reaps what she sows.

10.  She loves to go to the North Woods of Wisconsin to spend time at her Aunt's campground resort, go fishing (she puts the worm on the hook and cleans the fish herself), take walks and spend time with her friends and family that live and vacation up there.

This picture was taken at my baby shower in 2003.  From the left is my Mom, Aunt Barb (my godmother), Aunt Nikki (hiding in the back), me, Aunt Jackie (Nikki's twin) and their mother, my Grandma who everyone calls GG (for Great Grandma because she has like 40 great grandchildren).

I don't have anyone left to tag but any notes left will be welcome!  Have a rockin' day!