Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's 70th birthday. My birthdays have never bothered me a bit, but Mom's milestones give me pause. I have always enjoyed having young parents -- Mom was only 19 when I was born. When she turned 40, I was a senior in college -- I mentioned it to my roommate and he looked at me and said "my sister is older than your mother."

We offered to have a party, but Mom preferred a quiet evening with the family. With two grandchildren in college, it's hard to get everyone together. Last night was the best we could do (one grandchild short), since Dad just got back on Wednesday from 10 days hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

My brother Blake and I started planning for a special gift while we were hiking the Grand Canyon back in April. Blake wanted to get her a TV for her kitchen in Arizona. So we put our "personal shopper" to work (Ryan works in home theater at Best Buy) -- but Ryan said nothing comes that small anymore, and suggested we get something for her kitchen here in Ohio and send the little one she uses here to Arizona.

Of course, Ryan wanted to try to confuse her, so she opened the small gifts first . . .



First the card, and then the surge protector -- Mom was confused, but gracious.



Next came the telescoping mount so she can keep it under the kitchen cabinets when not in use. Since the mount said it was for a flat screen TV, she had to know what was coming next, but she still wasn't sure.



The family is enjoying the spectacle -- left to right, my nephew Tyler, my brother Blake, my sister-in-law Lisa, and my son Ryan.



And finally she opens the big box, and then the tissue comes out . . .



And a quick picture for Blake before the boys herded everyone into the kitchen for desserts. We usually spend more time in the kitchen when we get together than anyplace else.



Happy Birthday, Mom!