ADDoodles...

A few years back my dad was diagnosed with ADD (which explains a lot of things...).  Now, I've taken some online tests and Kaiser pre-tests, and I don't think I'd be diagnosable with ADD.  But...I definitely have some ADD tendencies.  Or as I like to refer to it, ADOS (Attention Deficit...oooh shiny!).

Characteristics I've noticed in myself:  

• inability to stay still (I've always got a jiggling foot or a taping finger)
• my inability NOT to pay attention to conversations going on in my vicinity
• the way I consistently have at least 2 things going on at once (TV while I'm online, music while I'm working, etc.)

One thing I've noticed recently is that I seem to be unable to pay attention in meetings at work in which I'm not actively participating, unless I'm doing something with my hands.  As a result I now have an impressive collection of sketches in my work notebook.  Which is not always easy to explain to my coworkers...

As you can see...there's not too much of a common theme, but hey, at least it keeps me paying attention.

My Mama

My very favorite picture with my mom

I've been blessed throughout my life we several constants amid the challenges and changes I've faced.  And one of those constants has been my relationship with my mom.  She has been my mentor, comforter, counselor, and friend among many other titles I could name.

I have a host of favorite memories of my mom and with my mom.  Here are just a few(cause you know I love making lists...):

• watching her sew and mimicking her by dressing up my dolls in the scraps
• her endless patience and enthusiasm when I wanted to play bank (or hotel..or restaurant..or shopkeeper..) with her, even when she had a million other things she needed to do
• spending hours pouring over Barbie magazines together 
• her relentless creativity when there was a problem to be solved (my rain cloak for Prom...slipcovers for my blow up furniture in college...)
• her unfailing kindness and the way she's always seen and treated everyone she meets as an individual worthy of interest and care
• staying up late watching Nick@Nite and crazy infomercials
• her selflessness and love towards her family
• wonderful vacations where we always had everything we needed because mom made sure to be prepared
• singing (all the time, in all ways)
• her comforting hugs and patience whenever I needed it

I could go on..and on..and on.  But mostly I just want to say a giant THANK YOU! to my mom for all she's done for me and with me and for the example she's been.

Thank you for always listening...even when I fought and didn't want to to talk.
Thank you for teaching me how to admit it when I'm wrong and that it's okay to be wrong if you learn from it and make amends.
Thank you for sharing your creativity with me and for always encouraging me to develop my own.
Thank you for everything you gave up so that I could have something better.
Thank you for reminding me again and again of my potential and that you're proud of me (I hope you know how proud I am of you too).
Thank you for holding me close but letting me go when you knew I needed to grow.
Thank you for welcoming me back with open arms every time.
Thank you for laughing with me.
Thank you for letting me take care of you sometimes.
Thank you for being the best friend I've ever had.
And thank you for being the best mom I could imagine.

I love you!!

First trip to Disneyland with Mom

Most recent trip to Disneyland with Mom

 Before Google or Pinterest...she made the best dress up costumes ever!

 Who else had a mom that not only let them plant a garden on the refrigerator, but still brags about it?!

 I got the best care pacakges EVER in college!

I love you, Mom!!!

P.S.  I'm pretty sure this video will make you tear up, just like it did me.  I'd rather have you than any manual.