Happy Mother's Day to all

Okay, now that I know for sure that I have my own mother taken care of I want to tell all my sisters and sister-in-laws and cute cousins and aunts Happy Mother's Day. I love you all. As I sit here and think about each one of you I am overwhelmed by what a fabulous group of women we have in our family. Strong women, good women, My aunts have raised wonderful children. I love all my cousins to death. Giving a much better take to Hillary Clinton's "It takes a village," I dare say it takes a family. My aunts and my grandmothers are so much a part of my memories I can't imagine life without them. Aunt Jack has always opened her arms, her home, her kitchen, her salon to me and my family. When we were moving out to Oklahoma after Mike had joined the Army we stayed with Aunt Jack and I remember never wanting to leave. She was my family and my security (besides my husband of course-otherwise I wouldn't have left). She kept us in her home as she has on countless occassions and sent us on our way with a big batch of cookies. Auntie Jack has kept the family together and informed in many ways. She has called me on Sundays and e-mailed me on a regular basis when Mike has been gone. She has written by brothers and sister more regularly on their mission than I have. It is alright that I have three girls because I look at how much fun the Rigby family is and I'm excited about it. She's also taught me that when you spoil your husband he spoils you (I'm not always so good at that). I love you Aunt Jack. I'm going to write about Paula and Joan too even though they may never get on here. Doing this blog has been fun and exciting on so many levels. One that I haven't really mentioned before is the memories that this has dredged up as I think about my cousins and our times together. I remember going to the Lagoon pool with mom and aunt Paula. We went through the back entrance. I remember mom doing a little beep beep each time as we drove past their white apartment. I remember sleeping on the deck at the yellow house and Paula feeding us all pancakes the next morning. I remember Surf n Swim (that's the name right?) and aunt Paula telling me you could still get tan in the late afternoon (which is about when they'd finally get there). I remember Manzanita, sitting in the kitchen and reading the embarrassing moments part of some teen magazine, our big bonfire on the beach, lots of walks and lots of food...at Chelan too. I've always been flattered that my mom calls me Paula sometimes. I really love her and look up to her a great deal. All my memories of Aunt Joanie make me laugh. I remember watching her sit on the counter in Grannie's bathroom and put on her make up and do her hair. I remember when she came up to Washington after her mission and we were by the lake and we were talking about how if we had faith we could walk on water and then we all stepped into the water while she stood on dry ground laughing. I can't even count the amount of aerobics classes that I attended where I thought I could very easily die as she danced her booty off- literally. She has always had such a fun sense of humor and has always made me feel comfortable and welcome. There was the time that I drove all the way out to the Salt Lake airport when Les and Marva came home from their mission. I was 7 mos. pregnant and by myself because Mike had finals to study for. We all saw Les and Marva for about 10 minutes and then they were ready to go I started to leave and Joanie stopped me and invited me to dinner with them. It really meant alot to me. For a long time I felt out of place. I was the oldest and the separation was exaggerated by the fact that I had married so young and I didn't feel like I really belonged anywhere. I think sometimes we forget how closely entwined we all are. We will be together forever. I love hearing from you all. Chelsea, I love that you write, I love getting to know you.

Wow, can you tell I'm a cheesy mom that has had an emotional day. I'm sitting here tearing up as I think of all these and so many other great memories. I wanted to write about Grandma too but I just don't think I can do it tonight. I hope you all had a wonderful mother's day. You are all the best. Alicia, get hooked up. I miss hearing from you. I LOVE YOU ALL. Love, Brooke