I wrote you a poem in like two minutes because you said you wanted one.... I was trying to explain that whole thing like when you are young you think you mom knows everything.  Then as a teenager she just doesn't understand! But then it is amazing how almost immediately as I turned 18 and as I get older and older I realize that you do know everything!  I am SOO grateful for what you have done and what you have taught me!!  I reflect a lot on the many things that you did especially corralling everyone for FHE or prayer or scriptures.  You influenced me for good and I can promise you all of it was worth it :)  

Oh but here is the poem :)  

It's funny how you can look back 

And you can see

The person that your mother 

Taught you to be

As a child she was EVERYTHING

From a waitress to a dragon

A Queen, a villain, a friend

And everything in between

As the years passed by 

Everything changed

As she came to

Every sports game

In those teenage years 

I thought I was right

Everything seemed to turn

Into a fight

Oh how I wish I would have

Listened to her then

Just like I did

When I was ten

I know now

That she knows a lot

For she is the person

From whom I was taught

It is actually pretty funny

How years go by

And I continue to see

My side she was always by

I discover new truths

And make mistakes

she sits there with a smile

no comment she makes 

Oh how i wish she were here

Right by my side

To help me through the hard times

And to be my guide

As an adult

I sit here and stew

For way too often 

I don't know what to do

There are countless times

I didn't listen to her advice 

And now I regret it as

I go through a new life

She is my angel

And my mother dear

The one I want to be like

Isn't that clear

I want to be a mom 

Just like mine

She's the perfect example 

She is so kind

That day is far off

But yet you see

Mommy will be there

ALWAYS next to me!

Whew there we go that was pretty cheesy :)  Hope you enjoy!!  Matt did seem pretty happy!!!  That is good!  It was really cool to see everyone home.. well kinda, but really I think that was the happiest I have seen everyone in a long time when we were all sorta together!  Sister Montgomery says it’s because babies change families :)  I am so grateful for that :)  And the house is starting to look pretty cool!  Now you have Matt to help out too!

I had to send you a picture of the cake we made ;)  It was for one of our elders and it was cheesy so we made it into Decatur's temple :)  Even has a Moroni on it!!  The other picture is of my hair ;)  I am grateful for a companion that is a hairdresser :)  We have lots of fun.  Besides that we get to pie our elders in the face today so I will send some pictures of that next week haha 

Besides all of that I am so grateful and humbled to be a missionary!  There is no better work to be involved in!  My testimony has grown so much and I have been able to rely completely on my Savior more than I ever have.  I have learned what hope is and how it can grow everyday as we walk hand in hand with the Savior.  I have learned of my destiny as a daughter of God and I will not let anything get in the way of me achieving it!!  There are a million and a half wonderful things I have learned about the scriptures and about living prophets and so many other things.  I have never spent my time as wisely as I do now.  It is all because of the Savior and our Father in Heaven!  I know they are real and I am eternally grateful for the many things that they have done for me!  I love you so much mom for teaching me ALL of these things!!  I love you for everything you do for me :)  I love dad and Zach and Josh and Meagan and Bryden and Maci and Matt and Emily and Nick and Liam and Amy and Michael and.... uh....Tiger...and ....Annie haha but all of you and Grandma and Grandpa both Calton and Stoker and the Salina 1st ward and everyone in Salina and lets just make it easier and say that I love everyone :)   I hope you have a good last couple of weeks of school!!  Keep smiling and keep being patient :)