Mom makes life better, even when her daughter is mean.

Today school wanted to eat me. It didn't want to take the time to chew me up into manageable pieces, but rather it was satisfied to eat me whole - in one big bite. A bite that included class projects, quizzes, articles, readings and lesson plans. But luckily it didn't! I survived!

Unfortunately, right after the feeling of sitting in school's mouth while it decided whether to swallow or spit me out was wearing off, mom came and talked to me . And she brought up another topic that sometimes feels like eating me: my mission. Yes, I am very excited for my mission. Yes, I feel so grateful that I get the opportunity to go! However, it still scares me and I start to get stressed when I think about it sometimes. The combination of school and mission produced the stressed-out-Amberlee edition, which is what Mom got. Poor mom. So here is to a very understanding, patient, helpful, loving woman that I am very lucky to get to live with and talk to everyday.

Dear Mom,

Thank you for making delicious homemade granola that tastes 10x better than any store bought granola ever could, and for letting me eat it for a snack even though you wish I would be eating spaghetti squash or something green.

Thanks for always talking to me and asking how my day was and carrying about what I worry about and what makes me happy. Thanks for coming down to wake me up when I sleep through my alarm so I don't miss class even though, after living away from home for 2 years, I should be able to get up on my own.

Thanks for understanding that when I get frustrated there is probably something else that I'm actually upset about, and for not taking it personally.

You are the best! I am so glad I get to spend my last months before my mission living at home and being around your good example.