I wanted to do something special for Thanksgiving. Living 1200 miles away from "home" and family was hard around the holidays. I was a little homesick. I requested time off work and called Nicole. I told her my plans, but made her promise to keep it a secret. I figured I would need to let someone know I was traveling 1200 miles, just in case something were to happen, heaven forbid. The day I was to leave, I packed my car with everything I would need for a weeks trip to Michigan. I got on the road and headed north. I would occasionally check in with my sister to let her know my whereabouts. My mom called me a couple times to chat, which was normal for any day. I played everything off as if I were just relaxing at home after a long day of working. When I made it up to Washington DC, my GPS bugged out and made me take the wrong exit, landing me right in the middle of the Pentagon. I got to see the Washington Monument and the White House, all unexpectedly and not planned. I laughed at this spur of the moment drive and had to call my best friend Nicole Jones to tell her about it. She also had no idea I was headed home. We both laughed at the misdirection and my random visit to the Capital. Back on the road, I finally made it into Michigan around 5:30am. Crossing the border into Michigan is a relief, but also a let down because it only meant I had 4 more hours of driving to make it to Gaylord! I called my sister once I got into town and told her to meet me somewhere so we could park my car somewhere for the surprise. We met at the K-Mart parking lot and parked my car. I hopped into her SUV and said hi to her and my nephew and headed up to my Mom's office. We had to sneak me in the building. Luckily my mom was interviewing a potential new hire, so she was not out and about the building. Everyone was surprised to see me! They snuck me into a room to wait. Blake decided he wanted to tell "Ama" there was a surprise for her. He interrupted the interview and told her she had to hurry! She laughed and excused herself from the interview (It was also lucky that the person being interviewed was a family friend) while I was in the room waiting for my mom, there were about 7 or 8 people in the room talking to me when my mom opened the door. She didn't see me at first, but did wonder why there were so many people in the room. Once people started moving, she saw me. She started crying and just hugged me as tight as she could. I couldn't breathe she was squeezing me so tight! My Aunt Laura was there too, which was nice. We chatted for a while and she eventually finished the interview. We spent a lot of time together, eating good food, etc. We put the Christmas tree up the next day and spent an awesome night at Uncle Ron's house with the entire Alexander gang. I am so thankful to have these memories, it kills me day after day that I am not able to make new memories with my mom. I miss you more than words can say. I love you Mom.

I was driving to work today and "Love Shack" came on the radio. Whenever I hear this song, I always think of you. It's the type of song that you just want to blast as loud as possible and jam out in the car or wherever you are. You did just that when we were little. I remember the day we were at home, you cleaning the house, and that song came on. They were doing a contest on the radio where you could win money...you grabbed the phone and called. Sure enough, you were the right caller! In order to win, you had to sing part of the song...and you sure did! Next thing we know, we're all in the car, headed to the station picking up your winnings, and headed straight for Toys-R-Us. We bought toys with the money you won from the radio station...that's who you were. You were the mom who did anything for their kids...you were the best!!