To the Best Wife and Mother

I've been trying to think of a fitting tribute to the woman that holds everything in our lives together, and everything I could think of just seemed to come up short (no pun intended).

And then I realized something. Kristen has so many great friends and family, including all of you regular Peterson Family blog readers, that love her dearly and can't imaging life without her, and they--YOU--are the ones who understand more than anyone just how wonderful life is with Kristen in it. It is only fitting, then, for me to share just a few of the reasons why I and our children love Kristen as our wife/Mother/best friend.

1. Kristen knows just how to make things right, whether she even realizes it or not. Her love, patience, and overwhelming kindness seem to shine through the darkest of moments--be it the ache of a sick kid, the frustrations caused by an idiot husband, or the fearful dread of dealing with cancer. Her outpouring of selfless love, love that isn't focused on solving a problem or receiving anything in return, softens hearts and endears all to her infectious charm.
2. Kristen is an amazing organizer. She can make sense out of the biggest pile of junk and turn it into a well sorted library of, well, junk. :) I'm afraid my constant clutter is shaving years from her life.... She also does wonders with our finances and keeps them organized so we stay afloat.
3. Kristen loves time with family and friends more than anything in this world. It's almost like watching someone walk into ecstacy when she is around those she loves. With a family the size of hers, and more good, close friends than Facebook can account for, I just wish I could give her more of what she really needs with those people: Time.
4. Kristen is truly a manic-expressive. If it's on her mind she's going to share it. The crazy part is that when she shares it she always seems to enjoy a willing, and often enthralled audience. I don't mean to have that sound like shock, but I know that if the fortunes were reversed and it was me doing the talking I would have a bunch of really annoyed people on my hands. Heck, I say more than a few words and that's how people get already! The wonderful thing about her gift is that all the best parts of it have been passed on to our kids. I'm just hopefull that I'll be able to account for something positive in their lives. :)

The list could go on, but then I wouldn't be able to get away from my computer, which is something I already spend too much time with.

Happy Mother's Day sweetheart! Cali, Isaac, and I love you more than we can ever say.