And lucky for us, we got to start the party EARLY for my mom's 68th birthday celebration which is officially today, but we started on Friday, December 7th. I met mom & dad in Fargo in the morning for some pre-Christmas shopping. Dad headed to Fergus Falls to meet Steve for some 2x4 business while Mom & I made some serious progress on our lists. It was so nice to be able to bounce ideas off one another, plus the stores weren't crazy busy either like they are on the weekends. We had a fabulous lunch which included sharing Pumpkin Bread Pudding - YUM!
We made it back to Fergus Falls safely by 4:30 PM despite some snow and ice on the roads the last 15 miles. We had enough time to catch up with the girls on how their days went at school.
Next we all headed out to Mable Murphy's for a wonderful supper. Maple's helped us celebrate mom with a delicious ice cream topped brownie, complete with a candle. Mom, as generous as always, shared with the whole table.
Our next stop on the "Celebrating Mom" agenda was to watch the synchronized Christmas light show put on by the Computer Hero. It is a must see!!
The final destination was the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Concert at M-State. It was fabulous! We loved the entire performance, and especially appreciated the history given before each selection was played. I think it was one of the first Christmas concerts my dad has been to that didn't have a grandchild performing in it and he STILL liked it. As we were leaving the concert, huge fluffy snowflakes were falling. It was so beautiful! Three generations together - PRICELESS!
Back at home, we had tiramisu cupcakes waiting and after a round of singing "Happy Birthday", we dug in. The day was a perfect way to celebrate my mom.
Mom, we are so grateful for your laughter, generosity, selflessness and unconditional love. You are beautiful inside and out!
I can credit my dad's purchase of a new truck for allowing me to get together with my mom for a few days of one-on-one time. Dad, Russ & Noah flew to Phoenix, AZ on Thursday evening, May 6th to pick up Dad's new rig and drive it back to ND, so Mom headed to Fergus Falls as soon as their flight left. It was a bonus that the timing worked out for some Mother/Daughter time over Mother's Day weekend. Thanks, Dad!
Friday morning we headed to Perham for some spa time, but first we armed ourselves with skinny caramel cappuccino's, raincoats and our purses.
BEFORE pic
Our appointment for pedicures at Sorella's got a little mixed up because they had us down for manicures instead. It looked like an epic disaster was going to unfold, but thankfully, they were able to shuffle the schedule and get us in for pedi's just 30 minutes later. Crisis averted and our nasty, chipped, crusty feet were ever so happy.
I loved that we could have our spa treatment at the same time. Vibrating, massage chairs and heated neck rolls were a plus.
This was Mom's 4th pedicure ever and she was a little nervous about it because her feet are so darn ticklish, but her nail technician was great. I loved the seaweed wrap with the hot towels. So relaxing and my feet and legs felt baby smooth when all done. We had fun inventing a new line of OPI polish colors that could be farm themed. "Hay-stackin fun", "Open the Barn door red", "A Horse of a different Color", "Calf Scours", "Dusty dirt road". Don't you think a rural theme would be great fun?? Mom ended up with some fancy lookin' toes painted in "Meet Me on the Star Ferry."
I chose "A Good Man-darin is Hard to Find" along with some hand-painted daisies.
AFTER pic
A great improvement and our de-crusted feet felt smooth as a baby's bottom.
After the fear of smudging our newly painted toes was over, we headed to a very cute coffee shop called Gathering Grounds. The weather was rain mixed with snow and rather depressing for May, but the atmosphere at the Gathering Grounds immediately perked us up. Couple that with homemade tomato basil soup and delicious veggie wrap sandwich and we were two very happy campers.
But add sharin' tiramisu for dessert... priceless!
We spent the rest of the afternoon putzing around and visiting while checking out the great shops in Perham. We were scored some deals at an antique shop. Mom found a gorgeous handmade quilt and I got a beautiful vase and a frame for a project.
Steve had a great supper for us when we got home. All 5 of us watched "Where the Wild Things Are" snuggled under mom's new quilt. It was a perfect end to a great Friday with my mom. And lucky me, we got to spend all day Saturday together too!
Today is my Mom's birthday and I just want to give her a special shout out because I think she is amazing and I am grateful for the example she has given me on how to be a great mom.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!
Mom, thank you for your generous heart,
your support, your patience, your advise, your sense of humor, your hugs, your love, your yummy treats and all that you do for us. We love you MUCH!
This virtual bouquet is for all you mom's out there. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day. You are all very special and my wish for you is that you feel honored, loved and cherished. A very special Mother's day wish for my mom, Rose. Thank you for all you have taught me, all you have given me and all your help and support. I love you, Mom!!
My dream for Mother's day is to spend quality time with my beautiful girls, Abbigail and Angelique, and to have a relaxing, uninterrupted nap this afternoon. Hope all your dreams come true for you on this Mother's day.
Today is my mom's 64th birthday! Happy birthday, Mom! I wish you a wonderful day filled with family, friends and love.
I thought I would share some fun facts about my mom...
Here is her one-year old picture... Uncle Bob says Abbigail looks just like her Grandma "Rosey"
Rose Marie German was born at home on a farm on December 11, 1944. Her parents are George and Bernita German. She was their 6th child... already had 5 siblings, 1 big sister, Joan (who got to choose "Rose" as the name for her baby-sister) and 4 older brothers: Jerry, Tony, Chuck & Jim. Another brother joined the family later, baby-brother Bob.
Mom & Dad on their 43rd anniversary... January 16, 2008
Mom graduated from Guelph High School and attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND and trained for a one year secretary's certificate. Mom married Dad (Rodney C. Sell) on January 16, 1965. They lived in Grand Forks, ND for a year or so while Dad attended the University of North Dakota and then moved back to the family farm outside of Guelph, where they have lived ever since.
October 1968, my 23 year old mom with her baby daughter... Me!
Mom had 3 children and continued the tradition of naming us all with "R's"... Randy, Renae and Russell. Mom is an excellent self-taught seamstress and probably made 75% of our clothes. Once all three of us were in school, mom worked several different jobs... church secretary, administrative secretary to the High School principal... but the job that she still continues and has had the longest is Weight Watcher's Leader. In fact, she was just honored for her 25th year with Weight Watchers last month.
Accepting her 25 year award from Weight Watchers...
Mom has done so much for me that I would have to write a book to tell it all. She bought me my first sewing machine when I was in 2nd grade and taught me to sew. I was in sewing competitions throughout grade school, high school and even into college. Mom made my first Communion dress, my wedding dress, my daughter's Baptism gown and my daughter's first Communion dress.
Abby's middle name is Rose, in honor of Mom.
She was in the delivery room for the birth of Angelique, which was so amazing for both of us. She now has 7 grandchildren to spoil and love on!
My favorite picture with Mom taken by Heather in June 2006.
My mom is awesome! She is very loving, generous, beautiful, funny and honest. She once gave me a banner that reads... "A Daughter is a little girl who grew up to be a friend." I couldn't ask for anything more than to have a mother who is also my BFF! Love you, Mom!
Next we all headed out to Mable Murphy's for a wonderful supper. Maple's helped us celebrate mom with a delicious ice cream topped brownie, complete with a candle. Mom, as generous as always, shared with the whole table. 
The final destination was the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Concert at M-State. It was fabulous! We loved the entire performance, and especially appreciated the history given before each selection was played. I think it was one of the first Christmas concerts my dad has been to that didn't have a grandchild performing in it and he STILL liked it. As we were leaving the concert, huge fluffy snowflakes were falling. It was so beautiful! Three generations together - PRICELESS!
