Mama Cooksey!

I have the World's best Mom. No lie. She's the greatest. She's beautiful for beginners, and she has a giant brain. She's incredibly bright. Now, having said that. Sometimes there seem to be neural connections that just don't get made. It's probably because there's SO MUCH activity going on upstairs that there just isn't enough energy to complete the jump. Mama Cooksey is Wonder Woman. Actually, Wonder Woman doesn't have shit on Mama Cooksey. She is in charge of a medical billing giant (or just her husband's practice), heads the team in charge of all the teenage girls at church, and is the best Mom ever -- all day, every day. It's a lot of work. Today, Mama Cooksey is celebrating another anniversary of her 29th Birthday. Happy 29th Birthday again, and again, and again... and again!

I honor of my wonderful Mom, I'd like to share a few stories of what it's like to be raised by the World's Best Mom. Stories like how we went on a lot of road trips when we were kids. Every Summer, Mama would load herself in the Jeep with her 3 kids (us) for a trek across the U.S. We went to exotic locations such as Washington D.C, Atlanta, San Antonio, San Diego, Phoenix, and Custer, South Dakota. On 98% of these trips Mama Cooksey either got a speeding ticket or... lost. That's right, lost. I don't mean in a "I have no idea where I am" type of lost. It was more of a "Damn, I should have taken that exit and now we have to go 20 miles out of our way" lost. During these "lost" periods, we learned a great life lesson: how to be still. And absolutely quiet.

Recently, Mama Cooksey was in town for Mother's Day (which happened to share a weekend with my brother's college graduation). We learned the importance of being flexible and creative. Mama Cooksey's incredible creative brain naturally and effortlessly invents fun when the Cooksey kids really suck at Badminton. For instance, after a Birdie was hit and successfully soared over the net (there were very few of these) and landed on the ground (there were a lot more of those), Mama Cooksey would lift up her goal post arms and shout "Touch Down!"
The most remarkable thing about Mama Cooksey, aside from her Chuck Norris-esque strength, is her silent laugh. Mama Cooksey loves a good joke, which is good because her three kids are really funny. We know we've said a good one when we get the silent laugh. It involves about 30 seconds of silence, followed by a jovial high-pitched shriek. It's one of the greatest things you will ever witness. Good thing I caught it on video.



Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you SO SO SO much!

She's so HIP!

This is a long overdue tribute to my one and only wombmate, Lindsey. She had done a couple posts about how awesome I am. I have done zero. Honestly, she's not that funny. Haha, just kidding. She's SO funny it's taken me this long to truncate it into a post. She and I have shared a lot of things. Things like clothes, food, already chewed gum, bedrooms, and a completely inappropriate sense of humor (as she has mentioned, but needs mentioning again).

One thing, however, that we don't share is an awesome pose. The look-left-and-put-your-hand-on-your-hip-with-an-extra-touch-of-sass pose. This pose has been invented and perfected by Lindsey. Naomi and Tyra don't have shit on this pose. It's untouchable. In fact, I was hesitant about sharing information about this pose because it is killer. Deadly, in fact. If you imitate it, you will die.

Moving on. I've created a collage of this pose. I had 17 pictures on my computer of her in this pose. No lie. She's serious about looking good. I chose 5 of the best examples of the pose -- in one of them, you get a glimpse of what Lindsey will look like pregnant and sassy. It's scary, go call your Mommy now.


I love you, Baby B!

To Notice

Edit: I originally wrote this a good month or so after reading "The Noticer" the first time. I just read it again, and I have goodness to add. Just get this book, open your mind, and forget that it says "self-help" on the back because it's not a self-help book. It's a book about perspective and the beautiful way our relationships with each other can encourage growth. That is all.

Andy Andrews has a new book out called "The Noticer." It's an incredible book that challenges the reader to offer a perspective change to people in your life. It changed my perspective of my own life. I've been incredibly blessed to have "Noticers" placed in my life at various stages. These people have spoken truth into my life when I have been absolutely incapable of seeing it by myself. My life has been radically blessed by these people who have offered a fresh perspective when I've been too focused on my own problems to see the gifts in my life and the talents in my heart.

Andy Andrews has an incredible story. The book starts with Andy in one of his presumably darkest places. His ability to rise above this no doubt is due in part to his Noticer, Jones. It's a simple story with profound ramifications. It challenged me to be a Noticer, to offer perspective to my struggling friends. As a book, it was beautifully written, quite an easy read, and it has already been passed on to dear friends.

I really challenge you dear friends to pick up a copy of this book and start Noticing. It changes everything, and invites a delicate spirit into your life.