Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!

Hi Mom-
For your birthday, since this is the first year we will all be far away from each other, we decided that the best thing to do was to create a place where its all Minor all the time. Ha. But for real, we wanted to make a special place for you to keep up with us and for us to keep up with you. How it works is every month each of your kids will post a picture and letter of what is going on in our lives. Then, by the end of the year, you will have 36 posts from all over the world, and a lot of memories. We hope you like it! Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!
So for our first post, we took a picture of all of us at APU, and each wrote 3 qualities that we love about you, and also a favorite memory we have with you..... Enjoy!

The 3 things I LOVE most about my Mommy :)

1.) Your Kind, Gentle, and Loving Heart all meshed in One.

2.) Your Rosie the Riveter "Yes We Can" mentality a.k.a.- your power to you give to women and leadership

3.) You just know how to have FUN!

There are too many fun moments to count of great laughs and memories with you mom. I loved the times when we would salsa dance to Mark Anthony and when you would teach me how to swing dance. Or the times when you would take me out of class for a fun day hanging out with you, either going shopping or going to Gameworks. But most of all, I love the times you reveal how loving you are and how much you care for me even if I do act like a nerd sometimes. I am so happy that I have a lot of the same attributes as you (just look at strength finders). You're pretty much me in a wiser, more mature, and much prettier, female form! Andrea Minor, you're kind of a big deal. Anyway, bottom line is that you're pretty awesome mom and I hope you enjoy you're Birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!
Love your son, Trent

1) You are hilarious. You are a little cheerleader and make everyone smile. You're also super independent and not afraid of trying new things and taking new challenges. You inspire me to do the same.

2) You are always so supportive. You cry with us, laugh with us, and are our #1 fan.

3) You love better than anyone I know. You love Dad, us kids, and your friends and have no problem showing it.

I was always a mommy's girl. I used to sit on the opposite side of the backseat in the car just so I could see your pretty face. Hah. I also seemed to be surgically attached to your leg until I was 5. We had days of cuddling and watching movies, but my favorite memory in my early years would have to be when I was in second grade. Each year you would "kidnap" us from school for a day. I remember getting my name called over the PA and when I got down to the office there you were. "Let's get out of here!" you said with a mischievous little smile. We spent the day getting my ears pierced and shopping at the mall. That was the moment I realized I had a "cool" mom:) Memories from more recent years consist of being your assistant (which was surprisingly fun) and planning a wedding. I still love cuddling and watching movies with you ...having award parties for the Oscars...eating popcorn and mnm's...going to Long Grove, Deerpark, or Woodfield...days Downtown...or sitting inside with hot chocolate. When I think of you I think of all of these little wonderful memories. I also think of Linda Eder and the smell of chocolate chip cookies...but only you know why:) You are one of my very best friends and I love you very much.
Love, Paige

1) Your constant support and encouragement no matter the circumstance (or dumb things that your kids do). You exude unconditional love and you have showed us how to love our family and our friends.
2) The way that you seize a moment to make it the best it can be. You can make any situation, and I mean ANY, situation so much more fun. You make staying in on a Friday night look good.
3) The way in which you lead and cause others to want to be the best version of themselves all the time. You empower and create the kind of community in which people thrive and do things they didn't think were possible. And you never take the credit but always say how good God is for making it happen. It is so inspiring.
There really are so many memories that make me smile and so grateful to have a mom like you. Honestly, coming home everyday to cookies and milk after school, even when Michael Bolton and Kenny G were playing, was always the best part of my day as a kid (better than coming home to you and dad making out in the kitchen :-) ... haha. You always had some new music you loved, and whenever I hear Linda Eder, Amy Grant Christmas, Marc Anthony, or pretty much any Broadway song I think of you. Also, you raised us on classic film, and I know its the reason I love film so much today. You taught us how to appreciate the arts in a very real and tangible way and I am so so grateful for that because it enriches life like nothing else. One of favorite memories though was when I was about 8 years old and you took me to see the Sandlot in Colorado. The movie was over and we were going to leave when we notices Pure Country was also playing there. You said "Hey you want to sneak in and make it a double feature".... and it was awesome! One of the best days ever. In that moment I knew I had a cool mom who would always keep life exciting. I love you Mom! Thank you for being an amazaing friend, woman of God, wife, and incredible mom!
Love, Mal