WHEN YOU PICK A FIGHT WITH A VAN

Dear Mom,

Today you had a fight with the van.

The van won.

In fact, the van put you in the hospital.

8 stitches and a headache later I get a text message from Christina with several sad pictures of your forehead.

I was instantly worried and called right away. You said you were fine.

It brought back bad memories of when you fell off a ladder six years ago and ended up with some nasty head wounds. We joked that it was a good thing I wasn't there today because I would probably just have told you over and over again "It's so bad, mom, you're gonna die!"

In all seriousness, I am so sorry you got hurt today.

Please be more careful.

I hope you feel better soon and heal quickly.

I will call and check on you tomorrow.

I love you so much!

Sincerely, Lori

A VISIT FROM SOME OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE

DAD, CHRISTINA, MOM, KURT AND BROOKLYN IN YELLOWSTONE

Dear Mom, Dad, and Christina

Thanks for coming to visit!

BROOKLYN AND DAD HANGING OUT

I loved every second of it. I wish so bad that we all lived much closer.

BROOKLYN DIDN'T STAY IN HER STROLLER FOR TOO LONG. CAN YOU TELL SHE WANTS OUT?

Yellowstone was AmAZinG! I loved that wildlife and the geysers and the waterfalls and all the vistas. I'm glad we got two spend two whole days enjoying the park.

WE COULD BE IN THE PICTURES IN THE MUSEUM WARNING PEOPLE NOT TO GET TOO CLOSE THE THE WILDLIFE BECAUSE THEY COULD CHARGE WITHOUT WARNING.... OOPS.

DAD HOLDING THE TINY LITTLE BUFFALO WE SAW. HE HE.

The other days of your trip here were filled with fishing, pranking, working on puzzles, eating, hanging out, playing games, shopping, playing with Brooklyn, and just enjoying each other.

BROOKLYN LOVED PLAYING IN THE DIRT AND PILING IT UP ON GRANDPA'S SHOES.

I'm so glad you all came. I miss you all the time. Thank you for all you did for us while you were here!

MOM AND DAD HELPING BROOKLYN ON THE HIKE.

I love you all so much!

Sincerely, Lori

KURT AND LORI STOPPED FOR A PICTURE

KURT, LORI, AND CHRISTINA ON THE FIRST NATURE HIKE

CALMING EFFECT

Dear Mom,

So, last night I found out that there was a piece of gauze stuck in my tooth socket. I don't know how the nurse and I both missed it but it had been up there for almost 36 hours. When I found it I immediately tried pulling it out but it was stuck pretty good.

I kept pulling it out bit by bit but it hurt really bad and it started bleeding like crazy. I was pretty scared that I was going to rip the stitches out or cause some pretty bad damage so I was a wreck. Finally Kurt got me to pull it out all the way.

After that I was okay for about ten minutes until I sent Jill a text telling her what happened and she called me worried that I had pulled the gauze out that the dentist used to pack the wound. She told me to try really hard to stop the bleeding or I would have to go the doctor.

That scared me worse.

I kinda freaked out a little bit because the oral surgeon lives in Utah and I don't have health insurance and it hurt pretty bad.... so I called you. You were able to calm me down and explain what I should do and let me know it was going to be fine and answer all my questions without me even having to ask them. I hung up feeling much much better.

As soon as I hung up Kurt asked me "How does she do it?" He tries really hard and does a good job most of the time but I have to admit sometimes I just need my mommy.

So thank you for always being able to talk me through my freak out moments. You're the best.

I love you.

Sincerely, Lori

DINNER AND A SHOW

$25 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR $2 AT RESTAURANT.COM. USE PROMO CODE: COOK

Dear Mom,

Last night Kurt and I used our Gift Certificate that we purchased from Restaurant.com and I told you I would let you know how it went to here goes:

• Since we had to spend $35 we ordered some of the most expensive things on the menu. Kurt got steak and shrimp and I got Fajitas.

• We ate almost all our chips and salsa before our dinner even came.

• We both were stuffed before a third of our food was gone. But the food was good so we kept eating.

• Then they didn't add the tip into the $35 like the gift certificate says they do and since we didn't explain that to them I got to order a disgusting smoothie on the way out.

• Well, I didn't order a disgusting smoothie, I ordered a regular smoothie that ended up being disgusting.

• We came to this conclusion really quick: $35 is way too much food for the two of us. We will be bringing friends or family with us the next time we use a certificate.

• But if you do end up ordering $35 dollars worth of food for just dad and you and you end up feeling sick, just do what we did: Be late for your movie and sprint 100 yards in heels. It helped for me and Kurt was impressed.

Oh, and have you seen the movie Avatar? Amazing. I loved it.

Sincerely, Lori

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

MOM AND DAD WITH ISABELLE, PORTER, BROOKLYN, AND WENDELL

Dear Mom,

You are the best mom.

I hate living so far from you but I appreciate all the phone calls for help, advice, exciting news, and just chats about nothing. Thank you for always being there for me and my little family.

Happy Birthday!!!

50 years old, right? That can't be.

Well, I hope you have a very special day. You really do deserve it.

I love you.

Sincerely, Lori