THE WORLDS BEST MOM - has left me...

Mom outside her favorite Vineyard!

So - my mom has left and it was pretty rough... I spent a week in Spain a while ago (last week of April) for a project meeting, and when I got back, first Arild left to go to Norway for 10 days and then, two days later, my mom left to go back to New Orleans - for good :(

So after she left, if felt like I was removing her for good - I went through her room, put her stuff in boxes, sorted her papers, threw away stuff, and generally, took care to make the room look like she no longer lived there - ready for guests.

Mom and I juicing in January! 

And that part was actually a relief - it helped me tremendously to deal with the fact that she was gone from our lives after almost a year of having her in our lives permanently! It has been such an amazing year having her here! We have had so much fun, and laughed so much, had so much wine and watched so many movies and tv-series that Arild would not be caught dead watching. It has been awesome - like having a best friend living with us!

A mom is your best friend, I know that now. She will always be on my side, regardless of how wrong I am. She might try to convince me of other paths, but she will always support my decisions, and always agree with me, sympathise with me, and make sure I feel good about being a mom, a researcher, a world traveler, a wife and a friend.

We have really done som cool stuff - sightseeng, wine tasting, dieting, thanksgiving, half marathons, st. Louis for my brothers wedding, preparing for Christmas, and just hanging out in general. I know I never could have done with without her - it never would have been as special as it ended up being!

thank you mom for sharing in our adventure and leaving everyting in Louisiana to be with us for a year in California! Really - moms are awesome! Mine is the best though!

Mom and I on our way to Solvang

Next time we meet it will hopefully be in

CHILE!