Ah, bizarre Utah weather. The meteorologists are saying the snowstorm that's due tonight could be the biggest of the winter. Even though it's officially spring.

There's a blog-thing called "You know you live in X when". One of the Utahl lines is "when the tulips get snowed on twice while still in the bulb and three times after they bloom."

At the risk of sounding unbelievably corny...I think one of the main reasons I always wanted to be a mom was because I wanted to be able to be the kind of mom she has been for me.

I had the weirdest dream with Spike in it last night. I can even remember the details. Suffice it to say that I think I miss the guy, too.

I'm glad he's in the title.

one of the main reasons I always wanted to be a mom was because I wanted to be able to be the kind of mom she has been for me.

This is just so awesome! (I feel the same way about my mom.)

The sad flip side of it is that it isn't looking likely that I will ever be a mother, but I will always try to reach out to others and take care of them the way she does.

Okay, I'm sorry.

t /schmoopy

Kristin, my older sister is childless by choice. This doesn't mean she isn't one of the most maternal people I know. She is AWESOME at taking care of people (and children) and goes out of her way to make them feel special.

It's what makes her an incredible person. Long before I had a baby, I enjoyed taking care of people in maternal ways. It made me feel good to do it--even before we even thought about having Owen. In short, having a child isn't a prerequisite to being a caring, loving, maternal person.

No sorries please, Kristin--not for sharing yourself with us. I hope you've told her, or will someday.

Kristin, your mom is the sweetest!

I think one of the main reasons I always wanted to be a mom was because I wanted to be able to be the kind of mom she has been for me.

And, so are you.

You gave me warm fuzzies.

In short, having a child isn't a prerequisite to being a caring, loving, maternal person.

Very true, and I plan on being the best adopted Aunt ever as well as good friend.

I hope you've told her, or will someday.

Oh yes. She and I regularly exchange long, schmoopy cards and letters telling each other how grateful we are to have the relationship that we do. We also spend a lot of time just hanging out and chatting. She's one of my best friends in the world. I think some of that comes from being an only child and from the fact she and Dad divorced in '93 and she's never remarried or been even in a serious relationship since. (I'm pretty sure that "fierce independence" is embedded on the X chromosome I inherited from her.) She rocks.

Man, that schmoopy tag just won't close.

Kristin, want some quality one on one Emeline while you're here??