There are so many qualities I could list about my mother that would acknowledge what an outstanding person she is, but her actions are what prove her love for her family.

When I was born, my mother quit her job as an art teacher to stay home with me and eventually my brother. While we were growing up she was the mom who took care of all our needs, always making sure we knew how much she loved us.

My father left when I was in middle school and my mother had to take a minimum wage job in a factory, despite having a master’s degree, to provide for us. She taught us that you take care of your family first, no matter what you have to do.

Fast forward 14 years – my son and I were involved in a head-on car accident. As I lay in ICU, my mom sat next to my side promising me that everything would be alright. She stepped in and helped my husband with all the issues that arose and cared for our son.

I spent the next 3 months in the hospital and she decided a few weeks into my recovery to quit her job, because they would not allow her to take a leave of absence. Her past career was advocating for children who were abused, neglected and unable to speak for themselves and now she was my advocate.

I felt guilty for interrupting her life and career, but there was never a question in her mind as to what matters most. Once again she showed me that family comes first and you do whatever you have to.

For the past 3 years she has continued to help my family by driving me to therapy and doctor appointments, watching our son while I am in the hospital, fixing us dinner and cleaning our house ~ basically anything we needed.

Again, she put aside her own life to help her family. I only hope that someday I can repay her for the love she’s shown me by her actions.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mom’s who make sacrifices daily for their children & families. You truly are what makes the world go round!

I opened up and let you know that I have the hots for my Congressman and I also revealed that my husband and I have a “Top 5″ list. Several readers e-mailed and asked if I would reveal our lists. So here they are:

MINE:
1. Brad Ellsworth
2. Matthew McConaughey
3. Dr. Drew (yes, the sex talk guy - sometimes gray can be sexy)
4. Ben Affleck
5. Doogie Howser (aka Neil Patrick Harris, who broke my heart when he said he was gay)

And if this was 1981 I’d add Robert Redford. You gotta admit, the man aged well though.

HIS:
1. Kristen Bell (aka Veronica Mars)
2. Keri Russell (I can’t get past Felicity cutting her hair off)
3. Evangeline Lilly
4. Julia Stiles
5. He says he reserves this space for whoever is in the room at the time….which is me at the moment. Who wouldn’t want to get with this?

Your turn. If you and your spouse have a Top 5 list who’s on it?

And if you haven’t checked out the new design at PROPS & PANS(courtesy of Izzy)…give it a click. They’re adding new features and have a lot of great products you need to know about!

I have a secret to confess. Actually, if you knew me well it wouldn’t be a secret at all. Most of my family and friends have seen me drooling over this man. Some might call it an obsession and others may see it as stalking behavior, but I’d label it downright lust.

I want you to meet the man who reigns over my “Top 5” list (yes, Nate & I do have a top 5 freebie list!). Mr. Brad Ellsworth. Take a moment and just soak in the wholesome goodness this tall, dark and very handsome man radiates.

He was formerly the sheriff of our county (oh yes, in uniform) and last fall won the congressional seat for our district. The highlight of 2006 for me was that his campaign office was downtown and in my building. He was on the 5th floor, I was on the 6th for eight glorious months. My daily needs were met almost daily by seeing him in person. How often do you really get that close to someone in your “Top 5“?

In fact, last November I rode up 5 floors in the elevator with him - A.L.O.N.E.! I called my husband immediately after and confessed that I could have made my move on Mr. Ellsworth right there in the elevator and had my way with him. Of course that fantasy didn’t happen, but it could have.

Mr. Congressman has since moved on to spend more time in Washington, D.C. and the encounters are now few and far between. But thanks to the local news I can still have a daily dose of his hotness every now and then.

It’s so wrong to lust after another man. Most women choose celebrities, but I choose this family man. Maybe because he seems more real and down-to-earth than the untouchable ego’s that grace our movie screens. I did notice he’s accepting applications for Congressional Interns….