My Mom

Today is my mom's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Mommy dearest!  Dan has been telling me more and more lately that I am getting to be more like my mom all the time.  I don't see it, because to me we are completely different people, but I suppose she did make me who I am and I learned everything from her.  After all, I spent the first 18 years of my life with her at home with me teaching me everything she knows.  So, in honor of my mother, this post is dedicated to her.

Things I love about my mom

1. The way she snorts when she laughs.
2. She can sew circles around anyone, and quilt to boot.
3. She is one of the most hard-working people I know.  She has never been afraid to tackle a tough job and do it well.
4. She always thinks of her kids before herself.
5. She is so good at remembering something you said once in April that you might need, then getting it for Christmas.
6. Her ability with flowers.  She loves to grow them and arrange them.  Two things I cannot do.
7. She loves the smell of dirt.  Sadly, so do I.  I guess that comes from growing up in the wild outdoors.
8. She can drive big trucks as good as any man.
9. The way she pulls out a book before bed so she can fall asleep with it on her lap.  I must say I have never seen her engrossed in actual reading, but she taught me to love books, enough to take them to bed with you!
10. Her willingness to help others and take care of her parents.
11. How she cries about everything and nothing.
12. The way she's so humble about all the work they've done it that yard.  Enjoy the attention in the paper and be proud of what you've accomplished.  It's a work of art from the heart.  :)
13. The way she spoils Steve but doesn't even know it.  It's so cute, but I get it.  I'll probably be just the same with Madi.

My favorite memories of my mom (so far!)

1. Sneaking out to see Natty Gan.  Alone time with 5 sisters was pretty sparse, so that meant a lot.
2. Watching her try to make every Christmas something special.
3. Girls camp....an empty field....the screaming game.
4. Laughing so hard she snorts.
5. Her apron catching on fire and her screaming, "Put me out, I'm on fire!" to which Dad proceeded to throw an entire pitcher of water on her.
6. A huge water fight in our old house and her look of panic when we realized Dad would be home any minute.  Racing to clean it up.
7. Seeing her hold her new grand-babies.
8. Watching her teach her grandkids how to help out in the yard or bake in the kitchen or read them books.
9. Her phone call to me telling me her new car had just been rolled and decimated.  I guess that elevated me from daughter to friend.


The things I'm most grateful she taught me:

1. How to work hard and not be afraid of it.
2. How to make do with what you have.
3. The gospel.
4. How to dream.


I love you mom.  I hope you get some alone time soon, ha ha.  Have fun celebrating in Waterton.  I hope the next year brings you even more joy and happiness.