I have lots of great mother examples in my life. Each of which, i am terribly grateful for. I learn something different from each, as each of them are at different stages of motherhood.
first off i have great sister in laws. my brothers did good in spouse choices (mare you did did but that's for father's day:)....)
1st: Heather {blond, top right}, married to my bro dan....she's awesome. this is an understatement, actually. I've loved heather since the first time i met her. she's awesome. she is so easy to get along with, VERY patient...i mean come on she puts up with dan and his passions..aka obsessions...with sports teams that never have a season break (if it's not byu, its jazz, or i'm sure som random baseball team too) but anyway, just seeing her and how well she gets along with dan and the wonderful wife she is is a great example of patience and love to me. She is pregnant with their first child and i know little cannon is coming to a great mother who is going to be the best teacher he's ever had!
2nd: Marisha {front right, with boy in lap}, married to my bro scott. it may have taken me longer to really appreciate marisha, but that is only because i didn't really know her (or my brother) they are 8 years older than me and had begun motherhood before i was out of high school. But, marisha has taught me the value and importance of Education for mothers. She went back to school after her first child to become a registered nurse... and not only is she amazingly smart and talented.. she was VALEDICTORIAN of of her graduating class. seriously, if ya'll have taken any medical related classes at all you know how much hard work, studying and dedication it takes to pull off good grades... and she also did this WHILE being pregnant with her second and having him during a semester! seriously, what an example that education is important and you can do it despite the busy life of motherhood.
first off i have great sister in laws. my brothers did good in spouse choices (mare you did did but that's for father's day:)....)
1st: Heather {blond, top right}, married to my bro dan....she's awesome. this is an understatement, actually. I've loved heather since the first time i met her. she's awesome. she is so easy to get along with, VERY patient...i mean come on she puts up with dan and his passions..aka obsessions...with sports teams that never have a season break (if it's not byu, its jazz, or i'm sure som random baseball team too) but anyway, just seeing her and how well she gets along with dan and the wonderful wife she is is a great example of patience and love to me. She is pregnant with their first child and i know little cannon is coming to a great mother who is going to be the best teacher he's ever had!
2nd: Marisha {front right, with boy in lap}, married to my bro scott. it may have taken me longer to really appreciate marisha, but that is only because i didn't really know her (or my brother) they are 8 years older than me and had begun motherhood before i was out of high school. But, marisha has taught me the value and importance of Education for mothers. She went back to school after her first child to become a registered nurse... and not only is she amazingly smart and talented.. she was VALEDICTORIAN of of her graduating class. seriously, if ya'll have taken any medical related classes at all you know how much hard work, studying and dedication it takes to pull off good grades... and she also did this WHILE being pregnant with her second and having him during a semester! seriously, what an example that education is important and you can do it despite the busy life of motherhood.
next, the marshalls....
i have 5 wonderful sister-in-laws, some of which i know better than others, but i'm slowly being able to get to know them all and love getting closer to them.
3rd: Patricia {2nd from left, next to me}, married to daniel. Patricia has made lots of sacrifices for her family. She is in the navy and has ship duty where she has to be away from her boys for many months at a time, but when she is home, she gives her boys all her attention as well as be a wonderful wife and takes care of daniel. She is one i am getting to know better each time i visit california, but i enjoy her friendship and how much she cares for her boys.
4th: Ellen {next to patricia}, ed's oldest sister...now when i picture hard worker, ellen definitely comes to mind. She is a single mom who does EVERYTHING to make sure her 3 boys are taken care of. She is a manager and works alot to support her family. Even when she isn't at work she is working. she is so handy in house fix up items, an amazing cook, and ready and willing to help you whenever you need it.
5th: cassidy {brunette, 3rd from right}, married to shawn. cassidy just makes me smile. she is so relaxed and laid back. i definitely think this a trait a mother needs to get through the many stresses that come with motherhood.. and cassidy has recently had her share of stresses. Her adorable daughter was born 6 weeks early and was in the NICU for 2.5 weeks in order to learn those last minute things babies need to survive at home. cassidy was awesome and strong through it all. i love talking to her and hearing her stories and passing advice back and forth. she is a good friend.
6th: aubrey {next to cassidy}, married to bryan. aubrey's laugh and smile are contagious. she is always so happy. i love it. she makes family get togethers fun because of her attitude. She fun and outgoing and i wish we didn't live on opposite sides of the country cause i love when i get to spend time with aubrey!
7th: Sarah {far right}, ed's little sister...she is what i think of when i think homemaker. i hope that doesn't come across wrong cause i know, having gone to byu, lots of people laugh at the homemaker.. but seriously, there is nothing sarah can't do. she makes the best homemade foods (breads are my top fav or hers.. her salsa is close 2nd), she sews.. EVERYTHING.. even if she doesn't have a pattern she will figure it out and can make it, she is super crafty and babysits like a billion kids (can't believe she doesn't have a perma headache:)...) but they are always doi nfun crafts for holidays or even just everyday things. She amazes me with her skills. definitely traits i am trying to develop, and one day hope to have.
8th: margie {middle}, ed's mom....now i skipped over her on purpose.. i saved my top three for last. I don't even know where to start to express my appreciation for margie. she is SO incredibly generous. If she is needed, she will drop her plans and come to help. she has been able to travel to douglas like 5+ times now... i mean come on, we live in the middle of nowhere so i know she cares when she makes the effort to venture into what simon cowell referred to as the "poorest, most rural city in america" :) Even more so this last week, i have come to appreciate everything margie has done for us. when i found out i was going to be admitted to the hospital for an unknown time my mind went crazy trying to figure out how i was going to pull that off, have ed work and still be able to take care of mack. margie was able to come to the rescue. she dropped everything, got a last minute flight, skipped a harley trip to reno, and fly right out her and stepped in to help out with mack. i can't put into words how much it means to me that she is here helping and i know that mack is in good hands and not being shipped around to a babysitter each day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
9th: maren...my beautiful sister.. don't believe me.. check out that picture.. she's beautiful. now, i haven't always gotten along with her, and yeah we still have our tiffs now, but i've never been ashamed to call her my sister. i've never not loved her or had respect for her. if you know my sister at all, even if you meet her for 5 minutes, you know how amazing she is. when you see her with her fam, you instantly know the amazing mom she is to leah beah bean. seriously, NO ONE could do what she does... i truly believe that. i don't know if she gets the credit she deserves as often as she deserves it... she is superwoman! she is freaking smart (like 3.9 something at BYU) corrects all my grammar and spelling errors, a fantastic writer, she is super dedicated to her talents and hobbies (ie running, writing, crafts, piano, etc). she is amazing at her church callings, she is a great multi-tasker, teacher and friend. she always helps others before taking time for herself. most of all, i love watching her raise leah. leah's condition is on my "you can eat it list" {that's right, rett syndrome, i don't even deal with you daily and i think you can eat it} and she does it with her head up and confident. She never gives up and gives leah all the love and support she needs. it's hard to describe unless you see her in action. she is one of my best friends and one of the first people i call when i need to talk about what to do as a mom. i love her so much!
10th: my mom... last the best, right? you better believe it.
hands down, my mom is the best out there. no one else has a shmoj like this. my mom helps keep me sane. she is so grounded and helps me see the bigger picture and to look at the spiritual side of situations. she reminds me of my blessings all the time and helps me put my situations in perspective. even though i don't get to see her near as often as i'd like to, my mom is always there with me.. to cry, to laugh, to vent, to listen.. you name it my mom is there for me. i'm always told i am my mom's twin... and i hope that i can reflect that in my personality as well. cause man, if i had her strength, endurance, gospel knowledge, energy, love, craftiness, creativity, speaking abilities, communication skills, smarts, beauty, (i could keep going but i think you get my point) i would be the luckiest. she is who i look up to. i'm so glad that i got blessed with such a great example to look up to. she calms me down when i call in hysterics that something is wrong with mack or e, and i don't know how to be a mom... she is there to help out, and reassure me i can do it. i love my mom. i can't wait to see her in 4 weeks !!!!!
now i know this was long, and probably a bunch of rambling. but i just wanted to say how much i appreciate all the mothers in my life. each one teaches me something different and something i hope to emulate in my life. i hope all these mothers, and others out there have a wonderful mother's day! whether it's your first, or your 50th...Happy Mother's Day! i know i'll enjoy mine, cause i'm blessed with the best daughter in the world.. and little man to come:)
ps. these pictures are mostly old cause it's all i have on this computer.. and mare, i stole that picture off your blog:)
i have 5 wonderful sister-in-laws, some of which i know better than others, but i'm slowly being able to get to know them all and love getting closer to them.
3rd: Patricia {2nd from left, next to me}, married to daniel. Patricia has made lots of sacrifices for her family. She is in the navy and has ship duty where she has to be away from her boys for many months at a time, but when she is home, she gives her boys all her attention as well as be a wonderful wife and takes care of daniel. She is one i am getting to know better each time i visit california, but i enjoy her friendship and how much she cares for her boys.
4th: Ellen {next to patricia}, ed's oldest sister...now when i picture hard worker, ellen definitely comes to mind. She is a single mom who does EVERYTHING to make sure her 3 boys are taken care of. She is a manager and works alot to support her family. Even when she isn't at work she is working. she is so handy in house fix up items, an amazing cook, and ready and willing to help you whenever you need it.
5th: cassidy {brunette, 3rd from right}, married to shawn. cassidy just makes me smile. she is so relaxed and laid back. i definitely think this a trait a mother needs to get through the many stresses that come with motherhood.. and cassidy has recently had her share of stresses. Her adorable daughter was born 6 weeks early and was in the NICU for 2.5 weeks in order to learn those last minute things babies need to survive at home. cassidy was awesome and strong through it all. i love talking to her and hearing her stories and passing advice back and forth. she is a good friend.
6th: aubrey {next to cassidy}, married to bryan. aubrey's laugh and smile are contagious. she is always so happy. i love it. she makes family get togethers fun because of her attitude. She fun and outgoing and i wish we didn't live on opposite sides of the country cause i love when i get to spend time with aubrey!
7th: Sarah {far right}, ed's little sister...she is what i think of when i think homemaker. i hope that doesn't come across wrong cause i know, having gone to byu, lots of people laugh at the homemaker.. but seriously, there is nothing sarah can't do. she makes the best homemade foods (breads are my top fav or hers.. her salsa is close 2nd), she sews.. EVERYTHING.. even if she doesn't have a pattern she will figure it out and can make it, she is super crafty and babysits like a billion kids (can't believe she doesn't have a perma headache:)...) but they are always doi nfun crafts for holidays or even just everyday things. She amazes me with her skills. definitely traits i am trying to develop, and one day hope to have.
8th: margie {middle}, ed's mom....now i skipped over her on purpose.. i saved my top three for last. I don't even know where to start to express my appreciation for margie. she is SO incredibly generous. If she is needed, she will drop her plans and come to help. she has been able to travel to douglas like 5+ times now... i mean come on, we live in the middle of nowhere so i know she cares when she makes the effort to venture into what simon cowell referred to as the "poorest, most rural city in america" :) Even more so this last week, i have come to appreciate everything margie has done for us. when i found out i was going to be admitted to the hospital for an unknown time my mind went crazy trying to figure out how i was going to pull that off, have ed work and still be able to take care of mack. margie was able to come to the rescue. she dropped everything, got a last minute flight, skipped a harley trip to reno, and fly right out her and stepped in to help out with mack. i can't put into words how much it means to me that she is here helping and i know that mack is in good hands and not being shipped around to a babysitter each day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
9th: maren...my beautiful sister.. don't believe me.. check out that picture.. she's beautiful. now, i haven't always gotten along with her, and yeah we still have our tiffs now, but i've never been ashamed to call her my sister. i've never not loved her or had respect for her. if you know my sister at all, even if you meet her for 5 minutes, you know how amazing she is. when you see her with her fam, you instantly know the amazing mom she is to leah beah bean. seriously, NO ONE could do what she does... i truly believe that. i don't know if she gets the credit she deserves as often as she deserves it... she is superwoman! she is freaking smart (like 3.9 something at BYU) corrects all my grammar and spelling errors, a fantastic writer, she is super dedicated to her talents and hobbies (ie running, writing, crafts, piano, etc). she is amazing at her church callings, she is a great multi-tasker, teacher and friend. she always helps others before taking time for herself. most of all, i love watching her raise leah. leah's condition is on my "you can eat it list" {that's right, rett syndrome, i don't even deal with you daily and i think you can eat it} and she does it with her head up and confident. She never gives up and gives leah all the love and support she needs. it's hard to describe unless you see her in action. she is one of my best friends and one of the first people i call when i need to talk about what to do as a mom. i love her so much!
10th: my mom... last the best, right? you better believe it.
hands down, my mom is the best out there. no one else has a shmoj like this. my mom helps keep me sane. she is so grounded and helps me see the bigger picture and to look at the spiritual side of situations. she reminds me of my blessings all the time and helps me put my situations in perspective. even though i don't get to see her near as often as i'd like to, my mom is always there with me.. to cry, to laugh, to vent, to listen.. you name it my mom is there for me. i'm always told i am my mom's twin... and i hope that i can reflect that in my personality as well. cause man, if i had her strength, endurance, gospel knowledge, energy, love, craftiness, creativity, speaking abilities, communication skills, smarts, beauty, (i could keep going but i think you get my point) i would be the luckiest. she is who i look up to. i'm so glad that i got blessed with such a great example to look up to. she calms me down when i call in hysterics that something is wrong with mack or e, and i don't know how to be a mom... she is there to help out, and reassure me i can do it. i love my mom. i can't wait to see her in 4 weeks !!!!!
now i know this was long, and probably a bunch of rambling. but i just wanted to say how much i appreciate all the mothers in my life. each one teaches me something different and something i hope to emulate in my life. i hope all these mothers, and others out there have a wonderful mother's day! whether it's your first, or your 50th...Happy Mother's Day! i know i'll enjoy mine, cause i'm blessed with the best daughter in the world.. and little man to come:)
ps. these pictures are mostly old cause it's all i have on this computer.. and mare, i stole that picture off your blog:)
awww - love the post- you are so amazing, and a great mom. thanks for all the nice things you wrote- I hope you got to see Mack for mothers day! Happy mothers day!
ReplyDeletewiping a tear. :)
ReplyDeleteyou did save the best for last. and i'm sure the 9 other ladies in this post would join me in saying that we all love YOU.