Today my mom is 65. A little over a month ago I did a little post about what a great guy my dad is for his birthday and today it's my mom's turn. Here are the top 10 things I love and admire about my mom:
10. She's organized. My mom is that lady. You know the one: whose house and yard is immaculate, who always looks great, finishes every project, doesn't have a junk drawer, and cooks a gourmet meal every night. Because she is so organized, I know I can always count on her. If she says she's going to do something, it will happen. In a world full of chaos, I know I have my mother to rely on to have it all together.
9. She's talented. I'm not sure if I've ever seen my mom fail at anything. She's like Super Woman. She caters weddings, sews beautiful quilts, tends to an amazing yard, keeps herself extremely fit, plays the organ and piano, leads and sings in the choir, teaches Sunday School, teaches children to talk correctly, and so on and so forth. She really can do everything and does it all perfectly. And when she puts her mind to something it will happen. She's always up for the challenge and has a great can-do attitude.
8. She doesn't take herself too seriously. Even though everything she does is perfect, she is still silly and doesn't care what people think. I remember in high school when I was dealing with all the drama high school can bring she would often say to me: "You shouldn't care what people think. I don't care what people think about me!" And she truly meant that. I didn't really take that to heart back then, but now I'm glad to say that I don't care either! I also love that that means she's not afraid to make a fool of herself to get a laugh. I think I definitely got her sense of humor!
7. She lives in the moment. When I was growing up we would often hear, "These are the good times". My mom has a wonderful gift of realizing the good times while in them and living them up. She wants to get out and do things and isn't content letting life pass her by. I love that about her. She is a go getter and a doer and makes the best of the time she has. Hmmm... I wonder if that's where I get my "Today-Begin" attitude?
6. She has class. It's true that my mom is definitely my favorite shopping buddy. And while I do love her clothes, and hair, and house, and style, and all aspects of her outward appearance, it goes much deeper than that. My mom is a class act. She carries herself with grace and poise. She treats others kindly. She speaks intelligently. She has taught me manners and how to be "gentile." She has taught me the importance of taking care of myself and my body. My mom is a real lady in all meanings of the word.
5. She's a fantastic Grandma. Logan really adores my mom. His "Momma-Dis" is his favorite person in the whole world. When I asked him what his favorite things about my mom was he said, "Riding the train, and jumping on the trampoline, and sitting on the step and talking it over. Playing with her and dancing with her." This pretty much sums it up. She's a hands on Grandma, who loves to do things with the kids and is their best friend. I know one day she will also be their confidant and someone they can go to for everything.
which leads me to...
4. She always has the perfect thing to say. When I'm feeling down or need advice she's the first person I call. She always knows exactly what to say. My mom came to every volleyball game I ever played in, and we would have great talks on the ride home. These are some of my most cherished memories with my mom. She always had the perfect thing to say after a hard loss, or a hard day at school, or after a breakup, or even on a good day. I remember my first day back at work after I had Logan I was having a really rough time. I was crying driving to work and I called her. When I told her, "I don't even feel like a mom," she said, "You provided a perfect body for one of God's children," which I will never forget. It was just what I needed to hear and I was able to turn to those words of wisdom time and time again on hard days. She has a great talent of telling you what you need and want to hear at just the right time and in the just the right way.
3. She has an unshakeable testimony. Until I was 8, my dad was not a member of the Church. My mom brought my sister and I to Church every week, not to mention every activity and also taught us at home. It was her amazingly strong testimony that not only raised my sister and I to have strong testimonies, but also led my Dad into the waters of baptism, to serve as Bishop, and to serve a mission in England. She has more gospel knowledge in her little pinky finger than I do in my whole body, and she is awesome at teaching it to others. I definitely owe my spiritual well being to my Mother.
2. She makes me a better person. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, all my life skills I learned from my mom. But it goes so much deeper than that. Kindness, service, patience, any and all good qualities that I might hope to possess, I learned them all from her. She challenges me to be better. She's always pushing me to succeed in all that I do. It is because of her example to get a good education, and to work hard, that I decided to get my Master's Degree. It is because of her example of never saying no to helping people, that I try to always help those I see in need. It is because of her beautiful, clean house and yard, that I try and keep my home and yard clean. I have a pretty amazing mother to live up to, and it's because of her example that I'm always striving to be better.
1. She puts me first. My whole life, I have come first to my mom. I played volleyball for 8 years and my mom never missed a game, even though it meant rearranging her entire life, and it's the reason she still has to work to this day to get a decent retirement. One time, I was in my room crying because I had put off an (extra-credit) English assignment and was struggling to get it done before it was due the next day. My mom stayed up all night with me to get it finished. The night Logan was born, she slept in the London Temple Visitor's Center on couch cushions on the floor so she could be by the phone if I needed her (and I did!). She has been giving me the last bite of the pie, her undivided attention, and all the love and support I've ever needed and so much more for my entire life. She is my perfect example of a selfless mother and I only hope that I can be the half the mother she is to me to my kids.
So don't I have the best mom in the world? I am so lucky to have you, mommy. Thank you for being you. LOVE YOU!!
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