My Mom

As I was reading tributes on different blogs, Facebook, at church, etc., it made me realize exactly has awesome my mom truly is.

For instance:

* My mom is willing to drop just about anything, or rearrange her plans to help out one of her children or grandchildren. She spent the last few days at our house helping me after Kelsie's surgery. She may not think she did a lot, but sometimes being there is all that is needed.

* While I was growing up my dad did not attend church with us. Mom got us ready, sat through Sacrament with all 3 of us, often served in leadership callings, all by herself. Now that I have kids of my own I realize how hard it really was. I complain if Kurt doesn't sit by us for one Sunday because he's sick or giving a talk.

* She let us make our own decisions, but taught was how to make the right ones.

* She believed in us and encouraged us to try new things.

* She set a great example. I often would see her kneeling by her bed reading and marking in her scriptures. (I'm still working on this one....)

* She was involved in our lives. Cub Scout Den Mom, 4-H leader, softball/basketball/football/soccer cheerleader, substitute teacher. A lot of moms have to work outside the home, but my mom and dad sacrificed things so that mom could be home with us. We didn't go on extravagant vacations, have fancy name brand clothes, fancy cars, etc., but mom was there. I remember her taking the time to walk me to my Kindergarten class. Everyday we walked by Thifty and often she'd buy us 25 cent ice cream cones. :)

* She expected a lot from us. We were expected to go to college, to get good grades, to pick good friends, and make good decisions. She knew we could succeed in anything we tried and made sure we did. I remember struggling with some math and science homework that were above the level my mom took during her high school years; rather than telling me to go find help elsewhere, she would sit down read over the examples and help me figure and solve the problems.

Love you mom! Thank you for all that you've done and continue to do for me.