Happy Mother's Day!

They say that you don't understand what it means to be a Mother until you actually ARE one!  I think this is so true!  I definitely have understood and appreciated my Mom much more these past few years, and have gotten to know her even better.  You all might know my Mom, heck, some of you probably know her better than me!  Reasons why I think she's awesome:

She put up with me for the past 29 years!!  Seriously, most of you probably do not understand what a miraculous thing this actually is.  As a child, I like to think I was of average peskiness, but I have very distinct memories of doing some very bad things.  Let's see- there was the time that I carved "Emily did....." (it was going to say "this" next, but I ran out of time) into the front of Emily's beautful wooden dresser.  Or the time that I told a lie to Rachel's parents and crossed the street to jump on the trampoline!  That one earned me a spanking from Rachel's Mom AND my Mom!!  I remember getting in trouble one time and being sent to my room....as I stomped up the stairs I turned around and screamed "YOU DON'T LOVE ME!!".    Sheesh! Horrible.  

Teenager-hood was worse, I'm sure.  I don't remember much of it, but I DO remember doing/saying dreadful things that MAY or MAY NOT have involved lying about where I was spending the night, or writing all my friends' phone numbers on the wall with a marker.   You know- so I wouldn't lose them.  Mom was probably counting down the days until I would just "leave for college" and then lo and behold.....I went to college 5 blocks away.  She did let me know that they found the beer under my bed after I left AND the construction sign that I had stolen from Maggie's front yard.  OOPS!  Mom didn't smile when I told her she could drink the beer.

I'll stop the life-story there, but I think you get my point: the fact that I'm a thriving mostly-functional happy adult is only by the grace of God and the fact my Mom must have lost a bet at some point. :)  Just kidding Mom, thanks for letting me live!

Some things my Mom has said: 

-"When you have your own house you can get a monkey"

-"Mary Greg, get your hair out of your face or I'm gonna get a hair clip!"

-"No one has anything they need to say on the phone after 9:00 pm!"

-"Mary, nothing you do surprises me anymore!"

Things my Mom did that I'll always remember:

-Mom worked at the ribbon table during my swim meets.  I would run over and see her before and after I swam, and no matter how I did she always gave me a hug and told me "Great job sugarplum!".  I loved getting a ribbon and recognizing my Mom's handwriting on the back.

-Mom and Dad had some great records and we'd listen to them while cleaning the house or reading.  Some of my favorites (thanks to Mom and Dad!) Carole King, Air Supply, Neil Diamond, Godspell, P.D.Q. Bach, the Chipmunks, Footloose, Harry Chapin and "We Are the World" by Michael Jackson and Friends!

-Mom would take us to the library during the summer and let us check out ARMFULS of books,   as many as we could carry back to the car!  I remember looking at kids whose Mom would only let them check out a few books and thinking my Mom was WAY cooler than theirs!

-She always wrote me letters when I was a summer camp, Governor's School, and in Finland. I know that this is where I got my appreciation and understanding of correspondence.  

Things I love about my Mom RIGHT NOW:

- My Mom really has helped build a loving supportive community around herself.  She has close friends, far friends, church friends, old high school friends, carpool friends, etc.  She participates actively when she can, and catches up with people when she can't.  Mom is an example of the saying "A friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be".  

-Mom gives what she can.  I know that if I genuinely need something, I can go to her and if it's in her power, she'll help me out.....giving comes very naturally to her.

-Mom has blossomed in her new role as "Grammy" these past 7 years!  With Taylor, Anderson, and now Maddox, she seems to have new energy whenever the kids are around!  She is strict enough to keep order in the house, but has a great understanding of what kids like and need as far as activity and attention!

***Stop the presses!!  Mom just bought her first plane ticket online! She has reached a whole new level of coolness!***

I'm going to stop here (I need to save some things to write in the future!) but I hope this post helps you all know my Mother a little better.  I love you Mom, Happy Mother's Day!