Happy Belated Mothers Day.....

I love this picture of my Mom with my kids because this captures how she really is! Whenever I hear women saying things like, "Oy, I'm turning into my mother", like it's a bad thing, I have to roll my eyes. Because in my head, I always tell myself, "Oy, I *hope* I turn into my mother". Here are some of my favorite memories or things I admire about her--From childhood, I remember: her making every birthday and holiday special (even St. Patrick's Day!), coming home to homemade cookies after school, finding an "elf" had cleaned my room spotless for me, her taking us to the park or the pool often, a fun scavenger hunt set up at the mall for my 16th birthday, trips to the farm, camping or grandma's house. Mom has a way of not sweating the small stuff- she's laid back, easy going, but strong in her convictions. When she's sick, you'd still never know it because she's almost always positive and optimistic. I love that she has a "cooking show" with my kids. (Her screen name is Moonblossom, Natty is Crystal, Dallin is Jack-La-Loo-La, Madison is Mary Loo-Baby Boo). She's taught me to enjoy the good things in the world, to simplify, to look for the good in bad situations, and to live the gospel as best you can without judging others who don't believe or do as you do. I love seeing her scriptures marked up and the pages worn because I know she's made reading the scriptures a priority; and I always knew if I called her name and got a "Shhhh" for a response, 95% of the time it was because she was in the middle of a prayer. This doesn't even touch the ways that she has influenced me for good, but it's a start. Mom, I'm so grateful for all that you've done for me, the boys, Tim and our kids. I love you. Happy Mother's Day! (By the way, since no one else has blogged about you, I guess that makes me the favorite again. It was only a matter of time.)

I love this pic of Tim's mom, because #1, it's one of the few I have and #2, it shows how much she loves her grandchildren. Apparently I'm a minority in that I'm one of those girls who genuinely loves her mother-in-law...I have to go mute when friends complain about their in-laws because I just can't relate. Obviously I don't have 33 years worth of memories yet, but in the past 12 years, some of the things I've admired about her are her honesty, her devotion to her children and grand-children, and her willingness to help others around her, among many other things. I love how supportive she is of Tim and I as we live across the country. She is so patient when I call her a million times with medical questions about any one of the kids. I love going back to Vernal and having it feel like home when we walk in her house, not like we're just visitors. She's always thinking of fun things for the kids to do, or fun things to send the kids for their birthdays and holidays. I'm so grateful she and Tim's Dad have been able to be at each of our kids' blessings and at Natty's baptism. I consider myself so lucky to have married into Tim's family and to have such a wonderful mother-in-law! I love you. Happy Mother's Day!