Motherhood

To all the wonderful women that are mothers in my life I say Happy Mothers Day. Not only do I get to have my own mother showing me how to be a great mom, I have my mother-in-law, grandmas, aunts, sister-in-laws, and my sister. I'm lucky to be blessed with such a tight knit family that I get to see them all regularly and learn from the best. One day hopefully sooner than later I'll be able to join them in being a mom:).

My mom, Cheryl

Beautiful Momma

Since I've been married I've learned to appreciate my mom more. I hear that happens to a lot of people, and when I start having kids I know I will appreciate her even more than I do now. My mom has had a a full time job since she was 20. Raising her kids. As much as I wish I could say I was an easy child, any child takes a lot of time, energy, love, patience, etc. to take care of and raise and my mom had five of them. Not to brag but I think all of us have turned out pretty good and it's all due to my moms nurturing (and my pops but it's not his day today;)).

All growing up I have had a meal everynight and a clean house to live in. These things were a bit underappreciated before I had my own house and husband to take care of. I hate cooking and I am definitely not as good of a cook as my mom. I eat anywhere else and nowhere is as good as what my mom makes. Her funeral potatoes are the best out there, any family function we go to I am always dissapointed when they aren't made by my mom (sorrry to the rest of my family). My mom tends to always apoligize right before a meal because she doesn't think it is up to par. QUIT APOLIGIZING MOM! Every meal is always delicous.

My mom is a "clean freak." Her house is never messy except when her kids and her nieces and nephews decide to come to play, but it is always cleaned up quickly. I was the messy child growing up and got constant reminders to pick up my room. Although I didn't appreciate this then, now I wish that it had stuck a little bit more. I look up to my mom so much for always having a clean and tidy house and working so hard at keeping it that way.

I've always been able to talk to my mom about anything. After dates and dances the first thing I did when I got home was to go and talk to my mom. This is the same for all her kids. She always would let us wake her up so we could tell her we made it home safely and tell us all about who was in our group, what we did, and how we liked our date. Lots of times she was waiting up for me because she wasn't able to sleep until her kids were safely home. I always knew how much my mom loved and cared about me because of how much she worried about me:). Whenever I go over to visit my mom I feel really bad when I leave because most of the time all we do is talk about myself. She is a great listener, advice giver, and she always lets you know she is interested in your life and is there to support you through anything.

I love my mom so incredibly much and couldn't have asked for a better person to raise me and the rest of my family. She is an inspiration to me. How many mothers can say they have ran...don't know the exact numbers but at least 3 marathons and countless half marathons. She wakes up everyday to excercise, go to her job, and come home to take care of her last two kids at home, and babysit her grandchildren. That woman needs a break all to herself! I am grateful for the wonderful blessing she is and for all the things she has taught me. I'm grateful for her testimony in the gospel, for raising us kids in it, and for helping us stay on the right path. Happy Mother's Day Momma I love you!

Another wondeful mother in my life I would like to talk about is my mother-in-law April.



Casey and April

If I could have picked any mom in the world to be my mother-in-law I would have picked April. She has always been so kind and welcoming to me and I feel right at home in her home. She has raised such a great family, particularly my sweet husband. Casey has always held his mom on a high pedistool which is exactly where she should be. She is kind, thoughtful, giving, hardworking, and an inspiration of how to treat other people, and how to face any trial. The strength that she has to carry herself and her family through hardships is astonishing. She has held her family together through thick and thin.  
I have never seen a more active grandma before. When her grandchildren are over she is out playing with the kids every chance she can, even jumping on the trampoline if that's what they want. She plays any sport we are all up for, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, bikeriding, jet skiing, trying out the air chair, wakeboarding, and she recently kicked my behind in wii sports. She is a great example to me to keep moving and being active.

I love April so much and I'm grateful for the perfect family that I have married in to (well maybe not perfect, April does have some wandering eyes while playing card games:)). I can't believe how blessed I am to have found them. I'm grateful for everything April does for Casey and I, she is always willing to give and help is in any way she can. I love you!

Thank you to all you hard working moms out there, for the inspiration you give to me. Happy Mother's Day