my Mother

I have been thinking about my own mother today and what a great example she is to me. She has always put the important things first and let everything else fall into place (and didn't stress if it never did fall into place!) She made it a priority to be at home when got out school and she was ALWAYS waiting with homemade bread fresh out of the oven. She made sure to ask me how my day went. She wanted to know who was getting along with who at school... not because she was into the gossip, but because she wanted to know if I was including everyone and being a friend to those who needed it. She is such a peacemaker and would DIE before she made someone feel left out or offended. I will never forget one day when she got a phone call from a friend who said someone else was feeling hurt by something that was said. My mom was not the person who offended her, but she was involved in the situation and she literally RAN out the door to go and talk to woman feeling down. I still remember trying to convince her to dry her hair because she had just gotten out of the shower and her hair was dripping wet. She didn't have a drop of makeup on and I am sure she was wearing something "less presentable" but it couldn't wait.. she had more important things to deal with and left with wet hair. This is exactly why I love my mom. She is one of the most selfless people I know. I am so grateful for the sacrifices she made to raise a big family. I never realized until I had my own how hard it is to be have children... and my mom had ten. Can you even imagine having TEN children? I get overwhelmed just thinking about it! She always put her children first and never had a penny to her name! But we didn't have to spend money to have a good time. She loved reading silly stories and playing games with us (wonder where I got it from?) We make fun of her because whenever we played card games, she would SKIP HERSELF because she didn't want to skip anyone else... and we would tell her she couldn't, but she would do it anyway (and still does it!) She would tell me on a daily basis that my self esteem doesn't come from anything else except from Heavenly Father. I would often find notes in my backpack or in my lunch that said, "If you need help today or you're feeling lonely, you can always go into the bathroom stall and say a prayer. Heavenly Father is always there for you!" What a great example she is to me! She gives of her time freely and is always available when I need her!

This morning (while waiting for my kids to tell my that everything was ready for me to come downstairs..) I pulled out my baby book and read things that my mom had written about me while I was growing up. I LOVE this book and appreciate her taking the time to record things. Sitting down and writing the little things down usually isn't the first thing on a to-do list... but these books are priceless now. Many of her entries start out with something like, "The dishes are in the sink and the laundry is on the couch waiting to be folded, but I just have to write down what Janet said (or did) today...." I was shocked this morning to read an entry written in 1982-- just before my younger brother, David, was born. This is what it says: "Last night Les (my dad) gathered all the kids and asked them what names they'd like for our new baby. It was fun to hear their suggestions. For the boys their favorite is David. Debbie said she wanted Timmy and Greg likes the name Kevin. For girls, Lori suggested Cindy." This is incredible because I have four younger siblings... in order they are David, Timmy, Kevin and Cindy. Crazy that she would write that... and have the suggestions in THAT order... she's totally inspired-- or at least, my siblings were! She didn't know about this entry until a few years ago and was shocked to read it too because every time they had a baby, they struggled with a name.. I guess that happens when you have ten.

Another entry made me cry. It was written on my first birthday...
"Janet, you are such a pretty little thing! Everyone comments on your huge blue eyes and long, beautiful lashes... you really are such a doll! You have a sweet personality and think you are just as big as everyone else in the house. You pat others on the back when they pick you up, as though you are doing them a favor for letting them hold you. You love your stroller and squeal when anyone else touches it! When you get big, Janet and you read this I want you to know how beautiful you are, inside and out. You have been such a blessing to our family and we are all crazy about you!"

I'm sure I have read that entry before.. but for some reason reading it today--on Mother's Day-- I realized how much my mom really loves me... because I have little ones of my own that I am crazy about. And even at 28, I still need to remember that I am beautiful inside and out. I truly am so grateful to my mom-- for all the love she has shown me and for the sacrifices she has made to get me where I am today. I love you, Mom!