happy birthday, mom!

My mom and I were the same age (20 years young) when we were married and we were both 21 when we gave birth to our first child. I didn't realize what an incredible sacrifice it was to be a mother until I became one myself. I think about her often and wonder what she would have done in certain situations. Her lot was different than mine. In many ways, it was much more difficult (she never had a car of her own, money was extremely tight, my dad was traveling for work, etc.) so whenever I feel like throwing in the towel, I think about my mom. She never, ever complains. She looks at her glass half-full. She counts her blessings. She is my hero.
This picture hangs on my fridge. That cute baby girl is me. My mom was 30 when she had baby number six (me.) My oldest brother was 8 years old. I often look at these kids, my siblings and me, and I wonder if my mom was overwhelmed. And then I tell myself that she was, because she must have been. I think about my younger siblings... four to come in a long ten years for my mother (she had baby #10 at age 40.) I am in awe of the sacrifices she made physically, mentally, emotionally. I think of the relationships I have with my awesome siblings. What a blessing they each are in my life. and all I can feel is gratitude and warmth and love for the woman who brought us into the world and taught us to love each other. Her example was bigger than her words. She was there for us every.SINGLE.day. She was up early making hot breakfasts and writing love notes and praying each time anyone left the house. She loved to play games with us and read us stories at night. She was our biggest cheerleader. She loved my dad, only spoke about with him respect and kindness and admiration. Some people may have seen our living conditions as less than ideal, but she made our house a home. We didn't have fancy things, but our home was full of love and laughter and goodness. My friends would beg to come to my house after school because they knew my mom would have hot slices of homemade bread waiting for us at the table. She would sit with us and ask about our day. I would talk to her for hours about anything and she would always listen. I trusted her with my secrets.

Thirty years later and thousands of miles apart, I still call my mom and talk. It's not usually for hours because she is a busy woman and I always have kids crying in the background. But she always listens and gives me great advice. I tell her about my struggles and still trust her with my secrets. She loves my dad unconditionally and is still sacrificing... not for her children at home, but for those less fortunate in a land far away. Those lucky people in Chile get to eat her warm bread and chocolate chip cookies! She is blessing the lives of those around her with her positive, happy selfless attitude. She is still my hero.

We miss them, but we are all so proud of them. Grandma and Grandpa are the first missionaries my boys know personally and they are included in every family prayer. My children love to tell people that their Grandparents are serving in Chile. We want to grow up and serve missions too! I am grateful for their example and their continuing sacrifice. I am so blessed to have been raised by such sweet parents. My mom turns 62 today. She has 35 grandchildren and one on the way.. She tells me all the time that it gets better and it's worth it in the end. I cling on to those words on my bad days. I believe her because she never lies.

This year, we decided to celebrate "with Grandma" in a silly way. It was the kids idea to dress up like her and we had a lot of fun with it. My camera was acting funny all week (I got a new sim card and it's been much better since) but several times the cuts are abrupt and the editing is terrible. But I knew my mom would appreciate it anyway. It's not about the presentation but the feeling it brings. We've been thinking about her all week and we had a great time eating her cake! Next year we're hoping she will make us some yummy bread and potatoes and play a card game with us. or two. And of course we will beat her because Grandma makes sure that someone else always wins.