I Love My Mom.

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My mother & I (age 2):

And today...

In honor of Mother's Day, I'm answering some questions from Wendy over at Totally Desperate Mom. These questions triggered some memories of my own, and I hope they bring a smile to my mom's face (and your face, too) :)

1.  What is your best childhood memory with your mom?


I have this one memory that always warms my heart.  When I was little, I remember being in a store and seeing a miniature Christmas tree that I wanted more than anything for my room.  We left the store and my eyes welled up with tears because I was so sad that we couldn't buy it.  When my mom saw me crying, she walked right back into the store and bought me that little Christmas tree.  I will always remember that, because it meant so much to me that she noticed how badly my heart wanted that little tree, and I held onto it for years.  Now my own boys have a miniature Christmas tree of their own that the decorate each year.

Many of my other favorite memories with my mom involve us taking vacations, often to Yosemite or Mammoth.  Those were some long drives, but also gave me an appreciation for family time and vacationing.


My mom  has always been very loving and affectionate, and I appreciate that about her.  She had me at age 21, and was 25 when my brother was born.  Although she was a young mother, I think she did an excellent job.

2.  Did you ever make your mom cry because you were so unruly or disobedient? 


Why, yes, yes I did!  (Thank you for asking) My mom may not even remember this.  When I was about 9 or 10 years old, I got really mad at my mom. I don't remember what for, but she came into my room to try to talk to me, and I threw a baseball at the door, almost hitting her.  (Why I had a baseball in my room full of dollies and Little House on the Prairie books, I do not know).  She left the room in tears.  I never told her, but I felt horrible.  I knew I was going to get it when my dad got home; so, I did what all little girls and boys do who are smart- I pretended to be asleep.  I remember my dad hovering over me, and I could almost read his thoughts.  But he left the room and left me "asleep."  I don't remember what happened the next day; I'm sure I did get punished, but the guilt was more punishment than my 9 year old heart knew what to do with.

I also remember my mom saying, sometime in my teens, "You are so rebellious!"  Now, I knew I was not a rebellious teenager, but I must have done something that drove her to say that.  Not sure what - I have conveniently blocked out everything bad I ever did.


3.  Do you remember any of the special things your mom did for you?


I recall a lot of little things my mom did that were special - she made us dinner every night, and we sat around the table and ate together as a family.  She took me clothes shopping each year for school clothes.  One of my favorite things she did was surprise me by changing my room around when I was at school.  I  remember being in 3rd or 4th grade, coming home from school, and finding my room transformed.  I had my dream bedroom.  She instilled in me a love for reading, for baking, and for making things.  Each year she would enter me in the County Fair for baking, and I would win a ribbon.

My mom worked to put us through Christian school, sewing wedding dresses for a living and then getting a job at a bank.  She made sure we felt safe and loved. I remember her always giving me hugs, which annoyed me as I got older - although I appreciate it now.

One of the BEST things my mom ever did for me was in the hospital after Micah was born.  I was exhausted, drugged, and overwhelmed. She came in, held Micah, and told me to sleep. She sat in that room rocking him while I slept for at least 2 hours. That was the best gift I think she ever gave me!  She also watched the boys for us for an entire weekend so we could go on a cruise.  She is a great "Mimi."  :)

4.  Did she teach you anything really significant?


The biggest thing my mom taught me was to love and serve the Lord.  I remember countless mornings waking up early, and seeing her at the kitchen table with her hot tea and her Bible open.  That planted seeds in my heart that I should do the same thing.  She taught me to work hard, contribute to the family, and use my gifts for the Lord.  She taught me how to be a good mom by her example.  My mom is also really great at finding deals and spending money wisely.  We never had a lot of money (my dad was a pastor), but somehow she found ways to get us what we needed, and we still were able to have fun.  She has passed that gift (of budgeting and finding good deals) on to me, and I am now able to be an example to others.  She also has always loved entertaining in our home and has taught me how to do that well.

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So, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you moms out there, but especially to my own. I'm thankful for you, mom, and love you!