There are so many reasons why I love my mom. The older I get, the more I appreciate everything that my mom has done for me in the past and what she continues to do for me today. The statistics show that many times, children of teen parents are worse off than their peers who have older parents. I don't believe this was the case for myself and my brothers at all. Yes, my mom was only eighteen when she had me, but I don't believe that her age was a factor in her being an awesome mom. She was born to be a mommy! She had three little kids under the age of three and a half all before she turned twenty-two. I never really thought much about this fact until I had Gavin (I was almost twenty-two) and it really made me appreciate my mom that much more. Now that I have two little boys, I realize that having three little kids in three and a half years is a LOT of work! If my kids were the same age apart as my brothers and I, Gavin and Owen would be getting a new brother or sister this month! I would be one busy momma! When I think about it like that, it really makes me realize how busy and tired my mom must have been. The one thing that I'm so thankful of growing up is that I had a stay at home mom. I know it's a totally overlooked position and at the time I'm sure I didn't appreciate the little things that my mom was doing for our family. Although, at the time, they didn't seem important, I must have been picking up on things that my mom was doing because now that I'm a mom, I do many things the exact same way that my mom did. One thing that I really appreciate learning from my mom is cooking and baking. She always had a home cooked supper on the table every night and when I got older, I would often help prepare supper with her. When I became a wife and mom, something that was (and still is) very important to me is making my family healthy, home cooked meals. Thanks for teaching me how to cook momma (my husband thanks you too!). I think that my choice to be a stay at home mom was highly influenced by the fact that my mom stayed at home with us. It's something that I learned to value and see the importance in. I learned that being JUST a wife and mom was ok......awesome in fact. I am able to put all of my time and attention into what matters to me the very most.....my husband and kids. I can tell you, without a doubt, that the most important things in my moms life aren't things, they are her husband, kids, and grandkids. Even though we are all fully grown, with families of our own, I know that my brothers and I are still my moms top priority......well besides her grandkids (I think she likes them a little bit too!). My mom is probably one of the most selfless, gentle, kind hearted, caring people I know. She rarely has a bad thing to say about anyone and even though she deals with pain and exhaustion from her auto immune diseases on a daily basis, I rarely hear her complain. She is also one of the most encouraging people that I have ever met and can almost always find at least one positive thing to say, no matter the circumstance. Her faith in God is an inspiration and encouragement to so many people and she has used the talents that God has given her to further His message. I can't tell you why she has to deal with the auto immune illness that she does and I wish I could magically make them disappear, but I can tell you that she has used it as a platform to share her faith in God and encourage others who deal with the same types of things that she does. She has an amazing way with words and seems to always know the right way to say things so that it uplifts and encourages whomever she is talking to. She is, with out a doubt, one of the best Nana's around. I know it is so hard for her to be twelve hours away from her grandkids and I often feel guilty that it has to be this way. I know she always imagined living in the same town as her grandkids and being able to spend time with them on a daily basis. I truly wish I could make this happen because I know how happy it would make her, but for now, God has us in Illinois for a reason. Even though we are twelve hours apart, she makes it a priority to know what is going on with the boys. We are able to FaceTime several times a week and she has been able to see the boys say their first words, take their first steps, and just enjoy everyday moments with them. I am SOOOO grateful for the technology we have today because it ensures that my kids have a real relationship with their Nana, even being twelve hours away. The boys adore Nana and it's pretty obvious that she adores them as well! I can't imagine being the mom I am today without the awesome example that my mom gave (and continues to give) me. I truly look up to her and hope to show my children the absolute selfless love that my mom has shown to myself and my younger brothers. I admire her character and think she is the perfect example of the Godly wife and mother that I aspire to be. She is one of my very best friends and a person that I know I can always depend on. I love her with all my heart and am so thankful that she is my mom and my kids Nana! Happy Mother's Day to one awesome woman!
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