Happy Mother's Day

To all the moms in my life . . . .

First and most importantly - to my mom: Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Today, I think of the many reasons I love you. I love you for sacrificing so much for me when I was little so that I could have the best childhood possible. I love you for having a committed, loving marriage to my dad. I love you for your strong faith in and love for Jesus Christ, which is the foundation for your life, and by extension, was the foundation of our upbringing. I love you for giving me a sister and brother to boss around. I love you for always being at all my events, no matter what. I love all of your little quirks like your love of auctions and garage sales and the way you have to iron EVERYTHING. I love the way you drink exactly one half of a wine cooler, never more or less. :) And the way you get a little giggly after a martini. I love the way your car is always full of water and diet coke bottles and empty boxes and stuff to take to consignment stores. I love the way you say "ferhita" (fajita). I love the fact that you were there with me when my babies were born, calming me in my moments of terror and seeing us all the way to the operating room doors . . . and that you stayed with us for weeks afterwards, holding me up while I learned how to become a mother myself. I love the way you loved and cared for your own mother during the very difficult end of her life. I love you because you are always able to set me straight, help me see clearly, and give me sound, strong advice. I love you for loving my kids the way you do and I love that they have an amazing Grandma in you. I could go on and on, but I hope you understand how much I appreciate you and I am so thankful that God gave me YOU for a mother!
(Here we are, about 33 years ago!!)

And next, to my Mother-in-Law:
I have been so blessed, LaRayne, to call you my mother-in-law. I've heard many horror stories about in-laws, and I am so thankful that ours is NOT one of those stories! I thank God that you truly feel like my family and that we all enjoy being together so much. I love looking forward to our visits - no matter where we are - you and Paul are simply the most easy human beings to be around! You have the kindest, most gentle heart of literally anyone on the planet. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the truly remarkably job you did raising my best friend in the world. He is the most wonderful, loving husband and father and it's because of you that he is the man he is today. The fact that you started a daycare 35 years ago so that you could stay home with your boys, and you are STILL doing it today, simply amazes me. I am constantly awestruck by your patience - unmatched by anyone I've ever met. I love how much you love the kids too - they simply adore you and I'm eternally grateful that they have a such a great relationship and connection with you. You were made to be a Grandma! Thank you, and I love you.

To my beloved Grandmas who are both in Jesus' loving care - there aren't words to describe how much I continue to love and miss you. You both played such a HUGE role in my life - your impact on me was immeasurable. The biggest impression you both left on me was your love for Jesus. There are so many things I still wish I could say to you but I take comfort in KNOWING that I will have that opportunity someday. What a blessing. My heart aches that you never knew your great-grandsons - oh, how they would have loved you.

To my sisters and my friends - Happy Mother's Day to all of you as well. Thank you for the part that each of you have played in my journey as a mother. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have all of you to lean on and talk me through things. You know who you are - each of you plays a unique role in my life and I'm so grateful for every one of you. I am blessed to have such amazing women in my life.

And finally, I thank God that He has graciously allowed me the honor of having the most difficult and also the most spectacular job on the planet. There are not words in any human language to describe how much I adore being Jack and Noah's mom. There isn't one other thing I would rather do with my life and my prayer is that I can raise these amazing children of God in a way that honors and pleases Him.

Happy Mother's Day!!!