Mother's Day 2011

My Mom

My mom is an amazing woman. She is a woman who has always been a great example to me. She is a hard worker, a great teacher, a creator of happy memories, and a woman of amazing faith.

My mom is a hard worker.

My mom with her granddaughter, Heather. After "retiring" as a piano teacher, she still taught lessons to her local grandchildren.

When I was 15, my dad passed away. My mother was left to raise six children by herself. I was the oldest and my sister Karen was only four. My mom began teaching piano lessons to support our family. She taught about 40 lessons a week--every afternoon into the early evening and Saturday mornings. Our family became familiar with every song in the piano books she worked with--sometimes too familiar as we heard the same songs repeated week after week after week. My mom continued to faithfully serve in various church callings including teaching early morning seminary for eight years. She also returned to college in preparation to returning to full-time employment once we were raised. I knew my mom was busy, but it wasn't until I was an adult that I stood in amazement with all that she did. I don't know when she slept. She's admitted that she was tired all the time. When I sometimes feel overwhelmed with my responsibilities, I remember what my mom did and I realize that I've never been as busy as she was.

My mom is a great teacher.

My mom has turned into a computer whiz--and her family is very thankful!

One of my earliest memories was having my mom read piles of books to me. She was an elementary school teacher for a few years before I was born and took on the occasional substitute teaching job when I was little. She knew the importance of education and made sure that we took our studies seriously. I also remember the weekly family home evenings where she usually presented the lesson until we got older and began taking turns. She also spent hours preparing for lessons she taught at church--Relief Society and Primary in particular. She collected a file cabinet filled with lesson and talk resources. It was the joke among the children that when she died, we would inherit her files. Perhaps to help ensure family harmony, my mom typed her favorite quotes and stories and gave each adult family member a CD full or resources that we could use NOW on a wide variety of gospel topics. She has passed on her love of teaching to me and my siblings. It is truly one of my favorite things to do.

My mom created happy memories.

Cutting down the annual Christmas tree in the Santa Cruz Mountains! This was a favorite family tradition for years--except for getting car sick and being worried our car was going to fall off a cliff! GOOD TIMES!!!

My mom spent a lot of time doing enjoyable things with us. There were trips to the library, Happy Hollow Park, and picnics. There were hours spent baking cookies, making freezer jam, and creating homemade Jack-o-lanterns to carry our trick-or-treating stash. There were our $1.00 grocery store dinners where everyone received a dollar and was asked to buy something for the dinner table that night. (We had some pretty interesting dinners.) There were sleepovers, dances in our backyard, and vacations to southern Utah and Disneyland. I tried to follow my Mom's example with my own daughters by celebrating fun family traditions and creating pleasant family memories.

My mom is a woman of faith.

Mom and Jack at the MTC at the start of their 18 month mission to Ohio and West Virginia.

As children and teenagers, we took great comfort in our mother's testimony. I echo what Helaman writes, "we did not doubt, because we knew our mother knew it." We watched her example of prayer, scripture study, and faithful church attendance. She emphasized the importance of keeping the commandments and living the gospel to the best of our ability because we did not want any empty chairs in heaven. When many people start to slow down, she served as ward and stake Relief Society president and then served a full-time mission for our church. As we face our own struggles and challenges in life, she constantly reminds us "that eternally speaking, all is well." We know that with faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ that she is right--all is well.

Family Reunion at Bear Lake--2004.

Mom, thanks for being such a wonderful example to your children, your sons and daughters-in-law, your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We love you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Plates of Food = Plates of Love

When my oldest daughter Christie was in High School, she was part of the newspaper staff. A few times a month, the editors would stay late working on the layout of the newspaper. I began bringing her a plate of dinner to the newspaper classroom. While other kids would forage for food at the vending machines or go out for fast food, she had a warm, hopefully balanced and nutritious meal for dinner. It was a way I could support her in her endeavors and show my love for her.

As Heather and Jennifer later joined the newspaper class, they soon were staying late for layouts. A tradition had started and plates of warm food were delivered a few times a month at the high school classroom for at least seven years.

This past week, Emily has had a very busy, stressful week. She leaves for Seminary at 5:40 am. She gets out of school at 3:05 pm. She then rehearses for her school play until 5:30 pm. Three nights this week she has immediately left school and gotten together with a group to work on their English project and has not returned home until 7:00 pm or later. That's a very long day.

It's been a few years since I brought a plate of food to school. But, I knew it was time to start the tradition again. Instead of the newspaper classroom, I have delivered homemade chili, cheese-stuffed ravioli, and orange chicken to the theater. The other students have been shocked. Some have told Emily that they wish their parents would bring them food. I am just happy that I could keep the tradition alive for another year. I really, really like being a Mom!

Mamoom

Several years ago, one of my darling daughters nicknamed me "Mamoom." It became a term of endearment and reminded me of of the days when my daughters were little girls and I was there "mommy." I was the one that could kiss their boo boos better. I loved being a young mother--baking cookies, taking them on "field trips" to the library, the park, and the neighborhood pool. I absolutely loved holding them close, singing to them "Jumbo Elephant" in my not so perfect voice, reading them stacks of books, and whispering to them that I loved them and I hoped that they would always remember that they were daughters of God.

Now my darling daughters are nearly all grown. Christie has been married five years. Heather has graduated with her Master's degree. Jennifer is completing her degree and will be married soon. Only Emily is home and within a blink of an eye, she too will leave home. When I feel a little homesick for my "mommy" days, I remember that being an older mother isn't bad either. There are no diapers to change, noses to wipe, or schedules to keep straight as I shuttle four daughters to all of their activities. There are other perks as well. It's fun visiting with them on the phone and hearing about their daily activities. I love being with them, even if it's not as I often as I would like. I am amazed at the talented young women they are. They rarely call me mommy anymore, but I love being their Mamoom.