a {TRIBUTE} to my Mom....

The world has SUCH a distorted view on Motherhood! I wanted to make a lil' tribute to my Mom. A few years back my Mom told me two things that shocked me and yet weren't surprising at all. She told me that she actually doesn't really like pickles on her salad and that she never really liked Mothers Day. "gasp"

I was floored when she said that she didn't like pickles on her salad. For my 20 plus years of life with her she just sucked it up because she knew we liked the pickles. That is such a small thing but SO describes my Mom. She is a selfless woman in every sense of the word!

The other thing she told me is that she wasn't a huge fan of Mothers Day because all these people would always get up in church and say how amazingly perfect their Mothers were. Well my Mom's Mom is a beautiful woman.... but maybe struggled a bit in the Motherhood department. 

I told her one of these days I would get up and say ALL the mistakes she has made. Instead I am choosing to do this .... SO here is to you Mom ;) 

Her amazing life would have never been possible without my Grandma Jo and Grandpa Cliff. I KNOW without a doubt they are looking down on you Mom smiling from ear to ear at how beautifully you have turned out!

It takes a special type of women to have nine children! 

I can never remember a time that I had to question if my Mom loved me.

I never had to look into the stands when competing in different sports....wondering where my Mom was. No matter how good or bad I did she was always SO proud of me!

Even though I went through some really rebellious times.... she never stopped loving me. I was a difficult teenager. She knew what I needed.... she stayed back and lead by example and was there with her arms open waiting when I needed her. 

I know she must have cried a lot because of some of my choices but she always would try to look on the bright side! I had some of the most amazing spiritual experiences in the midst of my rebellion because my Mom never gave up on me.

She supported me in all my decision and when I fell in love with Cor she loved him unconditionally.

She took care of me after the loss of my first two pregnancies and stayed by my side until I was ok again. 

She was there for the good and the bad!  

....holding my hand while giving birth to Jazmin....

...praying for me when my marriage was crumbling before her eyes... and still loving Cor unconditionally because that is what I wanted.

....not only caring for her nine kids but also caring for our pets and loving them like they were her kids.

I owe a life time of gratitude to my amazing Mom! 

Happy Mothers Day Mom!