The Much Belated and Highly Anticipated Mother's Day Post

My mom's birthday is always about a week before Mother's Day so we get to celebrate her twice during the month of May. First off her birthday..

The cute ladies that work with my mom called me the night before her birthday and asked if I had any pictures of her when she was younger. Seeing as how we currently reside in my Grandpa's house, I had plenty. I dropped them off and let the ladies do their dirty work. (They did a spectacular job...and in case you were wondering how old my mom turned, they did their best to not keep it a secret - at all.)

My mom called me bright and early the next morning (We're talking 6:45) and asked me if I provided the pictures of her. In my best lying voice I told her that I had not. While still on the phone with me she turned to the rest of the ladies and yelled, "She says she didn't. Where did you guys get these?!" I couldn't hold it in anymore, I admitted my guilt via laughing. That earned me a stern, "DaNae Dawn, are you lying to me?!"

My mom apparently had already called my aunt to give her a verbal thrashing that morning (Sorry, LeAnne!) because she assumed that's where the pictures came from. She laughed about it with me over the phone and invited me to come and see what had been done to her office.

The people at her work just love her, as do I.

I didn't get any pictures of the birthday girl and I don't have any recent ones. I blame her. Every time I try to take a picture she provides me with a witheringly glare letting me know in no uncertain terms that if I would like to keep breathing I better not snap a photo.

So..these oldies but goodies will have to suffice. She is beautiful in every one of them.

My mother is one of the best people I know. She taught me what it means to be strong, patient, giving, kind, and loving. She taught me how to overcome. I've seen her cry tears of sorrow more times than I wish to remember but I've also seen her pull herself back together and press on with full determination and faith. She taught me what true love means by loving my dad and having him love her back. They still hold hands and call each other ridiculous pet names like "Babycakes". I see her face glow with pure happiness when she looks at him. She taught me what it means to work hard and take pride in whatever you do. She helped me develop my love for reading. She taught me about the gospel and helped my testimony grow. She has shown me what it really means to be a mother- to appreciate the good times, to endure the bad times, and to love so fiercely that your children never question how much they mean to you.

I know I don't say it nearly enough. I love you Mom. Thank you for everything you've done for me.

Love,

Your favorite daughter