Mom's Day

Truth. 

I love being a mom to these three kids. They are so much fun and bring so much joy to my life. I love watching each of them try new things. I love watching them figure out what they like and don't like. I love cheering them on when they overcome a hurdle. I love celebrating a new achievement with them. I love being the one they tell their fears and worries to. I love when they come into my bed in the morning and snuggle. I love sitting down at the dinner table and hearing about their day, and I love tucking them in bed kissing them good night. I have three amazing kids that call me mom, and for that I am eternally grateful!

Since we are on the topic of moms, I want to share a few thoughts about some very influential moms in my life. Let's start with my mom. I'm having trouble writing about my mom without crying. You see, my  mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease last August. We've known for a while that her memory was going, but it took a long time to convince her to go to a doctor. The diagnosis didn't come as a surprise, but the mourning process has been surprising for me in the strong way it ebbs and flows. I know what's in her future because I watched my grandpa decline the same way, and when I think of that, my heart breaks. I miss the mom I had growing up. Alzheimer's is so cruel because I feel like I'm losing a part of her every time I see her. I'm envious of other people around me who get together with their moms all the time, and my mom never remembers to call me. I think what gets me through the sadness is remembering all the good memories I had with her growing up. Since I didn't have any sisters, my mom and I were very close. We would go shopping and to lunch together all the time. She was always so supportive of anything I wanted to do, and she was there at a moments notice to help me when my kids were little babies. I remember going on long walks with her and telling her everything that I was worried about, or hopeful about, or stressed about. Because of how close we were as I was growing up, I really thought of my mom as more of a sister than a mom. My mom is such a great example and has modeled patience, love, and enduring through the hard times. I don't know how many more years I will have with my mom, but I won't take them for granted.  

I can't forget Terry. I really admire the relationship Terry has with her kids and grandkids. Tyler talks to his mom multiple times a week and Terry is always aware of the big and small events going on in our lives. She comes to all of the kids' sporting and dance events and cheers them on.  She's always thinking of others and how she can help them. Terry is always planning events and is really the glue that keeps the family together. When it comes to in-laws, I really got a great one!

One of the people I look up to the most is Tyler's Grandma. She has been such a good example in the 12 short years I have known her. She is always so happy and genuine every time we see her. I have a few distinct memories of Bonnie. She was there in the temple when Tyler and I received our endowments, when my mom couldn't be there. She was so excited for us, and the support really meant a lot to me and Tyler. But the memory that sticks out the most is one day we were at a family party and she was getting ready to leave and as she said good bye to me, she looked at me right in the eyes and said, "you know, you're a really good mom." I don't know if she felt inspired to say that, but it meant so much to me because she said it at a time when I was really struggling. Some times as a mom, I worry I'm failing and messing everything up, but she reassured me to keep trying. And at 89 years old, she's as tough as they come!

Happy Mother's Day to all the influential mom's in my life.