It's . . . The Day after Mother's Day!

I hope all of you had a wonderful mother's day yesterday, I know I did! I am blessed beyond measure! So much more than I deserve. In mowing the lawn this morning I was thinking (scary, I know) about all of the mothers that I truly, truly love in this life. So many I have learned from, marveled at, cried with and secretly wanted to be like. Here are a few of them . . .

First, I have to list my mom. She is beautiful in and out, a real treasure who's worth I could never, ever measure. She is a great "Gran" and gives the word hospitality it's meaning. All who enter her home are welcome and loved and asked to come again, especially if you brag on her kids or grand kids. She used to work two jobs to take care of my brother, sister and me. She is a loving mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend. She lost her own mother so early in life but has never missed the opportunity to love and mother so many others. I love, honor and appreciate her.

My mother's mother was known as Nanny to me. She died long ago (when I was 3) leaving a family that dearly loved her. Sometimes I can't wait to get to heaven just to see her face to face!

My dad's mother was named Eula Faye, she was a petite lady, who also died early in life. I wish I had a picture of her to show you, but the next best thing is to look at my sister Sundi ~ Wow! they look so much alike. This is a picture of my dad, Nancy, the kids and me.


I would like to tell you about Janis and Wilma. They are my husband's mother and grandmother. They gave me my Scott. I guess that sums up how special I think Grandma Janny and Great-Grandma Wilma are! Grandma Janny likes to swim with the kids and she isn't afraid to skate, roller blade or rip stick. Go Grandma!


This is Grandma Mary. Wow, what a lady. There are not enough hours in the day to tell you what a jewel she was to me. The reason Scott and I bought the house we are now living in was so that Grandma and Grandpa could live by us. At nine o'clock on Wednesday mornings I still want to go get her, wheel her to my car and take her to get her hair "all prettied up!" She left such an imprint on our hearts, her and Grandpa both ~ my kids talk about them every single day. I will miss her until God calls me home.

Next is sweet Audie. She is my step-dad's mother, and has adopted me like I was her own. Audie truly is a prayer warrior. What a gift we have in Audie. Here is a picture of Audie with Nickolas and her son, JB.

This is a picture of my dad's wife. Nancy is good to my kids and they get giddy when she sends them mail, because she has usually added a Sonic card and candy to the envelope! So nice!! Nancy will become a grandma for real in a few days. Her heart and life will change and be filled up with joy at the arrival of Lilly Rae. We are happy for her!

Here is a picture from long ago ~ my Aunt Linda, Uncle Mark, and cousins Lisa and LeAnn. My Aunt Linda buried her youngest daughter, LeAnn, around Mother's Day two years ago. My cousin was pregnant with her first child, a boy. My aunt Linda lives every day missing her child and the grandchild she never knew.

This is the most organized mother I know. My friend Denise. She lost her mother around Mother's Day and yet she still has the time and love to wish all of her friends the best. She is forever my friend.

*** I can't get her picture to upload . . . picture coming!!****

Next is sweet Jean. She was my kids art teacher and more important my mentor for a couple of years. She is full of wisdom and courageous enough to share it. She is a tender hearted lady who has been through a lot in life. Her boys are so lucky to have her and so am I.

This is a picture from 2005 ~ Nickolas (my oldest) and Mrs. Garner. She taught Nickolas and Julianna both. She is loving and orderly and has made our lives the better for knowing her. She challenges me to be a better mother. I want to be like her when I "grow up."

Another favorite mom of mine is Mrs. Troop. (http://mrstroop.blogspot.com/) My friend Karen is the mother of 8. Yes, I said 8 kids! She is patient and wonderful ~ fills her home with love and shares her wisdom with all of us who can't wait for her to blog about life with 8 kids! Whenever I am lucky enough to communicate with Karen (usually through facebook or e-mail) she blesses me. God is using Karen. She has a ministry on that blog of hers. And OH! it is so pretty, 3 columns and all!

My friend from grade school, Miss Suzie-Q ! Wasn't she just the prettiest bridesmaid? She has her own blog too! (http://suziethoughts.blogspot.com/) We are having fun catching up through time and distance. She has the two cutest kids, Trey and Lexi. Her mom used to drive us around in a brown El-Camino and take us to get doughnuts on Campbell Street. Suzie and I went to see Annie when it first came out and we were proud to sport Annie apparel. (Except her ruffled socks had bigger ruffles than mine. After three years of therapy I can say that out loud. HA!)

This young man you see here is Jonathan Davis. He has one special mom. Her name is Lorena. I wish I had a picture of her, but look at the smile on Jonathan's face and that will tell you a lot about Lorena. Jonathan has high-functioning autism and his mother has done an amazing job with him. Lorena ~ Jonathan and Elizabeth are so blessed to have you as a mom and I to have you as a friend.

Next is Mrs. Angie Bushey. Her beauty on the outside is only matched by her beautiful heart and life. She taught my Kati how to read and don't you know I love her for that! Mrs. Bushey became a mom this year to Miss Emma Elizabeth. Angie is full of love and wisdom, a real treasure ~ a wonderful mother in the making! Happy 1st Mother's Day, Angie!

Next is Stefne Miller. She has a wonderful blog herself (http://stefnemiller.blogspot.com/) Stefne and her husband Shaun have already adopted one child from Africa and are in the process of adopting two more. (One child a boy and finally for her a girl, too!) Scott and I worked with Stefne at the Capitol, and have known her for almost 15 years! God is using Stefne to minister to me and others through her adoption trials and through her life as a mom (of 3 kids now soon to be 5), wife and friend.

I would be remiss not to mention this next person. Miss Sharla helps me stay sane, stay ahead of this game called life and has taught my children so much. Sharla is spunky! She isn't afraid to take charge, a good quality when you watching 4 kids. Sharla is one of us now. I would take her in a heartbeat if her mother would just let me. Here is a picture of Sharla and the kids.

And last but not least I would like to thank my husband and my kids. I have been asking forgiveness for my bad attitude too much lately and need to do a better job with them. They wake up every day with beautiful smiles and loving hearts, I am so blessed!

Mother's Day picture in May 2003 . . . With a grateful heart I send my Mother's Day greetings to all of you . . . a day late!

Sumer