{my mom's day}

To my Mama, Tammy (Trace calls her that), and Nanna:

NOTE: This little passage does not nearly suffice for all the wonderful memories I have of my mom but I wanted to write a few random ones down.)
Do you remember when you gave birth to a 9 lb some odd ounce baby 15 days PAST her due date during the heat wave of summer with NO epideral? I don't....I'm sure you do...but thank you! I'm glad you did. I was your first little girl. FINALLY pinks and purples and dresses and bows and dolls.
Do you remember when I was like 5 and we would watch Days of Our Lives and eat guacamole with LOTS of salt OR lemons with LOTS of salt? I have a vague recollection of that memory. Maybe it happened, maybe it didn't...but I swear it did.
Do you remember braiding my LONG, THICK hair EVERYDAY? And I wouldn't let anyone else do it because they couldn't do it as good OR as quick as you. You always did it. You never said no...and I have a very hard head because of it!
Remember when you taught me how to bake cookies? One time I didn't leave them in the oven long enough and they all turned to mush. You told me that if I was going to use ALL of that ingredients then I better cook them for the right time and make sure they turn out. And now, I must say, I make some killer cookies.
Do you remember how you would made those little tithing folders and they were in the bottom drawer of dresser and you would make me put 10% of any money that I made in it. You taught me the importance of paying my tithing and that the Lord will bless me if I do.
Remember how you use to sew me all sorts of dresses? Me and Danica would match. (Aw, cute.) You were a very talented seamstress and taught me how to sew patchwork pillows and pajama pants. I haven't progressed much in that department, but at least I know how to follow a pattern and make one or two things.
Remember all our fun family vacations and what a good job you did in planning them. It seems we always had a good time. Even through the "oh hell" moments of taking the wrong exit...3 times in a row. Or running out of gas in the middle of the night. Or having 3 teenagers in the car at once. We always had a great time and you made sure of it. You were always willing and ready to have fun...as long as you weren't hungry! :)
Do you remember working full time and somehow you were able to come to most all of my Jr. High through High School ball games. I was a year-round athlete and you were at almost every game...including away games. I really appreciated that. I might not have SHOWED it at the time, but I really did. Sorry my temper was really bad and my actions imbarrased you. I know NOW how you felt. (Ever been to a wrestling match with Trace?...oh my helloooooo...things get a LITTLE crazy.)
Do you remember being my Young Women's leader and getting to go to Girls Camp with me. Those were fun days. I think you came up with the cute theme of "Camp-o-lot" (like Lanceolaut)...[HOLY COW...I CAN'T SPELL, just sound it out people.] It was a lot of fun. You were a great leader and set an example to many, many girls.
Do you remember when I had just barely moved down to Mesa and I had locked my keys in my truck 5 times that week, got my truck broken into and almost stolen, had a flat tire, got locked out of my apartment and had to sleep by the pool, and I was working at Mimi's Cafe and you came by to visit me. You were with Chris Whipple. I missed you so much. I'm not a very emotional girl, but I think I even cried when you left. You taught me how to be tuff though and smile through my troubles and life's difficulties.
Remember when you came to the valley for some meetings and you took me out shopping and bought me some new pants and shirts and a little Valentine bear? It was so thoughtful. You always make me feel special. You were always doing small things for me....always.
I have many, many, MANY more memories of you. Like how we could hear your voice all the way down at the church yelling for us to come home, how you played church songs every Sunday on the piano, how you helped me with countless school projects, all our camping trips to Brown Creek, all the Family Home Evening activities you planned, seeing you pray at the side of your bed...knowing that you were praying for me, your LAUGH, your inability to stay awake through an entire movie, your LOVE for Brody and how excited you get to see him, how you used to let us kids tear up your living room so that we could build a HUGE fort, how you were so selfless and always willing to serve others, and the list goes on and on.
I love you mom. I hope you have a GREAT birthday. You are a very special lady...

Love,
Me, the 9 lb baby you delivered.