Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all the mother's in my life a Happy Mother's Day. It is days like today that make me miss home and family. I want to be able to be there to give all of you hugs and a more personal thank you, but I guess a blog post will have to do.

I first want to thank my mother who has had the single most influence on the person I am today. Without her loving guidance and support I am sure I would have turned out to be a much different person. Because of my mom, I feel like I am a pretty good mom (at least most of the time). I know with out a doubt that my role as a mother will be the most influential role I have in this life. I am sad mom that I don't get to spend more time with you because you are my dearest and most treasured friend. Each phone call I have with you brightens my day and strengthens me. Thank you for your example to me. You have always taught me what was right and wrong and you have shown me what it means to be a good person. I love you.

Now for Carolyn who I am eternally grateful for. You raised the man that I will be with for eternity and I could not have asked for a better eternal companion. He is who he is because of you. I knew he was going to be a wonderful husband by the way he was with you. He loves you so much and will always do all he can to ensure that the world knows you are his mom. I think that is a rare find. I really couldn't have asked for a better mother-in-law. I really feel it is a privilege to belong to the Gifford family and you have always treated me as part of the family even before Whit knew I would be. Thank you for that.

To my grandmothers. It is funny how the spectrum of mother is never ending. I am grateful for my mom, but she is who she is because of her mom and her mom before that. So I guess I am grateful for all the mothers that have ever been part of my family. But Grandma Erickson and Grandma Cheney have both played a direct role in my upbringing.

Every Sunday I think about being at Grandma Erickson's and wishing I could still be there raiding the candy jar, eating nachos and playing with cousins. Thank you for the example of service you have always been to me. Ever since I can remember you were doing some big service project for the community. I will always remember that. Thank you.

Grandma Cheney I have so many fond memories of our time spent together. I remember the fun summer weeks that I got to spend at your house and the love of vanilla cream cookies that I got from you. I only got to have those at your house and I still consider them my favorite treat. I will always treasure those days. You are so talented and I am grateful for the creativity that you have passed down to mom and I think to me. I may not be able to paint like you and mom, but my creativity comes out in different ways. Thank you for your great influence in my life.

To my dear sister, Kim. I have waited a long time for you to be a mom too so that we could share stories and problems and console each other when times were tough. Now that you are a mom, I marvel at how great of a job you do. You amaze me every day with your accomplishments and I just have to take one look at Carter to realize how great of a mom you really are. I have been doing this for a little longer than you, but you have taught me a great deal about mothering and I look forward to the many things that I have yet to learn from you. Thank you.

Now for all the sister-in-laws that have taught me so much about being a mother. I learned so much from Whit's sisters and sister-in-laws about being a mom. I would sit and listen to all their advice and wonder if I could ever be as great as they are. I know I am not quite there, but with their love and guidance maybe someday. Starla you are a great mom. You are kind and loving and it really comes through in Emma. Thanks for your example.

I also have so many friends that have taught me a great deal about being a mom. I love to sit at the park with other moms and get help and support with silly mom problems.

What a wonderful thing to be a mom. Not a day goes by that I don't thank Heavenly Father for the opportunity I have to be a mother. I can not think of a single thing that could be more important. My children are my world each of them brings so much joy and happiness into my life. Thank you girls for being you.

Now for a fun mother's Day story that I am sure all mom's will appreciate. Every mother's day the church gives all the mothers a flower to take home and plant. At the end of church I was gathering up my two bags and car seat and I didn't have enough hands to carry my flower so I asked Jaynie to carry it out to the car for me. Then as I was loading up my stuff someone needed me to get into the primary closet (this was my third time going back to the closet) so I told the kids to stay with Addie and I would be right back. Well about two minuets later I came out of the primary room to find Eliza holding my half empty flower pot saying I spilled mommy. My first reaction was anger. I was angry at Jaynie for letting Eliza have the cup and at Eliza for spilling. But when I arrived to where the girls were I couldn't see anything on the floor and I felt a great sense of relief. Then I looked at Addie who was sitting in her car seat covered in dirt and eating a leaf. Who could be mad after a scene like that. It took me a minute to calm down, but once I did I couldn't help but laugh at the situation. Whit quickly came to the rescue with the vacuum and the mess was cleaned up within s few minutes. As for Addie I am sure kids have eaten a lot worse things than dirt and leaves. Right?

I really love being a mom.