Happy Birthday Mom!

Sad to say, this is the only picture I could find of my mom on this computer and I think I stole it from Kristen's blog. Apparently I need to start taking more pictures at family gatherings. I want to pay tribute to my mom on this, her birthday. My mom has been through A LOT of trials in her life and although I know she doesn't think so, she has been a wonderful example to me. I was just talking to my friend on Sunday about how hard it must have been for her when my dad died and she was left with 4 teenagers to raise on her own. My friend asked how my mom got through it and if she was sad all the time. I honestly can't remember her ever crying in front of us about my dad. I remember her telling me a few years later how she felt that she had to be strong for her children because she didn't want us to have to deal with worrying about her on top of grieving over a lost father. I have learned so much from my mom's example. I think the biggest thing that stands out to me is her faith in prayer. I found my mom on her knees by her bed more times than I could ever try to count. She has struggled so much in her life with her health issues but continues to always have a good attitude about it. I couldn't imagine trying to raise my four children while constantly struggling with pneumonia, shingles, etc. etc... My favorite picture of my mom is the one where she's in the kitchen cooking dinner like she did every single night (very unlike me) and she looks so beautiful with her make up and hair all done like she did every morning (very unlike me) and she has the most happy and radiant smile on her face. One day I'm going to sneak in and steal that picture from her! I remember my mom singing to wake us up or to put us to bed, dancing while she worked, and always staying up and talking to us after our nights out with friends or our dates. She was always willing to share her bed when we had a bad night or just needed the comfort of her by us. Most of all I am so thankful for my mom's testimony. She made sure that we as a family went to church together every week even though my dad wasn't a member of the church. She taught us the gospel in family home evenings and scripture study whether it was family scripture study or her own personal scripture study. I have to admit that sometimes if I saw her reading the scriptures I would try to duck away before she saw me because I knew she would want to tell me about what she just learned. If mom is reading something and you happen to be near, she WILL share! I want to be a better person because of her example. Thank you for all you did for me mom! I love you so much! Have a wonderful birthday!