This is my real mom. What an incredible, beautiful, humble, strong woman she is. I cannot fathom being a single mom, but she did it. My mom spoiled me rotten - toys, clothes, outings and adventures. She took me to Disney World and Hawaii. She made sure we ate dinner together every night at the kitchen table. We would often color together while watching the evening news, put 1000 piece puzzles together, play tons of different board games together. In grade school my mom would let me invite my seven best friends over for a slumber party for every birthday. These days, my mom, known as Mimi to my kids, is the same sort of grandma. From the minute she walks in the door she is playing games with the kids, reading to them, and spoiling them rotten. My mom is a huge part of my life and I have so much respect and gratitude towards her. I have always loved her immensely. I probably don't tell her that enough.
This is my step mom Carrie (holding Ben), and no way does she fit the "wicked step mom" profile. How lucky am I to have a step mom that I love so much! Carrie has been in my life since I was a little girl. There are two things she has done that have made the biggest impact on me and our relationship: she loves my dad dearly, and she has never tried to take the place of my real mom but instead carved out her own special place in my life. Carrie is the world's best hugger, and I think she may hold the world's record for longest hug. She is incredibly warm and sensitive and caring. I call her the "Baby Whisperer" because she is the best I've ever seen at comforting and playing with little kiddos. When I was a kid, Carrie would sing to me at bedtime. I can't sing like she can, but I absolutely learned to give my kids big, giant, Carrie-sized hugs.
This is my mother-in-law, Dixie. She is everything I could ever want in a mother-in-law. Dixie was a stay at home mom of three boys, and supported her husband's construction business at the same time. Darrin tells me that Dixie had dinner on the table every night when Digger got home from work. I love to listen to Dixie laugh, at Digger, Darrin and his brothers, or my kids. Dixie shares some awesome recipes with me, teaches us about chickens and gardens, works hard around their property constantly painting/mowing/cleaning/cooking, and kicks our butts playing the card game "31" on a consistent basis. Our kids love staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and we miss Dixie and Digger dearly for half the year when they live in Washington.
The type of mother I am has been completely shaped by each of these amazing women. I am so thankful to have each of them in my life, and I hope I can be half the mom/wife/woman that they are. Happy Mother's Day to all three of my moms!
No comments:
Post a Comment