A Tribute to the Moms & those who make us moms

To My Mom:
Mom-You are incredible. That word sums it up for me. You were a young, teenage mom who chose life. Thank you. You worked hard and gave up so much for me-a prom, a hs diploma, (but you did earn it later!) nights out with your friends. Instead, you were at home with a baby. I now have a child that is the age that you were when you had me. I cannot even imagine her as a mom. I have tears as I think of how you chose to grow up quickly and to do all that you had to do to take care of us. You have taught me selfless love. You loved your former in-laws and family after the fact. You never badmouthed them. You showed love throughout every situation. You taught me how to be a mom. You stayed home as soon as the Lord allowed you to be able and you did it all; the cooking, cleaning, class parties, sewing, everything. I hear even today my adult friends comment on how they do not want the same relationship with their teens that they had with moms during that time. I say the opposite. I pray that my children and I are as close as we were. I love all the talks we had while you were in the bathtub. You were cornered! ;-) I now treasure the same with my teen. I always knew you had my back. You trusted me and loved me throughout it all. Most importantly, you showed the love of Christ in your life, your talk and your actions. There is so much more I wish to share, but the words fail me right now. Thank you, mom, for being you. Thank you for loving me and raising me as Christ called you to do. Thank you for being my parent and not my best friend during the teen years. Thank you for being my friend now. Thank you for all the encouragment, support, tears, smiles, and laughs. I love you.

To my stepmom:
You were one of the ones who had a choice in being a mom! You fell in love with a man and chose to love his daughter. I thank you for that. You have worked so hard over the years to make sure that dad and I had a good relationship. You were a buffer that was badly needed during the teen years! Never did I think that I would be in the same shoes one day. Thank you for being an influence that I can copy and follow. Thank you for loving me as your own. Thank you for getting along with my mom, knowing when to step out and for always caring about my moms feelings. Thank you for taking me to church when I was younger and for inviting me to BSF when I became older. Thank you for choosing to love me. My dad is a better person because of you. So am I. God blessed us both greatly when He brought you into our lives.

To my Mother in law:
Thank you for raising my husband. He is a precious gift from the Lord and I have you to thank for so many of his wonderful attributes. Thank you for teaching him the Word of the Lord, how to respect me, how to love me, and how to love our children. I am forever grateful for the gift in which you bestowed upon me: Eric. I am blessed to have you as a mother in law. I pray we continue to grow our friendship in the many years to come.

To my kids:
Without you, I am not mom! Thank you for my precious title: MOM. Hearing that word brings so many emotions. I will never forget the first time that I saw each of you: Chelsea-your dad picked me up for our (first) date (because I had to meet you and be approved by you!) date and I remember connecting with your beautiful blue eyes in the back seat. I was captivated. Andrew-They held you up and declared you a boy! Your dad and I looked at you in amazement as you looked at us and stuck out your tongue. Your blue eyes and dimple stole my heart. Hannah-the last moment that I saw you move was precious. They turned on the sonogram and I saw you stick your sweet bottom in the air and tuck your hands under your cheek. You returned to Heaven shortly after that. When I held your body, minus the soul, I felt it. You were beautiful on the outside, but the most important part, your soul, was already in Heaven. I saw that day what a soul really is and I am thankful that our souls will one day be reunited. Abi-They tried to pry my eyes open before putting you in a speeding ambulance for Shreveport. I remember thinking you were awfully little. 5 days later I met you. I was right. You were small. But so very beautiful. You amazed me with your fiesty little attitude of survival! I thank all four of you for the gift of being your mom.

To my friends and family members who are moms:
Thank you for riding this roller coaster with me. There are ups and downs we have not expected. You have held me in the bad times, praying for me, and crying with me. You have rejoiced with me in the good times, praising our Lord for how He answers. You have shown me how to be a better mom through your examples. I am thankful for my circle of moms.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!