45 Years and 45 memories

Recently I read a survey done on a woman's blog asking "What makes you want to follow a blog".  Hmmm....Wellll, this post is definitely NOT going in the records as anything anyone would be interested in reading or following....Way, way, way too long.  Yet...It has had such an amazing impact on me in so many ways...I just can't help but post it...and post it ALL!! 

You see, I'm a mom.  Even though I went into debt to graduate from college, I chose to be a stay home (with a few tries at "odd" part time jobs) to raise my children. I went from not knowing how to wash my baby's left over umbilical chord to not knowing how to say goodbye to that same little girl as she left my home for college.  I've cried too many times to mention and have often reflected late into the night about how big of a failure I am.  I've said the wrong things, was too strict, fed them the wrong thing, left a diaper on too long, didn't put sunscreen on, didn't have compassion...goodness, I could go on and on!!!  I think I'll stop before I get depressed!!  

So, how could it be that after all I've done wrong, I can get a book on my birthday from my daughter that moved me to tears because it made me feel like I was a pretty good mom after all....what???  Well, I recently read a quote on Pinterest (yes, I'm a tad bid addicted) that said something like,

"There's no way to be a perfect mom, but there's a million ways to be a good one."

Maybe it takes a million goods to make up for the one bad...or maybe it's the million goods that create the one "perfect" child.  Either way, I LOVE my children in a way I never knew was possible.  And, I thank my daughter with all my heart for noticing the good and loving me back!! 

This was the BEST birthday!!

Here are the 45 "good" things Amanda shared with me. 

(I'm pretty sure every mom will find they're doing the same thing....and may not realize just how much it means to her child)

1.  Mom goes to all my soccer and lacrosse games.  She always supports her Pandabear.

2.  Mom helps me with my school projects and speeches.  I always have the best poster boards because of her.

3.  Mom has taught me the importance of the scriptures.  She is an amazing teacher both in seminary and in the home.

4.  Mom decorates the house so that the spirit can reside there.  Pictures of Christ, the temple, and our family are everywhere.

5.  Mom makes healthy dinners for me and encourages family dinner each night when possible.

6.  Mom is the best visiting teaching companion.  As my 1st one, she taught me everything.

7.  Mom encouraged me to get my personal progress and helped me on all of my projects (including my queen sized quilt)

8.  Mom loves music and taught me piano lessons.  She even taught me how to teach piano lessons.

9.  Mom goes to church every Sunday and has taught me to do the same.

10.  Mom is happy.  She has enthusiasm and has taught me to love life, smile and be happy.

11.  Mom plans the best vacations.  She works hard to make sure all our needs are met before each trip and that everything is planned out.  I loved our Midwest trip with Grandma and Grandpa, Spring vacations to Utah and California, Sabbatical 2006, Crater Lake/Diamond Lake camping trip, and our Texas Trip 2011 - yeehaw!! 

12.  Mom teaches from the scriptures.  She doesn't just punish me when I do something wrong, she teaches me why it's wrong and uses the words of the prophets.

13.  Mom likes to party.  She likes to party so much Dad had to put an end to birthday parties because she goes all out.  I love mom's decorations, treats, and activities.

14.  Mom never lets me give up when things get hard.

15.  Mom helps me run for leadership positions by coming up with the best slogans, posters, and speech ideas.

16.  Mom corrects my papers and application essays.  She helps me make them 10 times better.

17.  Mom pushed me to get good grades in school.  She always believes in me.

18.  Mom taught me to be assertive.  Because of her, I can talk to teachers, counselors, and professors.

19.  Mom has a green thumb.  Each year we work on the back yard and the front to plant, move and prune trees and flowers.

20.  Mom is involved.  She helps out as much as she can at my school and with all my activities.

21.  Mom is fun.  Taking funny pictures with her is always an adventure.

22.  Mom is a shopper.  Each year she helps me shop for school clothes.  She makes sure I always look my best each day.

23.  Mom likes to blog, Facebook, and Pinterest.  She stays updated with friends and family through the computer.

24.  Mom has a talent with colors.  I remember my yellow, green and then bright blue room.  I also remember all the different colors our family room and kitchen have been. :)

25.  Mom makes yummy treats.  She taught me how to make cookies and finds yummy recipes for me to try.

26.  Mom is prepared.  We have a nice food storage ready.

27.  Mom does the dishes and cleans the house.  She also taught me how to clean so I can have a clean home of my own.

28.  Mom taught me to be a peacemaker.  As the oldest child, mom expected me to be a good example for my younger brother.

29.  Mom is a good neighbor.  She comes up with the best Christmas gifts for our neighbors and delivers them each year.

30.  Mom likes to know what's happening.  I'm glad that she cares so much about me and wants to know how I'm doing and what I've been doing.

31.  Mom is good with children.  She babysat Sam Dewey so that I could learn how to take care of children too.

32.  Mom takes care of me when I'm sick or injured (which happens quite a bit).

33.  Mom magnifies her calling - whether achievement/activity day leader, young women counselor, nursery teacher, seminary teacher, or primary worker, she does her very best.  She's taught me to magnify my calling through her example.

34.  Mom likes to sleep.  She waits up for me to get home every night even though she'd rather be sleeping.  She really does care for me and my safety.

35.  Mom is the laundry queen.  She taught me how to do my laundry and helped me do it.

36.  Mom is a great packer.  She has a way of organizing things and even helped me pack up for college.

37.  Mom drives me to all my different events.  School, sports, dances, and even dates.  She's the fastest driver (that doesn't get caught) in the family!  We're always on time when mom drives.

38.  Mom is creative.  If I have trouble thinking of things to do or coming up with different games or date ideas, she has a few up her sleeve that she's willing to share.

39.  Mom knows what's best for the family.  She is close to the spirit and receives personal revelation for herself and each of her kids.  Mom knows what's best for me!!

40.  Mom is crafty!!  She was the best crafts lady at Girl's Camp and during the summer, she always had fun things for Nathan and I to do and work on.  I've learned so much from her!

41.  Mom is beautiful, both inside and out.

42.  Mom likes to play games.  She is the best Nancy Drew detective, Settler of Catan explorer, and computer game champion of us all.  I love playing games with mom.

43.  Mom is a hard worker and has taught me how to work hard.  She has always been very busy as a mom but has also helped the family by working part time in different jobs.  I am amazed at all she has been able to do and accomplish.

44.  Mom is a friend.  We can go out to eat together, go get our nails done, text each other, and just have fun together.  I'm glad I have a mom that is just as fun and crazy as me!!  But I guess I should say, I'm glad I can be fun and crazy just like my mom!  I'm her daughter and proud to be.

45.  Mom is the best mom in the whole wide world.  She loves me and I love HER!  Happy Birthday Mom!!