Some things I learned from my mother...

My Mom and Liam

So with mother's day here, I want to share a little bit about my mom.  My parents divorced when I was between 6 and 7 years old.  I chose to live with my mom for certain reasons, mainly because even at that age, I knew I would have a better life living with her.  She supported us all by herself, even working two jobs to provide for us.  I never felt like I was without and it was the memories we made, just her and I that I always remember. We went shopping, to car races,  concerts, camping, different community events, we were a pair.  Every year for six years she spent her only vacation with me at the fair, helping me with my animal, staying up late washing my show clothes for the next day, cheering me on as I showed.  She was at every dance recital and barrel race, she was my number one fan! She always put me first and did everything to give me the best. I could write pages on how much my mom means to me and here are some of the things I learned from my mother:

1. Always tell the people you love that you love them when you have the chance because you never know when that moment will be the last time they here it.
2. It doesn't matter how much money you have, the car you drive or where you live, the memories you make with your children and how you share your life with the people you love is what they will remember.
3.  Always keep your word and promises to your children, whether it be a reward or discipline, your child will have much more trust and faith in you when you follow through on what you say.
4.  Always support and love your children no matter what decisions your children make, trust in the way you raised them and understand that sometimes they have to go through their own learning experiences to find their way.
5. There are never too many "I love yous and I'm proud of yous."
6. Always keep open communication with you child and be a listening ear, not just a mouth of advice.
7.  Everyday encourage your child to be their best and praise their every attempt in doing so.
8. Even when you aren't with them, they remember the morals and values you taught them.  Trust in that when you worry about them when they're away from you.
9. A child remembers how much you love them by how you show them and not just by what you give them. Children remember moments more than things.
10.  She always told me, "You'll understand one day when you're a mom."  Well guess what?, I realized how she raised me was through the love she had for me and her fears for me being out in the world would soon be my fears as I raise my babies.

I wouldn't be the woman I am or the mother I am if it weren't for my mom, she is one kick a** lady and I hope I can be half as good of mom as she was to me.  I am forever grateful for the choices she made for us and for the best life she gave me!!
Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!
Love, Me