Lessons From Mom

This Mother's Day I have been reflecting on the lessons my mom taught me over the years. It's like I hear my mom whispering in m ear anytime I am faced with a situation she spoke about. I'm sure I don't follow them all but I will strive to do a better job. Just like most things in life we have to try things our own way first and when that doesn't work we rely on what mom told us because "Mom's are always right!" I hope I listened enough to what she told me so I can pass the lessons along to my girls!

Lessons From Mom

1. Love your family with all your heart and soul.
2. When you want something bad enough you need to work hard to get it and you will appreciate it more.
3. Don't sweat the small stuff, it all will be okay in the end.
4. You are never given more than you can handle.
5. Always take the higher road!
6. RESPECT everyone!
7. Let those you care about know you appreciate them.
8. Always send a thank you note.
9. Pick your battles!
10. Accessories are the key to every outfit :)
11. Take care of yourself so you are able to take care of your family.
12. Be a person of honor and integrity and don't forget to SMILE!
13. Make your home warm and welcoming so your children will always want to come back home.
14. Forgive others, even though it may be difficult and take time.
15. Your work is a reflection of who you are so no matter what you do give it you all.
16. Education is a must!
17. Count your blessings.
18. "Rib and Rigatoni" recipe. Yum!
19. I am worthy and deserve the best.
20. Most important of all, always say, "I love you!" to those you love.

My mom taught me well and I miss her so much! Mother's Day is so difficult without her but by following her lessons she will live on forever!

Happy Mother's Day mom, I love you so much!

Letter To Mimi

Hailee's letter to Mimi. "Roses are Red, Flowers are Blue, Candy is sweet and so are you. I love you Mimi and always will". (That's a picture of Hailee and Mimi holding hands.)

Hailee and Mia preparing to release the balloons.

Up, up and away.

The little white dot above the house are the balloons.

The last few months have been difficult on everyone in our family. Hailee was very close to my mom and her passing has been especially hard on her. I felt it was important for Hailee to have someone to talk to so I asked her school counselor with speak to her. She meets with Hailee every other week or so. After one of the visits Hailee told me about a book the counselor read to her about a little girl who lost her grandmother and was sad. In the book one of the characters suggested the little girl write a letter, attach it to a balloon and send it to heaven to her grandmother which made the little girl feel better. Hailee came home after reading this story and wondered if she could do that as well. So she wrote the letter, we attached it to balloons and released them. Today was the perfect day to do this. After all Mimi is in heaven spending her eternal life with Jesus and today is Easter, the day we celebrate His rising. I felt my mom with us all day today. When we got into the car to go release the balloons the first song on the radio was, Alan Jackson's "Remember When", the same song that played at her service. The song brings back a whole lot of emotions but I every time I hear it makes me feel that my mom is talking to me, letting me know that she is here. I asked Hailee how she feels now that she sent her letter to Mimi and she said, "I'm happy now mom, I know Mimi is reading my letter and she will always know I love her." Such a sweet girl!!!!

Water Park Fun

My best friend, Stacy, and I decided to have a little fun with the girls. She had a coupon to this place called, "Triple Play" in Coeur d'Alene which is basically an indoor water park. We have never been there and didn't know much about it so we looked into what it was all about. Come to find out there is a hotel attached and that they are running really good specials right now. So Stacy, Hailee, Mia and Koryn (Stacy's daughter) and myself loaded into the car on Friday afternoon and headed east. The girls had no idea where we were going and were so excited when we arrived and saw the huge water slides. It's not a very big water park but a good time was had by us all. We swam, went down the water slides and had a great big sleepover. Everyone had a lot of fun and needed good naps when we returned. Too bad I forgot my camera!

Just a Thought

I'm the type of person who thrives off of routine and for the most part planning that routine. Up until about 18 months ago my little structured life was running just as I planned and I really enjoyed it. I like predictability, knowing what to expect and most of all control. Events that have occurred during the last 18 months have altered my since of routine and structure that I once felt so secure with. For the most part I think I have dealt with this catastrophic shake up relatively with ease. I have tried to take things on a day to day basis knowing that God will only give me what I can handle. However, at times I just want to shout, "I CAN"T HANDLE ANYMORE!" I think I feel that way mainly because I don't feel like I have that sense of structure and control that makes me feel so secure. I have come to the conclusion that I need to stop relying on others for my sense of security and that I am responsible for it. It's time to start thinking about what I want and how to achieve it. Even though I don't know what's going to happen in the future I do feel comforted in knowing that I have two wonderful daughters who look up to me and will follow my lead. It's up to me to show them that it's okay when things don't go just as we have planned and how to learn and grow from that change.

Little Things

My friend Sarah added a signature to her blog and I thought I would give it a try. It's the little things that make me happy! Thanks Sarah!

2009

What can I say about 2009? It has definitely been a year that I won't ever forget! It certainly has been a year of loss, grief and sadness on many levels but I was also presented with opportunities this year that were wonderful. I made the decision to move back home which provided me so much time with my mom that I am eternally grateful for! I have seen my relationship with my extended family grow. I feel very blessed to have an uncle, aunt and cousins that care so much about me and my girls! We now are able to share events and experiences that we never had in the past and that means so much to me. I feel I have grown a lot this year. I have found strength that I never knew I had. I must have learned that from my mom because she was one of the strongest women I have ever known. The changing of the calendar won't take away the pain or the sadness that I am feeling but I am encouraged by the future that it will bring. I am excited to see what is in store for me and my girls! 2010 won't be an easy year but with my friends and family standing by me I will be able to make it!

Hard Times!

The last few weeks have been so difficult! I am so grateful that I was able to spend the last 10 months of my mom's life with her and I will treasure every minute of that! Words can't begin to explain how much I miss her, especially on days like today. Mia had surgery on her eye and I know her guardian angel was watching over her. Maybe it's a little selfish of me but I just wanted my mom there holding my hand letting me know it's was going to be okay. Mia is doing okay but I just want to call my mom to make sure that I'm doing everything right. Mom just knew what to say to me to ease my nerves and to encourage me.