Happy Mother's Day!

Blessed to be their daughter and friend...

(The Queen Mum... aka, my beautiful mom.)

(My mom-in-law... and my sweet friend.)

Honored to be their mother...

(Burrito and Kat, summer vacation 2008)

Just for the fun of it because all mothers can relate to at least some part of it...

Happy Birthday, Queen Mum!!!

Several weeks ago, I wrote a Mother’s Day post in which I described my mom (a.k.a., “Queen Mum”) in one word: faithful. She asked if I would take the time at some point to tell her why I chose that one word. In honor of her birthday today, I thought it would be fitting to write about why I describe the Queen Mum as faithful.

First, Mom has always been faithful to the Lord. While she is often soft-spoken about her faith, she lives her life in such a way that all who know her are able to see Christ though the example of her life. If Mom’s faith has ever wavered, I’ve never seen it. I know Mom is faithful to pray for my family and me.

Mom has been faithful to Dad for 45 years. In our society, that’s quite an accomplishment! As a wife, she has been the best role model I could ever hope to have. She taught me about the value of having girl friends, but more importantly of being loyal to and best friends with my husband above all others.

Mom has been a faithful mother to my sister and me. Remember my post on Mama Bears? Let’s just say I learned at the feet of the master! My mom re-entered the workforce when I was in the sixth grade. It was a hard adjustment after having her at home with us, but I always knew that her role as our mom came before any work commitments. And, her example had prepared me to step up to the plate and take care of my sister after school and to begin helping with the housework and meal preparations.

I’ve never lived in the same state as the Queen Mum since I’ve had my kiddos. Yet, she is faithful to maintain a close relationship with Burrito and Kat. She is faithful to follow the events of their lives, faithful to pray for and ask about those events, and faithful to celebrate their accomplishments with them. She is faithful in coming alongside Bud and I to help raise our children.

Mom is faithful in her relationships. In a world of superficial friendships, instant messages and emails, Mom still takes the time to regularly send cards and personal letters through the U.S. Postal system to stay in touch with friends and family. She is well known for her habit of clipping magazine and newspaper articles, cartoons, advertisements, etc., that she believes someone would enjoy receiving. Each card or letter is stuffed with these clippings - a sure indicator that those she cares about are on her mind as she goes about her daily routine.

Mom is a faithful worker. She has been employed by the same company since she went back to work. While never neglecting her family, she has worked with excellence at whatever her responsibilities were at the time. (They’ll be so sorry when she finally decides to retire! Ha!) Her work ethic is a great example to our family.

The Queen Mum is simply faithful.

If she says it, it is so.

If she agrees to do it, it’s as good as done.

If she promises to be there, she’s there.

Amen!

(I don’t know why, but it just seemed appropriate to add an “amen” at that spot.)

Thank you for your example of faithfulness, Mom. Happy birthday and I love you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Kristen over at We Are THAT Family challenged everyone to try to describe our mother in one word. Hey, I can hardly say “hello” with one word so this is truly a challenge for me. Here’s my best attempt for the three moms in my life.

This photo is of me, my mom (a.k.a. “The Queen Mum”) and my sister. It was made two summers ago when we all vacationed together at the coast. We had so much fun!

One word: Faithful. (Oh, my – it’s so tempting to tell you all the reasons which make that one word true!)

I’m going to do a word for my sister, too, because she happens to be one of the best moms I know. Again, it will be hard to resist the temptation to choose more than one word or to give a lengthy explanation.

One word: Dedicated.

This is my mom-in-law with Bud at the beach house last summer. She’s coming along with us again this year and we can hardly wait to see her! (So is my favorite sixteen-year-old Nephew, but that’s another story!)

One word: Sensitive. (And, I bet she’d agree if you could ask her!)

Happy Mother’s Day! I love you!

P.S. - Can you do it? Describe your mother in ONE word??