O.k, so since I missed posting anything about Mother's Day, and my dad just had a birthday, I thought I would dedicate this Flashback post to my dear parents!
This is my beautiful mother when she was pregnant with me!
I'm sure her pregnancies weren't easy (she related to me when Audrey always kicked my ribs while in the womb, and said I did the same thing) but I'm sure she never complained. She's just not one to let anyone know there's ever anything wrong with her. What a great quality!
This is when I was just 2 weeks old - notice the unstable head! Since I've had babies of my own, I look at this picture differently. I now know what a sacrifice she went through to have me! In seeing how tiny I was in this picture I think of all the feedings, burpings and changings she was going through at the time. I am sure she was singing to me at almost all of them. I can remember her sweetness as early as possible although not this young. But, I've seen her with my infants doing so and it melts my heart to think of her doing it with me!
My Momma snuggling up with me on my first Christmas!
I have to admit I am almost tearing up right now. This picture is the epitome of my mother! Look at that expression! You can tell she knew that her children were her most important calling in life. She was made to be a mother. She was so gentle and loving from the start! As the years went by, I was able to learn and grow by having a mom who was so self-sacrificing, who was so calm, patient, charitable and kind. Who was a peacemaker. Who taught me about music and dancing and acting. Who taught me how to care for others. Who gave me the opportunity to develop my talents in many different areas. Who always listened to me and cared about what I said! Mom you are still all of those things and more. Thank you so much for being the best mother I could have ever had, the best Grandma you can be and for also always being and still being my best friend! I love and appreciate you in more ways than I could ever express!
My dad always played the recorder to us from the time I can remember! Now he plays it to my kids and even lets them try it out themselves! My dad wanted us kids to experience things. He wanted us to learn about the world. He's always been someone that loves to learn about this earth and about everything and everyone in it. He has always tried to share that excitement with us and still does. It brings such joy to my heart when I see him teaching my children about birds, flowers, animals, nature and science in general. It's such a gift he has!
Is it just me, or does he look proud?! Sometimes I wonder if my parents are as proud of me as my brothers (well, I guess this has been an ongoing thing since I can remember...) My father loves to tell the story of when I was born and they saw that it was a little girl. They were very proud and happy that day! They may have spoiled me a lot, but I know it was because of how fun it was for them to have a girl. Now that I have had children my dad has changed. He says his feelings and emotions more. He has expressed to me many times how proud he is of the mother I am. He has told me that my children are what I have to be proud of the most. He notices how hard it is to be a mother of 3 young ones and lets me know how well he thinks I'm doing. He tells me that they are worth more than anything I could acquire in this life. You know what? First of all, he's right! Second of all - thank you so much for saying those things, Dad. I appreciate that more than you could know! Sometimes it's a lot easier to get down on yourself for the mistakes you're made in life rather than realize what a great person you are and what differences you've made in people's lives!
Easter Sunday and all dressed up! My dad has always been a good dresser. The other day I happened to be in my parent's room and my dad asked me which tie (out of 3) should he choose to go with his dress shirt. I immediately remembered that growing up he did that every Saturday night for as long as I can remember about his church outfit for the next day! He almost always chose the one tie I picked! Dad all I can say is that your are one of the funniest, outgoing, outspoken, smart, handsome, interesting, energetic, mushy hearted (more recently than before - since the bypass maybe?) people I know! I love you so much and am so glad I have gotten to know you better these past few years. You are one of a kind and I love the many traits I picked up from you. (Although I am still trying to pick up more of mom's too so I can have the best from the best.)
I'm so thankful for my "out of this world", wonderful parents and all that they are to me!
O.k. Susan - it's time for your tribute! Where do I start?! I could only find these 3 pics of you with your firstborn, your Kevin, and this one makes me want to cry like a baby!! To think of the day my true love was born and to think about all that you and he went through. For those of you who don't know, it was a miracle both Kevin and his mom came out of his birth and delivery alive! You see, Susan (or any of her doctors) didn't know it but she had a broken pelvis from a car accident and so during delivery Kevin was stuck for a very unsafe amount of time. He was already in the birth canal so it was to0 late for a c-section! The only thing the doctor's could do was re break her pelvis, use a suction vacuum (notice the cone head) and forceps (if you look up close at Kev's face, he has a scar from those) and wait to see what happened. After Susan's heart stopping and starting again and Kevin's heart rate dropping dramatically, everything turned out o.k. Unbelievable! Susan, it amazes me how strong you were then and how strong you still are to this day. I look up to you for all you do even though you have the health problems you have. You just keep on going and going and doing for others! Thank you from all of us who you lend a (happy) helping hand to!!
