MOTHER'S DAY // A LOVELY MOM

My mom (far left), each of her four sisters and their kids in 1995.  My mom is holding my little sister, Megan.  I'm the one with the bowl cut in dead center.  Fashion choices have never been my mom's strong suit. 

Since this blog is all about the lovely little things, it's only fitting that I send some love my mom's way today.  After all, she's the one who taught me to appreciate the little things, live in the present and for goodness sakes, stop worrying!  As I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate my mom in brand new ways.  Recently, she's taught me that life is never black-and-white simple and finished.  There will always always be something that you can work on, that you can work towards.  In the spirit of appreciating all that my mom has done for me, a list of things that she's taught me might do the trick.

     She's taught me to underestimate myself.  My mom and I may be what they call "pushovers" but this underestimate-yourself-thing translates to humility, a quality that I am so thankful that I've inherited.

     She's taught me that a clean house is overrated.  You'll never remember the state your kitchen is in, but you will remember the random adventure that you embark upon.

     She's taught me that a family that eats together stays together, regardless of if their eating chinese takeout or original family recipes.

     She's taught me to work hard, regardless of how it will be acknowledged.

     She's taught me to love the outdoors.  To enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking and walking.  To realize that bugs come with the territory, but it's all worth it.

     She's taught me plenty about flowers, much to my chagrin.

     She's taught me to appreciate the fall colors, admire the beauty of winter's stillness, dream big in spring, and soak up summer.  On the way home from church on any given sunday in fall, you will be sure to hear my mom mention the "pretty leaves."

     She's taught me how to pick out paint, stain, sew, patch, mend, glue, nail... the list goes on.

     She's taught me to be independent.  My mom became an engineer when it was unheard of for women to do so.  She also lived in an unfamiliar city without my dad for 6 month periods at a time for the six years he was in the Navy.  If that isn't strength, I don't know what is.

     She's taught me that it's okay to eat apple crisp for breakfast and breakfast for dinner.

     She's taught me that whoever your mom is, you will always think her way is the better way.  Mom will always know best (even if she doesn't realize it).  I love you, Mom!

From left to right - my great-grandma, baby me, and my grandma (my mom's mom).