Every Day is Mother's Day

I know it is a little late, (2 weeks) but in my opinion every day should be Mother's Day. I know so many beautiful, talented, and loving Mothers, and I have so many great friends and family members that I watch in awe with their children. Being a good mother is definitely the hardest job in the world. It is both thankless and infinitely rewarding at the same time. It is not something that you can learn in school; it is something that must come from a place deep within you that is selfless, giving, and darn near martyring (is that a word). For all of those women I know, you are outstanding and all of your children are blessed. That being said, I do want to take a moment and pay tribute to MY mother(s).

My Mom-First I have to say I have a wonderful mother. She has always been there beside me even when I couldn't (or wouldn't) see her. Our relationship hasn't always been easy, and I grew up holding her responsible for a lot of things that I shouldn't have. What I have learned over my life as a mother is that my mom did the very best job she could under the circumstances she was given. Hindsight is 20/20 and I would change so many things that I have done as a mother, but those mistakes have brought me a much better understanding as to where my mom was coming from, and how much she actually sacrificed for me, my brother, and my sister. She is such a giving person and I truly would not have survived without her. No matter how much I've screwed up she is always my biggest advocate. We love you mom.

My Step Mom-Wow that word has some awful connotations doesn't it? Actually I hate that word so much I call her my Dad's wife or Geneva because I love her too much to call her my "STEPMOTHER". Geneva has been with my dad since I was 13. I have had another step-mother before, but she really did fit the evil category. Geneva came along during a very tumultuous time in my life and in mine and my Dad's relationship so she didn't get a very warm welcome. We haven't always seen eye to eye but the older I get the more I notice the similarities between the two of us. Geneva has been very good for my Dad, and he would not be where he is today without her. She has also been a fantastic Grandmother to my 3 kids and a loving Great Grandmother to my Grandson. None of my kids ever knew what a Step Mom was because to them Geneva was just "Maw Maw Neevie". We love you Geneva.



My Mother-in-Law-I don't see my Mother-in-Law very often but she is a real sweetheart. I don't think Eloisa has ever said a bad word to or about anyone. She is the epitome of perfect love and honestly believes that her son is perfect. Not in a bad "blinders on" kind of way, but in an unconditional love kind of way. She loves Al, Walter, and our families very much. I hate that the kids are so far away from her, and that they never get to see her. We love you Eloisa.



My Other Moms-I have a two very special women in my life that I consider my other moms. They are women who have loved me and cared for me unconditionally.

My Aunt Carol is my Dad's sister and I lived with her off and on for several years in Junior High and High School. One of the most devastating losses I ever had was when her husband Uncle Buddy died from Lung Cancer. I really looked to these two as a second set of parents. Now Aunt Carol has severe COPD and is in very poor health. It breaks my heart to see her suffer. We love you Aunt Carol.



My Aunt Lucy is my Mom's sister and we have just recently become much closer. She has always been one of my favorite Aunts but since we've moved to Omaha and are physically closer (2 hours) we see her and her husband Bob much more frequently. She really has become my substitute Mom since my Mom is so far away. She has also played the role of surrogate Grandma to my kids (especially the boys). She and Bob do all the fun Grandparent things that they have missed out on with their real Grandparents. She comes to their plays and concerts and is the proudest Aunt/Grandma in the room. You know the old saying "It's too bad you can't have Grand Kids without having kids." Well, Lucy found a way. Of course she did, she is Lucy after all. We love you Lucy.



New Mom-I guess I saved the best one for last. New mom Alyssa. Alyssa has not had the easiest year. She had so many obstacles to overcome with being a young unmarried mother and having a baby with feeding difficulties, congenital defects, and chronic respiratory and ear infections. Alyssa has really had to grow up fast but she has done a fabulous job with Logan. I wish I had posted this earlier because Alyssa did not have a very good Mother's Day. I think she felt like no one noticed her, but I noticed. I noticed how well she takes care of Logan, how much she loves him, and how much he loves her. He is a very lucky little boy. She dotes on him and never lets him forget how much she cares about him. She is a fantastic mommy. I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH ALYSSA!

The first time she met her baby boy.

Consoling Logan after his first casting.
She cried more than he did.

Holding Logan as he wakes up from surgery.

A tiny little thing.

He was with us on Valentine's Day but she didn't forget him.

She's always teaching him new things.