Happy Birthday to my Mom!

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

 

Or as my Grandpa Tenney would always call her...

 

His January Blue-eyed Blond.

 

 

Ann, Jeff, Cathy and Mom 1979

 

Aren't we all soo cute? 

 

 We love how Jeff's head is as big as ours. 

 

 

Mom and Dad at a Halloween Party - sometime in the 80's.

My brother Chris looks like he could be my Dad's twin here.

I know these are random pictures.. but I am trying to fill in different pictures for my own keepsakes and journaling purposes.

--10 Things about my Mother to share today--

(1)

She is always reading.  Seriously.
 I have never ever in my life have known her to not have a book in tow.
 We got her a nook a few years ago.. hoping it would make her load a little lighter.. but she still carries around a book.  I seriously think she is the queen of most read books of anyone I know.

(2)

I will always idolize my parents marriage.
My parents loved each other so very, very much.
They never even cared about being with other people.. just each other.
Even though they had other friends.. they mostly wanted to spend their time only with each other.
Now that my Dad has passed away.. I feel like their time alone spent together so much-- was a hidden tender mercy to them both.
 They didn't have as long as they thought they would here on earth.


(3)

My Mom is a very private person.
She doesn't like people to have to fuss over her -- even though she needs it.
She hides a lot from others.. and doesn't share a lot about herself.
She has had a hard time without Dad.. and most people don't realize it.. because she doesn't outwardly show her feelings like a lot of us do.
You can clearly see that I am like my Father when it comes to " sharing feelings."

(4)

My Mother loves a good Action movie or Mystery.

(5)

My Mom is very intelligent.  She is for sure one of the smartest people I know.

(6)

My Mom loves California and the Beach.
She has probably lived more years here in Utah now than San Diego.. but I would still dare say that she is a California girl.
If she could... she would have one foot here in the Utah.. and one foot in the California sand.

(7)

My Mother is a Strong woman.

She left some of her children in the states in 1997 and moved to Russia for 3 years.
She learned the language without being asked to.
She happily served.
She watched and took care of her eternal companion as he went through the horrific effects of Chemotherapy and Cancer.
She buried her Eternal Companion.
She took care of her Mother and Fathers finances for years.
She took care of her Mother when she fell and broke her hip.
She went to her Fathers bedside when he had a massive stroke.
She buried her Father.
She went to the assisted care center and served her mother for many months
She moved her to my home.. and helped me serve and care for her.
She buried her Mother.

In a year and a 1/2...my Mother lost her husband, Father, Mother, a good friend, and her sister in law.
And she is still dealing with my grandparents finances.. and selling off estate items.

(8)

My Mother is competitive, opinionated and beautiful.

(9)

My Mom loves Jewelry. 
The more sparkles and bling.. the better.

(10)

My Mother loves the Lord.
She has always been a great example to me of serving with all of your heart.
She is an Elect woman.
I am grateful for the many blessings she has given us.
She has sacrificed much in her life for us.. and I will be forever grateful.


♥

Today I am Grateful for:

I was born to Goodly parents

Time.  To strengthen relationships and heal.

Family prayer and scripture study 

Family game nights

Days that my children do there work without being asked.. or whining about it.
It doesn't happen often.. but when it does.. Oh Happy day.