Dear Mom....

Mom,

I've heard it said that "everything I need to know, I learned in kindergarten". And while some of that is true, I'd like to think that everything I need to know, I learned from you.

Class. You have it, you exude it and you have always taught us to exemplify it. I'm sure Emily Post ate icing straight out of the piping bag a time or two too....

Style. Your closet has more feathers and animal print than the Fort Worth Zoo, but you wear it so well. You are such a stylish mom and I'm always so inspired by you. It's so fun that I can come shopping in your closet at a bargain price! :)

You really live. You find joy in each day and you live it to the fullest.

You are a true and great friend. You've always taught me that to have a friend I have to be a friend, and you don't just talk the talk but you walk the walk. It's evident by the way people love you. They love and support you because you show the same respect (and more) to them. What a blessing you are to others.

Generous. You and dad are so generous and you want us to have fun and have wonderful experiences. The best part is that we get to share in the experiences together.

Family. You value your family, you love your family, you put your family first, you serve your family and you've been a shining example of a Christian wife and mother. You taught me about Jesus and you taught me to follow Him all my days. Although the other lessons are important, this one is priceless.

I also want to point out that you taught us that Family Christmas photos must be taken in matching attire no matter how old the subjects get. We will never stop complaining but we secretly value having good family photos.

Love, honor, commitment...You and dad have provided us an example of Christian marriage. Love, fidelity, fun, laughter, honor, conflict and conflict resolution, team work, prayer and a genuine like for each other are just a few of the things you and dad have taught us over the years. Thanks to you, Taylor, Kristen and I have a wonderful template for our marriages and our future families.

You've always support us in everything we've done. Cheerleading, tennis, baseball, softball, basketball, student council, gymnastics, we name it, you've driven us to practices, paid for uniforms and matching hair bows and camps and select teams....Some of us have allowed your hard work to pay off by going pro in our sports and others just have the video tapes of our days as standouts. :) But no matter what we did, you were our biggest cheerleader.

You taught us a great love for animals. Treat them with kindness and they will love you beyond measure. You're dogs don't know how good they've got it! They are your best friends and you are theirs.

You've taught your children and SO many others about strength, hope and perseverance. It was horrible to watch you battle breast cancer. I hated seeing you sick and I hated seeing you weak because it was such a far cry from your normal self. But in the midst of that trial you had so much hope and joy. I know that comes straight from God and He was giving you just what you needed during that time, and you showed that to so many. You touched many lives during that "season" and I know God used you in mighty ways. One of the great moments of my life was walking across the finish line of the 3-Day with you. Side by side, 60 miles behind us and the hope of a life without breast cancer in front of us. Praise God for his blessings.

You've also taught me to ALWAYS take my camera and to not let life pass me by! Stop and enjoy the journey... (photo op around mile 47 of our 60 mile journey...this was someone's front yard!!!)

Outside of teaching me about Jesus, the most important lesson you've taught me is to be a prayer warrior. There is no problem that can't be solved on my knees and I'm grateful I grew up with this principle in practice. Thank you for your prayers over our lives.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you! I hope you feel loved, cherished and appreciated everyday, not just mother's day. And yes, I agree with Winnie the Pooh too... "If you live to be 100, I want to live to be 100 minus 1 day so I never have to live a day without you"
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her, "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. ~ Proverbs 31:28-31