"All that I am or ever hope to be . . .

I owe to my angel mother."

~Abraham Lincoln

This is my mother, Loween.

And today is her birthday, so even though I'd intended this to be a Mother's Day post, I guess it's fitting that I finally get around to it today on her birthday.

My mother gave me baths in the kitchen sink until I was too big to fit.  

I do the same thing with my kids.

My mom is a very talented seamstress.  

She made those darling matching dresses for my sisters and I.  

I hope to be a better seamstress someday, 

but I have courage to try because of what she taught me.

(In this picture, I made Daphne's dress, and Dallin's vest and knapsack.  I feel pretty good about making costumes, but I haven't tried any "real" clothes yet.)

My mother taught me to love music. She and Dad invested a lot of time and money in my music lessons, both piano and violin.  Mom drove me to the neighboring town of Turlock for my violin lessons, and encouraged me to practice (even though I bet that sometimes it was rather torturous to listen to.)  

(This is actually a picture of my youngest sister Emma with Mom.  

And the cute little redhead is our cousin Carly.)

I'm so glad music was a priority in our home growing up.
It has blessed my life immeasurably.

Even though it is a tremendous amount of work, my parents packed everything up and took us camping almost every summer. Some of my favorite "growing-up" memories are of when we went camping together.  

(Nat, & Jen--Remember those ring-pops that we made up a whole campfire skit with ?)

Now, Arthur and I take our family camping, and we seem to forget until it's time to pack up how much work it really is to get everything ready!

 But our kids love it, and that makes it all worth it.

My mother taught me by example, the importance of personal scripture study.  She has stored up a great knowledge of the scriptures from her diligence in studying them.  I remember often finding her up in her room with her scriptures open, and that when I'd go to her with a problem, she would frequently answer with a scripture.  

I hope that my children may often find me with my scriptures open as well, and that when the time comes, I will be able to help them solve their problems by referring to the principles we learn in the scriptures.

One of my favorite times to see my mother (and sometimes it seems, the only way to guarantee a visit from her) is when I have my babies.  It is so reassuring to have her there during those first few days of being a new mom, especially as our numbers are growing.  I cry every time she leaves.  This is my mom with her grand-daughter, Daphne Loween.

 

I look forward to visiting my children when they have their babies and helping them with their new little ones . . . and being able to enjoy all of my darling grandchildren without having to worry about potty-training any of them!

Thanks for all the years of selfless service, Mom.  I know I speak for all of your children when I say that each of those small and simple things you did (and are still doing) day in and day out have made all the difference in shaping our lives for good.  I think of your heroic example frequently, and draw from the experiences I had in our home growing up, as I try to navigate through my own motherhood experience.  I will always look up to you and be grateful for the foundation you and Dad gave me.  

Happy Birthday / (belated) Mother's Day!