Happy almost Mother’s Day friends! I thought it would be fun to pay a little tribute to my mom today. I think it is safe to say that I have the best mom in the entire world. Literally every person that comes in contact with her, completely LOVES her.
Like she really is a saint.
For me, it took becoming a mother to fully appreciate the sacrifices that my mom made.
Babysitting other peoples kids, just so she could stay at home with us.
Making our happiness her utmost priority.
Making sure we had clean clothes (its harder than it looks folks)
Loving me, even when it seemed I was making a really bad choice. Spoiler alert: it turned out pretty great.
I am so grateful for a mother who is one of my greatest friends.
An example of faith and commitment to her beliefs.
A mom who will run her 13th St. George marathon, just to make sure that my sister Amy didnt give up on her first. (she finished by the way, with my mom cheering her on the entire time.)
A mom who replies “ Well, I loved you first” to the question of if I am her favorite daughter. (which I totally am BTW.)
A mom who is the best, because she learned from the best.
A mom who every.time. I left the house as a teenager said “Remember who you are and what you stand for!”
And most importantly…
A mom who will STILL defend these haircuts as cute.
Which makes me wonder about her taste level, but absolutely not about her love for us.
I look at my mom and it is so easy to see why she is loved, she brings out the best in people by loving them first.
Mom, there are a million more reasons that I can list why you are amazing. Thank you for teaching me how to be a mother. Thank you for loving me when I am a little bit unlovable. Thank you for being the person that is a constant light in this increasingly darker world. I hope to be 1/2 of the mother that you are.
I love you mom!
What the?! Just kidding! My cousin had the same haircut & I begged my mom to let me get mine cut like that. I was lucky she said no but I later had the mile high bangs so my kids still have plenty of things to laugh at 😉
First of all, even though my time with your amazing Mother has been brief, I agree with every word. YOU HAVE AN AMAZING MOM!! She is wonderful, and I am so grateful that my son gets to marry into such an amazing family to your beautiful sister, and gets to have your mom as his MOTHER in Law. I was crying through each photo and word through this wonderful tribute, and then I got to the haircuts and I was literally laughing and crying and snorting. I love it though and love even more that you would share it with the world, I am guessing 80’s. I remember!! Love your transparency- and oh by the way I remember when you posted on this blog 3 or years ago to my son who was so afraid to be in a relationship that he would be your future brother in law- you were right!! Great Tribute! Happy Mothers Day to you!!
Awww, I got tears in my eyes. From the sweet things you said about your mom and from trying to hold in the laughter when I saw those haircuts. Sorry. That’s a horrible thing to say. I could totally go back and delete and pretend it didn’t happen. Nah! Thanks for making me smile! and cry a little…
Great post…and I loved that you saved the last post for last! 😉 My mom always said remember who you are and what you stand for, too…so of course, I now have to say it! Happy Mother’s Day!
I absolutely love, love, love this post, but more specifically, I’m obsessed with the fact that your mom said, “Remember who you are and what you stand for” as you left the house every single time. How true…
Being a high school teacher, these kids need to hear just that as much as they can. Totally stealing this for my classroom (and hopefully one day for future teenagers of my own). #mademyday
Happy Mother’s Day!! Hope you (& your mom!) have one fabulous weekend.
What a beautiful tribute to your mom! She is truly wonderful and I am so glad that you married into my family. She and your dad have managed to raise three beautiful and kind daughters in this crazy world. I think your mom is one of the most caring and loving people I have ever met. That must be why I love you so much. Happy Mother’s Day to you and your mom!!!
Mandi! It is so fun to see your beautiful website and more beautiful family! You inspire me….we have lived in our current house for almost 6 years, I think it’s time to decorate…mostly I just want to tell you how touched I was by your words about your Mom. I learned so much from Francine when I was a new mama. Your mom is truly an angel on earth! Happy Mothers Day! Please, next time you see your mom and dad , tell them hello from The Talley Family. Love, Kate Talley
Haha those haircuts are great. I feel like everyone has those pictures 🙂 Mom’s are just the best and it’s so great to be able to grow up and be best friends with them.
What a beautiful celebration of your mom. 🙂 I love how you said she loved you even when it seemed you were making a bad choice and that she reminded you to make your decisions out in the world based on who you are and what you stand for. It seems to be a trend that new parents are “choosing to not choose” religions or moral values for their children, but your reflection about what makes your mom great encourages me to continue to instill values in my daughter, so that she has a foundation to stand on when she questions herself, when she compares her life against the choices of others, when she is lost and has no where to turn. In many ways, my mom has done the very same for me! 🙂
What lovely comments for your mother. You are so very lucky that have had a mom who thought only of your needs and loved you without reserve.
Ha! My mom and I got matching Dorothy Hamill haircuts (so basically a bull cut) when I was in first grade and I cringe everything I see pictures from that year!
We also think that our mom’s will live forever…and when they don’t we can’t imagine a world without them–so it’s important to tell them how much you love them now! My daughter said to me the other day after we’d visited about a concern she had, “Oh I feel better, I can’t imagine not being able to bounce things by you!” My heart smiled! I hope you have a Happy Mother’s Day weekend–I know your mom already is having one! Sincerely, Mary Wilding at mytributejournal.com
Such a beautiful tribute to your Mom! Great photos…even the one with the hair cuts. 🙂
Enjoy every minute with her ~
xo
Pat
So sorry about the posts above…I promise I only submitted once. 🙁
Love the photos and your newsletter! You’re ideas are so impressive! Thanks for keeping me inspired!
I just love your tribute to your Mother and her love for her family. Thank you for posting.
Oh my crap Mandi! That last picture is killing me! I seriously can’t even look at it. I die laughing every time! Help me, I am dying over here! Seriously. I can’t stop laughing.
Phew! Okay, okay. I gained some composure… sort of. This post is too cute. Your mom is adorable and your sisters are darling too! What a cute family. Happy Mother’s Day to you too!
THose hairstyles at the end are amazing. I LOVE those pics of her holding your sis’ hand in the marathon. Made me tear up a bit.
I have the same haircut picture and my good, solid, never-fail-me mother defends it too! You are a joy to read. Your personality is infectious (in a good way). LOL