In honor of ALL our Mothers!

To honor all the moms in our lives, I asked members of my family about each of the special women below and what they loved about them, something they have learned, a favorite memory, or something that reminds us of the time we get to spend together. Here are some pictures and the responses from the family.

Grandma Nadene (Meredith's Grandma)

• She gives good hugs
• She always makes "the" ice cream when asked, whether a special occasion or not.
  
• She worked so hard to make her backyard beautiful for our wedding
• We totally appreciate that she seems to enjoy finishes the dishes (but sometimes we can get her to sit down.)
• Does everything she can to visit for special occasions like baby blessings
• Always attended events when I was a kid like soccer games and recitals
• Is very thoughtful and sends meaningful cards to everyone for holidays and birthdays
• Looks great in curlers
• If you gave her one of those "what's your real age" tests, she would be about 39.
• Always game for more games!

Grandma Nadene, we love and adore you with all our heart!! Thanks for making us always feel so special with the kind things you do for our entire family.

Grandma Shirley (Steve's Mom)

• Really nice
• Always has time to listen and share her thoughts on important subjects
• An excellent example of Christ-like service
• Plans fun activities when we come to visit
• Makes sure that Grandpa buys good treats for the kids
• helped us have fun vacations to cabins in the mountains
  
• Very thoughtful with sending lovely cards and notes for special occasions
• She is so loving to her grandchildren
• Her smile and laugh are so adorable and fantastic
• She always helps us to come on trips to visit
  

The example you set for us in word and deed is truly Christ-like. Thank you for loving and supporting our family in all the ways you do. We love you!

Aunt Shelly (Meredith's aunt, her mom's sister)

• She lets us walk up her legs (well, maybe some of us are too big now.)
• Makes an effort to visit for special occasions and "just because"
• Always brings fun treats like gummy worms
• Sends fun cards in the mail for birthdays
• Filling a lot of the role that my mom can't since she passed away
  
• Works hard so she can play hard
• She is a great help when a difficult decision needs to be made
  
• Calls daily or almost daily to "check in" and see how life is going with everyone
• She is funny
• She made a playroom for kids and built a pool in her Arizona vacation house.
  

Thank you, thank you, Aunt Shelly for always being there, for being one of the first people we want to call with news, good or bad, and for always making life more fun! We love you so much!

Clockwise from top left: Lori, Meghan, Molly, Dawn, Jeannie, and Barbara

And not to leave out some other very special aunts (and sister in laws), Aunt Lori, Aunt Molly, Aunt Meghan, Aunt Jeannie, Aunt Barbara, and Aunt Dawn!! We love every minute we get to spend with you and thank you for your guiding influence in our lives, whether we see you every week or once per year, you compassion and love for all of us is truly a great blessing.

As President Hinckley said in the quote on motherhood at the top of my sidebar,
"...no other can adequately take your place."
We love you and honor each of you this day.
Thank you for being our mother, grandmother, aunts, and sister in laws!!

And of course, our thoughts always turn to my mom, Sue, when we celebrate motherhood. We miss her and the experiences we are missing out on sharing with her but are thankful for her kind and loving example of motherhood, sisterhood, and friendship.