Happy Birthday Dear Mom!

Today is my Mom's Birthday, so I thought I would share a bit about her to honor her special day.

My Mom was born in the 50s.  She was the youngest of four children.  My Grandmother says to this day that my mom was a very good child and never got into trouble.  

My Mom married my Dad when she was just out of high school.  They were so young, but very much in love.  They were married in the same church that they still attend to this day.  

Because they weren't able to have children of their own, they chose adoption, for which I will forever be incredibly grateful.  They adopted my older sister Leslie first, and I came shortly after, followed by my younger sister Sarah.  I love looking at the pictures from the day I flew all the way from South Korea to meet my new parents. The joy on my Mom's face was proof that from the moment she held me in her arms, I was hers.  

My Mom always had this thing about making Christmases extremely special in our home.  She still to this day loves to celebrate and buy so many presents that they don't even come close to fitting under the tree.  

My Mom always put our needs in front of her own, especially growing up.  Whenever my sisters or I needed anything, she was always willing to do what it took to get it for us.

My Mom spent many, many years babysitting in order to pay for our private school.  Considering there were three of us, that was an incredible sacrifice.  Granted, we loved having kids around and also took so much joy in helping out with the kids that she watched.  But when I think of it now, of the time that she spent, the diapers she changed and the days that she gave up, I am so humbled.  My Mom was an excellent example of love that serves.  

My Mom was always just amazing at being a Mom.  She was a meat and potatoes kind of a cook, always had laundry done, and kept a very neat and clean home.  Being a mom now myself, I still can't figure out how she did it.   

My Mom (and Dad of course) was always there to celebrate the big moments in life. 

My Mom was there for me during my college years.  

And she helped to move me into my first college apartment.  

She was there for me on my wedding day. 

And again, was there to help with whatever I needed. 

 When I delivered Christian, my Mom was one of the first to hold him.  She drove out for 16 hours to come and to be there for me, as she passed the torch of motherhood down to her middle daughter and took her beloved place as Grandma.  

Two years later, she came out to see our Ellee girl too.  She was the one to carefully gave Ellee her first bath and to shush her as she cried.

If you can't tell, my Mom absolutely adores her grandchildren.

 And considering the fact that she has eleven of them, she does an amazing job loving each and every one of them (yes, there are just 8 of them pictured here... three were yet to be born at the time I took this).  

Since we've been in New York, my Mom and Dad have made quite a few trips out to see us.

And while we've always enjoyed showing them the beautiful sights of Long Island, it's pretty apparent that they come because they love their family (especially the grandkids).

My Mom has also shared in the special days of our kids.  She was there to walk Christian on his first day of first grade.   

I am so incredibly thankful for my Mom.  She saw me through the many ups and downs of life. 

And so today, I celebrate her.  I wish her the very happiest of days.  I'm thankful for her and I love her.

Happy Birthday to my incredible Mom!  I love you so much!