Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my Mother's birthday!

In honor of her special day,

we had a visit from a "herd -o- birds".

Mom named them Median Birds.

When they came to visit us in Florida

they were everywhere in the medians.

Ergo... Median Birds.

Mom is such an influence in my life.

(Well, in all our lives... but this is my blog... hahaha)

Just sitting in my chair...

Across the room is my piano.

Thank you for years of lessons and making sure

that I actually practiced and learned to play.

On the piano is a framed copy of the Primary Penny song

that she and Dad did for me.

Kyle is snuggling under a blanket that I knit.

Thanks to Mom for her patient teaching of 

another skill I use over and over.

I taught my boys to knit.

Continuing down through the generations.

Cooking, cleaning, driving, all the things we 

do over and over every day without even thinking

wouldn't be possible without her guiding hand.

(Yup, Dad was there too - but mostly I remember 

learning to drive with Mom. Although Dad took me

for my driving test - Twice - and had enough confidence

in me the 2nd time to LEAVE me there so he could

go to work. It was PASS and drive home... or.... 

there was no or.)

Many of her best teaching moments were by example.

I learned to love and serve others through her example.

I watched her entertain people in her home.

I watched her serve other families.

I watched her teach piano lessons to other children.

I watched her play the organ and lead the singing.

(And learned you lead off to the side of your body

so they can see your hand and NOT to wear big jewelry

so they weren't distracted... hahahaha)

(This was the age of the giant flower pins...)

I learned to love your family.

I also learned self care.

It's a fine balance.

I learned to love the Lord.

I learned to study the scriptures.

I learned to lean on my faith when times were tough.

But also to lean on my faith when they weren't.

I learned she is a great lady.

And I learned I want to be like her.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Cutest picture in the whole world.