Happy in the Hard

*I published on a post a few weeks ago another article I wrote titled "Expect Miracles".  This is a different version of that, but with some repeats.  This one will be published on the American Mother's state website.

Happy in the Hard

Last year my longtime dream of running the Boston Marathon came to fruition for the second time. I was on cloud nine with great hopes of running it yet again in the future. Then, without warning, things took a sharp turn. Adversity seemed to strike in the blink of an eye without notifying me or alerting me it was on its way.

One of my all-time favorite quotes is by Martha Washington, who said, “I've learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances.”

I always thought I believed that, but then life happened.

I’ve always tried to maintain a high level of fitness and health, but I learned firsthand that life is fragile and no matter how much we take care of ourselves, our bodies can still sell us out and surprise us with things we never anticipated.

Beginning in the late November last year, I was told I had a herniated disk. While I was trying to process that in my mind and how it would affect me as a runner I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That news came out of nowhere. Then two weeks before Christmas a fun family outing resulted in a snowmobile crushing my right leg from the knee to my ankle, breaking my fibula and tearing all my ligaments. At the time I did not fully realize the extent of the damage or how long the recovery would be. Showing up three days later for my cancer surgery in a wheelchair was not part of my plan. The surgery went as well as could be expected, but the following day I was diagnosed with blood clots in my leg. You could say I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, but also very grateful the clots were discovered (thanks to my physician husband) which literally saved my life. Still, I was unable to walk or put any weight on my leg and so I was basically laid up for several months. Not wanting to be left out of the party I was having, my mom was rushed to the hospital with chest pain and ended up having a quadruple bypass on Christmas Eve. Due to my current situation, I regretfully was unable to be there. How grateful I was that her 99% blockage hadn’t resulted in any permanent damage.

With my mom’s trauma under control my focus centered on treating my breast cancer.  Having had friends go through chemotherapy and radiation, I had an unsettling fear and worry about the whole process.  Although my surgeon was fairly certain I would need chemotherapy, I was grateful when my oncotype score revealed I would only need five weeks of radiation. During this time I was also diagnosed with severe osteoporosis, but my oncologist still insisted I be on hormone therapy pills for the next 10 years. Despite all that, the relief of not being subjected to chemotherapy was perhaps the best Christmas present I have ever received.

My activity came to a complete stop as I convalesced for the next several months. This was foreign to me. I had to use a walker for the very little activity I could do, like getting in the shower or going to doctor appointments and radiation treatments at the Huntsman. Just putting on a single sock in the morning took a good five minutes or more. It was rather comical. I began to see how much I took for granted in my pre-injured life and was filled with deep gratitude for all the things I could still do. 

It wasn’t all bad however. Being forced to slow down in my daily life was actually kind of sweet. I just pretended that I was in a luxurious spa every day where people brought me three meals a day and took care of all my previous obligations, while I sat around watching old movies and catching up on my reading. Truth be told, I actually did very little reading because it took too much brain power. My brain was working overtime trying to heal a very long list of ailments and there was little energy left in it for much else. Kind of how motherhood makes you feel at times!  However, it was a nice respite from the fast paced life I was used to and not having a to-do list other than healing was freeing.

Despite the slower pace, this was a very challenging and frustrating time for me, but I knew I had a choice in how I responded. Early on I decided that I was going to focus on three things as I tried to patiently endure. I was going to approach this time with positivity, gratitude and humor. It wasn’t always easy, but making that decision going into it really helped me pull through some rough patches and made it possible to find happiness in the hard.

In March I received news that my talus (ankle) bone had died due to a lack of blood flow. The specialist called it avascular necrosis (AVN). He told me that due to the injury I would no longer be able to run. I was devastated. Those who know me know that is even worse than asking me to give up chocolate!  Running is one of my greatest blessings.  It is my therapy. Despite this news, I was filled with deep gratitude that I would at least walk normally again. However, the stubbornness in me chose to focus on the hope that I would run eventually.

In June I decided to see another specialist to get a second opinion and a new MRI. Thankfully, after much prayer and fasting, this doctor told me that my ankle was alive and there were no signs of AVN. I was gratefully stunned at the miracle I had received. As I write this, things are starting to get back to normal, and even though running is still in the far distant future, I am filled with gratitude that it is now a possibility.

Circumstances in life are not always ideal.  In fact, most of the time they aren’t. So, how can we still be happy when life gets hard?

We all have challenges in our lives and we will have more in the future. That is a given. Most of them we can’t change or control. We can only control how we choose to react to them. One thing we know for certain is that we all only have a limited number of days here on earth. Each day we can either choose to focus on what we don’t have or focus on all we do have and be grateful for it. If we put our focus on gratitude and being positive, we can learn to laugh through our toughest challenges and we will feel the joy. 

In my home I have a sign with a quote by Gordon Hinckley. It says, “In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”  That is pure wisdom right there, but ofttimes, we think we are only going to find joy once our trials and hardships are removed, when the truth is joy can be found  right in the midst of our adversity. Happiness is in the journey.  Cherish the moments.

Time is so precious. Life is a gift. It is truly a miracle. It is ours for the embracing. Embrace it. Enjoy it. And while doing so reach for and find that joy despite what your circumstances may currently be. The choice is yours.

“Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering, with tears in its eyes....”

― Frederick Buechner

It's My Birthday and I'll {run-lunch-party-reunion-cry} if I Want To

 Happy Birthday to ME!  
I have always loved my birthday. I have waited for you for a whole year!  I really do love my birthday!  I am not one of those women who dread it when it arrives.  I actually look forward to it.  I mean after all how many days can you get away with this:

Not many!  So I take full advantage!  hah  It's always better to become another year older than to spend another year under the ground right?  RIGHT!   Birthday's should be a celebration of life!  The fact that I am alive and healthy is more than a reason to celebrate!  I used to take for granted the years as they would go by, but not anymore.  One thing losing my son Tyson has taught me is that LIFE IS SHORT and so we must live it to the fullest!  We must CHERISH the MOMENTS and the DAYS - especially birthdays!  Don't let one day (or one birthday) be mundane!  There is so much to celebrate, the least of which is that I was blessed enough to be able to spend another year on this planet enjoying my life! 
(And the chocolate I inevitably get, is always a bonus too!)
 
This year, since it was on a Saturday, it was pretty low key.  I had to get in a 12 mile run early on and then I had lots of other things that had to be done - birthday or not- and so there was really no party on my actual birthday.  The party was planned for Monday.  The main reason for no party this year on my real day is because I had my Class Reunion that night as well.

Best present by far ALL day was this ↓!!!!  

Yes... all the way from Brazil!  Now, that totally made my day!
It was on Facebook! ☺


I got some really nice things from some really nice people.  I am always amazed at how my family and friends always pick out the most perfect gifts for me!  I wish I was that good at giving gifts to others.  I try, but I am always seriously amazed how they all choose the perfect gift for me.  And very grateful!

  

Dave gave me a Willow Tree that had a mom cuddling a little boy in a quilt.  He said it reminded him of me and Tyson.  I cried when I opened it.  It will always mean a lot to me.  My Mom gave me the most gorgeous purple earrings and scarf, as well as a cardigan (I picked out!).  She always finds the greatest things for me.  Bonnie searched and found me a Lenox Bowl that we both fell in love with at a bridal shower.  She is just so amazing!  And such a wonderful friend and example to me.  I love that woman!

I got some awesome stuff, like a purple super cool spatula and awesome running book, purple candy from Oregon, dishcloths, a book I have always wanted, Halloween stuff, purple blanket, candles, etc.  I felt like I got super spoiled...

 I really loved all my gifts, but what I love most about birthdays are the cards I get from my friends and family because of the heart felt messages inside.  My love language has always been words of affirmation.  I usually save my cards and love to re-read them when I need a boost.

My Mom brought over a chocolate (and purple!) cake for the party and I invited Linda to join in on the fun and she brought an apple pie.

My Mom has always got me a cake on my birthday ever since I can remember.  I am sure Dave and the boys appreciate that!  If it was left up to them, not sure if cake would happen!  My sweet Mom always comes through and I appreciate her so much!

I got to see my cute little grand-niece Kylah!  Love her!

This is me with my sister in law Linda. ↓ We both share the same birthday, though I won't let her forget she is one year older than me.  It has been something that has bonded us and we usually are able to get together at some point during our birthday.

 On my actual "day of" birthday, I began it with a 12.5 mile run with Jen.  We started at Sherwood Hills and then had a bit of a detour via Dave.  It was a great day for a run and I was happy to have it over with.  More of that HERE.

She gave me a birthday present after we finished and I ran home carrying it.  Bet that looked funny!  hah  She gave me some cool stuff!  Including a running book that I have loved reading.  It's called Mile Markers and has already inspired me!  It was a great way to start the day!

Jen has been such a great friend to me in so many ways.  We have shared pretty much everything about each others lives over the years and now that we are running mates, we share even more than we should! haha  It's amazing what comes out on those long runs!  lol  It's so nice to have a friend that you can share all your secrets with.  Good and bad.  We have a lot of fun together too and we never tire of each others company.  At least I never do of hers.  She is a great example to me in so many ways.  I feel blessed to have her as a friend.


That night, it was the second night of my 35th High School Class Reunion.  

It was tough to decide what to do as far as if I was going or not since it was my birthday, but in the end I decided these things come so rarely and you never know how long it will be until you see some of these people again, so I decided to go.  Dave could have gone with me on this one, but we decided to save the money (since he would be bored out of his gourd anyway) and celebrate together later. 

I am really glad that I went even if they embarrassed me and made me go up to the front to be sang Happy Birthday too.  That was NOT something I wanted to do!  They gave me birthday crowns and candles (a 5 and a 3) but I turned them around to make 35 instead of 53.  Yes, I turned 35 on my 35th class reunion!  Not sure how to explain that, but...  

I have a full post on the reunion HERE.

And...I had lots of fun doing my favorite thing with some of my favorite people.
Going out to lunch!

At Idle Isle with Julie....

I got the open faced hot turkey sandwich. Mmmm....

Julie and I have been friends for over 20 years and have really been through the ups and downs in each others lives.  She is a true friend and has a heart of gold.  If I could be half as good as her, then I would consider myself pretty awesome.  She is one of those friends that you know that no matter what storm is happening in your life she will be there to throw you a life preserver.  I am very blessed to have her as a friend.

Me and my cute friend Dawn celebrated our birthdays together and she was sweet enough to come to my city!  We exchanged gifts and I loved what she gave me!  Chocolate of course, and a darling Willow Tree plaque of two friends (twins).  We always say we are twins separated at birth because we really have so much in common.  And we just keep discovering more every time we are together.  It will always remind me of our bond and friendship whenever I see it.

   This little card that came with the Willow Tree really sums it up.  

We went to the same high school together but since she is one grade ahead of me, we never really hung out much.  We became fast friends on Facebook though.  She came to some of the crafting events our mutual friend Kathy had and we hit it off immediately.  It really is amazing how much alike we are.  There are many ways that I really wish I was more like her though.  She is always thinking of others....ALWAYS!  She will come up with ideas to lift other people's day in simple ways that really make an impact on them.  She started doing Sunshine Bags and giving them to random strangers she felt needed a boost.  She always has something up her sleeve to help life another person.

Her birthday happens to fall on National Milk Chocolate Day (lucky!) and mine falls on National Ice Cream Sandwich Day and so she made up this cute little card that we can pass out to random strangers to brighten their days along with some chocolate and ice cream sandwiches.  We want to start doing this every year around our birthdays since they are only five days apart.  What a great idea!  That is just one of the many things she does to lift others.  She is amazing!  I am so grateful our paths crossed again, even if it was later in life, because she really inspires me and enriches my life.

My favorite picture of us.  Taken a few months ago, but I love it!

 I just feel so blessed to have so many great friends!  And I've only touched the surface with the few I talked about.  I have been abundantly blessed with so many others that I love so much and who also inspire me daily! 

I've also been greatly blessed with family.  I love my in law family as much as I love my own. Dave's sister Karen took me and his sister Linda out for our birthdays together since we share a birthday.

We hit Rovolli's on 25th Street and it was yummy!  Linda's daughter Kimber and grandaughter Kylah also joined us.

It doesn't take us long to find a photo opp!  And THIS one was perfect!!!

We had a lot of fun together even if the time was short.

I had a wonderful birthday and stretched it out over a week or so.  I think I should keep stretching it out over the month!  Like I said above, as long as I'm here and kicking I'll be celebrating LIFE!

The numbers don't matter only the feelings! And I feel great!

I have been so blessed!

It was a great birthday!

SIDE NOTE:

 I have asked for a bike for several years for my birthday, but I don't think Dave wants me riding one because he has had too many friends get really hurt (or die!) on them.  I just want one to cross train on when I can't run (like now) and so Jen and I went looking for a good entry level bike for me and found this one.  Since I am injured right now, I really needed it while I can't run.  So I told Dave I was going to order it for my birthday.  He wasn't super thrilled but was okay with it.  I can't wait until it arrives!

Back to Bountiful

Back in November I was asked by my old friend Janice (not saying she's old, just saying she's been a friend for a long time☺) if I would come and speak at her Relief Society birthday party in Bountiful, which happened to be our old ward that we attended when we lived in Bountiful (technically Centerville) when we were in medical school.  She told me that she had been praying about this for months and mine was the only name that kept coming up. Talk about pressure!  She also said it was an open topic and I could speak on whatever I choose - RS, motherhood, running, homemaking, etc., or all the above. Open topic?  Wow. She had me at open topic!  How often do you get an open topic?  When she told me it was in March, I thought to myself, "Sure, why not?".   Everything sounds like a piece of cake when it's five months away.  Even a marathon.  And of course, I did not think that it would get here as fast as it did. I told her that I would be honored to do it. I am glad I accepted the invitation.  I used to do a lot more speaking than I do now and so I was actually kind of excited to do it.  I was kind of missing it.  That sounds crazy I know, considering public speaking is one of most peeps top fears, but I actually enjoy it if the topic is something I feel passionate about.  And with an open topic, I was excited to come up with something.  

It's been in the back of my mind for all these months and my thoughts kept turning to the topic of gratitude.  I just feel like gratitude is so powerful and I feel like most people don't understand the power it has and so I always love to talk about that.  I pretty much decided that would be the topic I chose, but I kept open to inspiration.  

As the time got nearer, I still felt that was to be the topic, but I also felt I needed to include a lot about how happiness is a choice.  When I recently asked Janice the theme of the dinner, she said it was  celebrating ourselves and finding joy in life.  I knew then I was on the right track.  I spent a few days working really hard on it and I basically had it written and ready to go.  Then a few days before I was to give it, I felt very impressed that I was to talk about my son Tyson who passed away, but also relate that experience to my previous topic of happiness is a choice as well as to gratitude.  So, I basically rewrote my whole talk.  I knew it would happen that way, because it pretty much almost always does when giving a talk.  For some reason the inspiration is withheld for some reason until the date closely approaches.  Will someone tell me why that is?

I don't usually talk too much about Tyson when I am speaking to a large group.  I think I have always feared that I might lose my composure and it would back fire.  But, this time, I went in with an assurance that I was supposed to talk about him and so I was prepared for whatever emotion rose during my talk.  I really enjoyed preparing and talking about that boy.  I felt like it brought his spirit closer to me.

My friend Dawn offered to go with me and since I always love to be with her, I was excited she would come and support me.  I picked her up and off we went.  We had to drive by my old house (duplex) that we lived in 20 years ago.  It looked mostly the same, but run down a bit.  We lived on the right side. Two of my babies were born in that house...well, not IN that house, but while we lived in that house.  We moved from there when Taylor was only three weeks old. 

Off to the right of the photo there used to be a field where we planted a garden and now it's a road!  Our backyard was an open corn field and now it's houses.   

When we got in the church, Janice was inside and was so welcoming.  I saw this beautiful wreath that was displayed and I was drawn to it (yes, it was purple) and commented how amazingly stunning it was.  Janice said, "It's yours!"  I was shocked yet ecstatic!  She had made it for me as a thank you gift for coming.  It is GORGEOUS beyond words. And it was PURPLE!  I loved it.  I couldn't believe she was giving it to me as my gift.  I was so excited!

And she was wearing all purple and asked me why I wasn't.  Gulp.  The word got out that I love purple and several people asked me why I wasn't wearing it.  I felt like I should go home and change.  Even the decorations were purple!  They know how to make you feel very welcome in that ward.

Here I am with my dear friend Dawn who came to support me.  She is an amazing woman and I call her the poster child for happiness.  She is always up and happy and positive and lifts up others wherever she goes.  I knew she would be good energy for me and get me in the right spirit for this talk. And she was.  I just love being around her.

As people started to stagger in, I started to recognize some of the faces.  I was so excited to reunite with all of these amazing women!  KarLynne, (on the far left) was YW Pres and I was her secretary. I don't know if you can see the pen stuck in her hair, but I just about died laughing because she always had a pencil stuck in her hair when we lived there.  I love her so much.  She is just so fun and she also lost a child - Kelly - 19 years ago right after we moved.  She remembered that I came back to visit her after it happened.  There is an immediate common bond with parents who have lost children.  And Diane (next to me on the left).  Her husband Alan owned the field in our backyard and let us glean the leftover corn after it had been picked.  We were struggling medical students and so appreciated that!  Georgia, Rosanne, Sister Raybold, and Marilyn.  So many amazing women.  Their examples had such a profound influence on me while there and still do. It was so good to see them all again!

My good friend Colleen just moved to Bountiful a month or so ago and so I had a feeling I better let her know I was there.  I sent her a text on my way.  She responded after I arrived at the church and asked for the address and said she was coming.  Crazily enough, I was speaking at her church!  Not her ward but her building!  And she had gone to that ward the first week they were here.  Talk about a small world.  She brought her darling daughters Courtney and Kaylie.  I was so happy to see them. I have really missed them!  They all knew Tyson really well and so after I spoke they told me how much they loved it and Colleen told me that what I said was exactly what Courtney needed to hear.  I'm glad I listened to inspiration and let her know I was coming.  I almost didn't because I felt kind of like I was saying, "Hey I'm in town speaking, come listen to me."  The fewer people I know when I'm speaking the better.  haha  But I really felt I needed to. Plus I really wanted to see her.

I felt like my talk went well.  I always say a few things that I wish I hadn't and leave out a few others I wish I had added, but overall, I think I was able to get across my message.  At least I hope.  I never know for sure after a talk but hopefully if the comments were honest that I received from everyone after then I was able to share the message I wanted to.  At least I felt really good about it.

My main theme was that no matter our circumstances we can be happy.  Happiness isn't based on our circumstances but on our attitude and we choose if we want to be happy or not.  I spoke how after losing Tyson that I was given a choice.... I could be a mother that lost her child and be miserable or I could be a mother that lost her child and be happy.  It was really MY choice.  I could be bitter that he died or I could become better and stronger for having gone through that experience.  I spoke about how no matter what his circumstances, which usually consisted of pain in some form, Tyson choose to be happy and to not complain.  He easily could have and no one would have blamed him for that, but he CHOSE to be happy and live his short life to the fullest.  He was a great example of that.  I also talked about how gratitude has so much power and that just the simple act of being grateful for what we have at the moment, even if it's not all we want, can transform our sorrow into joy.  Almost magically.  I truly believe there is some kind of magical power in gratitude!  ☺ I also told how Tyson was so grateful to everyone in his life including the nurses, doctors, and even the phlebotomists that inflicted pain on him.  He never forgot - not once - to tell them thank you after they did what they needed to do to keep him healthy.  He was always the first to say thank you at dinner and each night he would come in my room before he went to bed and say, "Is there anything you need?"  He was an amazing example.  My overall message was that life is tough and we will all have adversity.   We can't choose our adversity and most of the time we can't control the things that happen to us, but we can control how we will react to it.  Tyson was the best example of all those things of anyone I've ever known.  Everyone was so kind after and told me I did a good job.  I hope so.  I tend to over analyze after a talk and get super nit picky about how I did.  I just hope that my message helped inspire even just one person.  If it did, then it was worth it.  Well, it was worth it just for the wreath!  hehe   

I forgot to take a photo of my table display with photos, but this above picture was part of it.

Someone put the wreath on my head.  It makes a great hat, don't you think?  We decided I should glue a witch hat inside and wear it to Witches Night Out this Halloween.  It would be boo-tiful!


On our way home, I told Dawn we were stopping at Dick's Bakery.  It used to be in my backyard, but has since moved to Parrish Lane.  I had called earlier and had them hold some of their famous chocolate fudge donuts.  If you don't call ahead of time, then they are out!  I also ordered some of their yummy mini eclairs for Dave. Mmmm........  NOTHING BETTER!  Dick's is one of the things I miss most about living in Bountiful!

Overall, a great night!  I am so blessed to have the amazing associations I do and the amazing examples of so many women in my life.  Life is good.

Remember to CHOOSE HAPPINESS!  

And chocolate.  Since they are basically the same thing!

 

Someone Who Fascinates You and Why~ Day 27

Blog Challenge - Day 27

 ~Someone Who Fascinates You and Why~

I gave today's challenge a lot of thought.  The world is full of fascinating people and so I had many names go through my head.  Most of them were well known people that contributed in some way to history.  Below is the SHORT LIST that popped in my head.... ;)

• Jackie O
• Eleanor Roosevelt
• Benjamin Franklin
• Mother Teresa
• Abraham Lincoln
• Ghandi
• Anne Frank
• Joseph Smith
• Corrie Ten Boom
• Phidippides
• Emma Smith
• Ellis Shipp
• Viktor Frankl
• Helen Keller
• Jesus Christ

Each one of these people are fascinating to me.  The list could be MUCH longer but I tried to limit it to 15... (for you Audrey! hehe)  For the most part, I have studied about each of the above in some way, mainly through reading a book on them (or several as in the case of Emma Smith, Anne Frank and Benjamin Franklin) or taking a class on the study of their life (Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith, Benjamin Franklin, and Emma Smith).  I learn so much from studying about the incredible lives of others.  I just love to learn about the real-ness, the human-ness of us all. 




But, after seeing this list I decided I really wanted to choose someone that is not famous.  Someone that doesn't have books written about them.  Someone who quietly goes about their life without fanfare or recognition.  Someone that probably doesn't even know I find them fascinating.  I knew that person had to be...

My Mommy!

 

My Mom is the most unselfish, caring, giving, and humble person I know.  She is always doing something for someone else and never does anything for herself.  I am amazed at how many people she has been a constant caregiver to in her life. From my cousin Shelley who suffered with MS for years, to Shelley's children (and now to their children), to her mother-in law and my Dad's Aunt Carmen, to me and my boys whenever a need arose either when Tyson was sick and in the hospital and she came and helped out with my other boys, or when she would go stay with Tyson in the hospital so Dave and I could spend some time with the other boys, to my brother's children, and to pretty much raising my niece (and MANY more!).  She has been a constant caregiver most of her entire life.  And she just did it!  She never complained - ever - and so it seemed totally normal to me.  Little did I know growing up, how rare that really was.  And she did most of it while working a full time job that she had to get up for each morning at 4:30 a.m.  I have no idea where she got the energy, but she somehow did. If someone had even the slightest need, she was there to help.  From helping people move, to cleaning houses, to babysitting, to taking in meals, she is always helping someone.

 I couldn't find too many good pictures of us together and so I had to really scrounge around.  I really wanted to go back through my oldies and pull up some of the ones of her and my boys when they were little, but I ran out of time.  This one ↑ is one of my favorites.

On my 50th birthday.  My walker was for a joke, hers was for real right after her 3rd hip surgery.  Her health isn't the greatest and she is always in a lot of pain, but she keeps on going!

She has always (along with my Pa) been VERY supportive of everything that my boys are involved in.  They rarely have missed a game or event of any of my five boys!  She has also been very supportive of what I am involved in.  Both my parents came to watch me cross the finish line of my first marathon.  That meant a lot to have them there!

The collage above has photos of the Christmas Count Down calendars that she makes each year for all the grand-kids. She is and has always been the most incredible Grandma!  She was always so much fun and got right down on their level and played whatever they wanted.  She spoiled them, but not rotten!  Just enough...  =)  

*Oldies but goodies of when my brother and I were little.  

*Photo of the clogging class that she took from me. She was a great sport when I made her be in the recital!  

*One of her and my Dad many moons ago. (click or tap to enlarge)

My Mom (Mum I called her as a little girl) is very bewitching!

 

Cooking one of her many hundred's of meals for a large family gathering.

My Mom has so many friends of her own, but sometimes she hangs out with mine too. 

One of the MOST fascinating things about my Mom is the fact that EVERYONE loves her!  And I mean EVERYONE!  No matter where we go, she becomes instant friends with strangers!  It's amazing!  You would have thought they were best friends for years.  Complete strangers! She is very likeable and so that's no surprise, but it still is fascinating.  ALL of my friends are always telling me how much they love my Mom and how cute and sweet she is.  It's true. It is impossible to not like my Mom. 

When she was taking care of Chantel a lot, she would go and help in the school.  Everyone loved her there too and everyone called her Mammy because that is what Chantel called her and it stuck.  When we go out in public, almost inevitably someone will yell, "Mammy!" and come running over to her to give her a big hug.  Not just the kids that have grown up now, but their parents and teachers too.  She is a very well loved person.  

The collage above is of her and my Dad with their first grandson, my Skyler.  They are both the best grandparents ever!!!  

*Square dancing group.  

*My Mom and Shelley's girls with Chantel doing each others hair.   

*With Bryce and Chantel. 
*My Mom and Pop.

My cute Mom is in a dancing group.  I tease her because she is about the youngest one in the group and I tell her she should hang out with peeps younger than her, not older, but she loves it.  They perform at various places and it's so fun to watch her still dancing even though she is in so much pain all the time.  I think this helps her to keep going and try and forget the pain for a bit.

With her at one of her performances.

We went to McKay's game last week and look what we both showed up in?  What are the odds?  NO, we didn't call tell each other and plan it!  But I'm glad we did so we had an excuse to take a photo of us together.   

 

Now you can see why I find my Mom so fascinating.  I truly strive to be more like her and hope someday I will have as many amazing qualities as she does.  I failed to even mention that she was Valedictorian for her junior high (which we teased her about for years, because sometimes she pretended to be the dumb blonde- lol) or that she got to meet Elvis Presley when she was a teenager. Or that she was named the "Sweetheart" of IRS one year.  Or that she was a mail lady for about a week.  Or that she worked full time for hundreds of years (it seemed like) at IRS and at HAFB.  Or that she makes the best giant cinnamon rolls on the planet.  Or that....  I could seriously go on and on forever, so I will stop.  

But she is one fascinating woman and I'm proud to call her my Mom!