My Mother

I totally dropped the ball on this one. My mother's birthday was a whole week ago, but I am only just writing this post. My Mother. I can't believe we haven''t really talked about her here before. She is amazing. Now I know everyone says that about their mothers, but mine takes the cake. Here's why:

My mom was there at Hazel's birth.

Mom making noodles for chicken noodle soup

She is an amazing seamstress, she even used to make wedding dresses.
She learned to knit like 3 months ago and is making sweaters like a pro.
She wants bee-keep.

Hazel's best friend

She knows how to build a house, and not just a generic house, a very well built, artistic, different, efficient house. I mean the plumbing, the electrical, the windows. The tile, or wood, or concrete floors and counter tops and everything! How many women do you know that can do that?

She is here to help me with Hazel when I need her.
She helps me with my house.
She tries to make my wants and needs possible, and helps facilitate my home-improvement projects even though she still has work to do on her own home. 

Do you see that smile?

She loves each of her five children unconditionally. Always has, always will. She would and has done just about anything and everything for us, even when she doesn't have the time or the money. She still has a really hard time saying no to her babies.

The floor my mom helped me with. Our backs and knees ached for days.

She understands.
She worries.
She loves to bake bread, forage for berries, preserve jam.

The swing she built for Hazel.

She is accepting and open minded.
She is loud and giggly after a glass or two of wine.
She always seems to be right there, filling the gap between what I have gotten done, and what needs to get done.
She goes the extra mile always.

Our first hike in this winter when the snow finally arrived.

Mom in Thailand

Thailand

 

Meeting Ella

Ella and Mom.

She loves being a grandma.
She doesn't do anything she isn't passionate about. She wont settle.
She loves good food, especially when she is making it for loved ones.
When she wants to go somewhere she goes, even if she has to save all year. She took our family on so many camping trips, trips to the grand canyon, to Arches, Escalante, Zions. She took me to Thailand, and Megan and Josh to Belize, and most recently her and Joel went on a three week trip to China.She is adventurous and wont give it up or make excuses about money. She makes it happen.

1 day old Hazel

Belize

Chunky Hazel

In the last year I have spent so much time with my mom, and I have learned quite a few things about her that I didn't know previously. Some of her strengths, and weaknesses, her worries her doubts, her struggles, her history. My mom didn't have it easy, and she had to make a lot of hard choices. My mom gave birth to 5 kids naturally. She did her best to show us how to work hard.

Mom and Joel

Mom, auna the horse, and Uinta the dog

My mom and I probably clash more then she does with her other four children, so it is funny that she is currently living here with us. She and I are so much alike. TOO much alike. There are certainly times when we have simply had enough of one another, and we go to our separate corners. Luckily neither of us are the type that holds onto things. We let it go, and forget about it. A few hours later everything is back to normal. I honestly don't know how I would get anything done without her here, and am so grateful for her. She gets me.

my big 21.

Happy Birthday MOM! LOVE YOU!