Momma

I love you momma. I was going to write and send you a letter but I got so busy I wasn't able to. Sad day. However, I figured dedicating a blog post to you would be sufficient :)

This year, Mothers Day is probably one of the most significant ones so far in my life. The reason? Well, I've had 5 months to realize all the things you have done for me. 

Starting off, let's talk about the physical things you've done for me my whole life that I am now able to appreciate more. Laundry; it's been an adventure, but sometimes I wish it could go back to me chucking it in a magic hamper and coming back to me clean. Dinner; not only do I miss the food, but I miss that family setting--something else that is also because of you. Free living; not having to pay rent and having someone to drive me places when I need. The Necessities; I'm starting to realize that when you have to pay for every little thing, it adds up. It was nice only having to worry about buying my favorite hair products and clothes if I wanted them, instead of soap, shampoo, Q tips, cotton balls, mascara, lotion, deodorant, brushes, toothpaste, kleenex's, paper, pens, socks, bras, hairspray. Hugs; I don't get Momma's hugs from nobody. As a matter of fact, on my road trip down to Mesa in April we stayed at one of the passengers friends parents house in St. George. She was very motherly to us girls and at the end of our stay I gave her a hug--ONLY based on the fact that i wanted a hug from a mom. I'm completely serious. Also, i was grateful she let us stay at her house.

Next, let's dive into how grateful I am for how you raised me. Once again, these five months being away from home has majorly helped me realize how AWESOME of a mom you have been for soooooooooooo very many reasons. I see weird kids around me. I see kids with divorced parents and how much it has screwed with their life. I see kids who don't know anything about the world because they're parents put them in a bubble. I call them Bubbles (clever, right?). I see kids who severely judge people because that's what they saw their parents doing there whole life. I see kids who had parents who didn't care what they did and now they think they can do and say anything they want and they're unhappy. Taking my Childhood Development class has also had a huge impact on the way I see parents. And it definitely makes me grateful because, 99% of the time (ok like ALL the time), you have done all the "right" things in raising your kids. We talk about Behavorism, Grand theories, Psychoanalytic theories, Nature vs. Nurture, Cognitive Equilibrium, Self-Efficacy and all this stuff and when we talk about it in class I'm usually always thinking "Yeah, my mom did that. And that. And that. I was raised spectacularly. Boo yah!" It talks about loving children, and not doing things that belittle them or let think they're not good enough. it talks about raising them in the gospel, and letting them figure things out for themselves. There's a lot more than that but I can't think of it right now. Basically what I'm saying is, Mom, I don't how many books you read about raising kids, but you've done it right and you've done it good. Sitting in that classroom I am proud to say I have a fantastic mother. Oh and outside the classroom too OF COURSE. But I take pride in that classroom especially. Just saying. 

You've always let me be me, I realize that. And you have a love for the gospel that you passed on to each of your kids, through diligent scripture study and prayer together, and just by your example. And wow, I know this may sound weird but, thank you for staying married to my dad. It's infinitely blessed me and made me happy and I'm sure you also. I'm grateful that I have two loving parents who love each other. It's a good example for me to see and I definitely aspire to have what you and dad have one day. I'm so glad for what you taught me and how you raised me and I want to do it the same. I love you so so much and i miss you and hope you have a wonderful day :)