My mother's birthday is the day after our wedding anniversary - February 13th. Even though it has been years since her passing, I still miss her. I will always miss her I suppose. Especially at times when I just wish she were here by my side and for all those times when I long for her to dote on my children and to just simply enjoy all life's moments with us. I remember how much she enjoyed being a grandmother. She was a tough woman and never acted like she was "too old" to do what she wanted. Had her body been more cooperative in the later years, I know she would still have been the same caring, trustworthy grandmother/mom. She always put other peoples needs first before her own. She would drop everything at a moments notice to help out and be there. I most love the fact that you never even had to ask - she just did it willingly. Even if she did have appointments scheduled, she would cancel them for us and the grandchildren.

Being pregnant this time around, I so wished she were alive. I wanted and needed her. I spent about 4 months not being able to do a darn thing pretty much due to so much throwing up and running a low grade fever that left me exhausted. Brady took very good care of all of us during that time but it would have been so nice to have had her come help. I felt very guilty that there were piles of laundry, dishes, grocery needs, etc. to be done that just sat for days or weeks till I could muster enough energy to do those tasks. (The house still is a wreck but it it better!) I especially missed her most of last year when my father was so critically ill. I would have loved for her to come pick up Hailey at school daily and take care of the H's so Brady could work uninterrupted. He loved doing it but it would have been so nice knowing they were at their own home with someone I didn't have to leave a note for of how to take care of and what needed to be done. She was a great mom/grandmother in that regard. I am very appreciative of all she was able to do for me growing up and the sweet memories that I have of her with Hailey. I hope that when the time comes when my children have children of their own that my body will allow me to be by their sides and relish in the joy of being a grandmother. I know I will rock that role!

So Happy Birthday dear Mother. I miss you terribly and someday we have a lot of catching up to do! Love you.

* Mother, Tessa and I on my 26th Birthday - Norman, OK