Hats Off To Moms

In this world moms wear many different hats...

we work, we play, we love, we weep, we worry, we rejoice, we watch, we wait, we wonder

When I was a child my Mother was often very ill. She suffered from Depression and was hospitalized many times throughout my life. She died when I was 24 and she was 49. My son Todd was 2 and I was pregnant with my son Matt. What I remember most is her joyful laugh when she was happy, how she would say "I love you Jennifer Ann" with such a fierceness in her voice - an all-loving statement. The times we would drive home from my Grandmother's and I would lay my head on her lap (no seat belts at that time) and she would sing to me and stroke my hair. She would send me baby roses in pinks or soft coral "just because" - I mimic her kind heart to this day.

Then there was my Father's Mom - the Mother of my heart. Jennie Mondelli lived to be 95 and I will always miss her. The independent woman before her time. Raised her two sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Served in the Army during WWII the same times her two sons were in the Army and Marines.

And as for me? I knew I wanted to be a Mom. I dreamed of my sons or daughters and how I'd cherish them. From the moment they were born, my heart surged with joy. These little (well 10lbs 22" and 9 lbs. 22") perfect boys that were in my arms and mine.

Years have flown by and we have survived diapers, finger painting with poop, showering with baby powder including our black lab, countless trips to the ER for sutures, 2 broken collar bones, high school, knowing more than I do, attitude, vehicles, my knowing less than they do, several broken noses, Army boot camp, deployment, marriage, travel, being shorter than they are, houses purchased....

and I love their lives, my life, our lives together ...I listen to the words of this song my son Todd had played for us on his wedding day and picture us dancing....

Thank You dear Lord for the gift, the sweetest blessing of being a Mom.

I Had The Best Day ... Remembering My Mom. Mother's Day Joys To All Of You!

And now I know why the all the trees change in the fall

I know you were on my side even when I was wrong

And I love you for giving me your eyes

For staying back and watching me shine

And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm takin' this chance to say

That I had the best day with you today

                               Taylor Swift  The Best Day

My Mom's name was Bette Ann.

 She was tall, thin, had laughing green eyes and a full bodied laugh.

I was her only child. I didn't always know it as a child,

she loved me with all of her heart. I know that now because I am a mom.

She was 49 when we lost her and I was 24, my son Todd was 2. She loved roses, especially lavender roses.

We spent the BEST DAY together before she died. She drove up to my house and played with Todd. Took him for a walk by the lake. Hand in hand, I can see them walking down our dirt road - he had such sturdy little legs. We had lunch and she was all smiles for us. It was an unusal day, I never realized it was her "good-bye". When she was leaving she held me in her arms and kissed me and said with such emotion "I love you Jennifer Ann!". We had the best day.
         As I drove home from a friend's last night, I thought about that day and also how I used to lay my head on her lap as a child when we drove home from my Grandmother's. My Mom would sing songs like "Mister Moon" or  "M O T H E R". You might know it - it begins with "M is for the million smiles she gave me.."

So I just needed to write a post today to say something about the best days with my mom and to post some photos celebrating moms. How blessed we are indeed.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO YOU!

WITH A CHERRY ON TOP, HUGS, JENNIFER

THANKS FOR LISTENING

 
"A woman has two smiles that an angel might envy, the smile that accepts a lover before words are uttered, and the smile that lights on the first born babe, and assures it of a mother's love."
-- Thomas C. Haliburton

"To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power."
-- Maya Angelou

"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness."
-- Honore' de Balzac

The Bride's Mom Can Sew!

Ravy.... Sidavay Tan

now Van Valkenburgh

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  Ravy and her sister...

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It is customary in Cambodian

weddings for the bride and other

relatives to change their clothes

multiple times during the 3 days of

ceremonies. Ravy changed 3 times

throughout the day and all of the gowns

were sent from Cambodia and hand sewn

by her Mom. Her sister's gown and many other family members also wore gowns

made by Ravy's mother and they were stunning. I hope to include other photos in the

future of guests and the Tea Ceremony, it was just beautiful. When the

measurements were sent for my son's traditional shirt for the tea ceremony -

because of his size.... they questioned over and over whether the measurements were

correct because Cambodian men are small in stature and weight.

Todd is NOT. He is 6' 2".... The shirt arrived, it fit perfectly, as did the gowns 3 days before the wedding.

It's called "Cambodian Time" in our family and my son just goes with the flow.

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Where did 31 years go - my little boy!

Todd - his name is Todd Robert and he arrived 3 weeks late 31 years ago. He weighed almost 10 lbs. and was 22". Like any new mom - he was my little miracle. When he turned 25 I sent him a birthday card with a photo of the two of us when he was minutes old describing what it felt like to be in that moment. I hope it meant something special. I'll never forget it. Now he's getting married. December the 5th in Annapolis, Maryland. His brother Matt (28) will be his best man. My dad - at 87, will fly up from Florida. My dad does not fly - but he will be there with my mom - he promised Todd. So my heart sings but it tugs at the same time. I blinked my eyes and they are men. I'm proud but where did it go?

Mother's Day - but more...

I hope all of you had a lovely
Mother's Day!
I spent it with my two sons
Todd (31) & Matt (28) - I blinked my eyes and they are men. I remember feeling them move inside me. I remember nursing, one so impatient ( Big surprise 10 lbs. 22" - due date 4/8 - born 4/25!), the other so peaceful and sleepy ( 9 lbs., 22"). So many injuries my parents wanted to give us a gift certificate to the ER! Finally, I worked for a Plastic Surgeon and I could bring them right in when they required sutures.The pain in might heart and the fear, the trust I had to have in my faith, when Matt was deployed and we said "good-bye". The "I hate you Mom" teenage years where suddenly I knew ZIP! Sports, games, practices, home-made cards, laundry, girls, discipline, chores, homework, hugs.
Yesterday, they came over with their girlfriends - who I adore - and cooked dinner for my husband and I - cleaned up - we relaxed and watched tv - the tears ran down my cheeks. My cup runneth over. How can my life be filled by such blessings? Jenn

Always a Creative Person Out There!

I saw this necklace on one of my
Etsy ventures for Mother's Day
ideas and I was delighted with a
new style mixing vintage and new.
This is something I would wear or would be happy to give as a gift and wanted to share the photo with others....ENJOY!