One In A Million

My mom is one of a kind. She is one in a million actually.

She is a complicated woman - as I am finding as I get older - all great women are. 

 It took me a long time into my adulthood to really appreciate my mother. For several years I was too busy being angry with her for all of the mistakes she made in raising me. Looking back now I know that she did the very best that she could with the tools she had. She was a young mom who tried very hard to do the very best that she could. She was trying to grow herself up while at the same time helping me to grow up. That is a tricky situation to navigate successfully. 

But for all of the mistakes that my mom made with me she has made up for that in spades with my children. From the moment she knew that Andy was on his way she loved him ferociously. And she has done the same for all of my subsequent children. 

My kids can count on my mom. Always. From the moment of their birth she has been there for each and every one of them. She has always been their biggest cheerleaders in life and has taken the time to get to know each and everyone of them as individuals. She has spent time in the trenches dealing with them as babies and toddlers and loving on them in ways that only a Nana can. She is now reaping the results of all of that early hard work and investment as my kids - all 4 of them - love her dearly. She is their special person.

Akron, Ohio

My mom has never had a lot of money, but she has had time. And when she didn't have time she made time. I know over the years she sometimes felt bad that she didn't have more money to bestow lavish gifts on my kids, but what she didn't realize was that my kids didn't need great gifts - they needed time. She has given my kids the gift of time that my grandfather gave me all of those year ago and her investment in them is worth more than gold.  I know personally the affect of having someone love you completely & unconditionally just as you are. This is how she loves my kids. And they know it because they feel her love. They feel it in the soccer games she goes to (still). They feel it in the horseback riding lessons she goes to. They feel it in the interest she takes in their jobs and their lives. They feel it when they read her cards and letters. They take her with them where ever they go. That's what happens when you invest in those you love. You become a part of them and they become a part of you. 

My mom is the kinda of Nana who would take time off of work to go to an awards ceremony to see the kids get school awards at the end of the school year. She would rearrange her work schedule to be able to make all of the kids soccer games (and there were several years when all 4 kids were playing). She is the kind of Nana who decided to teach herself how to use a braille writer so that she could still write letters to Sarah. And so she does. And Sarah writes my mom letters in braille and my mom reads them and writes her back. 

When we moved away from Ohio my children were worried about being forgotten by family. My mom promised them that she would never forget about them, and has shown them that her words were true by constantly sending them care packages, letters, and cards. She sends them stuff even though they are terrible about getting back to her. This doesn't stop her from sending them stuff anyway. She has also shown them that she hasn't forgotten about them by keeping good on her promise that she would visit them at least twice a year no matter where we are in the U.S. Since we have moved away a little over 3 years ago she has visited us 7 times and has already planned her 8th trip this May. She shows up for my kids. Constantly. Consistently. These action means more to them than her words and she knows this which is why she does what she says she will. And my kids have noticed. 

My mom is the most amazing Nana in this whole wide world. And while growing up with my mom was sometimes very hard for me I wouldn't change it for the world because she is such a phenomenal Nana to my kids. My mom is a gift to me because she is a gift to my children. 

My mom really is one in a million. She is a diamond in the rough. In my kids eyes she sparkles brightly and is cherished. 

I know how much you hate the internet, Mom, but if you ever have a chance to read this I just want you to know that I love you. And Bob loves you. And most importantly Andy, Josh, Sarah, and Elizabeth love you. In fact, they are crazy about you. 

I wrote this post in honor of you because I want as many people as possible to know what an amazing person you are, but most importantly what an amazing Nana you are. You are Super Nana. 

Thank you for showing up for our kids over and over again. Thank you for being their person. We all need just one person in this world to love us and believe in us unconditionally. Thank you for stepping up to the plate for that job not once, or twice, but four times. I honestly don't know what we would do without you.

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Near Astoria, Oregon

Grand Canyon National Park

Tortuga Mountain Las Cruces, New Mexico

At Redwood National Forest with us.

A Mini Vacation to Mt Hood

As a Christmas gift to the kids Bob and I rented a cabin in a little town called Rhododendron which sits at the base of Mt Hood. For three nights and 3 days we stayed in this quaint house and had a blast.  We drove further up the mountain 2 of the 3 days and went exploring in the snow. We found an amazing place to snow tube, and the kids, Lily, and Bob ended up spending the better part of our third day out in the cold temps snowing down the mountain while I got to enjoy the day alone at the cabin reading, journaling, and enjoying the woods surrounding the cabin. We took no electronics with us. Just board games, cards, and books. We walked away from that time refreshed and rejuvenated which is exactly what we needed as a family. After being on Mt Hood, I realize that I would not have hated living here so much if I could have lived in a smaller community surrounded by nature. I am not a city girl - not by a long stretch. And my kids aren't city kids either. Neither is my husband. It has been good lesson to learn. Something that we will not forget on any subsequent moves that our family will make.

This cabin and its surroundings were amazingly beautiful and peaceful. I am grateful that we got to spend this time together as a family all having fun.  It was the perfect way to begin 2018. The best part about it all is that we have snow chains for the van now and can go up to Mt Hood anytime we want to snow tube this winter. We cannot wait to go again. 

Hanging out by the fire as it was the only source of heat in the house and it was cold that first night there. 

Playing D&D with her brothers.

This unusable fireplace reminded me so much of the one my grandparents in their home when I was growing up.

Josh was obsessed with this record player. He loved it so much he is thinking about getting one for himself. 

This house was decorated so perfectly for a cabin in the mountains. 

No words necessary...

Lily was so happy we brought her with us. She was definitely in her element. 

Discussing sled riding strategy.

As the day wore on the clouds shifted and made way for a beautiful blue sky. It was amazing. 

A snow fort the kids found. 

The house we stayed at allowed animals, so we brought both Lily and Moose with us. 

Both Josh and Lily were beat after a day of sledding and tubing down Mt Hood. They fell soundly asleep on the hard cold wood floor.