My tribute to mothers. My mothers. My friends.

My first Christmas as a mommy.

My internet didn't work right all weekend long. Getting good access was hit or miss. My intentions were to do a Mother's Day post, but one a day late will now have to do.

I just wanted to give credit where credit is deserved to all the mothers in my life. My own wonderful mother, my mother-in-laws Pat and Martha, my sister-in-law, Michelle, and all my fabulous mother friends, and even my non-mother friends, who in my eyes are mommies the way they so passionately share their lives with their nieces, nephews and (one day) step-sons.

Each one of you share so much with me . . . you share your lives, you share your love, and that is just what living is all about, but even more so, just what mothering is all about. Giving love. So today is my day to thank you for sharing this huge piece of your life with me.

I especially owe a lot to my mom for showing me just what a mother should look like. She's done it so gracefully and extraordinarily. I sometimes think she questions whether she did it right, but she should know that my brother and I both know how great she did, and still does. She never ever gives herself enough credit. And I know it was not easy, but she survived. She will forevermore look like a survivor . . .a hero . . . the best mother in the world . . . to Chris and I. And now she shares that amazing part of who she is with her grandchildren who she adores so much.

So today, I wanted to thank mom for what she's done for me the past 31 years. I am so blessed that I can call her one of my best friends. (Thank you, mom.)

I also thought it would be a good day to show off some pictures (who me?!) of some of the fabulous women/moms in my life, as well as some of myself as a momma when I first became one.

Oh how I love being a mommy. It's the hardest job in the entire world, but it's worth every tear and heart ache for the love I can show my kids, but even more for the love I receive back from them, because it means they are learning from me. Thank you to all the moms in my life, for being such great examples and for loving me. I love you all.

Sis-in-law, Chel, and her nephew, Noah.

O'ma Pat and Noah.

Grandma Martha and Noah.

Mom, my brother, Chris, and me!

Mom and I at Lake Sara (Michelle and Pat both know this place well, too, as their families have been going there for years just like we have . . . and our paths never crossed . . . how crazy!! To think, 3 separate families that would one day become one! Wow.)

Mom (with her granddaughter, Christina,) at her 50th birthday party that we threw for her. There's grandpa back there in the back sitting in the lawn chair . . . oh how I miss him!

Nat, Kori, Kristin and I in 1998. Nat now is a mommy to 2, Kori is now a mommy to 2 and Kristin is a mommy to 1. (All such amazing mommies!) I've known - and been best friends with! - Nat for over 25 years, as well as Kori for 25 years, and Kristin for 18 years!

Mom, my grandma & I (again, at Lake Sara!). Grandma also showed me what being a mother is like. Mom, grandma and I were all three like best friends. Two such amazing women. I am so blessed to have had them in my life. Grandma passed away in 2000 from a long battle with breast cancer. She was a remarkable school teacher, but also a teacher of life and of love and had such a strong belief in God. A truly amazing women . . . grandmother . . . friend . . . teacher. Oh how I miss her still. I just hope I can continue to be a mother like she was.

Me and my boy and my first "baby", Frankie. We got her when Neil turned 21 in college. She is now almost 10! She is such a good "mommy" to my kids.

Hope you all had a really wonderful Mother's Day :c)