Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!
My mom, became a mother when she had me...that's because I'm her first child. I was born February 29, 1964. My mom's name is Shirley Ann Fagan Sanders. She was raised in Findlay Ohio. She met my dad when he was a full-time missionary and she was a stake missionary. They got to know each other and dad proposed on the train ride home. (Isn't she beautiful!!!)

This is a picture of mom and dad bringing me home. My dad looks like he's a bit in shock, I'm crying, full on, mouth open and my mom has that beautiful calm twinkly smile that she has when she is happy. My mom always made being a mom seem easy and most of the time fun.

This has become one of my favorite pictures of me with my mom, because I can just imagine myself babbling on about something in my baby talk and I can see that my mom is finding great joy in the conversation. I can also see a reflection of my children in this little baby Inez. I see Babies Spencer, Camilla and Neal...it's very interesting.

I love my mom, she was my first best friend and remains to be one of my best friends, confidant, supporter and teacher. My mom taught and still teaches me to "keep going", "find joy in life", "Love your husband, children and others", "Listen to your children", "Spend time with your children", "Discipline your children", "Love the Lord", "Have patience in trials and suffering", "Have Faith in Heavenly Father", "Pray"....those are just a few of the things I've learned from my mom.

She's an amazing seamstress, she made me dresses and you will see farther down the wedding gown she made for me. She crochets. She has made an afigan for each of her grandchildren when they turn three, so thus far she has made 24 afigans for grandchildren, no two are alike. She has made afigans and quilts for her children and their spouses. She usually makes homemade gifts for Christmas. It's very rare to see my mom without yarn and hook in her hands. She has cross-stitched and tatted. She does family history work. Makes a calendar each year for all of us with everyone in the family's birthdays and anniversaries on it. She has a beautiful singing voice and I grew up with her singing and playing the guitar. She has always been an amazing cook as well, I can't remember very many things that my mom has made that hasn't been good. There was one time she made some bisquits that didn't taste good, but that's the only time I can remember not liking something... and I think it's because she added too much baking soda!

I know that my mom has made many sacrifices for me and my siblings. She doesn't speak of them, but now that I'm a mother, I KNOW my mother sacrificed!!! Thank you mom..words can't express the love I have for you and admiration. You are beloved by me and all of your children and grandchildren. Below are a few more pictures I'd like to share.

This is Pearl Fagan, she is my maternal grandma. My mom learned from her. I remember grandma telling me stories, laughing with me, hugging me and when I went to Ohio with my mom as an 18 year old, I remember my grandma cruising main street with my mom, aunt Nancy and I and how I thought that was so much fun! I would wait impatiently for the times when grandma and grandpa Fagan would come clear from Findlay, Ohio to see us. I'm sure the dress I'm wearing was made by my mom. I love my grandma and I miss her. My daughter, Camilla, has Pearl as her middle name after my grandma.

This is the wedding dress that my mom made for me! In this photo is my paternal grandma, Venna Sanders, she lived to be almost 93. I learned a great deal from my grandma Sanders. She also would tell me stories, sleep out on her front porch with me at night and tell me about the stars. As I grew up I spent some weekends with her when I was at BYU or living in Provo. I remember taking her to her 80th class reunion. My grandma could talk to anyone and be their friend instantly. I admired my grandma and I miss her very much also.

I became a mother on September 12th, 1995 when Spencer was born. My mom was right there with me, trying to help me push. When we were finally told that I would need an emergency C-section. I remember being really scared and my mom touched me with her hand and told me it would be alright. Mom stayed with us for at least 6 weeks and came back when I needed her. She taught me how to take care of an infant and she took care of Spencer when I couldn't. She was there for the birth of Camilla on July 27, 2001, this time she came a month before I had her and went to the birth with me. (Eric was there too..but this is about mothers) She helped me with Spencer and Camilla. This time I was able to do more for my baby, but mom was there to support me. Then when I had to be put in to the hospital because of high blood pressure with Neal, mom came and took care of Spencer and Camilla for me. Mom was here with me as I recovered from my emergency c-section, seizure and the stress of a premature birth. She helped me so much. I remember coming home one night from the hospital and being so grateful that my mom had gone to the hospital with me that night. She let me cry when I needed to cry and at 44 I appreciated my mom in a whole new way. I told Eric that even though mom couldn't do things in the same way she used to, meaning physically, I needed her emotional support during that whole 10 weeks and as thankful as I was for everyone's support, I truly needed my mother.

Now I get to watch my mom be the grandma. This is a picture of my mom and dad with Spencer and Camilla at our home in Las Vegas. I love how she is always happy to see her grandkids and they are happy to see her. I can't seem to get a picture of her with Neal to post, but I have other pictures on this blog of mom and Neal.

I love you mom and I hope you had a wonderful mother's day. I know I'm posting this too late for you to see it today, but I wanted to do this and I hope that you know I have enjoyed every moment I have had with you, our fun trips when I was single, and all of our times together. I look forward to many, many, many more!!!

I am thankful for my mother and my grandmothers and I am so grateful to be a mother.