4 years

This is my Mom at the age of two. I hope I have a little girl that looks just like her!!!

Four years ago today, my Mom passed away. Sometimes it seems like just yesterday, but most of the time it seems like she has been gone forever. I went through a bunch of pictures I have at my house tonight, and scanned some of my favorites. My Mom was so cool. In high school, I never understood all of the girls who hated their Moms because I just loved mine so much! She would do anything for her children, or anyone around her. She was always trying to help people out...give work to those who were struggling, buy food for homeless people at gas stations, make food for people who were sick...anything really! At one point, there were three families (including mine) living in my parents' house because my Mom told these two families who just moved to the area they could live with us while they found housing. And these were not small families...both families had four or five kids...it was a mad house, but that was my Mom! And she would seriously do anything for her children! If that meant driving to Atlanta (a four hour drive) in the middle of the night because my older sister was not feeling well, she would do it. She would bring us lunch to school. She made sure we always had everything we needed. She loved to watch us play basketball...I can't think of a game she missed for any of us...rec-league, middle school, high school, it didn't matter. She was always there and we could always hear her screaming from the stands! haha, it was great! She also LOVED to throw parties! And she loved cooking for people! She could cook some really, really yummy food too! She made the best whole wheat bread, and a lot of other really good stuff! No one can cook like my Mom! She was the best!!! And she always made sure we ate really healthy stuff too! Anyways, I could go on and on about her because she was just a great lady! I miss her so much! I don't know how I am going to raise any kids without her help, but hopefully I'll be inspired.

I asked my Aunt about this one...we think this was at a bridal shower that my Dad's side of the family threw for her and the other lady in the pictures. I don't know who the other lady is.

At my brother's, Russell, birthday in Dec 1975.

My parents took my two oldest brothers to the bicentennial celebration in DC in 1976.

That's ME!!! Just a little baby! Well, not really little...I was 10 lbs 14oz when I was born. Yea, I was a big baby.

This is at my baptism. My brother, Russell, baptized me, and my Dad confirmed me.

The family in 1995. My older sister, Erin, shattered her two front teeth either the day before or two days before this picture...I think that's why she looks so miserable!

Christmas 1999. We always got pjs for Christmas...I love them!

This picture and the one before should probably be switched. This is my Mom and Dad in either 1997 or 1998.

My Mom holding Elizabeth, the first grandbaby in August 2000. She was amazing with babies...she did have 7, so that might explain some of it. You could pretty much call her the baby whisperer!

The family December 2001

This was Senior Night for basketball in Feb 2003

This is April 2003 at my Mom's parents' 60th Wedding Anniversary party.

And this is at my wedding!!! My Mom helped a ton with the planning, and it was a fabulous night! And that cake was soooooo yummy! Mmm, I could go for some right now! :)

She was such an awesome woman. I miss her so much. Life is definitely not the same without her. But she told us that she didn't want us to be sad whenever she was gone...she wanted us to be happy and celebrate her life. That's why we had a party at my parents' house the night of her funeral. She really thought life was a party! Hopefully, I can be an amazing Mommy like she was!