Happy Mother's Day to My Amazing Mother!

The family with Mom in the center. Just where she should be!

Some of Mom's/Gramma's favorite people

My mother is amazing! She will be 89 years old on June 11. How amazing is that? After four boys, her parents considered her birth a long awaited blessing, and the truth is that she has been blessing people’s lives every since.

Warning: This is a long post, but let’s face it, if YOU were to write 89 amazing things (I borrowed this idea from Krsitine) about Gramma or Mom, your list would probably contain all of the things I’ve written, plus a lot that I’ve left out.

89 Reasons Why My mother is Amazing – Because she:

1. Always puts her family first.
2. Loves her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchilden and they know it
3. Never forgets a birthday
4. Supports family events from soccer to singing
5. Keeps on going just like the energizer bunny
6. Faithfully watches the evening news, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune
7. Walks in the mall or Wal-Mart daily
8. Completes crossword puzzles, word searches, or Reader’s Digest word power lists to keep her mind sharp
9. Plays golf once a week
10. Writes to the missionaries in her ward once a month
11. Attends all of her Sunday meetings even though the chairs are hard
12. Signs up to take meals to the sick and needy in her ward
13. Never fails to complete her visiting teaching
14. Takes goodies to her neighbors
15. Invites family and friends to her home for dinners and luncheons
16. Participates in Elder Quest to continue her quest to be a livelong learner
17. Is always reading the newest novel or the oldest classic
18. Saves money all year in order to give great Christmas gifts to everyone in her family
19. Writes stories to share with her writing class or her posterity
20. Bakes yummy bread and super delicious chocolate cake
21. Is always collecting and trying out new recipes
22. Has an immaculately clean and fresh smelling home
23. Isn’t afraid to try something new
24. Without preaching, but by example, shows us how to live the gospel, serve others, keep the commandments, endure to the end
25. Is a good sport
26. Will go anywhere with anybody
27. Always looks clean and well groomed
28. Is independent
29. Has a 10 year old car that’s only gone 39,000 miles, yet she drives someplace every day (Umm, is that a mathematical equation?)
30. Is Appreciative
31. Hates to shop, but always buys something when she goes shopping
32. Easily makes friends with dogs (She and Gracie are very close!)
33. Volunteers to bring something whenever she is invited to dinner
34. Plans ahead
35. Crochets, embroideries, and sews
36. Is very organized
37. Writes notes and letters to those who have lost loved ones, or need their spirits lifted
38. Doesn’t want special consideration
39. Generous to all
40. Showed us all how important it is to love and honor our spouse
41. Is optimistic and hopeful
42.Once upon a time could knit and drive at the same time, now she just helps others obey traffic laws by giving helpful suggestions
43. Sees the world as a good place to be
44. Only has kind words for others
45. Appreciates people’s differences
46. Is honest
47. Plays by the rules – games, golf, life
48. Always says thanks
49. Keeps her scriptures nearby, reads them daily
50. Has a closet full of shoes, but says they’re all uncomfortable – keeps buying and trying
51. Is the designated driver for her friend, Mirth, and many other friends
52. Has an eye for color and decorating
53. Is a club joiner because she loves people
54. After more than 35 years, continues to attend her “liver” club (Paideia Sorosis) and even served as president last year
55. Always has a project
56. Enjoys Turner Classic Movies (sometimes late into the night)
57. Is not afraid to try something new
58. Loves to watch BYU sports on TV, and Tiger Woods play golf
59. Has lived a life of service to others – look in your closet, on a shelf, on the wall, on your bed – I’ll bet you’ll find something she’s given to you.
60. Never demands, but always appreciates, one-on-one visits from children and grandchildren – quiet and personal visits
61. Lives in the present
62. Reads the newspaper every day
63. Keeps a daily journal
64. Regularly attends the temple with friends and family
65. Is not afraid to use technology – computer and cell phone
66. Reads The Ensign, Better Homes and Gardens, and The Reader’s Digest every month
67. Is always thinking of what she is going to do next
68. Listens to others
69. Likes to play card games, especially Hand and Foot
70. Will play Scrabble if you twist her arm
71. Laughs often
72. Loves music, especially hymns, Primary songs, melodic songs from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, symphonic music...
73. Loves warm weather and blue skies, but hates wind
74. Can keep a poinsettia alive and well for months and months -- basically SHE CAN DO MOST ANYTHING. I love you, Mom.

The next 15 items are things my mother taught me, not necessarily things I learned, but things she taught!

75. It takes less than a minute to make your bed. Do it first thing in the morning.
76. If the Relief Society asked you to contribute one can of green beans, contribute two.
77. Stop at every restroom. You never know when you’ll have another chance to go… and go before you leave the house!
78. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. In other words, don’t always buy the cheapest thing.
79. Use your best dishes for Sunday dinners. No guest is as important as family.
80. Be pleasant if it kills you (advice often given when I was a teenager). Your attitude is what makes the difference.
81. Appreciate and take opportunities to learn and grow.
82. Being bored is not an option. Get busy doing something. Try something new.
83. Clean the corners, but sometimes it’s okay to give the house “A slick and a promise.”
84. Remember that your first priority is your family. The world will always WANT you, but your family will always NEED you.
85. My thanks will be if someday you do the same for your children.
86. Your meal will be balanced if you serve 4 items – protein (meat, beans), starch (potato, rice, etc.), fruit, and a vegetable. Make the plate colorful!
87. People will notice you, and want to be around you, if you have a smile on your face, clean hair, and neatly pressed clothes.
88. You have so many blessings. Count them often.
89. Just DO what has to be done.

Here's one last SWEET thing to share -- Mom’s fabulous chocolate cake recipe:

Grease and flour a 11x15x2 inch pan (purchase at Michael's). Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Wisk together:
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt

Bring to a rapid boil:
2 sticks margarine
4 TBLS Cocoa
1 cup water.
Pour over the flour mixture and stir.

Add to above mixture:
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs.
Mix well together.

Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Yummy Yummy Icing:
Heat (microwave) together until melted and blended:
1 stick margarine (or butter)
4 TBLS Cocoa
6 TBLS buttermilk
Add approximately 3 cups of powdered sugar. Add more, if it's too thin. Ice cake while it is still a little warm -- not hot, not cold!

Enjoy!