Ama!

What would I do without this wonderful woman in my life? My Mom is amazing and with yesterday being Mother's Day I think it's especially appropriate to brag about her.

She has always been such a support and example to my siblings and I in any and all of our pursuits. Always there to cheer us on but also there to keep us going, teaching us at an early age that it's not okay to quit, give up, or do a half job. She's taught me that your children have enough friends, what they really need is a parent. And even though she is one of my best friends today and we totally enjoy and cherish our time together, there were a lot of times where she had to make the tougher choice and exhibit some tough love. Thankfully she did because those were some of the greatest lessons I ever learned (like when mommy and daddy didn't step in to bail me out when I was a homeless, jobless, and penniless college graduate ). She's always been big on values of honesty, loyalty, work, and being true to what your beliefs.

She's always been so committed to everything that she does and every time I see her with James I look on in awe. You would think James is her only grandchild with how she adores and cares for him. She gives him her undivided and total attention and she finds so much enjoyment in being with him. She made the transition to parenthood so much easier for Mike and I by sacrificing a ton of her own sleep and energy in caring for him and for us. Furthermore, she's got this nack for understanding babies and what they need--and boy was that appreciated by two very, very clueless new parents.

Anyway, my mom's been hangn' in Hawaii this last year for her work and we finally got around to visiting her (tough, I know). Granted, the free room, board, and ... Babysitter was wonderful, we also just loved seeing her, being shown around the island, and spending time together.

Isnt' she adorable?