Enter the Thanks Mom Giveaway

My mom has always been one tough cookie. She was in the US Army and has a "Never give up" attitude. I seem to have inherited this attitude. This last year has possibly been the worst in my life due to struggling financially and yet I refuse to give up. Something that has come in super handy with being responsible for 6 children.

My Mother always says, "You'll be done when you get your belly full"!

Well for starters my mom was not around after I was 7 so my dad was my mom and dad. He was such a brave man for raising twin girls on his on for ten years. He may not have known what he was getting himself into but he was definitely my hero and still is. He was there for my good times like first dances to showing me how to cook and clean. He was there for my bad times like puberty ha ha that was interesting. He had shown me that no matter what life throws at you, nothing will be able to keep you down and you can accomplish anything that you want when you work hard for them, for that I was the first of my family to earn a college degree. He showed me that even when you're alone (single) and you have children, you are never alone. They are the ones that keep you going and be was right. Thank you dad, I love you.

We lost our Mother on Friday before Mothers Day and after she had suffered for so long we knew it was a blessing her suffering was done, but her departure was still hard. She was 92 and we all had so many memories and tells we remembered and shared. She did much and taught us much. One of the favorite things she said often through the ton of pain she had was "I use to complain about my feet until I saw a man with no feet at all." It put life in prospective. When we use to say "Why me?" about anything, She would say why not you, why would you wish it on anyone else.? She was wise above all and made us think about others before ourselves always. God love her.

Mom passed away in 2002. We had our differences but family always came first.

Best advice my mom could ever have given me was "No matter what is going on, everyday find something you can do to enjoy yourself. Whether that be a ling hot bath, dancing silly with your kids, or sitting down to a glass of wine at night. Find something that gives you joy, because without joy why are we living." This is coming from a woman that was told she was only going to live two years once she found out she has three tumors in her head. That was almost 6 years ago. I hold on to those words very tight and try to remember to enjoy life, because otherwise, what is the point in living? I will pass that advice to my children one day and them to their own after that :D

My Mom always says "Never make important decisions on an EMPLTY stomach, Eat first" . Although a bit funny, this advice has always worked for me and I would give it to others!

My mom is a peacemaker. She can calmly stop fights. She's always good for a nice saying like "Don't put your eggs in one basket" or "let's just be kind to one another"

I look like my mom we are often mistaken for one another.

My mom was always very fun, but she was also matter of fact. Two things I will never forget that she said are 'mind over matter' and 'why worry when you can pray'. That's how I live my life now, by staying positive!

My mom has always told me that no matter what always tell your family and friends how much you care or atleast you love them before walking away!! (My uncle was murdered in Aug and 2 days before he was killed we got into an argument & I didnt tell him I loved him. That was the last day I ever seen my uncle & I regret it till this day)

My mom taught me to be thankful for everything no matter how big or small it is. She also loves to help others so I think that always stick to me even now as an adult :)

to be nice to people whether they deserve it or not

MY MOM WAS ALWAYS MY HERO. SHE RAISED 5 KIDS ALL BY HERSELF. SHE WOULD WORK 2 AND 3 JOBS TO MAKE SURE WE HAD ALL THAT WE NEEDED. SHE NEVER SIGNED UP FOR WELFARE AND NEVER SIGNED UP FOR FOOD STAMPS. SHE WAS A WAITRESS AND PROUD. SHE TAUGHT ALL OF US TO BE PROUD AS WELL. SHE SAID IT WAS HER CHOICE TO HAVE US ALL AND HER RESPONSIBILITY TO RAISE US ALL. SHE NEVER SHIRKED THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND IF I'M HALF THE MOM THAT SHE WAS TO ME, MY KIDS WILL TURN OUT JUST AS WELL AS I DID. SHE'S GONE NOW, BUT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN......

My moms dating advice, now that I am divorced and starting to get back into the dating scene, is don't let some man park himself at your house. Make him date you! Make him pamper you and don't bring him around the kids until you know it's going somewhere! He must have his own place and a stable job, otherwise he isn't worth your time. I always thought she over exaggerated but she is spot on!! I should have learned a long time ago to always listen to her advice because she has always been right in the past!