I'm Not in Kansas Anymore...: My Mother's Day List...

Well, today is Mother's Day and I want to discuss my mom...

What a true meaning of "Mom" she completely embodies.

Ten Favorite Things About My Mom:

1. She is a true role model for me. When I was little, she was first a teacher. Then moved up to an assistant principal, next a principal and now she is retired and STILL working with student teachers around West Texas. She is a true natural when it comes to working with children and with teachers (And working with 40+ females on a daily basis, cannot be an easy task at all!)

2. This lady NEVER sits down. I can count on one hand how many times I have ever seen her laying horizontal (other than nighttime!) Seriously, she never sits down. She watches TV standing as she is cooking. She does paperwork or schoolwork standing, and etc. You get the point. She is the best multitasking, busy-body I have ever known.

3. She loves the Lord and lives by her Christ-like example. Her faith is number one to her and it shines daily throughout her walk with God. I am beyond grateful for the amazing Christ-like role model she was for us three kids growing up and continues to be!

4. This lady can COOK! (My Dad even sent her to a cooking school with Paula Deen, in Savannah, Georgia for one of her Mother's Day gifts!) I swear Brad and I diet before going home to a Hodges Family Thanksgiving or Christmas, because my Mom will feed you!

5. Growing up, my mom was a Mom first and not always a friend. I find that so important these days. Yes, I am not a mom yet, but so many women want to be "buddies" and are scared to be an authoritative mom. Thank you Mom! I never thought I would say those words. I am pretty sure my Mom and I might have come close to "hating" each other when I was in high school. Oh it was bad my friends.... She wouldn't let me go to certain parties, date certain boys, stay out past 11:00pm, or wear certain (~~short shorts~~) clothes! Tears, screaming, maybe a slammed door or two, YOU NAME IT! It was awful. My Dad and brothers would just want to run, hide and never come out of their secret hiding place come Wednesday of EVERY WEEK.... That's when it started: The yelling and screaming all over a bratty 16 year old's weekend plans.

In all seriousness, THANK YOU MOM! Thank you for being strict, and not letting me wear the daisy duke shorts to high school, date certain boys and go to the parties where you knew nothing good was going to happen. If a had a dollar for every time my mom said, "Nothing good happens after midnight" - I would be a RICH WOMAN! And now - I agree. I will definitely be saying that to my daughter or son one day!

6. She is always so put together. Rarely have I seen my mom without make-up and earrings. That is the FIRST thing she does every morning. Even if she is going to the grocery store, mowing the yard, having a garage sale, etc. those earrings and make-up are on!

7. She puts EVERYONE before herself. Her children, grandchildren, sisters, my Meme, my Dad, friends, etc. You name it! Such a selfless woman, that would give the shirt off her back for others... That's my Mom.

8. She is a great dancer and singer. In her second life, she jokes that she will return as a Broadway singer and dancer. She has great facial expressions and some serious dance skills, but I guess the First Baptist Church Choir will have to do for now.

9. She is the core and rock of our family and the most self-less woman I know. When it comes to trying times with our family, she is very level headed and calm. When my Pa Paw was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, that was one of the hardest things I had to watch my Mom endure. As sad and gut-wrenching as it was, she always remained calm and collective and knew that God was in control, whether or not we understood it.

10. If I can be half the Mom, Sharon Frisbie Hodges, has been to me, then I have succeeded in life. I cannot imagine my life without her; her love, her generosity, her advice, her love for God, her zest for life, her fabulous food, and her drive.

I love you Mom.

And I was blessed with another Mom as of July 13, 2013...

Thank you Debra for being a great Mom to Brad and I. You raised an amazing, selfless son that I was so fortunate to meet, date and now be his wife! I love you so much.