Things My Mother Taught Me

|How to use my hands
Just like my mother, I am now the "handy-man" of our little family. I'm guessing she learned it all from my grandpa who can fix absolutely anything. {He can make cabinets out of a two by four, I swear.} Thankfully, she passed her wonderful knowledge of painting, shelving, sawing, measuring, leveling and hanging pictures down to me. This comes in handy when your husband is just absolutely lost looking at Ikea instructions.


|How to swim
'Nuff said. I learned from a champion. She was my number one training coach. To this day she is still faster than me. I'll never be able to catch up with her. Thank you for turning me into a fish and teaching me to love the water.
|How to clean
As I got older and moved away, {especially having to clean up after 21 year old Hubs} I started to understand the importance of what she was trying to do. All of the "go clean your room's!" were actually for a reason. It wasn't just "because she said so," it was mostly for my benefit. I have no idea how she dealt with my mess and didn't beat me! She had every right to. Now as a "grown up" I realize how important it was to develop the everyday habits of staying tidy. So you hear that Chloe and Jax? Clean your rooms! She taught me how to clean and clean properly. I would try to clean a bathroom as fast as I could and she'd make me march right back in there and do it again. Taught me to do it right, and do it right the first time. I'm thankful she made me do chores, who knew they actually served a purpose?!
|How important a testimony is
My mother has always been a wonderful example of a woman of faith. Through my hard years of struggling and confusion, she always stayed true. Through all my criticism and questions; she answered each and every one calmly and simply so I would understand. She taught me the importance of family scripture study, attending your meetings and counting your blessings. Without my mom's faith and testimony I do not believe I would be where I am today. I wouldn't be nearly as happy in the present, or as hopeful towards the future.
|How to win an argument
We never had a perfect relationship; far from perfect, actually. She and I fought, and we fought a lot. Whether it be about homework, boys or being nice to Chloe; there was bound to be at least one tiff a day. And I am very sorry for that. I am/was stubborn and very stupid, but I did learn from them. I learned to argue and to win. This was probably why I was so good at debate in school! She taught me to use logic and reasoning. She taught me that staying cool helps solve things so much better than flying off the handle. She taught me how to have a disagreement, be civil about it and most of all, win!


|How to laugh
No matter how many times we fought or stormed off to our separate corners of the house to cool down, we always made up. I can say this now and will say it forever, my mother is my best friend. She always will be. She is the craziest, silliest woman I know. From inventing games like Nylon Ball, to jokes about a talking muffin on long car rides, she will always be my favorite comedian. I learned to enjoy the good times and find happiness in the hard; there is always something to laugh about. My goofball mom made me into the goofball that I am today. My mother will forever remain a teenager at heart.


|How to be an adult
There comes a time in every girls life when she realizes "oh hey, I'm not a kid anymore, this is real life." I think that moment is different for everyone. Mine might have been when I was looking at Shane as we were saying our "I do's" or maybe it was when I reached for the toilet paper and came up empty handed; "Oh, I have to buy this stuff?" I feel that my mom prepared me well and taught me how to become an adult. It wasn't easy, believe me. Going from high school student, to a married woman within two weeks was definitely challenging. I wouldn't change it for the world. I was able to make the switch from child to adult {I still think I'm still switching} with the help of my mom. Her example and advice gave me guidance. It always has. She taught me independence and that I can do things on my own. She also taught me that there is no shame in asking for help. And she's always been there to help me. Always. Growing up is hard, but I'm so thankful I have such a good example for a mother who prepared me in every way possible to be ready for life. Come what may, baby!
|Wisdom
If you have ever asked Minda a question or for advice, you know you will get exactly what you were looking for and then some. She's been through a lot and knows almost everything, the woman knows what she's talking about! Throughout my life I have been blessed to learn and be taught by such a wise woman. She's my own personal Google. She's gotten me out of quite a few sticky situations and I'm always looking for her input.


|How to be strong
This last one will probably be the longest and it is by far the most important. To me, my mother is the ultimate symbol of strength. She's been through and survived so much. Especially the fact that she had to raise me, I wasn't easy and I truly am sorry I made it extra hard. I cannot express how thankful I am for my mom. Her bravery and strength is what I look up to and strive to have everyday. She's been lost and she's found her way back again. She's experienced heartbreak and hardship. She has dealt with sadness and ultimately found eternal joy. She made a wonderful life for herself. She did hard things, she worked hard, she stayed true and she has been truly blessed. But most importantly, in my opinion, she found me. She found me when I was lost and she did everything in her power to save me and then some. That, my friends, is the bravest, strongest thing she's ever done. Been my mom.