How does one put into words the expression of love and admiration for a mother. The person who clothed, fed, diaper changed, let you hug her when you threw up, held your hand on the first day of school, told you to get beck and try again and then cheered the loudest when you finally got it, held you when someone did or said something unkind. My mother went through the destructive years of young boys and the tempestuous years of teenage girls. She went without many "comforts" so that my brothers, sisters and I could have them. I grew up in a military family, my dad was often away or had a crazy schedule but my mom was always there.
As a mother I now find myself becoming more and more like the woman I swore I would be nothing like(tempestuous years)and wishing to be even more like her. I now drag my kids all around the place following my military husband and trying to be the stabilizing factor my mom was for me.I hear myself singing "Love at Home" when my girls start arguing.
I grateful to more mothers than just my own. My husbands mom is an exemplary woman who raised three wonderful boys. Both of my grandmother's were and are great women who struggled to do the best for their children when they were in difficult situations. My sister-in-laws mother, who, when I was a teenager taught me many things, the least of which is to be grateful I came from the home I came from.
And so here it is my deeply flawed and inadequate tribute the mothers in my life. Thanks you and I love you all.
NINA

Here is a quick kiddie Quip from the dinner table tonight.
Mara - Teia you want to be a pilot like daddy
Teia - well actually now I want to be a dolphin trainer
Becca - I change every week