Mom's Birthday!

It was like a month ago, but I just wanted to remember it still. My mom is beautiful. EVERYONE always tells me how pretty she is, and how it is a natural beauty. They tell me how young she looks and I just smile and agree. When she came into Skechers when I worked there, my co-workers never believed she was my mom, or my older brothers and sister's mom because she looked too young, they said. Well its all true. But the best part is, she is not just beautiful on the outside. She is like a billion times more beautiful on the inside. Seriously, the woman has a heart of the finest gold. I don't know anyone who hasn't been served by her or touched by her thoughtfulness. ALL the time, my friends just say, "YOUR MOM IS SO NICE!!!!" And that's all they can get out because really her kindness cannot be described. I do not know how she thinks of all the things she does to do for other people... It amazes me and touches my heart and makes me realize how much I want to follow in her footsteps, and how incredibly blessed I am to have a constant example of Christ like service, love and charity. I think my mom is one of Heavenly Father's best  prayer answerers. Someone needs a meal, send LaReen. Someone needs a hug, send LaReen. Someone needs clothes, gifts, a listening ear, a helping hand, an outfit or blanket sewn, an encouraging talk, a smile, a package in the mail, a text, a phone call, a place to stay, a ride, send that LaReen!!!! He is probably so happy to have her. And let me tell you, those around her are so happy as well. My dad did not mess around when he was choosing her as a wife. They couldn't be a better pair, and I love them both more than I'll ever be able to say. I'm so THANKFUL to my  mom for who she is and who she sweetly encourages other people to be. She has never said an unkind word, never complains, she puts up with us teasing her all the time. She is the best best best best best best BEST MOM. I truly and simply cannot thank my Heavenly Father enough for blessing me with such a joyous, loving, thoughtful and humble mother. She is the nurturer of all nurturers and I honestly do not deserve her. How Heavenly Father knows exactly the people we need in our lives, and blesses us with them even when we do not deserve such incredible blessings, I will never understand, but always be grateful. The woman has talents beyond talents and love that's never ending.


Just a few of my favorite memories with mom...

• Shopping trips
• Teaching me to sew little things here and there
• Teaching me to cook things, bread!
• Phone calls just when I need them
• Our trip to Hawaii to drop me off
• Florida trip before Kimball's mission
• Canada trip 2012
• Teasing her
• Getting packages from her at just the perfect time
• Her endless help the week I tried out for SBO
• Watching her sew, hiding under her quilts when I was little
• Her taking care of me if I was ever sick, it was like I was the only thing that existed
• Reading to me in my bed until I fell asleep
• Reading the weekly stories in the newspaper
• Teaching her how to work the computer..........
• Her never ending support at all my different activities
• FCCLA Nashville trip
• Visits to St. George
• Watching her love her grandsons
• Watching her and my dad interact
• Watching her care for her children, no matter the age
• Going with her to church meetings, and mutual when I was little
• Doing the 12 days of Christmas for people
• Labor Day trips to the Cottonwoods
• FHE, family scripture reading, family dinners and family prayer
• Going to work at the office with her, I thought I was THE coolest
• Her substituting in elementary
• Doing her hair, ONLY if she paid me like a dollar
• This list could go on forever.....

But seriously, I LOVE my mom. There is no one I look up to more, and have the whole hearted desire to become like. I wish my future children could have her be their mom too... cuz then I wouldn't have to worry about a thing. Every life she touches is better because of it. Her hugs are so comforting. Her hands are so soft. Her food is the best thing on the planet. Her house is home. Her words are strength. her face is peace. Her work is wondrous, her testimony unshakable. The true definition of a life of charity. She has taught me more than she will ever possibly know, and I just want to learn more and more! Some of my favorite things she has said:

• You will FIND whatever you're LOOKING FOR
• First thing's first
• We/I/You can do hard things!
• I love you Annie Rose
• She always encourages me to look at the positive side
• Darn it LaReenie!
• It's just so... moreish
• "Hi I'm Nice."
• Her sweet testimony
• Mom: There are a few things I wish I would have learned sooner
• Me: Oh jeez. Like what?
• Mom: To be kinder... (she went on to explain)
• Me: (In shock that the kindest woman on the planet thinks SHE could do better) Wowww. Mom I don't think you need to worry about that. What else?
• Mom: To play more. 

That was one of the most valuable conversations I have ever had with my mom. Obviously more was said, explanations made, me countering all of those with, "I'm pretty sure you don't need to worry about  that." "No mom. You've done pretty well." "HAHA." "Yeah..." "Seriously?" Just in awe, but with full respect and admiration for her, and wanting to be better and apply what she said to my life, everyday. (This conversation took place June 2011, when I was living in Salt Lake and she came down to see me and run a few errands. We were driving around Fashion Place mall and Seagull Book area.)

Just another sidenote, I recounted that conversation with my Gram later, and she said yeah, where do you think she learned that? (Referring to always thinking that work comes first, working hard, work first-play later... etc) She also had a bit of regret in her voice, and had come to the same realization as my mom--it's okay to play. It's okay to take time to enjoy life, love people, make time for them, change plans, set priorities in order, be rewarded/reward yourself/others, play with your kids, your grandkids. NOT that they DON'T do those things, because they certainly do. It just started way back on Grandpa Carpenter's chicken farm. Work until work is done. First things first :) We all still agree with that. But work, and play, can peacefully and beautifully coincide. Thank goodness for two beautiful examples of that :) I love them.

Some examples of service, just a few on the list that only heaven can write:

• Gathering enough money to be able to send Linz to Peru with me
• Always inviting Gramps and Gram to Sunday dinner, or putting half the meal in a container and sending it down to them
• Her sewing everything I have ever asked for, as well as  for the church, the school, weddings, and my friends
• Her doing laundry or cleaning for someone who just lost a loved one
• Visiting  Eric and Jessica when their kids were in the hospital
• Spending a week at her daughter's houses after they have babies
• Helping my dad on the farm whenever he needs it
• Cooking, even after she comes home from work, always making sure our house was clean
• She is always the first one to help that little kid that is bawling in the mall because he lost his mom
• Driving people wherever, arranging her schedule so she can do so
• Setting up this plan to buy Teena and family fro yo when they came to St. George, even though she wasn't even down here
• Always fulfilling church callings
• Guest service missionary downtown SLC
• Going to see LeAnn when she needed her the most
• Meals, rolls, bread, dessert for probably everyone in Coalville at some point or another

Gosh, my mom is heaven sent. She is an angel. I can't say enough how much I love her, am grateful for her, indebted to her, and want to become like her. 

I love my mom.