Fashion Friday: Mothers

I've been waiting to do my Mother's Day post for this.

I wanted this picture.  This is my beautiful Nana when she was just 17.  My Nana was a big part of my life.  Aside from my parents and siblings, I was closest with her than with any other member of my family.  She was pretty much a second mom to me.  My dad was in the Navy from the time I was a baby til I was about 5.  When he'd have to be gone on long deployments, my mom and I would go live with my grandparents.  

My mom told me that when I was born, her mother told her I was the most wonderful thing she'd ever seen.  She always called me her Angel Baby, even when I was a grown woman. 

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of playing in their backyard.  My Nana was one crafty lady.  It must be where my mom and I get it from.  She and I would have craft time.  I still have many of the things we made together.  As a teenager, she was always someone I could talk to about anything and she never judged me.  She was right there with me at my high school graduation, my junior college graduation and my wedding.  I'm the only grandchild she lived to see get married.  She passed away in January of 2008 from complications of colon cancer.  Even as I'm writing this, I miss her.  She never got to meet my sweet little boy on this earth, though I know she held him plenty before he came to us.  

What I learned from her was to just love everyone, no matter what.  And to always laugh.  My Nana was a cut-up.  She could make complete strangers laugh.  And, of course, to craft.

This is my beautiful mommy, also age 17.  My mom likes to say that she and I grew up together.

I was born just 3 days before her 21st birthday.  Look how young she looks!  And, yes, that little butterball is me : )  I'm proud to say she taught me everything I know-cooking, crafting and just how to be a good, well-rounded person.  She was my best friend and confidant.  And when she needed someone to talk to, I tried to be hers.  Her favorite thing to say to me and my sister is "Anything I can do, you can do better."  It's her hope for her daughters that we will take what she's taught us and be better for it.  I think it's worked, Momma.  Thank you for always being there when I've needed you most.

One of the very few pictures I have of all four of us: my mom, me, my sister and my nana

Me with my Grandma Kanar.  I was her first grandchild.  Oh my goodness, did she spoil me rotten!  Now she spoils our son rotten-he's her only great-grandchild.

Other great mom I've been lucky to have in my life is my awesome mother-in-law.  From the very first time I met her, she's always been so genuinely kind and accepting of me.  She and my father-in-law took me right into their family-it's like they've always known me.  She and I just sit and talk, sometimes for hours.  She's an incredible woman and I'm so lucky to have her in my life.  Mom, I just want to tell you thank you for raising such an amazing son.  I know Robbie wouldn't be the man he is without you.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing moms out there!  You are what makes the world go 'round!