Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

My mother's name is Renee. My sister, Carrie, and I are very blessed to have her as our mother. She made many sacrifices so Carrie and I could have most anything we wanted.

Our father died when my sister was 8 and I was 5. I'm sure Mama was scared to raise us alone, but she stepped up and did a great job. People stop her all the time and tell her what a great job she did.

When we were in high school, Mama was fairly lenient with our curfew. It was midnight, but as long as we called her (with a good excuse) and let her know where we were, she was fine with it. Carrie and I were on danceline in high school and parents were needed as chaperones. Mama didn't enjoy riding on the "yellow dog", but she did it when we asked her to. Most of the other girls didn't want their mother to chaperone, but Carrie and I didn't mind. In fact, people would usually request Mama as the chaperone.

Carrie and I were involved in after-school activities and Mama was always there to watch games, performances, or whatever. I took dance lessons for 15 years. Mama never once missed a performance. My niece now dances and Mama has been at all of her recitals and Nutcracker performances.

This is Mama when she was much younger.

Mama has always had very fashionable eyewear. (I love you, Mama!)

Daddy, Carrie, and I were riding in his dune buggy when it got stuck in the mud in the woods. Mama was asked to steer the dune buggy while Daddy pulled it out of the mud with his Jeep. Eventually, his Jeep, his father's tractor, and a friend's Jeep were also stuck. A large bull-dozer-type machine eventually pulled everything out. How many women would willingly do this?!

Mama and me

Mama, me, Carrie, and my niece at my wedding. Everyone looked very pretty.

Happy Mother's Day, Mama! We love you!