Day 4

Day 4: Your Parents

My parents...hhmmm where do I start?!? They'll probably be reading this soon so maybe I should mention that my mother would not let me pierce my belly button in the 7th grade after my cousin Leslie got hers done. Or that when my brother, sister and I would want Dairy Queen on our way home my dad would say he would go by for us...than he would tell us to wave as we drove right by. Funny, Dad real funny.

Seriously though, I think if I could have chosen my own parents I know I wouldn't have picked anyone else. My relationship wasn't the best, especially with my Mom. I guess because we are 'too much alike'. I was always Daddy's little girl (one of them) so anytime Mom would say no, Daddy would say yes! :)

My parents have helped make me who I am today....I now know how to correctly raise my kids!

just kidding, just kidding.

I don't know if it was the fact that my older brother died or what, but my parents did anything and everything we asked. (just about) If we wanted to play catch my Dad would play catch, right then and there. No questions asked. No putting it off cause he was busy. They just dropped everything and played with us. I think that is one of the most important things I have taken from my parents. If Tyler wants to play trains, I go play trains because tomorrow or even later might not be there to play trains with him. I want to spend every single minute playing with my kids or spending time making memories with them. Tomorrow is not for certain so live today. I want Tyler and Storie to know that I love them all day, everyday. And that was another important lesson my parents preached. Just because they were mad at us did not mean they did not love us. Something about 'spare the rod, spoil the child' well Momma we had plenty of rod marks.....not really. ;)

I have come to really appreciate my parents and all they did for me, and put up with from me. I did not really understand until I had my own children. I took a lot for granted, but I'm trying to make up for that now. My parents loved me with their whole hearts, they took me to church to learn about God, they taught me right from wrong, taught me that family will always be there for me, and to love unconditionally, and to tell the ones you love that you love them daily. Those values are what I now teach my children. I am so lucky and thankful to have had such great parents growing up to instill in me these values that I hold dear. My family is the most important thing to me. I just hope that I can be as good of a parent to my kids as my parents were to me. Thanks Mom & Dad. I love you both!

mom and me before my wedding. December 30, 2006----yeah I know forever ago, but I'm staying at my parents house and don't have too many pictures here on the computer.

My daddy walking me down the aisle...I love this picture.