My Mom...

My Mom, Cindi, holding Kloe

If there has been one constant in my life, it is my Mom.  As I mentioned before, my parents divorced when I was 3.  I can still picture my life with just Courtney and Mom.  She was working and we went to Central Childcare Center.  I still can see my old teachers and I can remember the smell of the building.  When I have walked in there as an adult, it has brought me back to the time in my life where the only people that mattered were my Mom and Courtney.


I remember so much of this time.  Especially Christmas time.  For those of you who know my Mom, she is crazy about Christmas.  Every year she would decorate our house till you could not find one more place to put a decoration.  I remember picking out our Christmas tree...Mom always had to have the biggest tree R&R Marine had.  She would pick us up from school and we would be so excited to head down to the lot.  The owner would set aside the biggest trees he had cut down, and he would begin the lengthy process of showing them to my Mom.  She would pick one out and then it would get delivered.  It was so big, I have no idea how she ever got it in the house.  But I can remember her sawing the bottom off the trunk and counting the rings to see how old the tree was.  If when the tree got home and it was not big enough, she would return the tree for a different one!  Who does that?  Well, I can tell you...only my Mom!


We would then begin to decorate the tree...only Courtney and I were not allowed to do much decorating.  She would buy Peanut Brittle and Courtney and I would watch her put all the ornaments on the tree.  We had some that we were allowed to put on, but they had to be put on just perfect.  She took great pride in her tree.  It would take her all night to decorate it!  But when it was done it was a beautiful piece of work!


When it was just the 3 of us, we did not have a lot.  But what we did have was a wonderful Christmas!  We would wake up Christmas morning to a boat load of gifts.  Now, when you are little, this was nothing but pure joy for us.  I think she lived for those moments when we would get the Cabbage Patch Doll we wanted so badly, or the many other gifts that were present under the tree.  She worked so hard to give this to us!  And at that time, you really do not appreciate the hard work and sacrifice she did for us.


Even today, Christmas is a huge deal for her.  Courtney, Aubree and I have told her many times not to spend so much money on us, but it is in her blood and her heart is so huge that she cant help it!


When my Mom remarried when I was 8, Courtney and I were thrilled.  We were becoming whole again.  It took some time to adjust, but we did okay.  Then when Aubree arrived, our life just got better.  Growing up, I would have never imagined that I would have another sister besides Courtney, and we were given a great gift.  We spoiled her rotten and played for hours together.  We were one big happy family.


Another tid-bit about my Mom is her love of shopping.  She lives to shop!  You get her in a mall and forget it, you are stuck there for hours.  She will shop anywhere and any day!  I think Walmart is her favorite battle grounds:)   She loves the people, the crowds and the whole idea of it!  When I lived in Cincinnati, she loved going to the big malls there.  We would leave early and not come home for hours.  We have even shopped during Tornado Warnings!  Nothing stops this lady:)  


When I decided to move away, I know my Mom was devastated, and it was hard for me also. But Sault Ste. Marie, was not were I wanted to live my life.  Being away was very difficult, but I also got my wings and learned how to fly on my own.  I was experiencing some wonderful things and I was happy, so I know my Mom was happy, even though she missed me.  Our phone bills were huge! And my visits home were some of the best times I remember in my life!


Moving back home was not something I wanted to do.  But I had a 5 month old and Larry got a job at Precision Edge, so I did not have a choice.  But looking back it was a wonderful decision for our family.  Our children have gotten to really know their grandparents and they have become quite close.  Especially my Blake, he LOVES his Grami!


I can't imagine where I would be without my Mom.  She has been such a huge influence on me.  And we have had our fair share of disagreements, but we always come back to each other.  She is my best friend, the only person who would give their life for me, the only one who loves me unconditionally.  I would not be the person I am today without her.  I appreciate the sacrifices she made in her life to make us happy.  She is my hero...there is NOBODY in this world like my Mother!

As everyone knows, my Mom is an Elvis fanatic!  This song makes me think of her every time...Here is The Wonder of You, by Elvis.