My mom, Martha, is my hero, my inspiration, my constant support, and my biggest fan. She is definitely a big part of why I am the woman I am today. She gave me the courage and compassion to do what I do, to serve the people that are so often forgotten. She gave me the assertiveness to stand up for what I believe in, even if it is uncommon. She gave me the eyes to see what people are going through so I can love them instead of judge them. She is a woman who has been through so much and takes what could have beat her down and turn it into a positive force. She is currently getting her Masters through Gonzaga online and I'm so proud to be a daughter of someone who believes in the power of learning. My mom's been a stay at home mom but has also compassionately went after a career she believed in. She definitely empowers me to do what I want to do as long as I'm serving the Lord whole-heartedly while doing it. She is a fantastic woman and I am proud to be called her daughter (She also raised three other wonderful kids and I can't imagine that being a very easy job).
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| My mama and me on my wedding day. |
Now my dad is pretty awesome and that could not have been possible without the wonderful job my grandma Louise did in raising him. My grandma is 89 and has raised three children, has 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. And she has been to all our high school graduations, my college graduation, our weddings, and even my younger cousin's high school graduation in London, England. She is small but inside resides a great woman. Her husband died over 40 years ago and to this day she wears her wedding ring out of deep devotion. It was just last year I heard her talk about how it wasn't fair that her husband was taken so soon. This woman loves deep and is fiercely loyal. But don't let this deepness fool you, she can kick it with the rest of the crazy Ekhoff crowd. Playing Scattergories with her is one of my favorite things. Some of my favorite responses from her: Rubbers (things in your purse...these are condoms in case you didn't know), Napkins (again, things in your purse..these are feminine hygiene products), and A Tale of Two Titties (book titles). In my line of work I see lots of people that remind me of my grandma: her Irish stubbornness is pretty evident (still pulling weeds at her age...), her fantastic sense of humor, her incredible devotion, and her tenderness. It's no wonder I miss her so much (I'm hoping to go home and see her very soon!)
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| My Grandma Louise and me. |
My newest mom in my life is someone I owe my life to. She gave me the greatest man in the world to share my life with. My mother-in-law is quite the character and can be a bit intimidating when you first meet her. But that's just her self-confidence and trademark assertiveness. This is a woman who, like my mother, has taught me to stand up for myself to get what I want. Also, thanks to her, Brand can handle a woman with many ideas, thoughts, and opinions (because boy do I have them!) She is also a cancer survivor (in remission!). She is also someone who knows the importance of learning and a great education. She has a fantastic sense of humor as well and cracks me up all the time. She welcomed me into her home and family with opened arms. I'm so thankful that I am blessed with two great moms.
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| My wonderful in-laws. |
I have another mom in my life thanks to marriage. My brother made the best decision of his life by marrying Rheanne. Rheanne is hilarious, sweet, understanding, artistic, and as of December 18, 2007 a wonderful, fantastic mom. I admire Rheanne quite a bit. I love seeing her with Ollie because they get into their own little world. She loves that boy with all her heart. Everyone around Ollie feels we are so incredibly blessed to have him in our life but I think we all know that Ollie is so blessed to have Rheanne as his mom.Ollie is incredibly special and only deserves the best and man did he get it. Rheanne will dance to The Killers and Passion Pit with Ollie, will play cars with him, imagine with him, be creative with him, read to him, discipline him, and just unconditionally love him. I think I love watching Rheanne with Ollie because its a great picture of how my mom was with me when I was that young, how my grandma was with my dad, how Rose was with Brand, and how my grandma Bert was with my mom.
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| Rheanne with the most amazing little boy in the world. |
Also, a little note regarding an honorary mom. My sister Julie. Julie thank you for stepping in when you need to so I didn't miss out. Thanks for teaching me to read in my head, for teaching me my colors, spending endless amount of time playing Barbies, giving me that foot's width of space for the door to be opened so I wouldn't be scared, and for always being there. I'm not sure if it takes a village to raise a child but I know that sometimes it takes a big sister's help.
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| Me and Julie. Yes we were THAT adorable :) |
Also, on this day I can't help but think of my Grandma Bert who passed away 8 years ago. I miss her so much. She was a Navy Vet, a teacher, a principal, and a devoted volunteer until her passing. She raised four children on her own after my grandfather died when my mom was five. She was an incredibly strong woman and was the driving motivation and reason for my success in school She died one year before I graduated high school and I was so mad that she could not be there to see what she did. But when I graduated magna cum laude from EWU I knew I made her proud and I knew I could not have done it without her teaching me how to read and encouraging me in school.
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| My Grandma Bert with me apparently eating her arm. (As cute as I was it's no wonder I was her fave bahaha) |
Basically, I've had a lot of moms in my life and I wouldn't be where I am without them and I love them dearly. And I know when I become a mom myself, that I'll have an incredible team of support from different generations. Basically, I have no excuse to fail with these ladies by my side :)
I love you guys more than you can imagine.
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