Did you know popcorn is a major food group and it’s perfectly alright to eat for dinner? Yay! Sarah and Rachel some of the sweet and silly things they’ve learned from their mother and stepmom…

With Mother’s day approaching, this gives me the perfect excuse to share a few thoughts about my mom and stepmom. They are incredible women. My mom has an infectious, fun loving attitude towards life – a nature enthusiast who would go to the ends of the earth just to see you smile and a person whose love for God shines through in all that she does. My stepmom is a “Martha” that will out-cook, out-plan and out-decorate any family event, even an ordinary Sunday dinner.

I could go on and on about how beautiful they are inside and out, how they are completely selfless and how they have inspired me, but I have some fun tidbits to share instead. These are the simple, yet timeless values I’ve learned from each of them, lessons that these two amazing women have taught me, albeit in completely different ways. I cannot wait to carry on their traditions, while implementing these very same values in my own quirky way.

If you know my Mamas what other euphemisms did you learn from them? Or share your own personal thoughts!

Here are a handful of take home messages I learned from each Mama.

From Pammy…

  • that every holiday can have a full-blown decorative tree (St. Patrick’s day, 4th of July, and the year-round John Deere tree).
  • that sisters will always have the strongest bond.
  • that there is such a thing as a cuticle – and your fingers will look pretty if you push them back.
  • that beer can be an ingredient in almost anything – even bread.
  • that not just royalty are called Queens.
  • to check my silverware – even at fancy restaurants.
  • that eating as a family is important – even if it is while watching Lawrence Welk.
  • to be a strong, independent woman.
  • that accumulating stuff for 50 years is only a problem if you don’t have a barn big enough.
  • that family is an awesome rock.

From my Mama…

  • that Laughter is always the best medicine and if that doesn’t work…
  • …to put your foot in the creek and read the bible.
  • that you can never eat enough fruits and veggies – but popcorn is a major food group and it’s okay to eat it for dinner.
  • that hay bales and apple crates can be used tastefully to add seating for family events.
  • the best part of going off the hiking trail is “getting lost” for hours.
  • that a watermelon tastes best if you eat it in the warm field after smashing it open on a rock.
  • that mother daughter trips to Target always end with a basket full of hair ties, dish towels, tank-tops and chips.
  • that hula hooping is a full workout especially with constant bouts of laughter.
  • that it’s okay to eat peanut butter straight out of the jar with a spoon – and it’s even better if you scoop it out with a piece of chocolate instead.
  • that family is an awesome rock.

– Sarah