Last night, Brad and I had the chance to go bowling with some friends that he went to school with and now work with at Wright Patt.  We had a blast and I had so much fun bowling with a little one inside of me!  It was a unique workout and I’m sure feeling it today.  Right before the end of our night together, one of the guys I had never met before put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Happy Early Mother’s Day.”  It was really sweet and thoughtful of him to say that.  After the bowling alley, we drove home to check the mail and there laid a card for me.  My sister Veronica sent me a card stating, “Baby hasn’t arrived yet, but in your heart and under it, you’re already a mom.”  I called her today and thanked her for the card, I hadn’t realized it until both of those happenings that I actually was already becoming a mom.

I know with as exciting as it is to be carrying a little being inside of me, it’s even more nerve racking to think about being in charge of raising him or her to be a model citizen.  The lucky part of that is, that I have a TON of great examples to live by when it comes to being a Mom.  On my website it currently states, “To my four sisters who have taught me what it is like to be a sister, an aunt, a wife, and SOMEDAY a mom, thank you.”  I realize that this statement is going to have to change, because they each have already taught me so much.  Veronica became a mother instantly after marrying her husband Eddie and his daughter Alehia.  Becoming a mother to a teenager right away can be challenging and rewarding all at the same time.  Denise had two beautiful daughters of her own, Kayla & Paige and also became a step-mom of two boys from her husband Dave, Mikey & Joey.  Having a house full of 4 teenagers and pre-teens would be much of the same for her.  Nicole had her first son Seth while in college and she mothers him as a young adult now, while juggling 5 year old Lance and 2 year old Braylee with her husband Chad.  What a difference in ages and learning experience that has been for me.  My youngest sister Lollie isn’t married yet, but has played an active role in mothering her boyfriend Caleb’s son, Ridley.  For her at first it was hard to say yes to date a guy that had a child, but she has already learned so much in what it takes to be a mom.  I am so proud of each of them and how they have been active in their roles of raising the children that have been broughten to them.

I also have two grandmothers whom have set and active role in childbearing.  My Grandma Vargas whom I have never really had the chance to know, still has taught me from a far how to be a Mom.  All of my life she has lived in Texas, where a visit every couple of years wasn’t enough to quite get to know one another.  She however, had and raised 9 of her own children.  That’s right ladies, NINE!  She also became a mother to my grandpa’s child to make it lucky number 10.  I can imagine the chaos in that household with all of them running around, and knowing my Dad probably mis-behaving!  My Grandma Hengst mothered four of her own and helped raise me when I was little.  My Mom was lucky enough to have her babysit me and Lollie when we were young.  She became such an intrical part of my life, teaching me how to cook waffles and french toast that my Mom refused to prepare, making me do summer math lessons against my will, and occupying my time with the arts and crafts of learning to knit and sew.  I was so thankful to have her and some of my greatest memories were waiting for her to cook lunch right after Price is Right was over!

However, above all the other Mom influences in my life NONE of them has been greater than Mom herself.  She is the woman who defied all odds in a ‘man’s world.’  They told her she would never climb the corporate ladder because she was a woman, and after year’s and year’s of work I watched her do it.  She is the woman who taught me NEVER to make a promise you couldn’t keep.  She is the woman who taught me how to be insanely organized in every facet of life.  She is the woman who showed me that what everyone else thought of me growing up didn’t matter.  She is the woman who taught me how to be a wife to a husband I love.  She is the Mom who taught me to never give up in anything I do and to do nothing but follow my dreams, including owning my own business.  She is the one who pushed me to get a college degree to make a better life for myself.  She is the one who wiped away my tears, kissed my bruised knees, and cheered me on at endless volleyball games, track meets, choir concerts, and piano recitals.  She is the one who has covered me in all of life’s lessons, circumstances, and anything that is and shall come.  I’m proud to call her Mom and I couldn’t be more excited about what she has yet to teach me about being one myself.  I love you Mom!

From Left to Right: Denise, Lollie, Mom, Nicole (& Braylee), Veronica, and Me.  (This photo needs some updating-taken in November 2008 🙂 )

Of course there are many more Mom’s in my life including my Mother-in-Law and best friends, I appreciate all that each of you have taught me as well.  I wish each and every one of you a very Happy Mother’s Day!  Love you all!!

..INFLUENCES..

love, echo

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echoes of love