80 is the new 70...

Today is my absolutely gorgeous MOTHER'S 80Th Birthday!!! Yes my MOM is 80 years old today! Happy Birthday MOM! I was on the phone with her a couple days ago and even SHE can't believe that she's 80! She said "80 is the new 70" but I don't think she looks a day over 69!!! Anyway, I thought it would be fun to tell you a few things about this AMAZING WOMAN, that I call MOM...

1. She was born May 18, 1927

2. In Driggs Idaho

3. She is one of TEN children. I believe she is 5th in the line up?

4. She and all of her siblings had to call their Dad, sir...

5. She was a bottle red head, for most of her life until she "gave into the gray" in her late 60's.

6. She didn't grow up on a farm, but they did have cows.

7. Her Dad was a Janitor at the school. So she would tell all of her class mates that she owned the school, and they believed her because they had the keys!

8. I believe they would also help their Dad clean and sometimes even sleep at the school? Is that right Mom?

9. She was a self-proclaimed "Wallflower" at the school dances.

10. She moved down to Utah at the age of 18.

11. She lived in the Beehive House.

12. Her first job was with the phone company (Ma-Bell)

13.On April 26, 1946, she was set up on a blind date with my Dad. Her sister Marge was married to a man named Ted who just happened to be best friends with my Dad. Ted and my Dad were tennis bums, so Marge decided to send in my Mom to "Put my Dad in his place" or in other words get him away from Ted and get a job!

14. It was love at first sight! But it was 5 years before they would say "I do"

15.The "I do's" took place on February 28, 1951
16. In Fort Riley Kansas. My Dad was stationed there for basic training. (Army)
17. She bought her own wedding ring, it cost $7.00. She proudly wears that beautiful ring to this day!

18. She was 23 years old when she married.

19. She was married in a beautiful Burgundy suit, that she still has today!

20. They were sealed exactly four years later February 28, 1955- In the Salt Lake Temple.

21. She had her first child at 24 and her last child (and favorite) me at 45! And no I was NOT a mistake!

22. She has 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren
23. She has been married for 56 years, and is still MADLY in love with my Dad!

24. She loves her Grandchildren more than anything else in the world! She is always willing to babysit, and she spoils them all!!! And when she does tend, she doesn't just put the kids in front of the t.v.- she plays games with them and always lets them win!
25. I know I just wrote that she loves her Grandchildren more than anything in the world, but really it's more like a tie between the kids and JUDGE shows! She lives for those stupid Judge shows! She watches them everyday, I just don't think it's right!
26. And she listens to the television as LOUD as it will go!

27. She eats lunch and dinner food for breakfast.

28. She eats some kind of meat with almost every meal
29. She is an Amazing cook! She makes THE BEST GRAVY in the world! Oh how I miss GRAVY!
30. She loves DESSERT! Especially CAKE! I use to work at a restaurant called LaCaille.
We hosted weddings there all the time, so I would bring home wedding cake for my Mom. She loved it! She said she never ate a cake she didn't like!!!

31. She is happiest when surrounded by her family.

32. She is very emotional, all of her children (especially me) inherited that lovely trait from her!
33. She is so FUNNY!
34. She does NOT hold a grudge.
35. She is simple. Not in the sense of being Bromidic but rather easy going, easy to get along with- simplistic...

36.This picture above is a painting called 'Tijuana Serenade' My Mom is the woman in the painting. (My Dad is the Artist) This painting is also for sale if anyone is interested, just contact me!
37. She loves to read Readers Digest... I won't say where!

38. She use to answer the phone by saying her full name, instead of hello...

39. She is 5'4 (well she might be a little shorter now-a-days)

40. She didn't get her drivers license until she was 46 years old!

41. She hates to drive! There are only certain places she'll drive too. She doesn't want to turn left or right?

42. She use to let me drive home from church when I was 14 years old! That was SO COOL! Until I hit the garage!

43. She backed out of the garage with the car door open.........TWICE!!!
44. She loves to wear her robe and slippers.
45. Everyone who knows her loves her! But Kasey says she loves her THE MOST!!! Really Kasey does love her more than anyone else in the world!

46. She is very discerning.

47. She is gregarious.
48. When I was little I had a friend named Jessica. She had an older brother named Lars. He was HORRIBLE. He was mean to everyone, especially to my friend Jessica. One day we were all outside playing when Lars came up to me and pushed me down. My Mom happened to be watching from inside. She came running out of the house over to me. She grabbed Lars by his shirt with one hand(the other hand she used to point in his face) and said "If you ever touch my daughter again, I WILL flatten you as flat as a pancake!" It was a standing ovation! All of the kids in the neighborhood cheered for my Mom! He never touched me again!
49. She has a green thumb.
50. She works in her yard everyday! (weather permitting)

51. She has a huge garden.

52. She use to can tomatoes, I don't know if she does?

53. She always has a dandelion digger in her hand when she's outside.
54. She and my Dad go on a walk everyday, (except for Sunday) They usually walk for an hour or an hour and a half. They have done this for about 40 years...

55. They walk in the Mall if it's bad weather.

56. On December 4, 2000- My Mom was hit by a truck while on a walk with my Dad. She was taken to LDS Hospital. It was the worst day of all of our lives!

57. They called her "Zena" warrior princess in the ambulance because she was so tough!

58. She is still in pain from the results of that accident, and yet my Dad says she never complains..

59. She use to always dress up for Halloween. Her most "Famous" costume was as an Indian. I only wish I had the picture to show you, it was classic!

60. She ALWAYS has her toes and fingernails painted.

61. She was there, in the delivery room when both of my babies were born.

62.She was my escort when I received my Endowments.

63. She was also my escort when I was sealed to my Husband and children.

64. She loves UNCONDITIONALLY. Her name should be in the dictionary definition of unconditional love...

65. She has a great love for the Gospel.

66. She loves to serve.

67. She is currently the assistant compassionate service leader in her ward.

68.During tough times she has taken on jobs outside the home, at places like Chase acceptance, Dairy Queen, and Chuck-a-Rama...
69. She flies to Chicago to visit us when ever she can. We love her to come here! I am so proud of her getting on a plane all by herself!

70. Hawaii is the furthest away she has ever been from Utah.

71. She was in a parade once where she was the "attendant" to the Queen. My Dad said she should have been the Queen, she was 100 times more beautiful than that other girl!

72. I use to have this Rod Stewart record. My Mom loved the song 'Some guys have all the luck' She would have me play it over and over...
73. She has a dishwasher, but doesn't use it! She washes her dishes by hand.

74. She also hangs her clothes outside to dry!

75. She loves sports especially the Jazz and BYU. She watches all of the games!

76. She attended all of her children's "sporting" events. She never missed a game unless it was in another state, and even then she would be there when she could! (Now she goes to all of her Grand and great Grandchildrens games)

77. She was very VOCAL at the games. ( It use to embarrass me, now I do it to my kids!)

78. At one time she was the Stake Region Sports Director. There was a team that had a male coach, which at that time was against the rules. So she told the team they had to forfeit the game. The next morning we came out to my Mom's car only to find it covered with Oreo cookies, inside and out! It totally ruined the paint! (Reminder, this was CHURCH BALL!!!)
79. TURTLES are her very favorite candy!
80. My Mom always allowed me to call her by her first name, Irma- Whenever I would call her Irma in front of my friends they would look at me with shock, and say I can't believe you just called your Mom Irma, and I would say I know, isn't she COOL!!!

Mom, you are THE GREATEST WOMAN I know! I love you so very much and miss you everyday! You are an amazing example to all who know you! Dad says he's the luckiest guy in the world to have you for his wife, I couldn't agree more you are truly RESPLENDENT!!!!!!!