Mothers' day blogging, take 2

This is my mother-in-law, Marie. Shis is pictured with a very tired Peyton at Nathan's first b-day party. Marie, better known as Nana, has also had a rough year. We went for our annual Christmas shopping trip this past December. We figured we have been doing that since 1990! It is a longstanding tradition, and even though what we shop for has changed a great deal, it is still always lots of fun. I hope that we continue this for many years to come. Marie has been a 2nd mother to me since I was a young teenager. She taught my Sunday School class all through my high school years, and we were very close. When I began dating, and married her son, we became even closer, and stayed that way. Marie loves all her grandchildren dearly. My girls love to go stay with Granddad and Nana. They sit and read with her, which is one of the things she loves best! Family difficulties, as well as her husband's illness has been difficult for her, making the past year a hard one. I am SO thankful that last summer, she took the time to have a "girl's night" with her daughter and her daughters-in-law. This very timely evening included a written prayer and blessing for each of us. That night stands for me as a critical time, used by God to prepare me for the difficult times ahead. Thank you, Marie, for being my second mother, Nana for my girls, and my friend for so many years. I love you.