A double birthday blessing!

*Shabby Apple giveaway necklace going on now til next Friday. Did you enter?

Today I am wishing my mom a wonderful birthday but also my aunt's birth, yuppers my mom is an identical twin. (Isn't that trait suppose to skip generations, meaning me??) 

Anyways let me tell you it was fun growing up with a mom who has a twin, because of their connection it meant hearing my mom frequently on the phone with her sister, hearing her laugh that special laugh because her sister said something extremely funny. 

It meant my older of my two female cousins and I  frequently being asked if we were fraternal twins and sharing that special bond between two families linked together by twin sisters.

My mom is standing next to me and her twin sister is in the blue dress, second from the right. These are all the women on my mom's side of the family. 

I can't say enough great things about my mom. She taught me about God, his wonderful gift of a personal relationship with Him, and how to build a strong relationship with Him. 

She raised myself, and my two siblings and was an Air Force wife for 24 years.

She is strong, she teaches English to refugees, she is patient, she is practical and she is very reliable. She is consistent, she is an awesome cook, which I learned my skills all from her, all of our meals were homemade all the time. 

She gave me the best gift of being able to stay at home and raise her children. 

She is a giver, she is thoughtful, she cares for others. 

She listens to what God wants her to do, she uses His word as her ultimate source in her life. 

She loves my dad 30 plus years later.

She picks me up when I am down and doubting myself, she is a constant support of prayer, and she is never selfish.

Happy birthday to my mom and thank you for everything you ever taught me and I wish you the best birthday!!

And to my aunt, who I refer to at Mom2 sometimes. Happy birthday Aunt Sue! I'm very thankful for the close relationship we have had all these years and I am so grateful for you in my life. I always enjoy when I get to spend time with you, although it isn't nearly as often as I would like. I was so glad we were able to see each other at Christmas time. When I was in college, thank you for being the closest family I had, as my parents were still in Japan. I feel so blessed to have you as an aunt!