Remember that “mother’s day song” we sang as kids? “M is for the many things….”

This is about the 3 “moms” in my life… My Mom (Wanda), My wife (Pam), and Pam’s mom (Sandee)…

Where to begin… Obviously, the basic simple fact of life is that without mom (and dad too I suppose) I wouldn’t be here… But it goes beyond that. Without mom’s influence and impact in my life – who I am would be drastically different. She cared (and still does) about the little details in my life and that of my sister. She would occasionally work outside the home to help income or to do something different, but she concentrated on being home to make the house a home – a place of refuge from the world, a place to be safe and to know love, a place to learn and grow. She loves God, loves dad, loves her kids, and now the extended family that has grown since we’ve gotten married and had our own kids. She provided to me in her actions, not so much her words what to look for in a woman to spend my life with – and she approves of and loves Pam as if she was her daughter. She and dad taught me the value of commitment, standing by your word regardless, don’t lie, be nice, eat your veggies, don’t torture flies, snakes are icky, nature is God’s canvas for beauty, you can put sauerkraut in brownies to try and hide it from your kids but some of us CAN tell. She helped me memorize lots and lots of Bible verses, and would stick up for her family no matter what. She has become one of the great fine-art photographers and taught me alot!! (check out http://wandajudd.com) I Love you Momma!!!

Pam is…. how do I best put this…… simply the best gift God has ever, or will ever give me – aside from His salvation and gift of Grace!! Pam completes me. She makes me tingle, she helps me, she loves me, she loves our kids, she is self-less, giving, caring, calming, the best role-model for my son to compare to for his future bride, and my daughter to aspire to be like for her future husband. She is artistic and very creative. She is smokin’ HOT , she looks even prettier without makeup, she supports me in anything I try to do. She will fly in little planes with me, go SCUBA diving with me, ride my motorcycle with me, helps me when I go out to take pictures for people, and even rubs my head after SHE had a long hard day. She has a knack for finding cheap vacations, and is truly one of the smartest people I know. She takes up a challenge without letting on she’s a little scared and goes on brave as ever. She is a good cook, wonderful companion, and truly my better half. I could go on and on, but I need to save some material for more blog posts! LOL

I love you babe!! Thank you for being the bestest mom to our kids!!

Sandee (Pam’s Mom) is the model of perseverance and trust. The more I have gotten to know her over the years, the more I can see what Pam will be like as we grow old together, and I can see where Pam learned her grace, composure, and selflessness. Sandee lost her 1st husband, Pam’s biological dad, many years ago, when Pam was 8… She met and married Art Ireland, and they lived together until Art’s home-going in ’05. Together Art and Sandee raised a mixed yours, mine, and ours household, and taught Pam so many of her life lessons, that in quiet moments of reflection, when Pam and I are talking, I can see and hear each of her parents… Sandee truly loves me and there is not the sit-com/stereotypical “mother/son-in-law” relationship at all between us… I am ever so grateful to her for being Pam’s guiding influence to be the woman she is. Love you Sandee!!

So to all the “moms” in my life, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

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