Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mommies out there. Right now I am in the “mommy-to-be” and “mother’s of furkids” categories but I am excited for that all to change soon! Ryland and I are extremely blessed to call such special women our mothers and grandmothers. These women have loved us into who we are today…

My mom (Lori)is a fantastic lady. She raised my brothers and I with so much fun and adventure. From making homemade “gak” (squishy play doh-like substance) on our kitchen table to taking us all around the world, my mom rarely said “no” to something that would make us laugh and smile. Now that we are all out of the house, she must be exhausted. Rick, Keith, and I have countless pictures and home videos that she took so that we could remember all the fabulous things we did when we were young. She made scrapbooks and “funny” books that feature hilarious things my brothers and i said as we grew. When my brothers and I were sick, she would comfort us with our “sick” bears, stuffed animals that she brought out of the hall closet only when we were sick. I am almost 24 and still hug my sick bear when I am sick! All of our friends chose the “McMunn’s” house as the hang-out because my mom welcomed them with ping-pong tables, snacks, and fluffy couches. In addition, she always had admirable & untraditional priorities. For instance, I missed a lot of school because of our amazing adventures. In first grade, she picked me up from recess and said, “Come on Katie! We are going to Disney World!” (which was a big deal since we lived in Pittsburgh, PA.) When I was older, she didn’t hesitate to write notes to the principal saying, “Please excuse Katie from school on Friday & Monday, we are going to Rome, Italy for the weekend.” i also love the memory of spending the morning in a local coffee shop sipping hot chocolate and talking about life when neither of us felt strong enough to go to work/school. we just needed “girl time.” As you can tell, I could go on forever about her. Mom, I love you. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! In having our little boy, I am about to realize how patient you were with me growing up. Pay back is here!

Me, Trailer Gram, & My Mom in NYC last Christmas

My Trailer gram (Diana) is one of our three favorite grandmas! You probably guessed that she lives in a Trailer. My brothers and I call both of my grandmas “gram”, so from a young age, we had to differentiate between the two. Therefore, we resolved to call my mom’s mom “Trailer Gram” on account of the fact she lives in a trailer. Pretty clever right!? Anyway, trailer gram is not your typical grandma. She doesn’t bake cookies or rock in a rocking chair…but she does have a british accent, loves a good mixed drink, and has the best stories that will make you laugh until it hurts. One of our favorite things about trailer gram is that she got a tattoo when she was 70 years old! While she may not be the traditional idea of a grandma, she loves just like every other gram. She has always played with my hair and gives me the best hugs. She is a great listener and comforter. She overflows with generosity and fun–there is not a card or dice game she will turn down! Most of all, we love repeating everything she says (because of her funny accent) and hearing her call us “love.” We love you trailer gram!!! We are so blessed to have you as a grandma and the baby will be so blessed to have you as a great-grandma! You truly deserve the title because you are GREAT!

My grandpa with little gram when they were young.

Even though this picture was taken many years ago, she still looks the same at 83!…

My Little gram (Coral)-is the kindest, sweetest person you will ever meet. We named her “little gram” because she has never gone over 100 pounds in her life unless she was pregnant! Little gram can be found in the kitchen with an apron on ready to serve you some delicious spaghetti with her famous spaghetti sauce, bread with homemade strawberry jelly, and some chocolate pudding for dessert. She also makes the best birthday cakes. Little gram might be small but she is the strength of our family. When my grandfather passed away, and more recently, when my dad passed away (her son)—-she stood firm with a smile to greet everyone that came to the viewings & funerals. She is confident in her faith and leads a simple and wonderful life. She loves being a mother and has always upheld her motherly role by providing meals every week at her home, even though all of her kids and grandkids are adults now. Little gram was patient with me for the countless hours of piano lessons she provided. She has been the organist at our church for over 50 years! When I was sick, she would come over to visit and bring me treats. When I forgot my flute at home (how many times did I do that over the 9 years I played!?) she would go over to our house to get it and bring it in to school so i wouldn’t get in trouble. Our family just adores this woman and she deserves every bit of it. Little gram gives and gives endlessly. I love you little gram! You are so special to us!

Trailer Gram, me, Little gram, and Gran Gran at our wedding…

Ryland’s Gran Gran (Sally) –wow can this woman cook! Any time we visit, there is a full meal with several desserts that she won’t let you leave without having! We are soooo stuffed when Gran-Gran sends us home. She also loves to crochet and has already made our son 6 blankets, 12 bibs, and 3 pairs of booties! Gran-gran always has the time to call and hear all about our lives. she  always sincerely cares to hear how we are doing and what our plans for the future are. Even though she doesn’t have much, she gives much of whatever she has. I feel blessed that she loves me so much as a granddaughter-in-law that she remembers my birthday every year while she has several other grandkids to think about. Gran-Gran was the only grandparent that was invested in Ryland and his brothers lives growing up—being there to babysit and provide for them whenever it was needed. She truly loves her grandsons and can’t help showing off her albums of each one of them when you come into the house. Gran-Gran, you are such a lovely person and we are so blessed to call you grandma.

Ryland’s mom, Susan, and I in NYC last Christmas about to see Mamma Mia!…

Ryland’s mom (Susan)– Wow, Ryland’s mom is an amazing person…it is hard to know where to start. She has successfully raised four boys—that deserves a standing ovation in itself. She also is a teacher, has her masters, and is writing a book about modern education that involves topics of philosophy, religion, and the american family. Needless to say, my mother-in-law is one of the most intelligent women I have ever known. She knows something about everything and is always ready to teach and share her knowledge with others. Susan has a compassionate memory  as well…she remembers things about your life from years ago and makes sure to ask you how you are doing in those specific ways. Some mothers may have been hesitant with a new woman in the house as Ryland was the first of her boys to get married, but she welcomed me with girl talk, going out to lunch, and shopping trips. I really appreciate that Susan treats me as one of her own. She makes sure to call me every so often to spend time learning about me and where i am in life. She loves and spoils her grand dog and soon to be grandson by buying toys and stuffed bears that she just can’t resist. Jersey mom—you are the best mother-in-law i could ever have imagined. Thanks for sharing so much with me. You have loved me as your own daughter and I could not be more thankful for Ryland and how you raised him. He is a fantastic husband and i know that a lot of who he is today is because of you. We love you!

Happy Mother’s day to our special moms! Ryland’s mom and my mom in NYC…