A Foto Friday 58 Years in the making

...of course the photo documentation I have only goes back for 33 years.

Picture it - east Tennessee, 1955.  A young mother of 1, goes into labor with her second child. 

25 years later, this child gives birth to her 2nd child. 

Thus resulting in the incredible not-so-young woman you have writing this blog today.

Trite or not, words cannot express how much my Mama means to me.  

Today, on her 58th birthday, I wanted to do a blog post celebrating her. 

Break out your dancin' shoes!!

There are so many different facets of her life. 

She's a wonderful mother, wife, friend, grandmother, and daughter. 

Despite being landlocked, she loves the beach and wants to go at every opportunity.

A bit closer to home, she loves the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,

 and has helped to instill a love for it in me as well.

Even if it means sitting out on a cold night, waiting to watch a little lightning bug p*rn. 

 (The popular synchronized firefly "show" is actually their mating call.)

After almost 40 years of marriage, she finally convinced my dad to take her to Alaska. 

 While there, she brought back this awesome bathroom selfie.

When I met Jay, she knew he was the one,

and wanted to get one last family vacation just us, so we headed to Asheville...

...then she was ready to welcome him into the family with open arms.

At our wedding, she played duel roles.  Beautiful mother of the bride...

...and hostess extraordinaire

I've managed to influence her as well - leading her into the addiction that is racing.

While she's sidelined at the moment,

she's working toward getting healthy so she can tackle yet another 5K.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!! I love you!!!