Dear Mom,

Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for putting up with my crabbiness and always joking to make me laugh. Thank you for being so easy to talk to, I feel like I could tell you anything. Thank you for putting up with my messy room and busy schedule. Thank you for doing your best to make it to all of our games and activities, especially with four kids and by yourself. Thank you for being so strong and independent, teaching me how to be a great woman like yourself. Thank you for teaching me how to do laundry and dishes at a young age so I can be independent now-there are a lot my age who cannot do those things. Thank you for being hard on me when I need it; you raised me right. Thank you for having endless energy to keep up with four crazy kids between the ages of 9 and 20. I know that we do not always show you the appreciation you deserve, and that sometimes in the midst of our busy schedule we take for granted the things you do for us that we could not survive without. Thank you for being fierce and doing all of these things on your own. I know it is not easy on you and sometimes we don't make it any easier, but your work does not go unnoticed. Whether it be making sure we had clean jerseys to wear to our games or food packed in our cooler, you're the best volleyball, track, football, softball-and pretty much every other sport- mom anyone could ask for. Thank you for always knowing when I just need to lay down and nap because I come to you crying and freaking out over some little thing, like I often do when I get too stressed out. Thank you for being honest and telling me my outfit looks awful even when I get mad because I really wanted to wear it. Thank you for loving us unconditionally even when we steal your food or joke around about how you have a Twitter. Thank you for allowing us to have some freedom but always teaching us to know our boundaries so we make good decisions. Thank you for having to play the role of mom and dad, and always encouraging us to love the great outdoors like Dad did. Thank you for cooking the best food and knowing what we do and don't like so every kid is happy. Thank you for sometimes having to play the role of mediator when we siblings fight. Thank you for being a great friend; we can effectively communicate exactly what we're thinking with just one eye roll. Thank you for everything you do; I know I couldn't do half the things I do without your support. You are so appreciated, and words cannot express how much I love you! Happy Mother's Day!

Love,

Your Daughter