Mother's Day Photos (Better Late Than Never)

In honor of all the great women in my family who've mothered before me, I'm going to post some of my favorite photo's of some of them.

FYI (and a little off-topic) I love old photos.

Five generation photo. My mom is the baby. Her biological mom (LaVerl) is holding her, my Great Grandma Steinke is next to her. I have so many wonderful memories of times spent with Grandma Steinke. Her mother, Great Great Grandma Bernarde is next to her, and my Great Great Great Grandma (who sadly, I don't know her name. . . my mom probably does) is the lady sitting.

My mom as a baby and her biological Mom at bath time.

LaVerl and Charlene

Three generation photo. Grandma Stoehr, myself, and my mom. My Grandma Stoehr adopted my mom after my mom's biological mother (LaVerl) died. My mom was two when her bio mom passed. A year or so later, my Grandpa Stoehr (Grant) met Dolores, a woman who lost her husband and had two young children. Dolores and Grant were married, they combined their families, and had five more children together for a total of eight kids. I'm so glad I lived close to Grandma Stoehr growing up. I have so many wonderful memories of times spent with her. One time I asked my mom if I could spend my spring break with Grandma Stoehr. She let me and I had a lovely week full of good food, staying up late watching A&E's Pride and Prejudice and the like, crafting, thrifting, and talking.

Grandma Stoehr and Tralee Marie.

Four generation photo, only this time, Tralee's the baby. She looks a bit like my mom as a baby. It's the eyes.

My Great Grandma on my Dad's side. This is my Nana's mom. I've never met her, but I have heard wonderful stories. She was a fabulous baker, cook, and loving mother and grandmother.

My Nana, Dad, and Aunt Mary

Nana. The BEST Nana around. If I were to google the world Grandma, my Nana's picture should come up. She's the epitome of grandmotherhood, fresh cookies and all.

Great Grandma Labiszak, Nana, cousin Brian, Aunt Mary (my dad's sister). I love the outfits back then.

My mom, Charlene with Nana. LOVE the glasses mom!

Nana holding me on her lap while decorating eggs with my brother Jimmy. A lot of fond memories have taken place in that kitchen.

My great grandma Labiszak (right) with her sister. She's my Dad's grandma on his dad's side. We would visit Grandma Labiszak in her apartment (which was right across the street from the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright's Greek Orthodox Church) after church on Sundays. She always had butterscotch candies in little antique dishes resting on doilies. Before we left, Grandma Labiszak would give my brother and me a dollar. Every time she handed one over she told us not to spend it all in one place.

My parents, Great Grandma, and myself celebrating Great Grandma Labiszaks 100th b-day. She lived to be 104. Luckily for me, I take after my dad's side of the family. What what!

My beautiful mother holding her first baby, my brother Jimmy. I love this picture. They both have such nice olive skin and dark shiny hair. Lucky ducks! Also, Hunter kinda looks a little like Jimmy in this photo.

My mom and myself.

Mom, cousin Jenny, me, and my brother at Walt Disney World. My mom and I used to go to WDW every year together. It's "our thing." She and my dad even sent Jim and I there on our honeymoon. I thought it was only appropriate to put a picture of one of our first trips to Disney together. And by the way, I think the sunglasses my brother is wearing are SUPER cool!

Lastly. . . here are a few pictures of me becoming a mother.

Tralee and me a few minutes after she was born

Tralee and me

Hunter and me

In case you can't tell. . . I LOVE being a mom. I've had a legacy of great moms before me. I've learned the tricks of the trade from the best.

Happy (belated) Mother's Day to women everywhere, and especially to the ones who've shaped me into the woman, wife, and mother I am. I have a long way to go, but I know I am who I am (body and soul) because of these wonderful ladies.