Mis Padres es Muy Fuerte!

      I want to take a moment to recognize the two most amazing people in my life!

     My mother homeschooled 6 girls! If that alone doesn't deserve recognition, I don't know what does! She taught all of us to read and write. When I was younger my mother was the epitome of a mother, and what I mean by that is: she kissed our booboo's, wiped our noses, tucked us in, told us stories, etc.
     As I got older I gained more and more respect for my mother, she truly is a wonderful woman!
When my mom's mom, Nanny, was dying, my parents took her out of the nursing home and she came to live with us. I watched my mother take care of my grandmother until she died. My mother gave her medication, cleaned her, clothed her and made her comfortable. I watched my mother go through this difficult time and the whole time she was still very much positive. Yes, she had her moments of stress, but for the most part she was still very much uplifting.

     With 6 daughters you can imagine how much drama this causes between each and everyone of us...individually and when we are all together. My mom has always been the peacemaker, bends over backwards just for us to get along and always does a good job of being involved in our lives individually.
     When I was younger, I was definitely a little brat, as a teenager I lied all the time and was extremely rebellious. Despite my mistakes and outbursts, my mother was still there for me and was very loving. She may not have known much about my life, issues and emotional problems....but that does not mean it is because she did something. I chose to lie about who I was in order to protect my mother from thinking that everything I was going through was her fault....because it wasn't.
     Mom, I love you very much and am so blessed to have been raised by such an incredibly strong woman of God. You truly are World's Greatest Mom and I appreciate everything you have done for the girls and I. Also, when I am a mother I do want to be as amazing of a mother as you were to me!

      When I first decided to give my life over to the Lord and came to my parents asking forgiveness for being a rebellious pain in their butts, they laid hands on me and prayed. After the emotional prayer, my father looked at me and said, "Stephanie, I love you. But, as your earthly father I am not perfect and I will let you down at times. I want you to know that your heavenly father will never let you down and He is perfect. But, I will try my hardest."     Typing this now makes me emotional because being humble comes from those who know God and His true nature...and this is who my father is.
     As a PK(pastor's kid) it was difficult at times. Struggling with perfection in my father's eyes and God's eyes and always aiming for excellence in ministry. But, my father did an amazing job turning off the pastor when it came to turning on the daddy. In other words, I never felt as though my father was trying to be my pastor when I really needed my daddy, and I am very thankful for that.
    Being a father of 6 ridiculous girls and trying to lead a congregation are two very tasking jobs...but my father rocked at it!
     My daddy is a loving father and a great leader. He has been a huge influence in my life and has helped me in so many areas of growing spiritually, academically, mentally and emotionally. He has always taught my sisters and I the importance of family, and always said, "Steph, friends come and go. But your family is forever." Pretty cliche, but he is right.
     The #1 argument to end all arguments to little kids is the famous, "nuh-uh my dad said so!"   and  "my dad's better than your dad."    I totally still do this :)

 Mom and Dad, 
     I am very appreciative of you two and am very blessed to have you guys in my life. I hope one day to be as good to my children as you guys were to me...and still am.
     Sincerely, 
The favorite ;)