LAST CHANCE: Want to Hand Mom $250? (You know she deserves it)

Beth Dalbey (Editor) May 5, 2012 at 01:35 pm

I had an awesome mom who raised seven kids, grew almost all our food and sewed most of our clothing. She was Superwoman without a cape.

Jessica Owens May 5, 2012 at 05:23 pm

My name is Jess, I live with my Grandmother to go o DMACC. She is the best Meme ever. She has always been there for me, an I can tell her anything, without judgement--only help!!!! I love her more than anything, as well as do my friends--they call her -"the cool grandma". Even though she has alot of bad times, she's had a hip replacement, an needs another one, she has alot of pain. She always smiles an tells me everything will be ok. Shye's always been there for me, no matter what, to me she is very special!!!!

Amanda Fobert May 6, 2012 at 04:58 am

My mom is the best! Over 2 years ago, she let my husband, our two boys, and me move in with her because we were having major financial trouble. We are still at her house, and I cannot thank her enough for taking us in when we needed help. My mom has been a complete support for us and our boys. The boys love being able to kiss grandma goodnight every night. My mom is always there when we need a babysitter or just anything. I don't know where we would be without my mom. I could never thank her enough for all that she has done for us.

Beth Dalbey (Editor) May 6, 2012 at 11:31 am

Jess and Amanda, these women sound terrific. Uploading a photo counts as another entry in the contest, increasing you chances to win. Thanks.

Kadee Hoffman May 7, 2012 at 12:29 am

My mom is a military wife. She raised three kids while my dad spent 8 months out of every year out at sea. Her strength showed me what it meant to be a woman. It helped me get through the recent deployment of my boyfriend. She has always been there for our family, no matter what the problem, or reward. She doesn't judge, she is just the most understanding person I've ever met. For the years she spent waiting for my dad to come home, and the years she spent being our rock, she is by far the most amazing mother.

Erica May 7, 2012 at 07:41 pm

My mother, Suzy, has been my best friend and role model for more years than she or I would care to count. I have had to share her with not only my many siiblings, but with the love of her life, my father, and a continuing stream of friends and students who all count on her ready smile and welcoming arms. She always has an open ear and gives nurturing counsel, is self sacrificing and self deprecating. I always look forward to seeing her and miss her when we say "goodbye". I appreciate my strong, funny, loving and lovely mother and hope we have many more years together.

Deb Belt (Editor) May 7, 2012 at 07:47 pm

Kadee, your mom sounds like the glue that holds your family together. If you upload her photo, you double your entry.

Bianca Zaffarano May 8, 2012 at 01:46 pm

My (Our mom), Suzanne, has been the glue and foundation of our large family for decades. She still, at 85, has the drive, determination, compassion, and gentleness, needed to help guide her six children in their travels through life. She brings "home" with her, wherever she goes, and we collectively get our "dibs" on her company for each and every special occasion and holiday, with hopes that she will come and share her time with us for every and any special occasion. She is counted as a surrogate mother by my husband, and others in the Ames community. She is a beautiful woman, inside and out, gives selflessly to her friends, always has an ear for those in need, and frequently worries that she can provide more or do more for those around her. We are, as a family, graced to have this lovely lady as our role model.

Danielle Benford May 8, 2012 at 04:29 pm

My mom not only raised 4 children (3 of those children being triplet boys) but she is now providing "daycare" to my 2 year old daughter. Words cannot and will not ever be able to express my gratitude to her for being there through everything that I have endured and now that my daughter endures. She puts herself down sometimes for "only being a stay-at-home Mom" but I think that's ridiculous. The job that she provided was essential to my brothers and me turning out so well. We always know that either one of our parents may be called on or relied on for anything a huge part of that is for all that my mom has done for us.

Betsy Minkel May 9, 2012 at 04:33 pm

I was fortunate to have a mom and a "spare." My sister has always been my subsitute mother. She is 7 years older than me. Early on I was her live doll for her stroller. Later she was my taxi driver, homework assistant, beautician and clothes buyer. Even later she tended my kids as if they were her own. Now she is going through health issues and I hope I can be as supportive of her as she was of me.

Lalaina May 9, 2012 at 04:37 pm

My mother is the strongest most beautiful woman I know. We moved to the United States from Madagascar when I was 1. When we arrived she knew no english. During the first year we were here she had my brother who was born with life threatening health issues and special needs. Since then 21 years have passed and her and my father have created a beautiful life for us. They have successful raised two of us and throughout it all she has been the steady rock in our family. She came to every event I have ever had and made sure all of us sat down for family meals. She has faith that could move mountains and she taught me the lessons of, loving family, appreciating my culture and trusting God. Her biggest accomplishment was going back to school and graduating from UNI in 2009. Watching her walk across the stage taught me that hard work pays off and life is what you make it. Nothing can beat a mother's unconditional love. I am so blessed to have her and hope to one day be a great mother like her.

Alison Gowans (Editor) May 9, 2012 at 04:55 pm

Love the photo of you and your mom Lalaina!

Caroline K May 10, 2012 at 03:27 am

My mother is an incredible woman. I'm so thankful for all that she taught me growing up (even though I was stubborn and not very teachable at times). She's a woman who loves the Lord and loves others around her. She and my father "retired" 20 years ago and moved to Taiwan as missionaries and they're still there (she will be 79 this December - he just turned 85). God has blessed me with a great mom. I'm so thankful that they are able to spend each summers with us in the states (for vacation).

Elisa May 10, 2012 at 01:38 pm

My mother, Suzanne Zaffarano, has been my strength. When I was younger, growing up in the shadows of (what I know realize are loving brilliant sisters and brother) my mother was aware of my being withdrawn and would give me the strength to help "pull me out of the shadows". I am so proud to be with her every moment I can. When I am able to visit her, we find joy in visiting many business's in Ames. There is never a time when someone does not recognize her. One strong attribute she has is her ability to make even a stranger feel comfortable. My mother has such a warm glow about her. The first thing one notices is her smile and second, her twinkle in her eyes. She once told me that it is much easier to smile instead of frown. I will always remember that and try to do the same. At 85 she exercises regularly at the gym, loves being outdoors, and enjoys the company of neighbors, friends, and family. When I turn 85, if I could only be 1/2 the woman she is, I would be content.

Jamie Ellis May 10, 2012 at 01:48 pm

My mommy (I still call her that), :) taught me how to be a good person. This doesn't sound extraordinary, but when I look around at my fellow humans I sometimes wish they could know my mom. She is the strongest, kindest, selfless, empathic, and most moral woman I know! She would do and does everything she can for her family, she has been there to cheer me on and to provide a shoulder to lean on. She will never tell you that you cannot achieve something, she showed me how to work hard and believe in myself. We have a special bond because I am her only daughter. I have four brothers, two blood and two step. She treats us all the same and we love her all the same. All of our friends come to our mom's house for advice and good food. She makes you feel warm and cared for, and that is so social to find in a person.
Thanks Mommy, we love you so much.

Noelle Konieczny May 10, 2012 at 04:03 pm

My mother is, and always will be, the greatest role model of my life. She gives of herself selflessly, always putting the wants and needs of others before herself. In a world of “I”, she is one of the only people who say “you”. As the director of a large homeschooling in the Cedar Valley, she devotes much of her time to caring for and helping the local homeschooling community. As the Riverview Bible Conference preschool teacher, she spends numerous hours decorating, preparing lesson plans, and investing in the lives of children every year. As a mother, she homeschools her four children (two of us now in high school); always working hard, devoting herself to our education. As an only child, she tirelessly cares for her parents. The last seven years have been a tremendously difficult time, most recently, her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, her father had his leg amputated due to diabetes and dialysis complications, broken hip bones, frozen shoulders, heart attacks, knee replacements, Parkinson’s, the death of her grandmother, and many, many other problems. With the weight of their care falling solely on her shoulders, she doesn’t falter. A strong and beautiful woman, she carries us all through the times when we can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Kandace odom May 11, 2012 at 12:53 pm

My mom isn't really around and I grew up with my dad, who is an awesome dad and grandpa by the way :) however I would like to enter my friend. She was left by her husband to raise an autistic little boy and young girl and she does a GREAT job at doing so. She was there for me when I had my youngest son and ever cut his cord. She lets me cry to her, makes me laugh and means the world to my boys! She is an awesome mom, aunt and an even better friend :)

Mandy McWherter May 11, 2012 at 05:47 pm

My beautiful mother is the most generous person I know. She literally gives of herself. When I was only three years old, out family traveled to Chicago so my mother could donate bone marrow to a little boy she had never met. To this day, she is still very close with the boy's family and he is now waiting on his second double-lung transplant, without my mom, he never would have made it to junior high. Marc just recently graduated college. These days, my mom serves on every committee she can and volunteers in what little spare time she has after working 60+ hour weeks. I was so grateful to see her this week while she was home from Missouri. My grandmother was recently diagnosed with throat cancer so my mom was up this week caring for her own mother, cooking, cleaning and taking to her numerous appointments. I love my mother dearly and I want to be just like her some day.

Scott fenn May 12, 2012 at 06:40 pm

The picture of the brown haired woman in the car with the seatbelt on is my Mom. She was born in the 70s and had me in 89. She was fairly young and just finished high school. My dad stayed around til I was 3 or 4 than poofed. After me, looking for a man in her life she ended up having 2 more boys with 2 different guys over the next 5 years, the 2nd is my white brother who is 19 now, and the 3rd is my bi racial brother who just turned 18. Both of there dads also poofed but much faster than my dad did. So she was stuck raising all 3 of us on her own. We didn't live the "high life" but we probably learned more life important lessons than most spoiled kids, such as the importance of not taking things for granted, and not to be judge mental or racist, speaking of which my Mom went through a lot of rough times due to having a bi racial son, such as family out casting us from Family events, we learned to have our own times without there negativeness. She works as a Nurse in Assisted Living homes taking care of elderly, often becoming great friends with a lot of them, bringing in snacks and other treats for them when she can. Long story short, My Mom is about to celebrate all 3 of her kids being 18+, so I figured writing this story, she could really use the money to enjoy a much needed relaxing weekend now that we're all out of the house. Hope you enjoyed the story, Sorry it's kinda short. Happy Mothers Day to all Moms out there who do everything to raise there kids the best they can

Sean Evens May 13, 2012 at 04:26 am

My name is Sean, and the important mom in my life is my girlfriend, Kandace. We have a five year old and 13 month old sons. Even though I work evenings and she is at home alone with the boys every night, she managed to graduate from DMACC this month with her Associates. She was also accepted to Grandview university. Kandace works tirelessly to improve our lives, and she loves to do it. She is an amazing cook, where she finds the time I don't really know. Her passion is baking, and she is stellar at that as well. Kandace always makes sure that we have things to do on the weekends, so we aren't cooped up in the house all weekend. Kandace deserves all the praise I can show, and more. I love her very much, and I wish I knew better how to state just how important of a person she is.
Thanks, Sean Evens

DDF May 13, 2012 at 03:55 pm

My mom, Georgette, is a mom of five. One of my favorite mom stories is how much my dad loved her. My dad died at a the young age of 59 and while he was terminally ill he journaled. He wouldn't let us read his "journal" and sometimes he'd re-read what he wrote and we'd see him tear out a page or two or a half-a-page and he'd go out and burn it. We'd say, "Dad, let us read it first." He'd reply, "No. I reread a part and I don't want it misinterpreted and risk hurting someone's feelings."
After his death, Mom shared his journal with each of us kids and it is a treaure. He writes about many things, but one clear thread is how much he loved Mom! He always gave her a beautiful corsage to wear to church on this day and now one of my brother's continues that tradition. So on this Mother's Day - I'll wish my mom a "Happy Mother's Day!" with precious memories of both my mom and my dad!

Stephen Schmidt (Editor) May 13, 2012 at 05:03 pm

Happy Mother's Day everyone! And thanks to you all for participating in our contest!