Mother’s Day 2014
Brag and Win BIG Contest Submissions
We had a contest that gave our guests the opportunity to not only tell why the Mom in their life is the best, but for a chance to win their Mom a gift of a pampering treat!
The three winners are:
Winner #1
My mom’s name is Melissa C, and she was born and raised in Texas. My mom is the best and I'll tell you why she's always there when I cry. She has five daughters, myself included. My mom, dad and all five of us girls adopted two teenage boys and then, later, two younger boys. I don't really know how but she manages are crazy household. She has a child in 1st grade one in 4th and I'm in 5th. My older siblings are in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. My oldest sister is graduating college and my second oldest sister is in the Marine Corps but she still manages with time for all of us. She also manages my brother who has major food allergies. She has time for us all and loves us very much. She also takes care of lots of things like my allergies shots. Plus school, keeping in touch (mostly by Skype) with my Marine Corps sister in North Carolina, helping my almost 17 year old brother find a job and helping her dad (my granddad) through lymphoma cancer and chemo. She also crochets us lots of things from scarves and hats to headbands to blankets. She's a wonderful cook even when all 11 of us are home and makes the best food. She can unconditionally love everyone around her.
What I'm trying to say is my mom is the best even if she has to look after nine pests (aka children) and a husband who some times acts like a child. What I'm trying to say is my moms NOT the best that would be a lie because she's the greatest most amazing person in the world, in the galaxy, in the universe, in the history of the universe and time itself. What I'm trying to say is I love being one of the nine people in the world who can call Melissa C mom, or mommy. But what you've just read is what I'm trying to say I've already said and I'm proud to say that Melissa Camp is my mom and I'll love her to infinity, beyond, and back.
-By Madison
Winner #2
My mom is an inspirational woman. She is kind, generous, and always thinks of others before herself. I know every kid is going to say their mom is the most inspirational person in their life, but I believe that if other people really knew my mom like I do, they would look up to her the way I do. My mom has been there for my younger brother and I since the day we were born. She works very hard to provide for our family. About two and a half years ago my brother, who was 11 at the time, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which is a form of irritable bowel disease. You can only imagine what it would be like for a mom finding out her little baby was diagnosed with a chronic disease and would have to deal with this for the rest of his life. Fast-forward 1 year to November 2012; I who was 15 at the time, was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, which is another form of IBD. I however was not as easily treated with medication as my brother. Being in and out of the hospital and the many doctors’ appointments my mom never stops. She never stops researching these diseases and ways to treat it. As you can imagine all the research she does and having a full time job as a corporate controller in downtown Dallas, she does not get very much sleep. She never complains and does not seem to want to give up. For the past two years we have participated in the Dallas Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis walk. This walk benefits the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the lives of those affected. This year my mom went above and beyond raising money, so that one-day they will find a cure. As an individual, my mom was the top fundraising participant raising just under $3,000. She encouraged the rest of our family and some of our friends to participate. As a team we raised over $8,000 in just a couple of months, which would not have been possible without my mom, who was the backbone of our team. My mom never takes any time out for herself and really deserves one day where she can just focus on herself and not worry about life. Thanks for listening and I hope that you may be inspired by the strength that my mom has.
-By Kacy
Winner #3
I am a 7 year old with diabetes and I want to tell you about my mommy (my Nana is helping me type this).
She loves me so much - she takes care of me and my brother, and she makes sure we are fed, bathed, I get to school on time, helps me with my homework, takes me to my soccer practice and games, and we have the best birthday. I do get punished when I do something wrong. I probably deserved it. Because I know she loves me. With all she does for my brother and I, and has a full time job, and she also fixes meals for my dad and brother and cleans our apartment.
Most of all - I was diagnosed with diabetes, type 1 at the age of 5. She makes sure I have my meals on time, I check my blood sugar, makes sure my carbs aren't too high. Plus she makes sure I get my 4 shots a day for insulin.
I don't know what I would do without my mommy. I love her so much.
Thank you Mommy (LeAnn L.) - I hope my letter wins you deserve some pampering.
-By Payton
Other fabulous submissions to our contest…it was a close call and tough decision! (These are listed random order.)
Letter #1
Having a mother like Toni while growing up was the greatest gift and biggest advantage anyone could ever have given me. It is because of the confidence and values that she instilled in me that made me who I am today. She shaped me into a person who I like and am proud to be. She let us believe that we could be who ever we wanted to be, do whatever we wanted to do, there were no limitations except our drive, ambition and creativity.
Having her throughout my growing pains has been a literal life and sanity saver for me. If there were a textbook on how to be the perfect mother it would have her as the role model.
Even during my earlier years when I couldn't see for myself, my friends envied me for having a mother so wonderful.
As I grow and mature, in hindsight, I see all the times she shielded us from the things that would have been harmful or hurtful.
I take every opportunity to bring up her name in conversation and brag about the funny, crazy, off the wall things she says and does.
We always try to do nice, thoughtful things for her on Mother's Day but to give her the recognition she deserves would be the ultimate gift.
-By Angela
Letter #2
Hello! My name is Brooke H. and I am secretly submitting a letter about my mother while she sits in the same room as me. If you know my mother, Linda Hernandez you know that she is not only the funniest woman you've ever talked to but she is also the most loving. Mom has worked in daycare the majority of her life so she has not only raised my brother and I, but also helped with many other kids in this small town. I am lucky to know her on such a deeper level, she is not only my mother but my absolute best friend and I don't ever take for granted how lucky I am. She will listen to me at my highs and fight with me through my lows and pray I can be the kind of woman she is one day. If anyone is deserving of a little pampering it's her!
-By Brooke
Letter #3
I would like to talk about a beautiful Mom named Barbara Kelly. Although she is not blood related or even been in our family that long, she is such a sweetheart! About a year ago she married my 85 year old father in law Archie Kelly who lost his wife of 60 years Stella a couple of years earlier. She has been nothing short of wonderful to him and all of the boys. I feel as though she has been in our family way longer than a year or so and am honored and grateful to call her mom.
Thank you so much Barbara (mom). We love you.
-By Renee
Letter #4
My mom, Raejean, is such a blessing and I am so grateful that she is mine! She has always made my family and I feel like we are loved. We would love for her to be pampered because her whole life has been taking care of everyone else it is now time for her to be taken care of!!
I grew up watching my mom take care of my quadriplegic brother; she refused to put him in a facility even when he was getting too big for her to lift. Feeding him took an hour for each meal then when she would get done feeding, bathing Danny she would make our dinner. What I remember is how special I felt when she would come to my softball games and bring my brother too. I knew it took a lot for her to come but she made sure she did. Mom never complained. Then in later years she again became the care- giver for my dad until he passed, only leaving the house to go to the grocery store or to get her hair cut. Sometimes I would go to their house and it would be noon and she hadn't even finished her breakfast yet because she was taking care of dad first.
If my girls or I need her we know Grammy Rae will be there to help.
I have the best mom ever and my girls have a wonderful Grammy.
-By Jody
Letter #5
My mother in law deserves this package because she not only works hard at her job helping others as an echo tech, but on her days off she helps others, including her elderly father, plus helping me with my two babies, plus literally anyone who needs help, her friends, family & even strangers. She is always giving and never rests. She will help any time she is asked and never says no, she always puts others first and she is always kind to everyone she meets. She has taught me a lot about growing up and being selfless, she is a wonderful role model and I'm so proud that my children get to have her as a Grandma or as we call her, Nana.
-By Andrea
Letter #6
My mother is the best mother on earth. In the following letter, I will explain why she is the best. My parents got married at a very young age; my mom was 18 and my dad just a few months older than her. They have now been married for 24 loving years. When they got married, my dad wanted four kids and my mom wanted six. My mom had her first daughter at 21 and from there had 4 more girls! Five turned out to be the perfect number, a compromise between what they both wanted. Little did they know, that number would soon change! Six years after my youngest sister was born, my family decided to adopt children. After over a year of trying to adopt, we adopted two boys. Two years later we adopted two more boys for a grand total of nine kids. I guess having five kids was too easy for my mom that she decided she could take on more! My mom is so special to my family and I. She works very hard to prepare our meals, shop for groceries, kiss our boo- boos, do the laundry, and spend time with us. Not only does my mom do things for the family, but she teaches us good morals and punishes us when we need to be punished. Even after all of her "mommy duties" she still has time to go on dates with our dad. She sets up a great example of marriage for the girls. Watching my mom and dad in their marriage has greatly impacted me. I hope that one day I can have as great a marriage as my parents do. My mom deserves to be pampered because she is a full time Mom that works overtime for us every day!
-By Mariah
Letter #7
My mom is an inspirational woman. She is kind, generous, and always thinks of others before herself. I know every kid is going to say their mom is the most inspirational person in their life, but I believe that if other people really knew my mom like I do, they would look up to her the way I do. My mom has been there for my younger brother and I since the day we were born. She works very hard to provide for our family. About two and a half years ago my brother, who was 11 at the time, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, which is a form of irritable bowel disease. You can only imagine what it would be like for a mom finding out her little baby was diagnosed with a chronic disease and would have to deal with this for the rest of his life. Fast-forward 1 year to November 2012; I who was 15 at the time, was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, which is another form of IBD. I however was not as easily treated with medication as my brother. Being in and out of the hospital and the many doctors’ appointments my mom never stops. She never stops researching these diseases and ways to treat it. As you can imagine all the research she does and having a full time job as a corporate controller in downtown Dallas, she does not get very much sleep. She never complains and does not seem to want to give up. For the past two years we have participated in the Dallas Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis walk. This walk benefits the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the lives of those affected. This year my mom went above and beyond raising money, so that one-day they will find a cure. As an individual, my mom was the top fundraising participant raising just under $3,000. She encouraged the rest of our family and some of our friends to participate. As a team we raised over $8,000 in just a couple of months, which would not have been possible without my mom, who was the backbone of our team. My mom never takes any time out for herself and really deserves one day where she can just focus on herself and not worry about life. Thanks for listening and I hope that you may be inspired by the strength that my mom has.
-By Kacy
Letter #8
My mother was a preacher's wife for over 50 years. It was a small church with no staff so that meant she cooked meals for funerals, played organ for services and weddings, cleaned the church, helped with baby and wedding showers and all the other things required to minister to the flock. During this time she mothered three children and helped care for not only her grandchildren but her great grandchildren as well. Our home was always neat and clean and dinner was always on time! She is an example of someone with a servant's heart who still brings me soup when I am ill even though I am now a senior citizen myself.
A mother's love is forever and a Godly mother's legacy is eternal!
-By Patricia
Letter #9
My mom deserves a healthy break. In November we found out my younger brother had cancer, testicular cancer. By mid November we found out it was stage 3, extremely aggressive, and spread throughout his lungs, liver, stomach, lymph nodes and brain. He is receiving his treatments at MD Anderson in Houston and my mom drives him to everything. Every trip, she takes him. She sleeps in the hospital room with him on a fold out chair because he doesn't want to be alone. They have to go for treatment every 2 weeks. Recently they've gone once a week. My mom sacrifices every single day, putting aside anything she wants or needs to do to care for my brother. I would love to see her pampered and cared for herself. She deserves a break from the emotional and physical strain she deals with every moment of the day. Please consider my selfless mom for this Mother's Day giveaway!
-By Stefani
Letter #10
My mom Stacy is truly one of a kind. She is the best mom I could ever ask for. She has always been a rock in my life, even when I seemed moody and distant. She always gives me attention when I need it or affection when I don't. My mom really underestimates herself, she doesn't see how much she affects the lives of the people around her. I honestly do not know one person that doesn't like her, except the crazy neighbors we had a while back but I'm sure they didn't like anyone. Stacy is extremely patient, with my brother and I going in opposite directions and constantly bickering, I have no idea why she has yet to pull all of her hair out. My mom is an incredible person and I can't imagine a better person to raise me.
My mom, Stacy, deserves to win the package because she does so much for our family and is always cooking, doing laundry, going to the store, taking us to practices, and a million other things that I can't even name. She deserves more than what I can get her, but I know Heath Hair is one of her favorite places to go so I figured that this package would make her extremely happy. She can get away from everyone for a day and enjoy being pampered rather than have to worry about all of us. I love my mom so much and I hope that she will receive the Mother's Day she deserves!
-By Beth
Letter #11
Mom, You are easily the most selfless person that I know, but that's not why I am writing you this letter. You are beautiful inside and out, but this letter won't fully emphasize that either.
The sacrifices you've made and the smiles you have put on, they deserve much more than a letter. So here are a few simple letters to make up an even more common phrase
M is for magnitude; for the magnitude of which I feel your love regardless of the troubles I have personally put you thru-
O will stand for the transition "of", and for the transitions in my life that I would not have crossed without you-
M for My Mother's love; which many of us experience but never two are quite exactly the same.
Mom's make the world go 'round- you are amazing for holding your own in this crazy large and loud world, and teaching Kristen and I how to do the same.
So thank you, MOM.
We would just like to somehow thank you for everything.
-By Courtney