Happy Birthday Nana!

For my mother's birthday, we recorded each of the children on video wishing her a Happy Birthday in their own special way. I was surprised when I was able to get the older three children all singing Happy Birthday to You at the same time without being too silly-- on the FIRST try! You mothers KNOW how amazing this is!

A Tribute To My Mother

My mother is a special lady.

She is an amazing wife and mother of four children. She has raised us well and we all turned out to be great people ourselves because of her. She has 7 grandchildren who love her and are all smart as can be! She has one dog and one granddog that keep her company and bring her happiness during this empty nest stage of her life. She also has 4 other granddogs and a grandcat but I'm not sure how much happiness they bring because they make a mess when they visit!

She is a wonderful cook! Her kitchen has always been a hang out place for family and friends. I remember one of my friends in high school came over for dinner once and asked me why my mom had cooked a Sunday dinner on a school night. Before this, I had no clue that other mothers weren't cooking like this everyday! She likes to try new recipes and has even created a Niepraschk Family Cookbook full of recipes from the whole extended family! What a blessing it has been to have these recipes to use in my own home!

Everyone loves to talk to my mother so her phone is always ringing off the hook. One thing I've learned though that's interesting...she doesn't like to talk on the phone! When I am visiting her and she isn't home, the phone drives me nuts with all of that ringing. So, I've been calling her less than everyday now. : ) I hope it helps Mom!

My mother is an awesome teacher! She teaches second grade and was recently named "Teacher of the Year." She also teaches in Young Womens and has been since I was in Young Womens myself. She is so wonderful that bishop after bishop feels that they cannot replace her!

She is a wonderful grandmother and her grandchildren LOVE her! Joshua tells me almost every other day that we need to go to Nana's. We usually leave here after dark to go to her house. One day after it got dark, Joshua pointed out the window and said, "We need to go to Nana's house." He was so upset when we didn't take off for Nana's that I had trouble getting him to go to bed. When I left my children with Nana for a weekend vacation, Ethan was so good and she said he didn't even cry. He cries and whines several times a day when I'm watching him! Nana sends my children cards for Halloween, Easter, Valentines Day, and their birthdays. They love to get mail from Nana!

John calls Nana's house "The Plaza" because he also loves to visit her and be spoiled with her good cooking and hospitality!

My mother has always been there for me. She is a good example to me and my children and I feel so blessed to have her as my mom! I know that when I'm having a bad day I can call my mom and she will be able to tell me what I need to hear. My father, my siblings and I depend upon her and her wisdom. She is the one that makes our family strong! That is why I plan for her to live well past 100! Sorry, Mom.

I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!

This one is for you Nana!

Since Christmas vacation Joshua can't stop talking about going to Nana's. Many a night when it starts to get dark outside, you can hear these words, "It's dark outside. We need to go to Nana's." We usually leave after dark when we go to Virginia Beach. If it is Joshua's turn to say the dinner prayer or the family prayer, you will surely hear about Nana's house no less than 3 times per prayer. Now if we could only convince Nana and Papa to move closer!