Happy Mother’s Day

My mama is speshl because she takes me to go get my nayols dun. She is also speshl because she tuks me in to bed. Also she is speshl because she loves me. Mama works for St. Joshif Hspitell. She is also getting her mastrs. My mama is very bizy. My name is Katie and I am 7 years old. Thank you.

KATIE AULAIRE

To our mom, Erin Locke,

We want you to know how much we love you. You are absolutely the best mom anyone could want. We appreciate all the help you give us, from supporting us in our school work, to being the team mom on our soccer teams, to putting us to bed at night knowing that you are there and that we are safe. We know that we get you upset sometimes, but, even then, we know that you love us.

We wouldn’t trade you for all the mothers in the world.

KAILEN AND JOSH

My mother, Mary Ann Rector, is a truly lovely lady and a hot and attractive one to boot. A longtime resident of Newport Beach, she now swings effortlessly between here and Las Vegas. And when we hit the state line, casino patrons think she’s my date! Blond and beautiful she is, but more importantly, smart and sharp as a golden needle, with an eye for great real estate and the good life. Above all, she is a fantastic mom — the best a son could ever hope for. What an outstanding lady!

LEE MALLORY

We love you mommy. You’re as pretty as the sunset. You are warm and cozy.

SAM AND BEN (to their mother, Katrina Foley)

I love you, Mom! Thank you so much for everything you do for me and Dad. These have been the best 15 months of life anyone has ever had! I love our bike rides along the beach in the morning, going down the slide at the park, my morning bottle in bed with you and Dad, and everything else we do together! I especially love all the hugs and kisses we share! “Rocka, Rocka!”

ANNA (and Dad, Steve Lilly, who helped me type this!)

Our Mom, Darcie Schott, is the best mom in the whole world! She is funny, caring, loving and beautiful. She is a great role model and we love her a whole bunch. Have a great Mother’s Day, Mom. We love you! JOSEPHINE, HAYDEN, MITCHELL AND DADDY TOO

Dear Mother,

As the years pass and we grow older, you have loved us more and more. We have grown in different ways, sometimes stubbornly, sometimes rebellious. But through it all, you have been steady and faithful and supportive. We can be a handful, Mom, and not always cooperative. But you have always given us your best; always put our interests, however demanding, above all else. What a wonderful affirmation of your endearing love and support. We are so proud of you, Mom, and we love you and thank you. Have a wonderful day!

NICHOLAS, KATHERINE, ALEXA AND KOOPER OSSIPOFF

No amount of words can describe our mom. She can be everywhere at once it seems like. Between running errands, all of our sports, and cleaning, she still finds time to have breakfast and dinner on the table every day. Every morning there is a hot breakfast waiting for us, freshly made. Then she balances two different carpools and makes sure that we all have our homework and our lunches. If we forget something for school she’s always there to bring it to us no matter what her plans are.

When we get home we usually find her on the computer, since this is about the only time that she has to herself. Then it’s off to all of our activities — she drives us everywhere. She deserves many days off, but unfortunately for her, her job doesn’t get that type of benefits. Then her cooking is absolutely fantastic, she can make the simplest meal into a gourmet dinner. She tries to make it to all of our sports activities also, but she cannot be in two places at once (even though sometimes it seems like it). She is the most generous and loving person we know, and that’s saying a lot since we know a lot of people. So happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

ANDREW, 14, STEVEN, 12, AND KATIE DUHOUX, 10

Dear Mom,

I want you to know that I love you very much and you are the best in the whole wide world. I know that I was not that easy to deal with when I was growing up, especially in high school, but you stuck through it with me, and we made it out just perfect. I love you and I want you to have a good Mother’s Day.

JUSTIN ROWE

Dear Mom,

We want to thank you for your never-ending selflessness and for always taking care of us first, before taking care of yourself. You are our biggest cheerleader, and although we often protest listening to your advice, we thank you for pushing us to be our very best. Your work ethic, great attitude, supportive nature, and excellent cooking (added by Jason), are what make you such an amazing role model and mother to all of us. We are so grateful for how hard you fight to give Andrew a normal life — you never give up, and you always know what is best for all of us. Thank you for everything, from the bottom of our hearts. We hope you enjoy your Mother’s Day!

ARIANA, JASON, ANDREW, AND NATALIE

Dear Poita,

To the world’s greatest mom and wife on your day: Take a load off. The kids and I will take care of everything (including cleaning up the things we get wrong). I dearly hope you enjoy your day off as much as I have enjoyed being married to you for these nearly 20 years!

Bill

I love my mommy because she takes good care of me and always makes me feel safe. She is the best mommy in the world and I love her very much. Happy Mother’s Day!

BABY GIANA

Dear Mommy,

Max and I are so excited to spend Mother’s Day with you. We are so lucky to have you as our mommy. You are so special to us. You are always there for us, giving us love and support, teaching us right from wrong, and how to be nice and caring to others.

We miss you each day when you go to work, but we understand that you are working very hard to save money so that we can live in this wonderful area and someday go to a great university.

We love when you give us special treats like frozen yogurt and candy for being a good boy and girl. We like going to the big park with you and Dad, going to Fashion Island to ride the train, going to Bubie’s house in the desert, and spending the day at the beach with you in the summer.

We gotta admit it, we have it pretty good!

You make all this possible for us, Mom, each and every day, and for that, we love you so much.

MALIA AND MAX BERKENFIELD

To our mother, Kristen Petros:

In this past year, you have been through so much as a strong woman.

If anyone deserves a prize, it’s you. From supporting me in dance to packing each healthy snack for a tough day at school you always pack a cup of love that says “Don’t give up.” Whenever I dance in my recitals, the first shining face I lay my eyes upon are your proud eyes giving me the most supportive face ever. When you’re not feeling well, all I see is your bright smile hiding what you really are feeling. All I want to say to you, Mom, is I love you and thank you!

EMILY

My mom is the greatest mom in the world! She is one of the funniest people I know, and she is always a joy to be around. She is a 10-year breast cancer survivor and has a spark for life that keeps her determined to overcome any obstacle that may get in her way. She loves all of her animals and enjoys gardening on the weekends and going for walks around Balboa Island with her white poodle, Paris.

I can always count on her when I need an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. She gives the best advice and always provides guidance when needed. She has taught me so much about life and I continue to count on her on a day-to-day basis. She always demonstrates patience when dealing with what life brings to all of us, and for that, she is the greatest mom in the world! Thanks, Mom! I love you more T.A.F.P.!

ANNA SCHMIDT

My mom, Kirsten, is the best because she takes really good care of me and we have a lot of fun together — she even took me to spring training in Arizona, and it was cool!

MAX MCNIFF, 14 MONTHS

We have the world’s greatest mom because she

Teaches us tricks on the jump rope

Takes us to the park

Always does fun things with us

Teaches us French

Plays lots of sports

Makes the best chocolate cake in the world

Has a big smile and red hair

We love you, Maman.

MATTHEW, 8, AND ELLA MEADE, 5

To our mom, Pam Cashion:

Mom, you are a like a diamond, as gentle as a butterfly and more sweet than sugar. You do things best, 110%. You are a role model to many, and I know so many people who want to be like you. You are so fun to be with and never complain. You are a precious gem and I love you.

RACHEL CASHION, 12

My mom is a person who loves me unconditionally and always listens to me and encourages me. My mom is always there for me and loves to do fun stuff and trips with me. She loves to support me at my sporting events and is an example of Jesus’ qualities in my daily life. My mom is the best mom that anyone could ask for.

CLARK CASHION, 14

Mom,

There is not one person I would like to thank the most. Although this year has been difficult for you due to surgeries and family illnesses, you always seem to have a smile on your face. You drive me to and from volleyball almost every day. From Newport Beach to Laguna Niguel, Anaheim or San Diego County, you drive me where I need to be. Thank you for supporting me in all that I do. I know that I do not always listen, but I love and respect you more than anyone in the world. When I am sick or hurt, you always make me feel better just with a smile.

I want to thank you for making me the young woman that I am today. You inspire me to be the best that I can be. Your optimism and genuine heart make any bad day turn bright. I love and respect you with all my heart. Thank you again.

ERIKA

What makes our mom the best is that she is there for us. That sounds pretty ordinary, but it is very special to us. How many times do you hear someone doesn’t feel well and you run over with soup without asking? Do you drop everything and run right over? Well, Nony does. She puts gas in our tank, gives us little goody bags full of stuff, and wants to just hang out when it is convenient for us. She takes us to the movies, to the Laguna Art festival, attends doctor appointments, and invites us to any diner that we choose. She doesn’t ask anything in return. We are so lucky to have a mother, mother-in-law, grandma and friend in mom, Marilyn, Nony.

JERRY, ANDI, SARAH, JUSTIN AND JOSH

My mom is the best mom ever because she cares about me. She helps me with my homework, and makes sure I stay healthy and active. She also encourages me to do my best at whatever I am doing. She is a caring and loving person with a lot of friends who tries to help everyone even when they (me) don’t want it. But that is her job. I love my mommy just the way she is.

MARINA CAHILL, 10

My Mother is the most generous person of spirit. I truly believe that her life symbolizes strength of character and perseverance in a manner that has served as an inspiration to all of the lives she has touched.

Growing up, my mom worked at Pacific Bell while taking care of my father who was ill and unable to hold a job. He passed away due to complications of lupus in 1973.

I was the oldest at age 15 with three brothers and my sister, who was 8.

My mother retired from Pacific Bell, where she had been union steward and president of Council for the Pioneers of America, an organization that raises money and sponsors charitable projects to assist children, the disabled and the elderly. Since retiring 10 years ago, she is still active in the Pioneer Club where she has also held position of president.

On the weekends my mom can be found painting U.S. maps on elementary school playgrounds or maybe painting walls at shelters for abused women seeking a better way.

Each Valentine’s Day she works a dance for people with special needs, always inviting a grandchild to join in the fun. For Easter, she hides “beeping” eggs at an egg hunt for blind children.

She sews Christmas stockings in the summer, and then at Thanksgiving the grandchildren participate in an assembly line in her living room, each child proudly helping fill the stockings. They choose a local school to donate the stockings to. Grandpa dresses in a Santa suit (yes, she made it and gingerly cleans and curls his fake beard) and they pass out the stockings to eager boys and girls.

My mother has tutored young adults to learn to read and write English.

She spends hours gardening and sewing and knitting for her family and for strangers with the debilitating disease of arthritis and yet never complains.

For my daughter’s baby shower, a beautiful tea party was held in my mother’s garden, the delicious and delicate sandwiches and salads made with her garden’s harvest. Even the mimosas were colorful and fragrant, adorned with edible flowers and berries frozen in ice.

She has knit sweaters and blankets for her great granddaughter with tiny little stitches.

I spoke with my sister the other day where my mom is visiting in another state. When I ask her how Mom is, my sister tells me, “She is fine; she is making pillows for me.”

My mom has been suffering from shingles, a painful nerve virus, but she is making pillows to grace my sister’s new home.

My granddaughter loves her nani, as she is fondly called.

I can only smile, thinking of the legacy she will leave behind — generations have been blessed to know her and have learned by her fine example the importance of charity and good will.

DANA ERICKSON

Our mom, Laura, is the best! Even when she is very busy, she always makes time to play with us. We like to play soccer with her out in front of our house. She attends every one of our soccer and baseball games to cheer us on. She also helps us with homework and teaches us to be honest and nice to other people. Two weeks ago, she took us to an orphanage in Mexico to visit with the kids and give them some gifts. She wants us to grow up appreciating our blessings.

We love our mom very much and are thankful she loves us so much back. Her mom wasn’t that nice to her, so it’s pretty cool she still has so many good mom-skills without learning them from her own mother. We appreciate our mom more than anything in the world!

JAKE GIFFIN, 10, and KYLE GIFFIN, 8

I live in the best neighborhood in Costa Mesa. One of the reasons this neighborhood is so wonderful are the fantastic mothers who form the foundation for their terrific families and who keep things perking. I want to wish a very happy Mother’s Day to all my neighborhood mothers: Alesia, Nancy, Pat, Alicia, Jan, Jill, Bridget, Lois, Carolee, Carol, Jane M., Leigh Ann, Barbara, Laura A., Sharon, Peggy, Mary, Leslie, Muggie, Inez, Stacy, Eloise, Jane G., Meghan, Patricia, Esther, Laura H., Eleanor, Marilyn and Jamie. Thanks to all of you for making our neighborhood such a wonderful, caring and happy place.

GEOFF WEST

My mom takes care of us every day, and she is the best. She is happy and fun and helps me with homework. We spend all of our time together as a family: my mom, dad and sister Megan. I love her very much.

PAGE KEYS, 11

I love my mom very much! she is so special in lots of ways. We like to “maul” each other and be cozy. I love being with my mom every day.

MEGAN KEYS, 9

Happy Mother’s Day to Sherry Kettley, the mother of seven and grandmother of 12. You are so talented and gifted in so many ways. You are always willing to give of yourself and your time to your children and grandchildren. You are an example and inspiration to us all. You are always there for us and always know just what to do. You are full of wisdom and advice and have experienced and accomplished so much in your life. We want to be like you someday. We love and appreciate you with all of our hearts.

THE KETTLEY FAMILY

I know fewer people more responsible in the shaping of my character than my grandmother. She keeps my childhood long and my hard times easy. Her wisdom and input into my life has not only enriched my past, but also strengthened my future.

My life is not the only one she has affected. I have no doubt that the endless love and willful sacrifice I am blessed to witness and experience in my mother’s heart is rooted a generation back in my grandmother’s. So I thank her also as a mother.

I hope that her teaching will one day display through me and that I can be the endless supply of foundation, support and love to my future family as she is to us. On that note, I say happy Mother’s Day, Nana, you deserve every day this world has to offer.

MICHAEL GRACIA

My mother is the greatest in the world. She has always taken care of me and given me the unconditional love only a mother can. Her name is Lisa Coyle. She is my hero. We love you, Mom. God loves you and so do I. Happy Mother’s Day.

JEFF

My mother is always kind and caring and was always there for me. She also cares about others less fortunate.

KATHY BELOHOVEK

My mom, Ethel Burton (a.k.a. Mrs. B) has always been the coolest and hippest. Always in-tune with what’s happening in the world, and totally supportive of her children and now her two grandsons.

When I was a teenager in the ‘60s and too young to drive, my mom would take my friends and me on surf trips. We would load up our Chevy station wagon and go to exotic spots like Swami’s and Windansea that other kids would only get to read about.

JOHN BURTON

We love our mom, Susan Seely, because she helps us navigate the challenges of everyday life!

EMMA AND CLARA SEELY-KATZ

Dear Mom,

Thank you for all the wonderful things you do for us. You work so hard and still find time to be with us when we need you. Through all the good times and the bad times we wanted to thank you for always sticking by us. You always have a smile on your face every time you walk through the door and the kitchen is clean. With all your help we have grown to be the kids you know and love.

We love you and hope you have a great Mother’s Day!

DAVE, ALLYSSA, AMANDA, AVERY AND BELLA

Happy Mother’s Day! I just wanted to let you know how much I love you. You are the best mom in the entire world, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one! I feel so lucky to have you to help me out when I need it, and all the time we spend together is so special to me. Thank you for everything, Mom. I hope this is the best day!

KRISTEN MCCORMACK, 14

For Cori Ferrentino:

Our mom’s the best because she loves nature and animals. She likes to take us walking and go swimming with us. She makes the best chocolate chip cookies. We love when we watch “American Idol” together and when she reads to us at night.

Our mom is the best because she cares about us so much. Our mom also works really hard and she is smart. We love her very much and want her to have the best Mother’s Day!

RONAN, MIA AND HUNTER

Mommy, you are very nice and we love it when you read stories and play games with us. You’re the best mommy in the whole world and we love you more than anything. Happy Mother’s Day!

KATIE, 4, and CODY HESS, 3

I love Mom because she makes good pancakes. She is nice too. She loves me and I love her, too.

JULIANNE, 6, and RYAN BARTZ, 4

I love my step-mom, Stefanie (I call her my “Stef-mom”), because she does so much for me all of the time. She has been in my life since I was 1 year old. She is so helpful in my life, and I appreciate what she does for me so much! I love you Stef!

RILEY BEEK

Mother’s Day makes you appreciate how lucky we are to have such a great mom. You are always there for us, and even though we probably don’t say thanks enough you are the bestest mom in the whole world. We luv you, Mom.

RON, SARAH, BRUYNO AND DIXIE

Words cannot begin to describe what an amazing Mom we have. Just ask all of her friends and family. They all agree that she is the most energetic, committed, loving mother they have ever known. Giving birth to natural triplets and committing her everyday life to ensure her kids have everything they need to succeed is her driving force.

We are so blessed to have a mom like ours. In fact, there are kids at school who come up to her and ask if she will be their mom. Kids and adults naturally gravitate toward her because of her positive and friendly nature. When you look up character in the dictionary, it should read: Go ask Jennifer Thomas.

Thanks, Mom, for being you. We love you to the end of the universe.

CHARLEE, GAGE AND COLE THOMAS

I’m writing on behalf of my kids, Emma, 9, Luke, 8, and Alex, 5, who adore their mother. Yes, more than me, but she earns it!

Their mother, Laura Vujnovich, has earned some well-deserved recognition for the wonderful mother she is.

Laura takes care of three great children, a husband (that’s me), two dogs, three cats and anything else that she feels needs caring for.

On top of that she finds time to volunteer in her kids’ classrooms, produce and edit the Woodland Elementary yearbook and work part-time.

Laura leaves little time for herself.

HUGH VUJNOVICH