With Dedication

This is my friend Jo Lynn.

Jo and her dog Belle

 She is my wonderful husband's sister, which makes her my sister-in-law by marriage. She has 2 children and a hard working husband.

Mike and Jo Jo

 We have known each other for almost 25 years, and to be friends with me that long you have to be dedicated. (seriously) We do not live near each other which has been hard for both of us over the years. When you are separated by distance, and want to be a close family, it takes work to stay connected. From the very beginning of my marriage to her brother, she was kind and loving towards me. She would send cards on the appropriate occasions, and whenever we went to visit make sure I felt welcome. She was funny, and energetic, and just generally great to be with. When we had our first child, she was over the moon excited to be an Aunt. She loved babies, and we would try to visit twice a year so that our little boy would know his far away family.

Auntie for the first time!

 Once we had our other two children, making three total, she still worked hard to be part of their lives. Each year we would go camping for a whole week in the Summer. She and her husband would bring fishing poles, inner tubes, cans and cans of soda and in later years a boat. They were both dedicated to packing just the right things to make the week a blast. My kids all learned many life lessons camping, the most important was that family mattered.

The early years 

daughter Paige

Baby Jeremy all grown up.

Nephew Chad

Always near her Nieces and Nephews.

Jake, Chad, Anna, Kaye, Jeremy and Paige

younger 

 However, her true dedicated heart manifested itself almost 14 years ago when she wanted to have children of her own. It wasn't an easy process for her, and after many months, and lots of prayers, time, and money; God blessed her with a beautiful baby boy. Talk about dedication! She had prayed long and hard for this child and she was going to be the best mother in the whole world. A few years later God blessed her again with a sweet baby girl. I think her Momma heart took wings, and would have flown right out of her chest if it could have. She was blissfully happy, and so very very thankful.

Jake and Paige. My nephew and niece for whom we prayed. Love these little faces!!

 Every year I have known her since, she is devoted to the task of raising them. She does any and everything for them, and tries her best to teach them each day how to be valuable members of society. They are smart, well liked, athletic, and kind. She doesn't allow ugliness, and is dedicated to their character development.

Jake playing Soccer

Running with her kids 

Paige the cheerleader. I love this!!

Wrestling Champ. So proud of this boy!

National Honor Society

With me she is just as nice as ever. Life is busy for both of us with family, but every time we see each other I feel loved and accepted.

Our attempt at a selfie. haha

 In a world where motherhood is sometimes neglected and looked down upon as a nothing job that anyone can do, Jo Lynn makes it important. If you have children that God has blessed you with, and a dedicated friend who models motherhood for you, be thankful and Flood your life.