American Mothers was formally organized in 1933 as a division of JC Penny’s Golden Rule Foundation.  Under the Golden Rule Foundation, this group raised money to assist mothers and children in need. It also became the official sponsor of Mother’s Day and emphasized the important role of moms whether in the home, the community, the nation or the world. Sara Delano Roosevelt served as the organization’s Honorary Chairman as did Mamie Eisenhower…They would also name the first American Mother of the Year in 1935 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City to publicly recognize the positive difference moms were making around the country. The first Young Mother of the Year was honored by American Mothers in 1968.

This time honored tradition continued and in 2006, that was me. The 2006 National Young Mother of the Year. Have no idea how that happened….but it did.

So, there I was, sitting on the stage at the American Mothers National Convention with the National Young Mother Search Chairman, the 2005 National Young Mother and 2004 National Young Mother of the Year…probably thinking they just needed a blonde to spice it up a bit.

Speaking of the convention, that is when the National Mother of the Year and Young Mother are selected.  The convention is held in different parts of the country just prior to Mother’s Day.  In 2006, the year I was named Oklahoma’s Young Mother Representative, the convention took place in Bismarck, North Dakota. Brrrrr.

 

 

The Senator went with me because why else would you ever have a need to go to North Dakota?

He wasn’t bored.

Below is a photo with the 2006 Young Mother from Oregon. We were both from states that started with the letter ‘O’, so we spent a lot of time standing in line together and sitting by one another. We called ourselves the ‘Cheerio O’ state girls. She has five children. You heard me.

That pales in comparison though to the Young Mother from Utah, (pictured far right) She has seven children.

Since 2006, I have attended two other American Mother conventions, one in Las Vegas and the other in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In Lincoln, the 2007 National Young Mother from Georgia (left) passed the torch to the 2008 Young Mother from New Hampshire (center).  I was just along for the ride.

In fact, a significant benefit of membership in this organization is the opportunity to meet moms from all across the nation, mothers from all different age groups, educational backgrounds, and religious beliefs whose focus is their family.

Here are two of my favorites moms from American Mothers . We look like we were having fun because we were, I mean, who doesn’t in Las Vegas.

 

And just so you know, American Mothers is a national non-profit organization dedicated to honoring, educating and serving moms and children. It is a non-governmental organization at the United Nations with a National Office located in Washington DC.

In fact, this week American Mothers, Inc. will name a new National Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year.

I’ll keep ya posted.

Love, the Senator’s Wife

Recently, the Senator felt compelled to tell me about all the negative political attacks taking place by outside interest groups.  There are several of these occurring right now against a few Legislators which include targeted direct mail pieces, robo calls, negative radio spots, and television and newspaper ads. Talk about surround sound!  

So I flippantly asked the Senator when politics became all about political parties instead of good public policy.  When did it become acceptable to do what is politically expedient instead of doing what is right?  Did I mention the power of outside interests groups?  The Senator must have realized he got me going and using his calm voice, proceeded to tell me that anytime the status quo is threatened, those affected by change begin to react and attack.  I fired back a few thoughts, unsolicited of course, while the Senator looked through his mail.  How is it that men can move on so quickly?

Our conversation drifted to the Tea Parties that took place on Wednesday and the First Amendment and I remembered why I like to talk to the Senator because his thoughts on this inspire me and renew my hope in America. Until he mentioned the bailouts, the new administration calling our veterans terrorists and the release of CIA memos.   Oh, boy.

Deciding to change the subject, I asked my favorite Senator what pieces of legislation passed this week down at our State Capitol.  I am a glutton for punishment.  The Senator is well aware that I disagree with several Bills being debated at the Capitol and I just couldn’t resist.   I should know better than to engage him in this discussion though because I know I am NOT going to change his mind. I have tried now for 15 years to sway him on several issues and I need to move on.  Really, I do.

And so we did, move on.  We took Thunder and Lightening out to dinner and I had a BIG glass of wine.  The Senator worked the crowd… because he always knows people everywhere and thank goodness for Thunder and Lightening.  They quickly changed the subject to the NFL draft which was a much more enjoyable topic of conversation.  They’re smart like that.

So, there you have it – a few moments from our weekend.  Makes you want to run for public office, doesn’t it?

Love, The Senator’s Wife

The Senator just returned from his State Party Convention and claims that he is totally and mentally drained. Hmmmm.