an elect lady.

a tribute written by me to my mother in May 2005, for a book my dad compiled entitled Claudia An Elect Lady:

What can I say about my mom? There are so many things!!!! My whole life I have looked up to her and aspired to be like her one day. She is probably the best mom there ever was, is, and will be.

Her love for everyone around her is incredible. She is one of the most giving, charitable people I have ever known -- always willing to take in another child to tend free of charge if necessary. She gives all she can, even when circumstances are bleak for her.

I've always looked up to her for her patience, something I have somewhat struggled with (he he) my whole life! She has been such a great teacher to me, a lot just through her actions and the way she lives her life. Lately, I have really enjoyed our conversations about the gospel and raising families and life in general. Those are times I cherish very much, and I know I will for many years to come.

She is also one of the funniest ladies I have ever known. And on top of that, she is a crafting mastermind, even if she doesn't admit it! She is so artistically talented and gifted, more than she knows! I wouldn't have the "card-stock" gene if it weren't for her!

I love that she shared with me when I was very young her love of music, because now that is such a large part of who I am. I am glad that she and I can share a love of beautiful music together. Maybe one day I can have as huge and broad of a cd collection as she does! She has been one of my number one fans in all my theatrical things I have been in, and always tells me to "trip a tonsil!" when I am going out the door to a performance.

She really is the greatest mom, and being the youngest I have gotten away with a lot, which is okay with me! :)

I do appreciate the times though that she taught me about hard work and discipline, even though at the time I might not have liked it so much. All in all, I love my mom so much, and feel so fortunate to have her in my life -- for her example, for her love of the Savior, for her huge heart.

She is the most amazing woman, and I hope one day I can be the kind of mother she has been to me, to my children. MOMMY - I LoVe YOU!!! Hugs & avalanches!!! :)

hugs and love,
mary elizabeth cleverly

the cover of the book
here are some cute ones of her as a child:











this is me & my mother after my high school graduation. one reason i love this picture is because you might think she is crying because her baby is graduating from high school, but its really because she had a broken ankle and we had a hard time finding each other after the ceremony and she was in a lot of pain, and was really relieved to finally find me...and i'm her baby & had just graduated!





my mother & i today:

my mother in law, Barbara is also an elect lady. i feel so fortunate that i have such a great MIL. she loves her family & will do anything for them. she has sacraficed so much over the years for her family. i love the relationship she has with her kids, she is one of their best friends. one of my favorite things about her is that she is all about getting an education. it is one of the most important things to her. and she is a great example of getting an education: she has gone back to college, just recieved her associates degree, and will be going to the U of U to recieve her bachelors.

i am so grateful for my MIL because she raised vince so well. she brought him up to be such a wonderful man & husband. they have such a great relationship and i love to watch them joke around with each other. i hope i can have the same relationship with any of my future sons, she is a great example!!


my amazing mother-in-law
(and v & i the day she graduated with her associates from SLCC):





the cards i made for the two wonderful mothers, the first was for my MIL, the second was for my mom:








and this was the rose i received in Relief Society today, that was from our Bishopric, and it reads: 'precious in His sight...'




Happy Mothers Day!