This isn’t going to be your average racer blog. This is a blog that is honoring one of the most important women in my life… My amazing Mom. See, if you know my mom then you know I’m pretty darn lucky to have her as my biggest fan and supporter. Thirty-three years ago my oldest brother was born. Since that time, she has had 6 more kids and has taken the task head on. All 7 of us kids have been pretty active in sports and school activities, and I can only count on two hands how many of those she has missed. Guys, that is hundreds of events and she has missed less than 10, WHAT A WOMAN! She loves passionately and deeply. She will try to convince you that she is the funniest person she knows, and will pull “your mom” jokes on you even if she is your mother. She has a hard time saying no to people, but has one of the biggest servants heart out of anyone I know. She loves God with her whole heart, and is one heck of a role model for everyone she interacts with. She has gained the title of Mom (Or Mama Llama) for so many of my friends, including my squad.
So Mama Llama Callaway, here is some messages from your kids on X-Squad:
Dearest Momma Llama Callaway, I am so blessed by you. One, because you raised the beautiful creation that is Caleb, who has come into all of our lives and blessed us abundantly by being who God has created him to be. Two, I’m blessed because of the support and prayer that you have dedicated to our squad, and more specifically our team. I may have just met you briefly, but I feel as if I’ve known you for ages. You have been an amazing support system to us. Thank you for the countless hours you spend in prayer, reading blogs, and writing comments to support us all. I pray God continues to pour out abundant blessings to you on this special day. I hope you are celebrated and loved extra well. Happy Birthday! -With love, Erica
Happy Birthday Mama Callaway!! -Sarah Hopkins
Dear Mama Callaway: Happy Birthday! You are such an encouragement to each and every person on this squad! Your love and support of this squad is beautiful and so appreciated! I hope you have a most amazing and blessed day! -Patricia Ladd
Mama Llama, Thank you for being who God made you to be. It means so much to know that you are following our journey and praying for us daily. Your prayers go a long way. I feel like I know you well through that intentionality, as well as who you have raised your son to be. He has become a brother and best friend, and through the way he talks about you, I know you aim to reflect Christ and succeed. Much love and happy birthday! -Isaiah Carter
Love you so much Mama Llama!! Thank you so so much for all you do to love on us and support us from all the way in Oregon! Thank you so much for being Team ABD’s surrogate parents for the past three months! And especially thank you for raising that son of yours to be the amazing human bean he is today! Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!! -(heart emoji), Mac
Dear Mama Llama Callaway, You are quite an extraordinary woman, and I haven’t even met you in person. Your heart for your family, Caleb, and our entire squad is out of this world. I love waking up to emails from you, and reading words. Knowing someone is sharing with us through our stories keeps us going on so many tough days. We love you squad mom! Happy birthday! -The Damerons
I’M SO HONORED. You commented on my last blog and it made my day! I hope you have a rockin birthday, and keep on killin’ being mama llama. -Ian Wray
Hey Momma Callaway, we haven’t met each other in person, unfortunately, but I know you! You raised one of my favorite men! You raised a sweet, kind hearted man who seeks the hearts of those around him. You raised a gentle spirit who gives and loves SO well. You raised a faithful follower of Christ, a selfless servant, and a wonderful friend. I may not know you, really, but I believe I know (and love!) one of the best pieces of you! Which makes me love you!!! You are a gift, you raised a child who is SUCH a gift!! I pray that on this day you know how beloved and cherished you are by so many. Even those who don’t actually know you! Happy birthday!! -Melissa Vereen
A Blessing of Abundance on Your Life Mrs. Callaway! Love you! -Nathan Singleton
Mama Llama! Happy Birthday from Dobromirka, Bulgaria. What a joy it is to know you and Daddio Callaway! The opportunity to meet you at launch and getting to be on the race with your sweet son is an absolute treasure. I pray that your day is filled with so much love and that you will feel the birthday celebrations from all over the world. You are such an encourager in all that you do. We appreciate you and love you for all that you are! Blessed to know you! Have a beautiful day. Much love, Kricket
Your encouraging posts mean more than you know. We eagerly open the beloved “Mama Llama” comment emails and grin from your kind and thoughtful words. We love you from afar and can’t wait for a family reunion with y’all! Thanks so much for making us a part of your family! -The Carothers
Mama Llama… first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you had/are having a simply marvelous day! You deserve it! Second, I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the way you love on all of us. There’s something truly special about someone who meets people for only a couple minutes but then continuously prays for them, follows their journey, and general just loves on them. You’re one of a kind in the best possible way. -Annalea
Happy Birthday Mom! Basically all I know about you is that you’re a rockstar supporter in every aspect and you raised one of the most high quality humans the world has to offer. Seriously though, team abundance always knows you’ll be the first to tell us our blogs are awesome. I love your consistence in excitement for what the Lord is doing with all of us out here – there’s a lot of us and you keep up better them me most of the time. Thanks for being a person so generous with your wisdom and so incredibly full of the joy of the Lord. I’m sure I’ll see you on FaceTime soon, but until then have the best day ever! I’m for sure celebrating you all the way over here in Greece. With so so so so so much love -Alexis Sills
So there you have it Mom. I love you. We love you. I’m honored to be your son, and I’m forever grateful for the support that you give me daily. Thanks for teaching me how to survive in the real world, and teaching me how to be good at games. Thanks for igniting my passion for traveling and for pushing me to pursue that. I hope that year 32 is the best one yet 😉 Love you forever.
Oh, and thanks for making me take my vitamins even though you are thousands of miles away.
Much love homie,
Cowboy Bob
