Happy Mother's Day

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I spent the day with my children. We went grocery shopping and then to Busch Gardens. Probably not the most exciting way to spend Mother's day, but I loved it.

It has been a very rough week in out house. Our Jeep engine died and we were faced with deciding to fix the Jeep or get something new. In true form, we ended up deciding to do both. The Jeep will be fixed eventually, but we are not rushing into it. And we bought a used (but new to us) BMW. (My first non-American car ever!) So we had personal stress in our lives and then had to add to it. My dad had a quadruple by-pass in April. Since then, it has been an uphill battle with lots of complications. He is still not doing well. I am unsure what to do from so far away. I pray for my daddy daily. So far, I have only spoken to him twice since his surgery. He is too weak and tired most days. I do speak to my mom daily. It is so hard to get a sense of what is going on from here. I feel the need to run home and reassure myself that daddy is okay, but I am terrified of what I will find when I get there. Anyway, the point is that all the stress has made me step back and realize how little things are so important. I wanted to take a minute and send some thank yous out that are long overdue.

To my mom: Thank you for teaching me how to be a mom. You have been a wonderful example of what I want to be. I never knew how much love you held in your heart for me and my sisters until I became a mom myself. If I am half the mom that you are, I will have done very well. I love you mom!

To my husband: Thank you baby. You have sacrificed so much for us. You made me a mom when I had given up on that dream. You remind me that I am a good mom. You share the joy of raising our children with me. You are my best friend and I would be lost without you. I know I am far from perfect, but you love me anyway. Thank you for that. Our children are miracles that you helped create with me. I love you baby, always!

To my children: Where do I begin? I knew I wanted to be a mom long before you were even a thought in my mind. I dreamed of having children and raising them. Then I thought I had lost that dream. When I was told that my dream could become a reality, I hardly dared to believe it was true. Your daddy always knew, but me, I was afraid to trust in the dream. I had struggled so hard to face never having you, that I was afraid if I really believed and it failed, I wouldn't make it back from the disappointment. But then, there you were, two tiny little heartbeats on an ultrasound. And suddenly, I believed and my heart was filled with love. I treasured every moment I was pregnant with you. When you kicked, I would just smile. You were my little miracles growing under my heart. When you were born, I was filled with joy, and fear. You were early and so small. It broke my heart to go home from the hospital without you. But suddenly you were home, and we were all together. I remember being exhausted. Some days I felt like I would never sleep again, but at the same time, I was so happy. I watched your first smiles, your first steps, your first falls...everything. I am so blessed to have been there for you at every step along the way. Soon you will be 6 and I will continue to be with you, sharing everything. You amaze me daily at how smart you both are. You bring me such joy. Thank you for being my Angel and my Bug. You make my life so complete. I love you both so much and just when I think I can't love you more, I find that I do. Just know that no matter what, I will always be here for you. Yes, you make me crazy some days, but I love you, always! Thank you for making me a mom and for loving me so completely. XOXOXO

Love ,

Me