Happy Birthmother's Day

SPOILER ALERT:  IF YOU ARE A MEMERE, AVO OR AUNTIE TO MY KIDS, PLEASE ACT SURPRISED WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE SAME GIFT ON SUNDAY :) OR READ NO FURTHER.

This Sunday, mothers will be celebrating the joy of motherhood.   Though joyous for many, Mother's Day can prove to be heart wrenching and difficult for others.  We hold my childrens' birth mothers in our hearts each and every day, but the Saturday before Mother's Day is a specific day set aside to honor them.   We have an open adoption with the birth families of our children and for us this means we have direct contact with them through email, mail, and/or visits.  We feel blessed to have them as an ongoing part of our lives and wouldn't want it any other way.  

We put together a "pamper yourself" jar for each birth mother with personalized artwork and sent along some photos as well.

Dear Birth Mothers,

Today we honor you for your bravery and selfless love.  We thank you from the depths of our beings for the decisions you have made.  Know that you are special and in our hearts as well as in the hearts of our E and Little Miss.  You are loved!

"A Birthmother puts the needs of her child above the wants of her heart"

I Heart Faces...

Hey Girl Photo Challenge

Courage, determination, pride...that's what little girls are made of.

-- Author Unknown

Perfectly Imperfect...

This is one of my favorite photos of Little Miss...her big beautiful blue eyes staring innocently.  For me, it was a good capture and I printed an 8 x10 and framed it.

It's hard for me to look at the photographs I take and not have something I would like to improve upon to make the next one better.  I guess that is how we keep getting better at things, but this pattern of thinking can also quickly cause me to go insane and never reach a state of satisfaction.  

I Heart Faces  has weekly photo contests and this week's is "Hey Girl".  I was just going to pass it by as I do all the others I see on a weekly basis, but then decided, why not?  What do I have to lose?  Who cares if the background isn't perfect or that the powder from her candy necklace can be seen in various parts of the picture.  This is a moment captured from real life, a perfectly imperfectly moment.

"Perfectionism is a dangerous state of mind in an imperfect world."

-Robert Hillyer

Embracing Date Night...

My parents watched the kids the other night so Vic and I could have a much needed date night for his 40th birthday.  I even did my "hair" and make-up for the event.  

 The food was delicious.

 The birthday boy's beverage of choice.

We finished the night off by making a quick stop at the grocery store on the way home....the reality of life at 40 I guess.


I'm linking up with Emily today.


"Forget all the bars and schmoozing and everybody checking out everybody else. My ideal date would be to park in a dark place, check out the stars, and have a great conversation."

Weekend of firsts..

"Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else."

Margaret Mead

This past Sunday, E made his First Communion. 

I'm quite certain this is one of the few times he's ever worn a tie and it is it for sure the first time he has worn dress shoes (he wasn't a fan of them or the tie, but he looked awfully cute!).

It was also the first time I wore my hair prosthetic for a special 
occasion in the presence of my family. They were all so supportive.  It was more comfortable this time, but I still couldn't wait to get it off my head 6 hours later...my head was sweating.

 Getting a picture without Little Miss posing is tough these days.  Here she is flying (because that is what all little 5 year old girls do, yes?).

It was a nice day and we'll be celebrating E's milestone this Sunday on Mother's Day.  We are so proud of you E. xo

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

#4 (?) on 40th

 Thanks Kristin for my post title :)

As we wait for word as to whether or not this will indeed be the day of my fourth cleansing treatment, 

I decided to write a quick post to wish my love a Happy 40th Birthday.  

Victor, looking back I have known you since we were 12 and been in love with you for half our lives.  It's hard to look back and remember what it was like not being together.  

We've had our share of rough seas, but always come out stronger in the end with some sweetness added to our lives; our two kids are concrete proof of that.  Thank you for being the strong, consistent support I so often need, especially now...

Happy, happy 40th birthday.  We love you so very much! xo

"The first forty years of life give us the text: the next thirty supply the commentary."

 – Arthur Schopenhauer

Unfortunately, there will be no #4 on Victor's 40th. My levels are still too high on one my of my tests.  We can't get over the hump this week I guess....BUMMER!

On the bright side:

-Vic doesn't have to sit for 4 hours in the chemo ward on his birthday

-I have another week of feeling really good

-I will have the energy to clean my house in preparation for Sunday's Mother's Day/First Communion Gathering at our house

-Maybe my hair will start growing in (ha, ha)

 "Always look on the bright side. It's about being positive and determined to get through things everyday."

Birthmother Gifts

When you have to send things in the mail, you really have to be prepared ahead of time.  Our Mother's Day Birthmother gifts are almost ready to be sent.  

A winning effort begins with preparation.

Joe Gibbs

To see other, past, birthfamily gifts, click on the "birthfamily gifts" tag at the end of this post.  Have a great Sunday!