April Pictures

April was a busy month, so I somehow managed not to post even one of the boys' pictures we had done!  We did spring pictures of both boys in their adorable suits for church.  April was also Ben's birthday, so we had birthday boy pictures done of his as well.  There are about 70 really great shots, but I'm only going to post 2 because the boys will be waking up soon!  Hope you enjoy!

Mother's Day

Here it is, May already.  And time to celebrate another Mother's Day.  I have to say that this is a bittersweet celebration for me every year.  First, I am overjoyed that I am Mommy to 2 amazing sons and Aunt/caregiver to 2 wonderful nephews.  I am blessed beyond measure with a mom that I love dearly and who would do anything for me.  But then I start to think about the fact that my amazing blessings came from someone else's loss and I can't help but feel sad for those other moms.  For my sister, who was a great mom to my 2 nephews because she died far too young and never got to see what handsome, smart, and loving young men her sons have become.  For R, Ben's birthmom, who has never seen his beautiful smile or heard his captivating laugh but who loved him beyond belief and wanted so much for him.  For J, Nico's birthmom, whom I love and who I see in my son's eyes every time he smiles and who loves our son so much that she wanted more for him than she felt she could provide. For my own mom, who lost her daughter and granddaughter when I lost my sister and niece.  And perhaps most of all for my sweet Ariana's birthmom, M, who may not even know about the loss of our mutual daughter.  So many losses wrapped up in our Mother's Day.  Some losses through death, some losses through adoption, all losses and all painful for some or all of us.  So, today on Mother's Day, I want to say thank you to each and every one of these special ladies-Mom, Gayle, M, R, and J.  All of you are amazing moms in your own way.

I read a quote on another adoptive mom's facebook that has really struck a cord with me, so I'd like to share it in honor of M, R, and J on Mother's Day:

He is mine in a way that he will never be hers, yet he is hers in a way that he will never be mine, and so together, we are motherhood. ~desha wood

Without those 3 amazing ladies, I wouldn't be a mother, so I am forever blessed for having their lives touch mine.