Today was my first Mother's Day actually holding my babies in my arms. How I've longed for this day! I could hardly wrap my head and heart around this day - my first Mother's Day.
Brian made this day exceptional for me. I was the first to wake up since today was a work day. I had the quiet of the morning to soak in the goodness of this day. Blow-drying my hair I couldn't get over the fact that last Mother's Day Judah and Addise were in Ethiopia, but I was not yet their mommy. There are no words to encapsulate how much I love these two and how miraculously God chose them to be our children.
I brought Addise with me to Newsong and taught in our middle school ministry. An unexpected gift from today were the scores of hugs and blessings from students, parents, and friends.
The zenith took my breath away and caused me to burst into tears. Just minutes before I was to teach, a friend approached me with a giant hug, card, and gift for my first Mother's Day. Just two weeks ago her sister passed away, leaving her 14 year old son in the care of my friend. Her card affirmed my journey and mothering, then sharing that she wanted to give me her sister's necklace of a mother and child. Instant sobbing. I fell into her arms. No words could adequately thank her for the profundity of her gift, the beauty of that moment, or the sacrifice of this pendant. She immediately placed the necklace around my neck to join my Ethiopia necklace. Miraculous. I am beyond humbled and awed at her gift.
Shortly after, Brian arrived with Judah and these in his arms...
Newsong and our children's ministry did a beautiful job celebrating moms. Corsages were placed on my chest and pipe-cleaner rings placed on my finger by my kids. Judah literally ran to me saying "mommy, mommy!" and handed me this blue box. Oh man. I didn't know a pipe-cleaner ring could make me so happy!
Then, we hurried off to a Mexican restaurant on Balboa Island. Being on the ocean always is most filling and nourishing for me. Judah fell asleep in the car...
...and slept like this for the first half of our lunch. Divine! Meanwhile, Addise looked a lot like this...
We even got a [decent] family picture!
The highlight from my man was an incredibly thoughtful and meaningful card. The highlight from my kids was this book...
It's a couple hundred page book that we can fill with words, pictures, and memories over the years. The first pages looked like this...
Amazing, huh!?!??!
The kids were practically perfect all day. Tonight I'm sipping a glass of red wine and nibbling on what's left of a box of my favorite chocolates...
Finally, here's my little man wishing me a [prompted] Happy Mother's Day...
Next, I'm going to write a letter to Judah and Addise's birth mom [thanks for the idea Jen!]. As I celebrate Mother's Day every year, I want to be cognizant that my gain cost another. In gratitude, I want to remember their birth mom and honor her brave choice to give up her son/daughter.
How do you not love Judah kissing Addise?!? 
Addise is crazy about her Daddy!
"Come on, Sissy!"
Addise's first birthday picture. 
Hard to pick a picture for Judah. He had so many ridiculously cute ones!
On the beach...
Celebrating 10 years of marriage. Love this man!
