Happy Mother's Day!

Today was a day of wonderful firsts....

It was the first year that Maelyn really understand the meaning behind Mother's Day and she was very excited about surprising me with many special treats. She could hardly contain herself when she came home from school with the presents that she made for me -- but wouldn't let me peek at them until today. :)

This morning, she helped Daddy make breakfast for me and once I made my way downstairs, after being able to stay in bed a little longer than usual, it made me smile to hear the squeals and giggles from her as she helped prepare a delicious meal. Maelyn kept telling me not to peek and repeatedly told her Daddy that making breakfast was fun!

So proud of her creations...

The other important first of the day was hosting Paul's family for Mother's Day. Due to their health issues, they've never been for a visit as a family in our home. It was so important to Paul that his family had a chance to spend time together. They haven't been together since last October and it was heartwarming to see how much they missed one another.

I did my best to take care of things around the house so that Paul could spend time with his family and the girls. He was happy to be able to share our videos of our adoption journeys with his parents, as they hadn't really been able to participate in or watch our journey to becoming a family.

The other first for today was the weather -- I don't think I have ever seen it hail and snow in May!!

The girls enjoyed spending time with their grandparents and it was wonderful to see them connecting with them and the fun they had together.

As the day comes to an end, my thoughts are with two birth mothers -- women whose sacrifice helped to make our family whole. I think of them with love and thank them for the most wonderful gift one human being can give to another -- the love of a child.