Happy Mother's Day!

I can't believe that it's Mother's Day already. I remember vividly Mother's Day last year because I was pregnant with Eli and people were saying "happy Mother's day" to me and I just had no concept of what that truly meant. It truly is amazing how much can change in just one year.

This morning I was playing with Eli and decided it was time for some good ole tummy time. Each time we do this, it's usually the same thing: I lay down a blanket, put him on his tummy, try to prop him up on his elbows (never happens), he tolerates it for a few minutes but then that's it. Today was totally different!

I put Eli on his tummy and put his arms down for him to push up on and he did!! I mean, he actually propped himself up on his elbows instead of just lifting up with his back! I was freaking out!! He has never done that before and I was just SO excited! And then he would get a little tired and lay his head down, but then he would get back up...by himself! It was so much fun and the best thing I could have asked of from him today. Thanks Eli for working so hard! I love you!

My mom.

My mom has been through a lot in her life.

She was diagnosed with polio when she was little. I think honestly it was just within days of the polio vaccination. She had to wear a little brace on her leg and they were worried about her learning to walk. She did. She's a fighter. She walks just fine and the only thing that is different is that the polio attacked one of her legs, so we call it the "baby leg." Her muscle in her calf on that leg is almost nonexistent. Her foot I think it 2 sizes smaller than her other foot also, but it works just fine! (just kind of hard when shoe shopping!)

One of her older sisters died of breast cancer when she was very young. She had given birth to my oldest cousin Kevin, and then his little brother Matt. Brenda died when Matt was 2 years old I believe. I can't even comprehend losing a sibling.

My mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Actually, several women in West Texas were all diagnosed with this around the time she was. They all lived relatively close to one another and all still deal with it today... except my mom. For some reason, my mom was healed of MS. Her symptoms started going away, which doesn't happen, and her doctor was shocked. He said if she shows no signs of MS for 5 years then he doubts she will ever battle it again. It's been over 25 years and no signs, no symptoms. Thank you God for healing her.

My mom wasn't able to get pregnant... or so she thought. She wrestled with God on this issue of having a baby for several years. She wanted to be a mother but it just wasn't happening for her. She prayed that God would just take away her desire so she wouldn't have to live in that pain anymore, but He didn't. Almost daily there were confirmations of the fact that she was meant to have children. My parents decided to look into adoption. They adopted me from Edna Gladney Adoption Agency in Ft. Worth when I was 2 weeks old. Not long after they got me home, my mom wasn't feeling well. Turns out, she was one month pregnant with my brother, Josh. We are 8 months apart. Then 6 years after they got me, she had my little sister, Amy. Yep, she was definitely meant to be a mom. :)

She's lost both of her parents, which I honestly can't get into right now because her parents, my grandparents, were some of the most incredible people I have ever been honored to know. And I'll just start crying and it will be sad, so let's just say that they were beautiful people. I can't even imagine losing a parent, much less both.

My mom has had to uproot her entire life from little town West Texas to big city North Texas. For someone who had planned on living in Levelland forever, moving everything 7 hours away for reasons that probably have still not been settled, is a huge thing. I'm so glad they are here because they literally are 10 minutes away from me! But I know it was hurtful, and I know it was hard. My mom is a warrior.

I love you mom. Happy Mother's Day!