A Very Special Mother's Day!

 

 The kids did a great job making Mother's Day special.  They made things at school for me that they were proud of.  Dainis took them out on a date Friday night to pick out some gifts.  Angie gave me a hand-painted mug, perfume, and a candle.  Ingrid gave me a special travel mug with a picture she colored on the outside.  She also gave me two ceramic figurines for our bedroom.  Juan also gave me a travel mug along with some special gifts from school.  The kids tell us they love us quite often, but I think they are slowly learning what those words really mean.  There are so many things to teach the kids and love is one of them.  For Dainis and I, we were loved from the moment we were born, and we understood what it meant as we got older.  Adopted kids have never had that nurturing care, and someone to love them.  So, not only are we trying to teach them what love is and what it means to love from your heart, but they have years of not having that love to heal from.  We are learning that takes a lot of time and patience to try and teach our kids about love, concern for others, sympathy, empathy, and all of the other things that involve feeling emotions and then being able to communicate them.

 

 

As many of you know, I suffered a stroke ten years ago at the age of 29.  Although I am extremely lucky to be alive today, I still have a lot less function in my left hand and arm and it has noticeably affected my walk.  Although we have lots of challenges with the kids, they have always done a good job helping me when I ask.  Most people think stroke survivors are older people and that is true.  Unfortunately, more and more young people are suffering from strokes today.  May is stroke awareness month, and the media here in Phoenix has chosen to highlight younger survivors.  Because I did suffer from a massive stroke but have recovered a lot, my doctor recommended me as one of the survivors to highlight.  Added to that is the blessing that I am a Mom.  So, for Mother's Day, our family was invited to attend a Diamond Backs baseball game.  We went on the field at pregame as they shared a little bit of my story.  I am honored they chose me and hope my story can be an encouragement to others.  The kids had a great time, and it was their first time to go to a baseball game.  After the game, we enjoyed spending time with my Mom and enjoyed dinner together at our favorite Mexican restaurant.  It was a Mother's Day we will never forget!