Sunday, May 10, 2009

Overwhelmed. Blessed. Happy.

Whew. So glad to be home! And my sweet husband met me at the airport, and this was the view I saw...I was so, so happy to see them. I mean, like, couldn't hardly contain my emotions, happy! I think people watching may have had one of those Hallmark commercials moments watching me meet my girls! I was absolutley OVERWHELMED! I missed them so much, and seeing them be so happy to see me too, was just so sweet. Even little Gabbi Girl would look at me, start grinning, then smile so big that she would shake!! She did this repeatedly and my heart swelled!!

Know what else made my heart swell? Todd had painted my girls' hands and made handprints on a piece of cardstock. He also handpainted "Happy Mother's Day 2009". I mean, my man is NOT crafty, and he KNEW I would love that gift. It was definitely from the heart! Thank you, Daddy!

We went straight to meet mom and Staci and her family at Outback... right from the airport! Here is our special JinJin with Ellie Bellie. Jin sure does love her grandyoungun's! Here are a couple of my favorite moms! My mom's card to me said, "Thanks for giving me grandchildren." I was about to squawl, but just tried to keep it together! Mom and I sat through many a sermon over the past 10 years or so where the preacher gave all these accolades to all the mothers in the congregation. It was always a hard Sunday for me... year after year! How utterly overwhelming to now be blessed with my two sweet babies! I am so proud to be both my girls' mama, AND my mom's daughter! She raised us to be strong, independent women. She supported everything we have ever been involved in, and made us feel like we were successful in our endeavors, no matter what!

This evening, Ellie dropped something, and instead of being frustrated and fussing, she went, "bonk" and did a little giggle. I realized that my kid was learning to laugh at herself and her mishaps, and that "little things" are just that... little things! That was just one of those moments of epiphany when I realized, too, how my kid is learning so much about life and how she will conduct herself in bigger situations later by the way I respond to things now! She is learning ATTITUDE!

I further realized that I learned about my attitude from my mom. Much of my success in life can be attributed to her. THanks, Mom. Love you.

Another mom we need to recognize is Todd's! We don't get to see nearly as much of her as we would like. I know we will be seeing her in about three weeks and we look so forward to it. Happy Mother's Day, DeeDee! We love you, (and want you to move closer to us!)And one more... this is Nana. She has been married to my dad for, ummmm, I don't know... 10 years or so?! I didnt' mention it when it happened. (can you believe I left anything in my life out of this blog?!) But, Rita's only child, Dave, passed away suddenly in December just before his 32nd birthday. This, therefore, is her first Mothers' Day without him. I know this has been a very difficult day for her.

Well, Nana, we love you , and I want you to know how much I appreciate your willingness to help us with our girls and just for being a great Nana to them and wife to my dad.

As for my experience as a mom... There are two very special women out there who gave me this opportunity. And even as I type, I am teary-eyed! I woke up this morning thinking about my girls' birthmoms! I hope they are not sad today. I hope they know how thankful I am. HOW BLESSED!

I hope that Ellie's birth grandmother is still reading the blog. If you are, know that I am forever grateful for your support to both your daughter and to me in the whole adoption process. I LOVE this little girl. I hope this shows in my blog posts, and that you are able to see how happy she is too!
And Magan, this little Gabbi Girl is the light of my life. She has made our lives complete. Thank you for thinking of me as a mother for this precious girl! What an incredible gift. One I could never repay!

I wrote little songs for both of my girls as infants, (maybe someday I will sing them to all of you), that let them know that they are adopted and how deeply we love them. Gabbi, particularly, loves for me to sing her song to her! She looks at me so intently when I sing to her. (and bless her heart... I cannot sing!) The "chorus" is "Yes, we love Gabbi. You make our family whole."

So, to sum up today, I was overwhelmed. Blessed. Happy.

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there. Glad to finally be in your club! Melanie

27 comments:

Renee said...

Happy Mother's Day Mo! I'm glad your girls have filled your life with happiness. Although I've never met them, they seem like loads of fun and joy. And yes your blog readers can definitely tell how much you truly love your girls. Here's to many more Happy MOther's days in years to come.

Melissa said...

Happy Mother's Day Mo. I don't think anyone who has ever glanced at your blog would have a doubt in their mind as to how much you love those two girls. They are just as lucky to have you as you are to have them.

tricia said...

you made me cry

Debbie said...

Such a sweet post. Yes it's pretty obvioius you love those girl's and thet they love you. Happy Mother's Day, Mo!!

God Bless~
Debbie Jean

Donna said...

Happy Mother's Day! Both being a Mom and having a Mom is something I think many of us take for granted. When you long so badly to have children and don't, this is not a happy day. Your girls are blessed and I am thankful for your acknowledgment of those birth - moms today. Our nephew is adopted - can't imagine life without him!

kimybeee said...

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO YOU!!!!!

MLP said...

Mo, the club wouldn't be the same without you!!! Precious post...precious girls...precious life.

Happy Mother's Day!

Reba said...

Happy Mother's Day to you! What a sweet gift from your hubby and girls. I just learned yesterday that yesterday was National Birth Mother's Day. I too am grateful for two birth mothers out in the world...

Reba

Nana's Joy said...

Happy Mother's Day to you. I love reading your blog and watching your girls in there cute dresses ans bows. I'm going to have to find out where to get all that cute stuff. Our little girl is just getting enough hair for a skinny little ponytail. She loves to have her hair fixed.
You'll just have to come over and ck her out.
Judy

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day! I had to get up for more Kleenex while reading your post. Isn't it true that no matter how we became parents that God is still the one who blessed us and trusted us to be Mother's!! You are the best Mommy to two precious and wonderfully happy girls. The happiness in each of them is beaming. I hope you enjoyed your day!!! Thanks for your sweet comments!

Kelly said...

Happy Mother's Day MO!!!

Christie said...

Mo I am so happy that you were blessed with your two girls. They are just as lucky to have you. They are so happy and it is evident how much Todd, you, and your whole family love them.
Happy Belated Mother's Day!!

Carrie said...

Awww, what a delightful post! I am so happy that you are so happy. Happy belated Mother's day, Mo!

Pepper said...

Well, good grief. You should have started that out as "get your tissues ready". I am so glad you are happy and it shows every day. I hope you had a great mothers day.

Tracey said...

Hi Mo, I am single with 4 adopted kids through foster care. You know, it doesn't matter if they are adopted or you gave birth... a mom's heart is so big and I know I couldn't love my kids anymore than I know you love yours. We are so blessed that God chose us to be Mom's to these kids. I am the proudest Mom out there. Happy Mother's Day! Tracey

Sandy said...

Mo
This post is just to much of a tear jerker for me. We all see how much you love your babies. They are precious. We, as mothers, can honestly say there is no other greater gift from God than a child. Thanks for your post. Sandy

stephleighjenkins said...

Happy Mother's Day! You are a phenomenal mother!!

Liloia Family said...

I have tears in my eyes after reading your post! I can't even type. I am just so happy for you and Todd. Happy Mother's Day Mel, you are a TERRIFIC Mother!!!

Anonymous said...

Did you have to make me cry Mo? You are such a wonderful momma to those precious babies. The good man upstairs had a plan all along for you and these girls. They were meant to be yours, it was His plan.
DH rocks I tell ya, what a great thing he did. WTG daddio! So glad you are back!

Jennifer said...

Sweet sweet post! The girlie girls look so happy to see their mama!

Theresa Shirley said...

Awww Melanie---What a sweet post!! How wonderful to feel so blessed!! I just love love love your family so much, and feel like I know you all!!!! (I wish I could meet ya'll). Happy Mother's Day to you. Your love for those girls is precious! Children are so wonderful (although they'll make you feel like pulling your hair out sometimes!) I have a 20 yr old son, a 17 yr old daughter, and a 7 yr old son. They are all such blessings, and all so different from each other. But, I wouldn't take anything for them! Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. It really does brighten my day!!

With love from Georgia,
Theresa Shirley

Beth E. said...

Awwww...you're making me cry here! What a touching post! You have two beautiful daughters. I'm so very happy for you!

Tell Todd I am very impressed with his creativity and thoughtfulness, having the girls make such great Mother's Day gifts for you! This beats what my hubby gave me - Vidalia onions - HANDS DOWN! ;o) Standing o, Todd...standing o.

Have a great week, Mo!

Vicki said...

Hello Mo,
I love watching your little girls blossom because of your love for them. I too, am a "birthgrandmother" so it really touched my heart to read the line about Ellie's "birthgrandmother". It eases my heartache a little to see how much you love your babies. I miss my girl. Take care!

breanna said...

happy late mother's day! i'm SO impressed with todd's crafting skills! i think he must sneak upstairs while you are at the office to get inspired and learn some stuff from your books! wonder if he'll join us at the inspired convention next year!?! can't wait to see what you made! that post was such a tease! oh and nice coordinating dresses todd picked!

lollipops said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
lollipops said...

Hope you had a very nice Mother's Day. The girls are adorable.

kb said...

What an awesome post..wish I had read it on Mother's Day! God bless you and your family.Your baby girls are simply precious. Your faith, talent and spirit are most INspiring! Girls Rock!