I am so very lucky.  Last year we planted 3 rose bushes on Mother’s day weekend in honor of me, Noah’s Ethiopian mom and Zoë’s Ethiopian mom.

This year they bloomed for the first time last week.  These roses represent life and the life that my children’s beautiful Ethiopian mothers have given to us.  We talk daily about what the roses represent and who they honor.

I love my children and the women who have sacrificed to make me a mother.  This day is bittersweet and today we celebrate all the birth mothers who have allowed us the privilege of raising children.  Without them I wouldn’t have had the beautiful mother’s day that I did today.  4 years ago we received Noah’s referral two days before Mother’s day–what a moment that was.  2 years ago Zoë’s passed court the day after Mother’s day.  It is a wonderful time of year for us.

I continue to do the best job I can as a mother.  I do the best job I can to honor the sacrifice that my children’s birth mothers made.  Today we celebrate you.  Without you–none of this would be possible.