I know it may sound cliche but I was thinking about this the other day and came almost immediately to the conclusion that my girls are my greatest Hero's and inspirations to be a better person, a better mom and a stronger believer in my faith. When I think about what my oldest has endured....we brought her home at three days old, she had been exposed to crack, cocaine and alcohol and went through three months of withdrawl. She could not keep food down, she screamed constantly if she was awake and was inconsolable. To hold her was like holding a log because she was stiff and rigid and could not relax due to the withdrawl symptoms. There was no bonding going on only times of crying and not crying (sleeping). It took three months until we could count the hours of the day where she was not screaming and it slowly increased. During this first year she began to develop rapidly and crawled at 5 months then walked at 9. Today she is a active and thriving almost 7 year old and you would never know where she came from. By the grace of God she has no long lasting effects with the exception of some mild emotional challenges that are few and far between. She is amazing child who is an accomplished gymnast and dances on a local TV show. She is smart beyond her grade level and has the heart and compassion of a saint. 
My other little hero is the one we just were blessed with from China. This sweet angel endured a cold night in early January 2007 with her umbilical cord still attached and uncut (yes, uncut) until someone found her outside of a building in the early morning hours. She has been brought out of her home country and all that she had ever known and in just three short months she has so sweetlyand perfectly fallen into the fabric of our family. She is learning new words and baby signs everyday with just gusto and explores her environment daily. Her smiles and laughter are more sweet than I could ever imagine and it is the small moments that make everyday special. She hugs us and kisses us and plays with her sister and is more special than I could ever imagine.
Two years of waiting was worth every minute, every tear, every worry and every fear.
These girls will always be my greatest inspirations and my hero's. On my worst days they make me laugh and their laughter is so infectious! I am blessed beyond measure and forever grateful to Him who has blessed me as a mother.





































