Priceless Gifts

A lot of the most special gifts that one can get are the ones you can't put a value on. For my first Mother's Day, those were the ones that counted the most:

1. I heard Lily laugh out loud for the first time. Mom and I took her to the Pineville Park playground and I sat with her on my lap and swang back and forth gently. Next to us, a young girl in a pink shirt was really flying and Lily just ate it up. She was so tickled! It was music to my ears.

2. The babysitting and company of my brother Derek, sister Melissa, and of course, my Mom, who all took turns giving me a much-needed break from being a full-time mom.

3. My mom's gift to me was a book written by Sheri Lynch about not expecting to have the perfect family -- the best part -- my mom had it personally signed for me!

4. From Devin, a collection of seashells from the NC shore that he collected just for me, a small book about the joy of kisses, and some very sweet magnets. My favorite magnet says "Mothers hold their children's hands a while, and their hearts forever" *tear*

5. Devin finally changed a poopy diaper (boy, did he get a good one too!)

6. A lovenote scribbled in the sand...