The most rewarding part of being a mom is knowing that even when you’re parenting, and days seem like your children aren’t listening, and you feel like you’ve failed them, but they were because you’ve seen them do things that you talked to them about. Sometimes we think our children aren’t listening to us, but in reality they are consuming every piece of knowledge that we’ve ever taught them. Just knowing you are loved without being told, is rewarding in itself!

Resilience and strength…I became a first time mother at 22, of a special needs child, while I was a senior in college. My daughter, Alexis, was not supposed to live, but God had other plans. Although I was given the option to end my pregnancy, I didn’t believe that was the answer because I felt that she deserved a chance at life, even if it was just to breathe the air for a second; but instead, she gave me 7 years of life, and taught me that I can make it through whatever life throws at me!

There is a children’s therapy school that my daughter attended when she was living/younger, and I would like to donate a portion of the money to them for their playground upgrade. Also, help my two other children finish college, and make some upgrades to my own home.