Sunday, May 11, 2008

The Dayton Daily News' Miami Valley Mother of the Year! (It's Val!)

(Richard Here)

All-

We’ve already mentioned this to some of you, but I wanted to share the exciting news about Val. Her mom nominated her for the Dayton Daily News’ “Miami Valley Mother of the Year” award, and a few weeks ago we found out that she had been selected to be the winner. They came to our house and interviewed her and spent a day taking pictures and video for the article. Since Val’s never one to brag, I’m going to do it for her – so here’s the URL for the article:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/o/content/oh/story/opinions/columns/2008/05/11/ddn051108motheroftheyear.html

And here’s a link to the video:

http://www.daytondailynews.com/m/content/oh/media/video/news/index.html?bcpid=1459469120&bclid=1486914913&bctid=1543236809

Cheers!
Richard

Valerie here:

A few weeks ago, as I was leaving my doctor's office after finding out I had strep throat yet again, completely miserable, with all 5 kids in tow, my cell phone rang. It was my mom. She was calling to give me an early Mother's Day gift. She told me that, several weeks prior, she had sent a letter to Dayton Daily News journalist, Dale Huffman, nominating me for the Miami Valley Mother of the Year, a tradition that he began 24 years ago. After weeks of pouring over hundreds of letters of nomination, Mr. Huffman and his committee had chosen me as the Miami Valley Mother of the Year for 2008. I was completely overwhelmed by this honor and immediately burst into tears (my kids probably thought I had lost my mind).

I could not, and still cannot, believe that I had been chosen out of hundreds of amazing and well-deserving mothers to represent the mother's of the Miami Valley as Mother of the Year. I am truly humbled. I was honored to share my story with the Dayton Daily News, not because I felt I deserved to be recognized in this way, but because I wanted to share with all that will read it, how truly blessed I feel to be the mother of 5 truly incredible children who I am blessed and privileged to be raising. This honor also gave me the opportunity to share my passion for adoption and the chance to promote all of the organizations that aided us in our adoptions, who work tirelessly to improve the lives of children across the world, something that I have been longing to do since before we even began our own adoption journey. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the opportunity that this has given me to be a voice for His children.

I was a bit nervous at how it would all turn out seeing as the past few weeks have been a bit of a bumpy ride and we had to get creative to fit interviews and photo shoots in between illness, hospital stays, doctors appointments and nurse visits, but I am very happy with the final product (although, after watching the video, I wish I would've put on a little more make up to hide the enormous circles under my eyes and my pasty, pale lips. . . but that is the vain side of my speaking!). Not all of the details are 100% accurate, but with so much information to gather and pack into one short article, I have no complaints!

Mr. Huffman, who is battling cancer and has been away from work since late January to receive medical treatment, put his heart and soul into this article and this makes this honor so much greater to me. Again, I am truly humbled. Mr. Huffman is back in the hospital after undergoing another surgery on Thursday, so if you could all keep him in your prayers, I know he would greatly appreciate it.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing mothers out there! Be sure to keep scrolling for some great Mother's Day pictures from my sweet kiddies!

14 comments:

IAmDenise said...

Val

DH and I just watched the video and read the article and we are both your age and your dh's age, and we both give you so much credit for having 5 children and for all the hospital stays. I turned to DH and said I really don't think I could do what she does every day all day. Even though I do watch after 5 kids but I get to send them home.

Val your an amazing person and I thank you for sharing all your stories on your blog, it was great to see the video also it seems so real, you can read as much as you want but to watch it on video thats when it seems 100% more real.

Happy Mother's day Val!

Shelley said...

Congratulations Valerie! You deserve it!

Mamapierce said...

You deserve it!!! Happy Mother's Day!

liesel said...

Beautiful article and video Valerie. I would have nominated you too. Congratulations!!!

Staci and Damon said...

Congratulations, Valerie!!

I saw the paper this morning, and I am so proud of you!! The video is beautiful!

Staci

Anonymous said...

Happy Mothers' Day, and congratulations!

Stephanie said...

Valerie, dont be silly you looked great!!!! Congratulations, You deserve it!

Ute said...

Valerie - you deserve it so much - Gratulations! I am very happy for you:)

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a great video and article. You deserve it!! And I love the t-shirts :)

Carla said...

I think the article and video are just fantastic! I so enjoy reading your blog! Congratulations!

Blessings....

Nichole said...

You are an awesome woman, wife, and mother! You are so beautful on the inside and out. You are a great role model! Congratulations!

Tiana said...

Totally well deserved! Congrats! You are such an amazing and inspiring woman! Lots of love to you and your clan!

Jennifer said...

Congratulations, Valerie!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are truly one of the most incredible moms I've ever heard of! I think they made a VERY good choice :-)

I loved seeing the video of you and your kids! It's so weird to feel like you know someone without ever hearing their voice. But now I have and you and your kids are just so great! What an absolutely incredible family you have!

And I don't know how you do it with four 3 year-olds. My one has been driving me crazy lately!

Anonymous said...

"I loved seeing the video of you and your kids! It's so weird to feel like you know someone without ever hearing their voice. But now I have and you and your kids are just so great! What an absolutely incredible family you have! "

My thoughts exactly!! Although we've never met or talked IRL, I feel as if I've known you forever, and I was incredibly blessed by watching your video! My husband and I were talking about how cool it is that we have so much in common, the only difference is that 2 of my triplets are the ones with special needs (CP). People think we're crazy for adopting another special needs child on top of it all, but they just don't see or understand the huge blessing it is. I always think of your family, though, when I start to feel discouraged or like we're the only ones on this planet doing such a thing, and it gives me the strength and encouragement I need! We love you guys so much. Continued love and blessings your way....