Holly Cow, is this a scam?

That was my first thought when my friend Karen sent me over a link from RVA indicating that I had won Mother of The Year.  This must be a joke, right? I am just speechless, and those of you who know me in real life know that it takes a lot to stop me from talking! 

I am so excited, overjoyed, jumping off the roof kinda happy.  Chris and I have not had a night to ourselves away in a hotel in 11 years.  Yep, you read that one right!!!  Wow!!!

And RVA’s Mom of the Year is…


by RVANews staff

May 6, 2010

.A couple of weeks ago, we asked you to nominate a mother in your life who deserves a special night on the town. We requested sweetness, sentiment, and stories that would tug at our heartstrings. And boy, did you deliver. Many tissues were hurt during this process.



So, without further ado, RVA’s Mother of the Year is…



Laura Meyer Hamilton



Congratulations, Laura! You are the winner of a gift certificate good for a weekend night stay at the Omni, including dinner and breakfast for two!



Laura was nominated by her friend Karen who had this to say…



If you visit lovemy4littlehams.blogspot.com you’d understand fully why I am submitting this entry. Laura and her husband find their strength through their faith, their family, and their friends. Laura has become a voice for her son’s disease while raising three other children. She never finds time for herself. Her nights out consist of support group meetings and planning meetings to get the word out about her son’s disease. Through it all she still smiles, uncertain what the future brings for her son. It’s stressful enough worrying about your children but knowing that you may face a day where your child may leave this world be before you do would put me in a tail spin. I cannot image what her days/nights are like. I hope you’ll take a minute to read her blog. It tells you more about who she is and why she is and should be your Mother of the Year.



Just this March, Laura’s sweet baby boy Ethan (born on December 5, 2008) was diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease. Since then, in addition to the demands of raising a family, Laura has started her crusade of raising awareness for her son’s disease. When you get a minute, take a look at her blog. Her positive attitude, determination, and complete and utter love for her children will take your breath away. We are thrilled to be able to give her the chance to take some time for herself — she deserves it so much. And a special thanks to the Omni for giving us the opportunity to be a part of honoring Laura.