Mother's day celebration in El Paso, Texas

Mother's Day Flowers Checked at Border

Boquets Banned Coming Into States

EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection specialists are working the ports of entry right now, looking for flowers.

Actually, they're looking for insects and diseases often found in floral arrangements, which could compromise the agricultural industry here in the states.

Agents have been instructed to examine Mother's Day bouquets, cut flowers and plants bound for the U.S. from south of the border.

Ana Hinojosa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in El Paso, said it's their mission to "stop pests and diseases at the border before they can be spread elsewhere.

After hundreds of submissions, our "Makeover for Mom" winner has been revealed. The contest consisted of a makeover from head to toe, including Botox, teeth whitening and personal training sessions.

Our winner showed off her brand-new look at El Paso Cosmetic Surgery in West El Paso. We talked to nine of her children prior to her reveal.

Talk about a full house! Imagine raising 10 children: 2 biological kids and 8 adopted ones, ranging from five years old to 23! That's what Teresa Martin has done. She serves in the National Guard, so her husband Tim and her daughter, Jordin, a full-time student, also help take care of the children at their West El Paso home.

LAS CRUCES - With Mother's Day celebrations on the calendar in the days ahead, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists working at U.S. ports of entry are busy making sure that flower imports are free from insects, pests and diseases that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States.

"CBP agriculture specialists will be inspecting cut flowers and plants for any sign of insects, pests or diseases," said Ana Hinojosa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director of Field Operations in El Paso. "It is an important part of the CBP mission to identify and stop pests and diseases at the border before they can be spread elsewhere.

LAS CRUCES — What could be better than listening to the blues and getting your hands muddy for a good cause?

Mother's Day will be known as "Mudder's Day" at the Phillips Chapel CME Church at 638 N. Tornillo St., for a special fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The chapel, built in 1911, is the oldest African-American church in Las Cruces. It has served as a school and a civic and social center for the Las Cruces African-American community throughout its long history. African-Americans and Hispanics built the original chapel together 100 years ago with adobe walls.