Mary-Louise Parker: "Becoming A Mom Is The Best Thing That's Happened To Me"

Being a single mom to two young kids may have its challenges, but actress Mary-Louise Parker says she can't imagine her life without her son William, 5, and daughter Caroline "Ash," 3.

"Becoming a mom is the best thing that's happened to me," the 45-year-old Weedsstar told People at last night's 5th Annual Worldwide Orphans benefit gala in New York (October 26). "I'll be the first to admit that it can be very hard to raise two kids, but I absolutely love it. I can't imagine what my life would be without my children."

Mary-Louise's son William, whose dad is her ex Billy Crudup, was 3 years old when she adopted Ash from Ethiopia in 2007. Looking back, she says that it was the "best decision I've ever made."

"She says, 'I love you, Mommy' and asks, 'Do you love me so much?,'" the doting mom gushes of her daughter. "She has a little bit of a speech delay; Amharic was her first language she heard. But she's really indomitable. She's really strong and she's like a little warrior. She's really amazing."

The Emmy-winning actress, who is now dating musician Charlie Mars, admits that she's learned a lot from her kids: "They really put you in touch on how little you know and how little you are capable of and much you are capable of. They are very humbling, children. I am more patient now. I've become much more patient."