Last year, my birthday looked different. My husband didn't go to work at all. We spent the whole day together and had amazing food for each meal. Today, he had to go into work for a bit. Last year, I felt the tiny life within me move for the first time (at least the first time I was sure it was her). This morning, I'm trying to get my daughter to focus on eating her breakfast. Last year, I got to sleep in. This year, Hannah woke up happy at six, ready to start her day.
Some years, the changes between birthdays are huge. Some years, I could barely tell anything had changed. This year, so much has changed as I have entered motherhood. I'm finding it hard to fit in writing time at all. I'm finding that even though I've cut out a lot of sugar and have changed my diet some, my body is just holding on to the weight I gained during the pregnancy as fiercely as I hold onto the people I love. I've found motherhood so much better than I thought it would be (and I have wanted to be a mom since I was a kid). I am amazed at some of the ways I've grown, and I miss some things about my eighteen-year-old self.
- I thought I would get married in my 20s, but my early 30s
- I thought I would have at least five or six kids by now (I have one)
- I thought I would have a good marriage. I have a marriage that is so amazing, if I wrote it into a fiction book, mothers would be telling me I'm giving girls unrealistic expectations.
- I thought I would be struggling with the energy to do basics like I was at 18. Instead, while I don't have nearly the energy of some people, I function quite well.
- I thought I would be as opinionated as I was for the first 18 years of my life. God has humbled me and has shaped me into a much more grace-filled person (with a long way to go).
- I thought I would find a perfect church. I learned there is no such thing because imperfect people are allowed; however, I did find an amazing church with the community I've craved for years.
- I thought I would have a lot more books published. I'm so excited for the books I've had the privilege of publishing, and I'm excited to be almost done with the Kate's Case Files series.
