9 Years Ago My Life Would Be Changed Forever

It seems like only yesterday, that two very young and nervous people were on their way to the hospital to have their first child.

After only 4 days of teaching the new school year in 2000, I awoke on that Friday morning in August knowing that I wasn't going to make it to work that day to teach many small children, instead I would become a mom that day. Though I struggled through 20 hours of labor, over an hour of pushing, and eventually an emergency c-section, it was all worth it. At 12:14 am our 1st child entered the world...a beautiful baby girl. Weighing in at 8 lbs and 6 oz, she was a healthy and hungry little girl, right from the start. We were finally a FAMILY.

My 1st child, that precious baby girl, is NINE today. I am sitting her trying to wrap my brain around the idea that nine years has gone by in the blink of any eye and hoping that life will slow down somehow.

I now enter a new state of life with my daughter. It's the tween years. The time has come to start growing up a little, learning a little more. It's also a time of insecurities and self-consciousness that we are embarking on. I hope that I will be able to maintain a good relationship with my tween (and teen soon enough). I know that I will often be embarassing, talking too loud, saying the wrong things, not wearing the coolest clothes or shoes. I will be looked at many times that I am mean or unfair through these times, but it will be all out of love for my daughter.

And Mom, if you are reading, let me take the time to apologize for telling you that you chewed to loudly back when I was a young girl. And sorry for walking 25 feet behind you and Dad in the mall because I was too embarrassed of my parents. I am sure I will be paid back very shortly for all of my eye rolling and smart comments. Thanks for sticking with me and loving me anyway during those times, as I will with my daughter.

Happy 9th Birthday M! You are a beautiful girl who is loved so very much!