Ten Truths

One of the bloggers I follow, Krissi at http://myordinarymiraclesblog.com/, included me on a list of blogs she thinks are good (thanks, Krissi!). In this context, she challenged me to list 10 "truths" about me. I thought this would be an interesting exercise, one that I thought I might get around to in the next few days. The more I thought about it, though, the more I couldn't wait to sit down and let the thought process flow.

This was a really fun exercise, one I chose to explore in the context of being a mom. So...here's the good, the bad/sad, and the funny!

1. I feel like I was just “made” to be a mom. While I loved living the career-driven life, for me, I now know THIS is what it’s all about.

2. I always intended to leave my job after I had children. I was extremely career-focused for almost ten years, and the announcement that I wouldn’t return to work shocked the majority of my colleagues. I couldn’t help but smile a little bit on the inside.

3. I loved being pregnant, and it makes me so sad to hear other women complain about it. I can’t imagine anything more miraculous than being able to give life to a child; it is such a blessing. Oh, and I still have the sweater I wore to the hospital in the bottom of my clothes hamper…I can’t bear to wash away the last trace of this magical time.

4. I know it’s a moot point, as we have two beautiful, healthy babies, but I feel a lot of guilt for not carrying the girls past 34 weeks’ gestation. I wish I had been more aggressive in challenging my OB when I started having contractions, but I trusted his judgment and his “just relax; this is normal” attitude. Deep down, I knew something wasn’t quite right. I will try to let this be a lesson to listen to my inner voice more often.

5. I pray the exact same prayer every night, the same one I started praying when I was pregnant with the girls. I pray for the girls’ health and happiness, and that we will be able to lead them into a life of servitude.

6. Since having children, I miss my mom more than I could have ever imagined. How I wish I could share in this experience with her, from the mundane details to the biggest milestones. And I can only imagine how taken she would be with these two little girls. I smile thinking they would have an endless supply of handmade smocked dresses.

7. I am addicted to sugar…primarily candy…and I don’t want to pass this ugly habit along to my girls! Right now I can indulge when the girls are asleep, but one day they’ll be going through the pantry themselves. I’ll either have to hide my stash, or come clean and shape up! HA!

8. (Despite my admitted sugar addiction…) I feel an intense need to take care of myself, as it’s something I owe my girls. I want to do everything in my power to be here for them for as long as I can.

9. I would love to move back to Sweet Home Alabama, but not at all costs. After my baby-rearing sabbatical, I want and need to get back into the consumer packaged goods arena. My ears are always open for opportunities closer to home, but I don’t think I can afford to sacrifice salary and experience for location at this point in my career. No matter where we live, though, I’ll do everything I can to steer the girls towards pulling for the Crimson Tide!

10. Although I can sometimes get a little aggravated, I secretly love it when strangers ogle over the girls.