First Year Of Motherhood!

Isn't it absolutely crazy that I am here sitting down to write about an overview of the first year of motherhood! Let me just say you think you have a ton of different emotions when your pregnant but right now I am feeling all the things. Sadness, happiness, sick to my stomach, butterflies and joy. 

The last year has been a whirlwind. You don't really realize it day to day! But man has it been an enjoyable year. I remember last year dreaming about what 2015 would have in store for us. It definitely didn't disappoint thats for sure. 

  It feels like just yesterday we were announcing that we would be expecting. It felt like I was just throwing up on our way to dinner to tell Grandma Smith we were pregnant. It felt like just yesterday that I felt her kick me and do flips. It felt like just yesterday we were having our first ultrasound. It felt like just yesterday that I was bringing home an adorable little girl that I had no clue how I was going to raise her and what type of mom I would be.  In fact it feels like just yesterday I was that 22 year old girl holding her daughter for the first time. I remember I was thinking did this really just happen? Is she really mine? But at that same moment I felt love. I felt the love not only from Kelly, my mom and wonderful mother in law and all the other family that came. But I felt the honest true love of my daughter and my Heavenly Father. For a second I felt bad that this wonderful spirit had just left heaven but, then I felt grateful that I was the one who got to have her not just for this lifetime but for ETERNITY!

I definitely can't sit here and say that it was the easiest year. We had the sleepless nights, the crying that sometimes felt like it never stopped (not just Charli crying, me too!), there was laughter and excitement. I honestly can say I had the best time learning how to become a mother. I had plenty of phone calls to my mom, questions for my sisters, crying to Kelly out of frustration. But we somehow made it through. 

I don't know what the next year will bring but I can honestly say that I am in love with being a mom. Some may say that I don't work. And to that you are correct I don't have a job that I have to drive to every day. I actually have the best job in the world! I have a little girl that needs me every second of every day. I have a little girl who makes me work at becoming a better role model. It may not pay in dollar bills but it pays in kisses, boogers and giggles and to me thats the best type of paycheck!

 I remember a quote from this past General Conference at Women's Session.

"There are two important days in a woman's life - the day she is born

 and the day she finds out why!"

-Elaine Cannon-

I'm pretty sure that the day I found why I was important took place when there was times when Charli didn't want anyone else but me. When I got to rock her to sleep, spend hours and days holding her, every morning getting to pick out an outfit for her to wear, laying her down for naps, feeding her, playing with her, dancing & singing with her. That was the day I found out why I was important. I am sure there may be a few more things I will be able to add to that list. But man am I grateful that that I got to be this little girls momma!

I am so grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me to become a mother. I am grateful that He was there to help me through the sometimes bumpy, rough road. He was able to show me what I was truly capable of becoming. I am grateful that I get to do it with one of the coolest dads I know. I am grateful that Charli will be raised by a dad who is extremely hardworking, dorky, handsome and that she will be able to see the love we have for each other. 

How blessed are we?! Extremely!

We Wish You A Very Happy 1st Birthday Ms. Charli!

Please Never Grow Up.