Jackson and Olivia hanging out at my birthday dinner last night.

And, just like that, another birthday has come and gone.

Boy, does time fly, or what?!

I had always heard that phrase growing up, but until you are married with a baby, I don’t think you understand quite fully the gravity of that statement. Two hours feels like two minutes. One month feels like one week.

Throughout this year, I have learned so much…and thats only the tip of the iceberg.

I have learned (some of what it means) to be a wife:

Marriage is not always easy. But it’s not quite as difficult as I thought it was going to be either. I heard the first year was full on screaming matches and brawls. So far, none of that. And I’m thankful. Though, we have had some very intense conversations about very serious topics, God is walking us through each and every obstacle, and I’m thankful. I love my best friend!

Difficult things in this life are not supposed to be walked through alone. Thankfully Eric and I haven’t had to do that. We have had major help in our marriage by some great people: our parents, our pastors, friends, family, etc. The biggest help was God. Once I became pregnant, I realized (once again) the importance of seeking God first. I knew diving into the Bible daily was important if I wanted to seek any peace and joy in my life and in my marriage. He has done just that.

I couldn’t imagine walking through this life with someone different. Eric is so special to me. He understands me and gets me. He is hilarious, loving, and caring. He is passionate and hardworking! One of my favorite country songs right now is “Shotgun Rider” by Tim McGraw; it says, “I don’t ever wanna wake up, looking into someone else’s eyes | another voice calling me baby on the other end of the phone | a new girl putting on her makeup before dinner on Friday night | I don’t ever wanna know-ohhhh, no other shotgun rider beside me singing to the radio-ohhhhh.” Every time that song comes on the radio, I can help but think of how grateful I am for Eric and walking through this life with me. I couldn’t do it without him.

I have learned (some of what it means) to be a mother:

I grew up with a pretty great mom and pretty great parents. But with anything, you always think, “I could do that better…” Then you become a parent and you realize all that your parents went through to raise you and all that they sacrificed, and you take back that statement.

Parenting is hard and parenting takes sacrifice…and I’m only two months into it (minus one week). The amount of sleep lost since Jackson’s birth currently is probably a total of all the sleep I’ve lost in my lifetime. And it only continues. And it is all worth it! Seeing him learn and grow and develop; Seeing him smile and interact. Watching as his eyes follow you across the room and his arms and legs flail up and down in excitement. When he is crying at the top of his lungs and the minute you pick him up, he is calm. Him snuggling on your chest and falling asleep (what he is doing as I type). The reward for being a mom is amazing…and I am sure it only gets better! Imagine when he can talk?! 😉

I have learned (some of what it means) to be an employee:

I spent time at my job (until November) being an employee working under bosses. I worked alongside of my peers. I developed new systems and organized different things. I answered phones and interacted with people coming into the office. In the grand scheme of things, none of that matters, but what matters was consistency and faithfulness to a job, submitting to leadership, and showing love to others. The tasks in and of themselves did not matter, but what matters was what that produced in me. I am so thankful for Seabreeze Church and the job opportunity I had there learning and growing. I do miss working and spending time with my coworkers, but I love being a mom even more!

I have learned (some of what it means) to be a church member:

I can’t tell you how much of an impact that Seabreeze Church has had on my life. Most of my friends that I currently have somehow stemmed from that church. My marriage has Seabreeze to thank. And so does my baby. Without Seabreeze, I would have never met Eric, and I would not have Jackson. I couldn’t imagine living a different life than the one I am now.

Though, I don’t always agree on decisions the church makes, and I don’t get along with everyone always, it is a family. And just like in a family, you stay together and you work through problems and issues and you become stronger. Without the church, I would be so lost. No one to guide me in raising my baby, in strengthening my marriage. No one to teach me about God and guide me in learning more about Him. No moms to hang out with and spend time with who share my goals and desires for my baby. The measure of church really is priceless.

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Wow, 25.

Not sure how I got here, but I am thankful nonetheless. A quarter of a century filled with family, friends, learning and growing, hard times and great times, a new baby, my marriage, a college degree, new jobs…all within the first 25 years of my life. Thankful doesn’t even come close to explaining how I feel.

Thanks everyone for being apart of my life. For being my friends and investing your time into my life. For taking part in the joys of my life. For walking beside me in the difficult times, crying with me. For challenging me and confronting me when I have things that need to change. For sharing wisdom with me and teaching me. For being who you are to me, whoever you are. For leading me to Christ. For pushing me to be more like him. Thanks.