Let me start by saying... this week is kind of a sentimental week for me. It was this week 23 years ago that I became an aunt for the first time AND then 9 hours later I became a mom! It was kind of crazy, but i wouldn't change a thing, When I was pregnant with J, I was 21 years old and scared to death. This was not a planned pregnancy and I was not sure I could ever pull the mom thing off. I mean honestly, who was I to be given the responsibility of raising a child. I honestly doubted everything, I was excited and scared all at the same time. I had been the nanny to 4 amazing little boys, who had an awesome mother and grandmother,..and I remember comparing myself to them. Would I ever be to be that kind of mom to my child? Once the fear subsided, I had the best pregnancy! Honestly... I walked around with a taco and a Tootsie Roll for 9 months straight! When I got pregnant, I weighed a whopping 119 lbs, and after I had him - I weighed 118 lbs. Now let me say.... this did NOT happen with the other 2 kiddos! As soon as this little (or actually big) bundle of joy was born - I fell in love. Instantly I loved him more than anything. I knew that regardless of anything else, I would be the best mom I could be - from that day forward, my life changed. I had more fun watching this little boy grow. He was always happy, always laughing, and always had my undivided attention. I found out very quickly that if he was going to do something - he was going to go big! There was never a dull moment in my life. As I watched him grow, I watched him embrace the many talents he had. He was not only athletic, he was artistic. He had a HUGE heart, and he was always giving. He would give someone the coat off his back if he thought they needed it (and HE DID)!! He would always fight to win - he was more competitive than any other kid around. When he got in a fight with a lawn mower (and lost) - he never gave up. He went into surgery that night, and I signed consent for amputation of his right hand up to his forearm. He came out, and the first question he asked was, "Do I have my hand?" When I said yes, he asked, "Do I have all my fingers?" I said yes. The accident was June 2 and he was at Camp Nacome with his football team mid-July, and on the field at the start of the season. He was an inspiration to me!
After graduating from high school, we quickly figured out that college wasn't his thing. He worked multiple jobs while saving to live out one of his dreams. He is the free spirit who marches to the beat of his own drum. He lives life to the fullest every day and never takes anything for granted! He is one of my three greatest accomplishments in life. It is so hard to believe that in 4 shorts days he will be 23. I am forever blessed that God chose me to be his mother!
