One year ago

Today I am celebrating a special anniversary. One year ago, on this date, I wrote my first blog entry. It started in a moment of desperation, of me needing to vent about what we were experiencing at that time. Over the months that followed, my topics shifted and the tone of this space started to take shape.

Eventually, when we made the decision for me to leave the workforce and stay home with Addie, I planned to make blogging part of my daily routine. I wanted to feel like I was connecting with family members, friends, moms, and anyone else who could relate to what I share. Every weekday that I possibly can, I am here and I am writing and I am grateful.

I can't say how much I love what I'm doing. I feel incredibly blessed to spend all of those extra hours with Addie. I love that I am able to devote more time to managing our family and our home. I also have discovered that I truly enjoy writing and all that it brings... I get so excited when I see that someone has connected enough with what I have written to leave a comment. My heart fills with joy when I run into friends I haven't seen in a while and hear that they enjoy my posts and encourage me to continue.

I had no idea last year that this is where I would be. In November of 2008, I was working part time and bringing Addie to work with me on the days I went into the office. Life felt a lot more stressful back then. I was working in a field that I loved, but my heart was ripped in half every day. Now I am lucky enough that I have my whole heart with me all the time. And although this isn't affording us the luxury of paying any bills, it is helping with my sense of purpose and that is a blessing I am so thankful for.

I found this picture of Addie that was taken about a year ago and I can't believe how much she has grown. I see her short hair, her chubby cheeks, her blue eyes that have now turned more green and I am painfully aware of how the time is flying. I also can sense how much I have changed in the past 12 months. I am slowly growing into the role that my girl is now able to name--Mommy. I know I will always be a work in progress and I look forward to sharing the craziness, the tears, the belly laughs, the surprises and everything else that is to come.

Thank you for coming along with me on my journey!