Life with Shane started when I first laid eyes on him in the 7th grade. The year was 1992. He was a little short kid with dark hair and beautiful eyes who always was causing mischief and making the teachers mad! I actually thought it was really cute, but I never told him that. Even though I really didn't have a crush on him I always had butterfly's when he was around. (Definitely looking back I know that was God tapping me on the shoulder saying "HELLO THAT'S THE ONE") Well, flash forward to the end of 10th grade and lo and behold I had a class with him and we made the connection! We have been together ever since.
Shane asked me to marry him when we were 19! And of course I said yes! We were both in college, but the thought of wedding planning and college was a little too much for me so I didn't sign up for fall classes. No, just kidding I really just knew in my heart that being a wife and mommy was all I ever wanted to be so the "college thing" had to be put on hold. The wedding planning went great and my parents gave me the wedding that I always dreamed of...we were married on July 31, 1999.
We settled into our new home and bought a puppynamed Chester because Shane was gone a lot taking classes at UCF and working. I was very lonely to say the least. But exactly 3 months after getting back from our honeymoon the Lord had a wonderful surprise for us! We found out that Jackson Allen was on his way.
Jackson arrived on July 21, 2000 and was a wonderful anniversary present to have. I remember leaving him with my mother in law and sister in law to go out for an anniversary dinner and I couldn't even finish my meal because I wanted to go check on him and make sure that everything was OK.
When Jax was 7 months old I found out that I was pregnant with Noelle Grace. I had no idea that I was pregnant and then finally being sick for a few days I got a pregnancy test and sure enough she was coming! That was the biggest shocker! I remember just laying on the bed and sobbing. Just feeling overwhelmed and emotional I heard the door bell ring and my sister in law had come over to tell me she was pregnant! That was a God send! My beautiful Noelle came along on December 5, 2001 and even though at times she can be very strong willed she has been such a joy to watch grow and nurture.
Caleb came along two yrs later on April 30, 2004. He is a sweet boy and was the best baby I could have asked for. The Lord showed his grace to me through Caleb. Having three children under 3 was tough, but we got through it depending on Him. Those first years of being newly married and young parents were very trying years, but now I would give anything even to go back for a moment and catch a glimpse of it. To hold them and smell that wonderful aroma of a newborn baby right after a bath, to chase after a toddler who has just learned how to walk, or to hear Jax call me "Joe" in his little baby voice. Older people used to tell me in the grocery store, when they would see how stressed I was, "those days don't last forever-enjoy them" , wow! Were they right on. I am so thankful for being able to be a mom and be there for my children. God has given me a wonderful responsibility. I pray I always treasure them and remember that He has given them to me for a specific purpose and that is to teach them all about him and to always point them back to the cross!
No comments:
Post a Comment