Friday, June 6, 2014

My Journey to Motherhood

Being a mom was something I never thought too much about growing up. I was not a girl who knew one day she wanted to be a mom, let-alone a stay-at-home mom, that phrase honestly terrified me to my core. To be totally transparent, it made me sick to my stomach to think about sacrificing my dreams to raise children. The thought of raising children did not sound like something I would enjoy. I was the girl who didn't need a turn holding the baby in the room, no thanks. I'll pass, was usually my line when asked if I wanted to hold one. I babysat one time in high school for our neighbors for 3 hours. Never again.

Noah was a surprise. Johnny & I had only been married 3 months when I got pregnant. I was a senior in college and we were full time youth pastors. I had so many dreams of working in my field and pursuing things that I wanted to accomplish. To be honest, I cried so hard when we found out I was pregnant. I took 8 at home pregnancy test, EIGHT y'all! Just to be sure it was for real! We told our parents very soon after and three days later I went to the clinic to get things going. Then, a huge shock, the pregnancy test at the clinic came back NEGATIVE! I was so devastated. I remember calling my husband who was in California on a work trip just bawling so hard in complete despair. It was incredible how quickly God changed my heart from being devastated to learn of the pregnancy to then be in in such sorrow over a negative test.

Obviously, the test at the clinic was wrong (apparently that never happens) and Noah was born 9 months later. My pregnancy was typical, filled with nonstop sickness, cravings, and exhaustion. But I genuinely loved every minute of being pregnant. The moment Noah was born I was ready to do it all again. Seriously, who would have thought?
I was so in love with my son. I remember saying to Noah as they laid his tiny self on my chest, "You are even more wonderful that I imagined" and he was. He is. My heart grows every day with each hug, kiss, and smile he gives me. The precious words he says continually bless me in the most tender ways. Even on those hard days when being a mom is just hard, I love it. 
Watching Noah explore this world has been incredibly exciting. His raw feelings, emotions, and thoughts are refreshing on a day-to-day basis. Olivia's stoic expressions are so priceless. Her laugh is just as contagious as her brothers. Their little arms around my neck calm my soul. 
Looking back I realize how terrified of the unknown I was. Never understanding before children just how caught up in my dreams I was, instead of pursuing the dreams God had for me. I never knew how selfish of a person I was before becoming a mother. Our children have taught me to serve Christ and to serve others in ways I never thought possible. They've taught me to truly think outside of myself. Caring for them everyday is truly a joy and a privilege that I hold onto.My heart rejoices that I am the mother of two sweet babies here on earth and two sweet ones in heaven that we never got to meet. Thankful for the gift of motherhood. Praying there are more little ones in our future. I'm so thankful the Lord knew when to bless us with each of our babies. This journey of motherhood is the the walk of a lifetime.
~brittany


4 comments:

  1. Love how honest you are. It is amazing how God changes our feelings so quickly!

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    1. thank you. i often wonder if my honesty will be received well. It is incredible how much the Lord can change us in an instant. amazing.

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  2. i love this post. it almost makes me cry. i was like you. i didn't have any big ambitions of being in a hurry to be a mom. in fact it took me almost 8 years to finally become one after i got married... it wasn't until i 'surprisingly' got pregnant and lost the baby that i suddenly became desperate for a baby. and now 4 children later, it scares me to stop. i love having my children. people keep saying "you're done now, right?" and i cringe, because i have my hands full, but i sure don't want to be "done." =( being a mother is hard, but i cant imagine my life any other way now... love you friend <3

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  3. i tried to leave a comment yesterday, but i dont think it went through cuz i wasn't signed in or something...
    first of all i love all your pictures... second, i was so much like you. i was really in no big rush or had any delusions of grandeur when it came to having kids. It wasn't until i "surprisingly" got pregnant and lost my baby that i felt desperate to have kids...
    now i can't imagine my life without being so full and having them, obviously. and it almost scares me to stop having them, because i love it so much =)

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