I'm a mom!

A couple of months ago I was at a resort having Sunday Brunch with my husband, daughter, and my parents. My husband was going through the buffet with me while Kiana was at the table with Grandma and Grandpa when my previous boss’s wife came up to me. I hadn’t seen her in four years, so it was one of those surprise encounters of “Hi. Wow. How are you? What have you been up to?” And I was so proud and excited to tell her that I was now a mom. I didn’t even care to mention about my job.

My ex-boss’s wife was happy for me. I had talked to her about wanting children 4 years ago so she had already asked the questions: “can you have a baby? will he/she be disabled?” etc., etc. But I knew she would probably go back to her husband and tell him that I was a mother and I’m guessing his reaction was shock. And I knew he would tell my ex-coworker that I was a mom. My ex-coworker is a mother as well, but I always got the vibe from her that she had an I’m-better-than-you, younger-than-you, don’t-need-a-college-education-to-make-more-money-than-you attitude. When we first moved here I was shocked at how many jobs a husband and wife had between them to raise a family. It is like 3 or 4. I’m thankful we have been able to continue to live here on 1 and ½ incomes. I’m so happy and proud to be Kiana’s mother. I’m proud that as a family living in a very expensive State that we sacrifice luxuries to put family first and that I only need to work part-time and am able to be home to raise my daughter. Aside from my relationship with Jesus, my family is the most important thing to me. So I’m proud that I didn’t feel like I needed to mention that I worked part-time because the fact that I was a mom was all that she needed to know. (So ha! I’m a mother too, but I stay home! (yes, that’s the evil side of me coming out.))

I had a woman a few months ago ask me if I lived on my own. When I said yes, and that I was married she was shocked. I decided it might be too much for her to take to mention that I was pregnant too. I’m a lot more capable in the comfort of my own home than I appear to be out in public. As a child I learned to ignore and not to be bothered by the stares and looks I get from others. But sometimes they do make me nervous and when I feel like someone is watching me, I start to tense up and shake and become less able of doing the task, making me appear to be even more disabled.

It is interesting the different reactions I get from people when I tell them that I’m a mother...or that I’m married, or have a college degree, or drive a car. Even from family and friends whom have known me for years. When people found out I was pregnant they had so many questions.

I didn’t have the answers as to how I was/am going to raise a child, but I knew/know that if God was going to bless me with a child that He knew I was capable, and that gives me peace. God does not give you more than you can handle (without Him). “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Sometimes I just like the shock factor.