Reese: A Love, A Responsibility & A Year of Happiness!

The big day is quickly approaching...Reese, our perfect little girl will turn one on Sunday. I don't want to get too sappy on you before the big day or really at all, but there are some things that must be shared. Mainly, this post is to share some of my favorite pictures of her from the last year. It was so hard to pick! I will post more tomorrow.

The one year mark is big; actually it's huge! Why you might ask; lots of reasons. Reese can stop drinking formula and graduate to milk. She can eat real cereal and other yummy foods. Her age will no longer be known in months. She will never go back to being a baby. She will never need me like she has over the last year.

God has entrusted me with the most precious gift (next to my salvation and my husband). Maybe I've put too much pressure on myself but I don't think so. I feel a responsibility to teach her so many things. Not only do I have to teach her to put a ball in a bucket and take it out again, or how to say "mama", or what sound a monkey makes, but I have to be a leader. She will learn the most by example.

What example am I setting for her? I hope she sees the example of love. Love is the one thing that will always remain. You can take away all material positions, all rights, all freedoms, but love will still remain. I hope she sees that I love my Savior through songs of worship (we now have Veggie Tales!), bible stories and our prayers before bedtime. I hope she sees how much I love her Papa and our family. I hope she sees kindness; a kindness that reaches beyond race, class, status, looks and all the other stuff that doesn't matter. I hope she sees that she CAN do it; she can do anything she puts her mind to because her mom isn't afraid to try something new so why should she be afraid. I hope she sees the value in character and integrity. There is so much more but I will not drag on.

I will never get this year back or the next or the one after that. Each day counts. Each day it is my responsibility to lead my little girl by example. I must confess, I fail. I lose my patience. I fuss at her Papa sometimes. I'm short with the person bagging my groceries because they put the bread in the same bag as canned goods (seriously, who does that?!). She sees every bit of it. It is my hope that God continues to mold & teach me in those situations. It is my greater hope there will always be more good than bad. It is my greatest hope, that she will one day say "My mom is great".

Greatness is a big feat to achieve. But with a husband who is my rock and encouragement, a God who loves me just as I am and a little girl looking up at me with big blue eyes waiting for me to smile at her, it's worth every effort I put forth. I didn't ask to be a mom. I didn't think I'd ever be a mom. But I am. And I will strive with all that I am to be a great mom. I have a long road ahead, but it is an exciting one that will be filled with love, laughter and happiness.

Thanks for letting me share my heart. Now, on with the pictures!