the year of owen.

(one of my not-so-favorite-things about 1 years old... the worst age to get good pictures!!)

i'm trying to sum up all of my thoughts to my sweet boy on his big day, and i just don't even know where to start!! how can i express the way my life has been flipped upside down and made absolutely beautiful from the day he entered this world? or how he makes me want to be 5 million times better than i am so that he will always feel loved and safe and happy and blessed? or how his little giggle makes my heart sing and fills me with more joy than i even know what to do with? how can i explain how fast these 365 days have gone and how i have never (nor will i ever) looked back? how proud i am of all that he is learning and becoming and how excited i am for the future? how much he has taught me about who i am and what is really important? how grateful i am that he got to come to our family? like i said... where do i start?
the year of owen has been one that i will never forget. when our family became a real family, when our hearts were quadrupled in size, when we really got a glimpse of what life is all about. of course, every year will be full of excitement and new adventures, and every child that comes into our home will bring something special to our lives. but this year of owen is like none other - just us and him, him and us. figuring things out, hoping he doesn't notice we don't really know what we are doing, and realizing that we are the luckiest. i am so grateful for this sweet boy and hope he will always know how much his mama loves him.
a few thoughts on my one year anniversary of joining the mom club: i always knew i wanted to be a mom and that it was important for women to be dedicated to home and family and to be there for their children as a teacher and an example. this year i have realized why i have always felt that in my heart, and why it is so important. now more than ever i get so sad when i see women who just don't get it. if only they knew the true happiness that comes from bringing a life into this world and having the great opportunity and responsibility of raising a child in righteousness. there is no other calling or position the world can offer that is more challenging, more rewarding, and more vitally important than that of a mother. sure, there are days that you might wonder if you are using your brain and talents to their fullest potential while watching the wiggles and singing the abc's. there may be times when you are starved for adult conversation and would give anything to not have to change another diaper. but there are moments that are absolutely irreplaceable. seeing him light up when you come in the room... watching him learn to walk, talk, and become independent... realizing that he is beginning to imitate your every move ... making him laugh and laugh until you both can't stand it anymore... seeing how much others love and adore him... rocking and singing him to sleep... uggh. those every day moments are perfection. if only they knew...