Introducing Me...

So I am starting this blog because several of my Facebook friends have one and it seems to be a good outlet and a wonderful way to keep track of all of the precious little moments that pass by so fast.  So here goes....

The past ten years have been full of ups and downs and have shaped me into who I am today.  I got pregnant as a senior in high school.  I tried to keep it quiet until after graduation but wasn't successful...  Anywho, I got married two months after high school graduation and the real world hit me smack in the face.  I had my first baby girl five months later.  Looking back, I didn't cherish the moments like I should have.  I stayed home with her for a year and then decided to go to college.  Fast forward two years, I was halfway through my undergrad degree and low and behold I was pregnant...again.  I had my second baby girl in July of 2005 and was back in class 4 weeks later.  I was bound and determined not to be a statistic (not bc of what others thought, but for me....well honestly a little of both).  I digress.  So at the ripe age of 21, I was the mother of two beautiful girls, a wife, a massage therapist and a student.  The only way I managed all of it was by having an amazing support system that consisted of my mom, my husband (now my ex), my sister, and my then mother in law.  They are all responsible for my college education and I will forever be grateful.

I won't bore you with all the details so we will fast forward to today.  I have been divorced, moved away from home, remarried, and given birth to my third daughter all in the last four years.  I have grown so much in these last few years I can't even begin to describe my transformation.  I was raised in a Baptist church but never really "got it" until I was fortunate enough to meet a COG Pastor that Parker introduced me to in Valdosta (props to you Pastor Ryan).  Since then it has been very important to me to have a home church to raise my girls in and to make sure they "get it" early on. 

I am married to my soul mate and have learned to cherish every day with my girls. 

Jaycee is nine and I see the young woman she is growing to be and it is bittersweet.  I can't believe how fast my baby girl is growing right before my eyes and I kick myself for being so focused on ME and school early on.  I think I thought I had to prove that I could make something of myself and that I wouldn't be happy until I did.  I also wanted to "lead by example" for her.  I was more concerned with her seeing my example of being  "accomplished" rather than how she viewed me as a mother.   She is absolutely gorgeous, she looks like her Nana, she is such a loving and concerned, level headed, rational child.  I worry about her worrying too much. LOL  She is truly a blessing and has taught me so much the last nine years.

Then there is Cristyn :).  She is five years old and is truly a ham and super sassy.  She looks and acts just like I did as a child.  She is absolutely hilarious mostly because what comes to her mind comes out of her mouth. For the longest time, I thought she was my last...she is fun loving and has a free spirit and will always be my "baby".

I had "Baby Lizzie" (as my husband calls her) on 01/11/11.  I feel like God has given me this chance to be the mother I want to be from the get go and I am not letting any little moments pass unnoticed.  She has been my best baby thus far but I think that is because by baby number three, everything is old hat. 

I look forward to everyday with my husband and girls and what God has in store for us....

To Be Continued......