Who am I?

I realize that I am having a difficult time finding my identity outside of being a mother. Women take on many roles in their lifetimes: daughter, sister, aunt, friend, wife, mother, partial bread-winner. The transitions between each role aren't always easy but I think the transition into motherhood might be the most difficult one. Before I became Luke's mom, I juggled many roles and they all seemed to mesh into one another. But now that I stay at home, I have traded in my worker hat for the full-time mom position. Being a mom encompasses a whole new set of responsibilities: homemaker, housekeeper, nurturer, teacher, chef (if mixing up rice cereal can be considered "chefing"), dog-walker, boo-boo kisser, and wife. It is so hard to find the time to do the things that I used to enjoy so much, such as curling up on the couch with a good book or cooking a big meal that did not utilize the microwave oven or paper plates.
Brian and I talked about the importance of having my own identity outside of being a mom. We both feel that is very beneficial for a child. It is important to know that you mother has other things going on besides just drving their children to soccer practice and ballet lessons. I want to give Luke a well-rounded view of life. I want him to eventually marry someone who is independent and self-sufficient, and I think that men do learn a lot about the type of girls they want to date based off the example they get from their mothers. I want Luke to think that I am more than just his mother. It's just such a hard place for me to be in right now. I am going to find a book, I'm sure someone has written one, on finding and defining the many different roles that women are faced with. If anyone knows where I can get one, let me know.
In the meantime, I am embracing this new identity as a mother. I love watching Luke grow up and change every day. I love to teach him new things and watch him copy what I have shown him. But at the same time, I have to remember that I am a person that was once not a mother and that i had hobbies and interests and great loves. I have passions that I need to also embrace. I need to remember that I am still just me with a new role.

Please pray!

Just a quick note to ask you to please pray for my friend, Lisa Van Hamme (formally LIsa Doolittle for those of you that went to EC). She is 29 years old, married with a 9 month old baby and has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is having a total masectomy next week and will also have to undergo chemotherapy. Lisa is in good spirits but knows that she and her family are about to face some rough times. Please keep her and her family in your prayers and I will update her progress here. Thank you so much!!

Like the corners of my mind...

So here a summary of the last 4 months:
Luke was born in June.
Brian had surgery on his throat in July.
I had surgery on my leg in August and was on crutches for a month.
We sold our house in September.
Now it's October and we have to move.
For anyone who knows me, you know that I didn't exactly have a normal upbringing. I lived in a bus and traveled with my family until I was about 9. Once we settled in a house we never stayed there for very long. Until now, the longest I have ever lived anywhere was as good old EC. I have been in this house for 4 years. I got married and came here. I had Luke and brought him here. Brian and I have had wonderful times with all of our dearest friends and family in this house. We have also had some of the most trying times ever here. The memories are difficult for me to let go of. I know, I know...I take them with me. And I will but I will still miss this place. This has been the place that I have settled. I have made countless dinners, bottles, and beds. I have hosted chiristmas parties, birthday parties, football parties, and no reason at all parties (those were the best ones). We sat out on the front porch, the back porch (more like an alley), the back yard around the fire pit, and poker around the pool table. It's been a beautiful thing. And I love every person that has shared all of those times with me, and I miss them even now.
So as I put all of everything I own into boxes, I am thinking of all of you and what you have given to me in this beautiful home, and I thank you, from the deepest part of my heart. Let's make some new memories soon!!

I'm Back!!

I haven't posted in some time. I have been so busy keeping up with My Space and our family blog that I haven't taken the time to keep up with this. However, I need a place to ramble so I am going to start up again. There are so many things going on right now that I just need to be able to get it all out and to inform my friends of the events. So stop by and check it out and I promise, I will try to keep them shorter then they have been in the past!! (just for you Amanda)