The Difference of a Year

Exactly one year ago yesterday I began this blog. I knew very little about blogs. I only knew one other person that even kept one. I just knew that I was about to embark on one of the biggest challenges of my life, and I needed prayers. I believe they are one of the biggest reasons why I celebrated Mother's Day yesterday as one of the luckiest mommies around. I decided to read back on what I'd wrote a year ago. Here was my very first blog entry back on May 10, 2008........

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

Well, I'm beginning this blog by taking a deep breath and stepping out of my comfort zone. Blogging is definitely not something that comes natural for my personality. I love reading other people's blogs and keeping up to date on my friend's and families lives, but when it comes to sharing on my own, I tend to be a little more guarded. Starting a family has been a sensitive topic for the last few years! I'm open to sharing my experiences when people ask me questions, but I don't tend to just open up and offer all my thoughts on my own. During a sermon at church a few weeks ago, our pastor was delivering a sermon about dealing with grief and illness. It was a very powerful message and through it, he mentioned the strong need for support from family and friends. His message was that people don't know to pray for you or think of you, if you don't ask them to. He also said that it doesn't mean you have to have a "woe is me" attitude, but you can simply let them know what is going on in your life and ask them for their love and support. It hit close to home with me as I knew the upcoming months would be especially trying for Mat and I. I realized that I haven't shared much with my friends and even some of my family members, and if I wanted their support, which I do, I needed to ask for it. So, that is the biggest reason why this blog is being created. Secondly, the next couple months will be full of action and updates and blogging keeps me from having to send out lots of emails, phone calls, etc. Sometimes things are emotional to talk about, so blogging is almost like an easy escape for me to share news on my own terms. So here I am, stepping out of my comfort zone, opening up and asking for your support through prayers, happy thoughts, and just sending love our way. We greatly appreciate your love and friendship!

Who knew a year later this blog would still be going? Who knew we'd be lucky enough to conceive on our first try with IVF and a year later we'd have such a beautiful baby boy? Life isn't perfect...is it ever really? But I do know that I am a much better woman having Mathew in my life. I can't think of anything else that could make me happier than being his mom. Thanks to my hubby for the beautiful post yesterday and thanks to my family and friends for all the wonderful Mother's Day wishes. A year ago yesterday I "stepped out of my comfort zone," and I haven't looked back. I've accumulated more readers along the way, and even reconnected with so many friends through this experience. I pray that our experience can offer someone else strength and hope. I look forward to continuing this blog as we share our ups and downs of parenthood as Our Winding Road continues.