Twenty-Nine Never Felt So Good!

29. I remember what I thought my life would be like when I was “this old!” I was young but I thought I had it figured out! I was in my first year of college, ready to take on the world. I wanted to be a fashion designer. Or a writer. I wasn’t sure which one. Maybe even a combination of the two. I thought once I graduated college I would move myself to New York and pursue my dreams. I remember wanting to live in a fancy little apartment with a cute dog and tons of fabulous clothes. It seemed so simple. That was until I realized that was my plan, but God had a completely different one ready for me.

Before I went off to school, when I was just 18, I met Jamey. When I left for Lubbock he and I were still dating but I had no idea it would turn into something so serious. It didn’t take long for both of us to realize this was something real. Something really real. I only spent a year in Lubbock before I headed back home to continue my college classes. I spent most of my time between work and studying and trying to convince Jamey how amazing I was. It wasn’t long after that we were engaged (can you blame him, ha!) and at just 20 we were married.

Here we were - two 20-year- old kids who thought we had the world figured out. I continued school and work and he worked two jobs to make ends meet. Times were hard, but we never gave up on each other. About a year later we found out we were expecting our first baby. I was so scared, and Jamey, he was just down right terrified! Brody was born when I was barely 22 years old and it was truly love at first sight. I couldn’t believe how perfect he was. My life was complete. And I knew at that very moment God had such a better plan for me. I was supposed to be Brody’s mom. He will always be the true light of my life. Seeing Jamey as a dad brought out a whole new side of him and I fell in love with him even more.

Ten months later when Brody died my life was torn upside down. I was supposed to be a mom; I was supposed to be his mom. The pain I felt at that time of my life was like something I can’t explain. I remember spending days upon days just curled up in a ball. I wasn’t sure I would ever be a functioning human again. But again, Jamey and I never gave up on each other. He was my rock. And I feel like we grew closer than ever during that time. Our family and friends showed us such an outpouring of support and love, and slowly the days got a little easier. They’ll never be easy, but they get a little better each day.

A year later we were pregnant again with Bryson, and just a year after that with Brystol. Jamey still worked two jobs and I was a young working mom of two babies. Life was far from glamourous. In fact, life was insane. I don’t think I slept for 3 years! Who am I kidding? I still don’t sleep. (One day – maybe!) Days were long and nights were longer. But we were so happy. Always. And we always had each other. And we always had our family. The saying “it takes a village” couldn’t be more fitting!

And now we are an even bigger family with Brynlee as the final puzzle piece to our crazy life. We just moved into our little dream home and Jamey no longer has to work two jobs to make ends meet. It feels good. It feels just right. We are a busy family of lots of little ones. Days are filled with cleaning up after kids, sports, dance, and lots of love. Of course I still love fashion. I love clothes, and I love to write. And while I may not get to live in New York, I think Texas is just about perfect for a girl like me. I will count this little blog of mine as my writing. And I will count doing an obscene amount of laundry in my really cute clothes as close to the fashion world as I will get. And that’s okay with me.

 

29 is going to be great. I can feel it!