(2 Karats and a Kid) 365 Days of Awesomeness...

Mommy-ism #15:  First birthdays are the most exciting because you realize that you've made it an entire year without breaking your child.  Celebrate all that you, your child, and your family have learned together!

Okay, so it hasn't been all awesome.  It's been great and difficult and joyful and 'effin insane all at the same time.  Kind of like when you are training for a marathon I suppose.  It's challenging but exhilarating and you curse and cry and feel proud simultaneously.  Your knees buckle and you don't know if you can go on but pushing yourself to put one foot in front of the other somehow makes the challenge worth while. 

This is how I feel as I celebrate my baby turning the big "0-1".
At the end of his first year I feel a mixture of emotions but I mostly feel grateful for being sustained for 365 days by people outside of myself.

I am thankful for 365 days with a child who is better than anything that I could have ever dreamed. I am thankful that in his first year of life, God gave him his own testimony to share one day. I am thankful for a partner who sacrifices to make this great insanity known as our life work. I am thankful for family who support us and lift us up when we grow weary. I am thankful for the countless hours of free mental healthcare, homemade cupcakes, and party planning assistance provided by my sister. I am thankful for friends who continue to love us more than we will ever deserve. I am thankful for confidants who offer unsolicited advice. I am thankful for drinking buddies who are always willing to share in alcohol when needed. I am thankful for those who encourage me. I am thankful for people who don't disown me when it takes me four months to call them back. I am thankful for the fried chicken my dad is cooking tomorrow. I am thankful for knowing ten different versions of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" (ie.the r&b version, the acapella version, the rap version, etc).  I am thankful for a knowing how to change a dirty diaper in the dark.  And I am thankful to know that God is pretty awesome.