I'VE BEEN A MOTHER FOR 30 YEARS!

Tomorrow marks the 30th anniversary of the birth of Jeremy David Haines. It's also the anniversary date of me becoming a Mom. I had so many plans for motherhood (before I became a mother). The babies would surely be perfect. They would never have a cranky day or a rebellious thought. I would be written up in newspapers and magazines as the "Mom of the Year". Those plans mostly went out the window with 24 hours of labor and a baby that tipped the scales at over 10 pounds! I was the cranky one.

I still remember how overwhelmed I felt with my first feelings of a Mother's love to her child. Totally shocked that I could be so completely in love with someone I just met. I thought it might be the drugs, but it has never worn off.

Before motherhood, I had always worked outside the home. When we decided that I would stay home, Jeremy was the only person I knew who stayed home, too. We took long walks around the neighborhood with him bundled up in his stroller. I talked to him non-stop (still do when I can.) Together he and I solved all the problems with our little world before Daddy came home at the end of the day.

What an adventure I've had these past 30 years. My babies have both grown up and have babies of their own. Motherhood was so much more that I thought and so much better than I imagined. The dreams I had for that little boy 30 years ago have been over-shadowed by the man he has become.

A couple of weeks ago, David and I watched our first miracle from 30 years ago lead his church in pure and authentic worship. We were both moved to tears. We knew the journey God had taken him on to get him to where he was that morning.

So proud of you, son.

Happy Birthday.