Jon David's Graduation

My brother, Jon David Glenn, graduated from Harding University on May 9th, 2009 with degrees in Marketing and Kinesiology. So, in honor of his graduation, here's my very first attempt at video creation with Windows Movie Maker. It's rough, and certainly not very professional, but I did my best, and I'm learning. YAY, Jon David!

20 Questions: Mommyhood

1. How old were you when your first child was born?
I was 16 when Kaytlyn was born, but I didn't meet her until I was 19 (Kaytlyn's adopted). I was 20 when I had Kristin.

2. What month and year was your youngest child born?
August 2003

3. How did you feel when you first found out you were pregnant?
Couldn't stop smiling!

4. Who did you tell first?
My brother

5. How many pounds did you gain during your first pregnancy?
Don't want to talk about it. =/

6. What did you crave while you were pregnant?
Dairy Queen chili dogs (specifically Dairy Queen), apples, doughnuts.

7. Did you find out the gender of your first child? Why or why not?
Yes - wanted gender-specific bedding, so I needed to know. Plus, there was no way I was going to be able to wait!

8. Did you have any complications during your pregnancy?
Gestational Diabetes

9. How much did your first child weigh?
5 lb, 14 oz

10. Was your first child early, late, or on time?
A couple of weeks early.

11. What is the most difficult challenge or health issue that any of your children have faced?
We are very fortunate and blessed that neither of my daughters has suffered any major health problems.

12. What's your favorite part of being a mom?
All of it! Even the bad parts - I can't imagine anything better than every second of being "Mama."

13. Do you think it's easier to be a mom or a dad?
Both roles are challenging in their own ways. However, just the pregnancy alone wins the difficulty contest for the moms - and that's without even mentioning labor and delivery, breastfeeding, primary caregiving (in most families), tantrum-stopping, waking up in the middle of the night, diaper-changing, not being able to shower for days, exhausting, boo-boo kissing, worrying, etc...and that only sort of covers the early years. You get my drift.

14. What is the best piece of advice you could give to someone who is about to have their first child?
Be prepared - parenting is a 24-hour job. You don't get to turn it off when you're tired. You don't get to fit your baby/child into some research-formed mold. You don't get to pick what health issues your baby has. You must resolve that you belong to your child's well-being and the rest of your life must be driven by what is best for your child. Love your child without boundaries and without exceptions. Pray for your child every day for the rest of your life. Talk to your baby/child all the time. Play with your child every chance you get. Hold them, kiss them, rock them, sing to them, hold their precious little hand all the time, and tell them how much you adore them every single day. Sacrifice your needs or wants so that your child's life will not be disrupted in any way. Smile at them all the time, and make sure they understand that if you lost everything you have, but still have them, you'd be happy. Make sure you tell your child, starting from the very day they're born that Mommy loves them more than anyone else in the world, and that God loves them more than even Mommy does.

15. Did you always think you'd have kids?
Without question.

16. What's been the biggest surprise about motherhood?
I can't say anything's been surprising. I've learned so much that I didn't know before, but nothing's really shocked me.

17. Are there things you miss about life before kids?
No. There were things I enjoyed doing before I had children, but none of them hold a candle to how fun and wonderful life is with kids!

18. How many children do you have?
3 daughters - two are people; one thinks she is.

19. Do you plan to have any more children?
Yes, but probably only one.

20. Who's the mom that you admire most?
Mine.