Lauren Draper and I am equally excited and scared to be here. I am a mid-twenties something wife and mother of two with a Bachelors of Social Work and Masters in the works. I recently made the decision to stay at home with my boys making me a SAHM (literally took me over a year to learn what that acronym meant). However those are mere nouns, and pronouns, they are not who I am. I hope that with every edit and addition of this site you can learn alongside me who I truly am. But for now here is what I know so far:
I am flawed and imperfect.
I make mistakes daily of all kinds; parenting, marriage relationship, faith relationship, hair decisions, cooking (Good Lord the cooking mistakes), no area of my life is without mistake at some point. I I am not naive enough to, for even a moment, believe I am here sharing my expeiences and thoughts because I have the answers. I don't have the answers. I haven't "been there" for all of your life experiences and I by no means have it all together. Quite the contrary, "Nornie will you ever stop being a hot-mess?" asked my 5 year old nephew at the time. "No buddy, I don't think I will." and I haven't.
I am passionate.
When I believe in something or someone I give all I have. I think if you have met me for even a moment you can name something I am passionate about, but for those of you reading this who haven't I will share some. I love the Lord-in Him is where my identity lies and my guidance comes from His truths. I believe in serving one another, accepting each other where we are and asking nothing in return. I would die for my beloved Husband Jeremy. I know its easy to write to the world about how "great" a husband is, but ladies I promise-I win-he IS the best. I am in wonder of the love I have for both of my sons. Both unexpected. Both world changers as they have already drastically changed my world.
Silas James- 22 months old, independent, fearless, stubborn as they come, and oh so clever.
Elijah Finn- 5 months old, tender, observant, persevering, talkative, and squishy as they come.
I am fiercely loyal.
Almost to a fault is what I tell people because I have been burned more than once by this trait. When I decide to accept something be that friendship, love, a position, a team, whatever- I am dedicated. I have found that this comes from my own insecurities in sharing and being vulnerable with others (ironic as I write this). And because it (sharing) doesn't come easy or comfortably I don't take it lightly when others do the same. I remember having a conversation with Jeremy shortly after he proposed about the length of our engagement "Why make it a long engagement? When you proposed and I said "Yes" not much is different from the time I say "I do"...all but the fun stuff so why put that off any longer?" I had decided, my heart had chosen, and nothing was going to sway my loyalty to him and our relationship in the time to come (eight month engagement if your curious).
I am opinionated.
I think my family could attest to this best. I also think sometimes its an adjective used to reframe their intentional thought of- I will let you know what I think. I never struggled with this. However while that may make me sound harsh or abrasive I try my best not to be. I hold my own opinions but always listen to those of others; I do not attempt to sway but to learn. Even if we disagree. Isn't it refreshing to meet someone who believes in something and has intelligent thought about those beliefs? hmm....
I am adventurous.
I wrote this and immediately thought, well I used to be, as I thought to this season of life which is often dictated by the sleep/feed routine of my two small children. Then I admit to myself this truly is my biggest adventure, and not in a cheesy wall decor way, but really. I always thought motherhood was in my future at some point, but never in a million years would I have imagined this would be my life at this time in my life. (more on this topic to come). I love being outside, though I sweat far too much and my face becomes embarrassingly red. I like adrenaline in whatever form- cliff jumping, first through the haunted house, walking up to a stranger on the street to just say hello, all of it. I seek thrill.
I am tired.
My mom used to say I never stopped taking naps, and that remains true today. Coffee is a regiment in my life as somehow we continue to rarely ever have a free weekend. I am ok being tired though because I think I can have rest but remain tired. I continue to be tired because for some reason I do things like commit to creating a Blog/Podcast, go back to school, and have two children under two. I am ok being tired because I am choosing to challenge myself in effort that I may never stop learning and growing.
I am healing.
Always healing. We live in a fallen world and though my wound may look vastly different from yours I am sure you're healing from something too. For as long as I can remember I have been healing...from my brother's locking me out of their room when they had friends over and me feeling left out, from middle school and someone said something about my braces, from my first heartbreak, from my closest friend growing distant, from the transition of career, the absence of community, the loss of my mother, the postpartum depression after my second, to the inner thoughts I have even about my capabilities in writing these very words. I am always in a state of healing. And that is the common thread I hope to share with every reader and listener out there. That is exactly why Anchored In Love exists; to heal and restore through the hope and encouragement from other's experiences.
Nice to meet you and I look forward to whats to come.
We are about to get really personal y'all, but I think it is about to get good.
Beautiful! Well written! I hope to get to know you better and look forward to when my daughter is old enough to be in y'alls youth group at church!