Before I Was a Mother

I was reading my friend Roni's blog over lunch and was inspired by her post, a list of all the things she was/did before she was a mom to her three beautiful children.  So, I decided I would do one of my own.  Granted, she's got 7 1/2 years of experience to pull from, which makes my 13 months seem pretty light, but hopefully, my list will be somewhat as impressive, and humorous, as hers.

Before I was a mother.....

- I didn't see every teenager or young woman as someone's daughter.
- I didn't realize the capacity my heart had for love, or how many times I probably broke my mom's heart with some of my actions over the years.
- I never realized what luxuries pedicures, manicures or going to the bathroom alone really were.
- I didn't realize how many times I could laugh till I almost cry in the 2.5 hours between getting home from school and bed time.
- I had no idea how incomplete my life was.
- I had no idea that Justin would love styling Brianna's wet hair, or how many very strange styles wet baby hair can be put in to! (He'll probably shoot me a dirty look for posting that one!)
- I was the worst tailgate driver in all of Dallas (okay, maybe not all of Dallas).  I've rear-ended two people in the almost eight years I've lived here though.
- I actually wore lipstick or gloss every day.  Now, when I do remember, its tinted lip balm (love Burt's Bees in Watermelon!) and not till after I've dropped Brianna off.  I don't want to leave lipstick marks all over her face every morning and by the time I'm back in the car, I've shifted into work mode and forgotten.
- I could remember everything I needed from the grocery store, without a list.  I can't remember a thing unless I write it down now.
- I never cried.  Seriously, hardly ever.  I could go months without shedding a tear.  Now, I find myself getting all teary eyed more than once a week, sometimes more than once a day.
- The phrase "road trip" had a completely different connotation.  Now, it almost invokes fear and apprehension over how to keep a toddler happy in a car seat for the 5 hour drive to grandma's house.  DVD players have become the best answer so far!
- I thought I knew all I needed to about parenting and that giving someone my opinion or advice on the subject was perfectly fine. Now, I realize there's just no way you can have an informed opinion on something until you've actually done it.
- I didn't realize how much I would become a believer in informed consent, or that I'd be "that mom".  You know, the one that delays vaccinations, takes organic milk to daycare, only buys organic dairy and free range beef (thank you Target!), washes all fruits and veggies with soap ... you know, that mom.
- I never knew that hearing someone brag on your child could be so rewarding!  I never tire of hearing someone say how smart, beautiful, funny, sweet, precious, etc she is!

I really don't miss life before I was a mother.  I miss small parts of it, like having a date with Justin at the drop of the hat because we just feel like going out together.  But, picnics on a blanket in the backyard with my precious baby girl, who likes to lay her head in my lap and feel the sunshine on her face definitely top my list of favorite moments.  I wouldn't go back to life before Brianna for anything!

Interview Update

Interviews have been postponed until mid-March.  Still excited, just have to wait a little longer now.  So, to all of you who were praying for guidance and a little clarity for me on this opportunity, keep praying because those things are still needed!

Job Opportunity

Big news, potentially! I have a job interview next Monday for a new position within Bayer.  I haven't interviewed in almost 5 years so the thought of doing so, even with people I know and respect, is a little daunting.  And, if I were to get the position, it would be a big change for our family.  Change is scary and unnerving and a little exciting but ultimately, its a catalyst for growth, and I need a little growth in my life from time to time.

So, what is this position I'm interviewing for?  Well, glad you asked!

Its a sales position that manages our Convienence Store and Single Serve businesses.  (Think of those little individually wrapped packages of Aleve and Alka-Seltzer you see in airports and hotels ... that's single serve.)  There's a lot of upside to this position, but there's also a downside.  Travel ... and potentially a lot of it.  But, what's unknown at this point is how much of that travel is overnight.  7-Eleven is one of our biggest clients and they're headquartered right here in Dallas so that makes life a little easier.  I'm also not too upset by the thought of traveling to Tulsa to call on QT since my sister and Robyn both live there, plus my beautiful nieces (and their mommy & daddy) live en route.

There's a lot of questions that have to be asked from both sides of the interview desk so who knows how it will all shake out.  I'll be excited if it happens, but if it doesn't, then I know it wasn't the right thing for me at this point in my life.  Regardless of the outcome, I'll be happy since I'm still very challenged in the position I have now.

So, stay tuned and we'll see what happens.  The interviews aren't till Monday morning and I have no idea how long it will take to finalize decisions and make offers.