Five Jobs I've Learned to Tackle

I love being a mom and I'm constantly thanking God for handpicking me to be the mommy of two spirited kids! As their mom, I get to wear a lot of pretty cool hats - heart-shaper, teacher, hugger, boo-boo-kisser, cook, nurturer, mentor, personal shopper. While most of these hats I expected to wear as a mom, there are a few that I don't think people really talk about that I recently started thinking about.

1. Trash Collector
Why is it instinctive to cup my hands for my daughter when she spits out food she decides mid-chew that she doesn't like? She has a perfectly good napkin next to her, but for whatever reason spitting it in my hands makes more sense to her. More than that, she constantly brings me her trash. Empty fruit pouches, stickers that have lost their sticky, papers she is done coloring, broken doodads, etc. She brings me all of her trash despite my constant attempts at directing her toward the actual trash can.

2. Therapist
Are all 3-year-old girls as dramatic as mine? I feel like I am daily having to counsel her. (The following is all said behind uncontrollable tears and a red face) Daddy told me to wait until everyone got to the table to eat or I wanted to walk out the door first or This crayon broke. Everything requires a ten-minute therapy session. (The following is all said in the calmest voice possible even though some times I want to uncontrollably cry too) You aren't in trouble, it's just very important we eat as a family so we can spend time together or It doesn't matter who goes first out the door, we're all going to the same place or Adele, sometimes things like crayons break in life and we just have to learn to go on... there will be other crayons. When I found out I was having a girl, I knew I would have to mentally prepare for the teenage years because, you know, boys. Little did I know, I would get plenty of practice during the toddler years.

3. Crisis Control Manager
I majored in Public Relations. I'm happy to report I'm putting what I learned about crisis communications to good use... at home... with my kids. Step 1: Prepare for any situation. Ok, we're going to the playground for a play date today. Everyone has to use the potty/have a diaper change before we walk out the door. I have to remember to pack a snack and a change of clothes for everyone. Step 2: Be proactive if a disaster occurs: Ok, let me plan out what I'm going to say at the "press conference" with my daughter when I tell her we're going to leave the playground soon. Offer a plan of action: Adele, we have to leave now, but it's OK because we're going to go eat lunch! Step 3: Remain calm: Adele, it's OK that you spilled water on your shirt. It's just water; it will dry. Step 4: Have a plan B: OK, you really can't handle the water on your shirt? Here's the said change of clothes from Step 1.

4. Personal Assistant
Hello, I'm calling on behalf of Adele Wood. She was wondering if your daughter would like to come over to play tomorrow at 10 a.m. or I'm sorry, Elliot will be unable to attend therapy on that day, he has a pediatrician's appointment. I'm the keeper of their social calendar, the shopper of their groceries, the scheduler of their doctor's appointments. This in itself is a full-time job and requires more organization skills than I think I've ever used especially when you consider all of Elliot's needs.

5. Cruise Ship Entertainer
I always wanted to be the mom that played with her kids - the one that made lasting memories by building the forts, pushing the swings, participating in the tea parties, accessorizing the dolls. But, wow, it never ends! I mean, there's only so many times you can build a Lego tower and knock it down or dance around the living room to "Let it Go" before you start looking around for an adult to talk to. Here's the thing though... the second you stop building that tower or singing that song, the kid starts asking about the next activity and you're freaking out because it's still two hours from nap time. You learn to improvise... fast.

At the end of the day, I wouldn't trade any of it, of course. I have to admit that when their bedroom doors shut at the end of the night, it's nice to sit down with my hubby and reflect on a busy day of putting out fires, shepherding their little hearts and everything in between.

What A Difference A Year Makes

The room was dark, the gel was cold and I really had to pee. I didn't care. I had anxiously waited for this moment since we found out baby #2 was on his or her way. Justin was holding my hand as the ultrasound tech pointed out our baby's perfect little nose. The anticipation kept building as we counted the fingers and toes. Potential baby names and nursery themes were bouncing around in my mind while we waited for the news.

Flamingos would be fun for a girl since she will be born in the summer! Oh, but I LOVED that baby quilt with the bear wearing the bow tie I saw on Pinterest the other day for a boy! Ugh, but the name Alice would complement Adele so well... good thing this isn't up to me! I'd never decide!

Then after what felt like forever, the ultrasound tech said without much hesitation, but filled with excitement, "it's a boy!" I can't remember for sure, but I'm pretty sure I squealed. I would have been overjoyed either way; it was just so wonderful to finally know!

We spent the rest of the day celebrating by buying our little boy's first outfit, staging the perfect picture with our daughter holding blue balloons, and announcing the news to family over dinner. From sun up to sun down, that day was all about our sweet boy on the way.

Little did I know, that would not be the last March 21 we would celebrate our little boy.

We had no idea that day that our precious baby would be born with Down syndrome nor did we know that March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. Earlier this week, I happened to notice the matching dates while scrolling through old pictures. There it was on my Facebook timeline. That perfectly staged picture with a date stamp of March 21, 2014, of our daughter Adele proudly holding blue balloons announcing to the world she was going to have a little brother. I couldn't believe it.

Ironic, isn't it? Poetic even?

It wasn't long after we found out we were team blue that the visions of my little boy started flooding my thoughts. We decided on the name Elliot because we thought it would look good on a campaign poster.

Elliot Wood, that's a strong name! He could run for office with that name!

We talked about how he would play tennis like his daddy, but he would have a musical side too like mommy - maybe play the guitar! We were already starting to vie for whose college alma mater he would attend. We talked about how he would probably get in all kinds of trouble as a teenager, but how funny it would actually all be in retrospect.

Every time I saw a little boy in public, I'd turn to goo thinking of my little one on the way. Life was perfect. It was turning out exactly how I had planned.

When we found out Elliot had Down syndrome after he was born, my world stood still for a moment. I grieved the little boy I thought I was going to have. This wasn't a part of the plan.

Justin and I have worked so hard to get where we are. Two college degrees, two believer's baptisms, two steady jobs, two great credit scores, one adorable daughter... this doesn't fit. How did we get here? How do we go from all of that to having a premature baby with Down syndrome in the NICU with a feeding tube and a heart defect?

I was scared. I was overwhelmed. I was unprepared.

I am embarrassed by those initial thoughts. But they were real, and most importantly, they were fleeting.

Though there are hard days still every now and then, my outlook on my little boy is the complete opposite from that day. I am so in love with my Elliot. Down syndrome might not have been a part of my plan, but it was a part of God's plan. And as it turns out, Elliot is the perfect fit to our family.

One year ago, I might have pictured Elliot differently, but now I know I have something, someone so much better on my hands than I ever could have imagined.

I have a fighter who pulled out his own feeding tube.

I have a little miracle whose heart surgery keeps getting pushed back.

I have a charmer who smiles at all the ladies.

I have a little brother who is already teaching his sister great compassion.

I have a giggle monster that thinks my face is funny.

I have a teacher who opens the eyes of everyone around him.

I have a son that I am proud of.

You might never see Elliot Wood on a campaign poster (or maybe you will, who knows!), but Elliot will do great things in his life. He will walk. He will go to school. He will read. He will play tennis with his dad and sing songs with his mom. He will have a job. He will love and be loved. He will change the hearts of those he meets.

As March 21, 2015, approaches, I am filled with excitement. I am proud to be a part of this global community that will join together to celebrate our kids and continue to open doors for children and adults with Down syndrome. I hope you'll join in on the celebration too!

What a difference a year makes.

Ditching the Mental Checklist (For One Night)

Every night at about 7 p.m. I find myself racing against the clock. As the minutes tick by, I'm marking off my mental checklist.

OK, if I can get the kids to finish eating by this time, I can get the toddler in the bath at this time, which means she'll be in bed at this time. We're totally only reading one bedtime book tonight though... it's been a long day and I've still got a baby to feed and put to bed and wash all the bottles and clean the kitchen and just RELAX and watch some HGTV and eat that KitKat bar I've been  strategically hiding all day. I just hope said toddler doesn't decide to play a game of 20 questions as I turn off her light.

I'm totally aware of the run-on sentence above, but that just gives you a quick picture of what's going on inside of my head. I've had enough conversations with other moms to know that I am not alone in this battle.

So tonight as we drove home from dinner with friends, I sat there preparing the mental checklist. Debating whether or not the toddler really needed a bath. I mean, did she really get all that dirty playing outside? (The answer is yes, she really did get all that dirty playing outside). Well, at least we've already eaten. Maybe we can do a quick bath... no toys, no inside jokes, no fun. Strictly business. Yes, that'll be great and she can be in bed and I can have my date with Chip and JoJo and my hidden stash of candy in no time!

That was the plan. So I put said baby in his swing and threw said toddler in the tub. I told her we were doing a bath as fast as we can tonight. She looked up at me with her big blue eyes and asked, "why?"

Now anyone with a toddler knows that "why" is simply part of their vocabulary. A common word used to go down the rabbit hole. Only this time... she wasn't trying to be funny... she genuinely asked it. I was about to just say, "it's late, so we need to hurry."

But then I thought... well, why? Why couldn't I give my daughter a little extra time just one night? Why couldn't I just relax and forget about the minutes ticking away for one night?

So I altered the plan. She played in her bath until her fingers were wrinkly. We danced to "Shake it Off" after putting on her pajamas. I blow dried her hair. I painted her toe nails in a hue of her choice. And, when it came time to crawl into bed, we read THREE books and sang THREE songs. We even made shadow animals with her lamp. Then as I turned off the light instead of getting huffy when she inevitably said, "Mommy, I want to ask you a question." I said (with a smile on my face), "yes?"

"Mommy, did you know that tickles make us laugh?"

I said yes, I do and with that we said our final good nights. I checked the time for the first time since before I put her in the bath. 9:15. A whole 45 minutes past her bed time. A whole 45 minutes well spent.

I'm sure tomorrow my checklist will return, because let's be real, mommy's gotta have some me-time, but for now I'm going to the relish the fact that I have a red-toe-nailed-polished-happy little girl tucked away in her bed and a sweet baby boy asleep in my arms instead of his crib while I type this post.

6 Truths about Down Syndrome I Want You to Know

I can't speak for all parents of kids with Down syndrome, but as I reflect on the last seven months, I am so thankful God put so many people in our lives that just "get it." Every now and then though I come across people who I think are just uncomfortable talking about Elliot. Like I've said before on a previous post, I didn't know anything about Down syndrome before we had Elliot, so I don't blame anyone if they don't know what to say or think. I wrote this post in hopes to help people understand that  our life is just like anybody's else's.

1. Don't Be Sorry
Thank God no one has told us personally that they are sorry, but I've heard so many stories of other parents who were told these words after given a Down syndrome diagnosis even by medical professionals! When we found out Elliot had Down syndrome, a scenario played in my head of friends driving away from our home after a good visit and saying to themselves, "Poor Melinda and Justin." I shuddered at that thought. I didn't (and I don't) want anyone to feel sorry for us because we see Elliot as a tremendous blessing just like we do Adele. I have no idea if anyone does this, but I hope not! I know the unknown is scary, but I hope that those around us see the joy in our lives over the obstacles; Elliot's smiles over the doctor visits; the love over the worry. God gave us a healthy, happy, thriving little boy. There's absolutely nothing to be sorry about. God doesn't define perfection the way the world does. He has a purpose for every life. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

2. We Are Not Snowflakes
I've noticed a few people get tongue-tied when talking to us about Elliot, but let me let you in on a little secret... Unless someone is being blatantly disrespectful to my child, that person is not going to offend me. Ask me questions. I love talking about Elliot! I also don't expect people to know what to say or how to say it. I had no idea how to talk about children with special needs until I had one, so it would be completely unfair of me to hold everyone to some standard they know nothing about.

3. We Are Overjoyed At Your Child's Development
If I'm being 100 percent honest, when your child who is Elliot's age (or younger) meets a milestone that Elliot isn't close to, it stings a little. It's a reminder that already at seven months old, he's falling behind. That being said, I genuinely am so happy to see your little one develop and I want to hear about it! That face of determination, the giggles, the "Mom, I got this" expression is priceless on any baby and I love that there are so many awesome kids in Elliot's life that he gets to grow up with. So please tell me your baby stories, send me pictures... I love your babies!

4. Elliot's Just Like Any Other Kid
I've said it before, but I was terrified to see Elliot in the NICU after they told me he had Down syndrome. I was scared that I wasn't going to feel a connection. I was scared I wasn't going to know how to be his mom. It's difficult to admit those initial thoughts now because he has become such a part of me just like his big sister. Elliot is just like any other child. He needs love. He enjoys being held. He laughs when you make faces. He's mesmerized when you read to him. He gets grumpy when he's tired. He's going to take a little longer to crawl, walk and read, but he will get there. He will go to school and make friends. He will have goals and aspirations. Having an extra chromosome will not take those things away. So don't be scared! Down syndrome is nothing to fear.

5. There Are Days That I Get Scared
OK, I know I just said all that stuff in #4, which was all true, but if I'm keeping it real, there are moments when I am overcome with my own fears of the years ahead. Most days are like any other family's. Busy. Fun. Loud. Filled with laughs one minute and temper tantrums the next. But there are times when my mind is filled with thoughts of his increased risk for autism and leukemia, the fact that he could be nonverbal, and his likely open heart surgery at a young age. I think about his future education. Will his elementary school support inclusion? Will the kids in his class accept him? Will he have a girlfriend (and even a wife) one day? And then I go down the rabbit hole. Don't get me wrong, these days are few and far between, but they do creep up on me. When I'm having these days, I usually keep my thoughts to myself, but if I choose to share them with you please know I wouldn't change anything about my son. Please know that not every day is filled with doubt. Just listen to me and pray that I get over this wave of fear soon.

6. We Are Not Superheroes
I can't thank people enough for the kind words of affirmation they have given us over the past several months, but, truthfully, we know we are ordinary people that God chose to be Elliot's parents. We'd be lying to ourselves if we bought into thinking we are anything more than imperfect people that God called to a purpose. The only superhero in our home is Jesus Christ who has been abundantly faithful in his provision for our family. He's the one that brought Adele into this world after my delivery started to go south. He's the one that kept Elliot cooking until 34 weeks despite what the doctors said. He's the one that allowed him to breathe on his on despite being premature. He's the one that closed one of the holes in his heart. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

So, while your praises at our parenting skills mean so much to us, all of the glory goes to our mighty God. Also, at the end of the day, we are doing what any loving parent would do - taking care of and loving our children.

Wonder, Worries and Three Birthday Candles

Motherhood. A phenomenon where pure joy meets gripping panic. Where love, thankfulness, exasperation, cheerfulness, pride and fear all have their place in your daily life. An overwhelming and constant awareness of a piece of your heart living outside of your body. An ever-present knowledge of the seconds ticking away.

It was just yesterday wasn't it when I was shaking on the operating table? We heard her cries. Justin, inches from my face, whispered, "she's so beautiful." They showed her to me and I thought, "Of course. That's her! The little girl I dreamed up long ago is right in front of me."

I can't believe that was three years ago. How fast those seconds tick away.

I look at Adele with a full heart. Full of her giggles trapped in my memory. Full of the songs we've made up together. Full of the prayers I've prayed over her as she's slept. Full of all the words I want to say to her.

My daughter. My beautiful girl. The perfect combination of sweet and sassy. Thirty pounds of imagination. Living proof of God's provision. A walking reminder to live in the moment, be silly, put down my phone, sing loud, soak up the cuddles, pray and pray harder.

When I look in her eyes, I see an infinite amount of possibilities. A future for the taking. I find myself on my knees praying for the path she takes. Praying that she chooses God. Praying she's a magnet for all things good. I pray for the friends she meets, the teachers she has, the man she marries. I have so much hope for what God has in store for her. So much excitement in watching her grow. So much pride in seeing her be a big sister.

Yet with all that hope, excitement and pride, the worry still seeps into my thoughts. What if I screw up? What if I don't do my job? What if she feels neglected with so much of our focus on Elliot? What if a boy breaks her heart one day? What if some catty little girl hurts her feelings? Or worse, what if she IS a catty little girl? And OMG THE MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS.

The seconds keep ticking. The worries keep coming. I keep clinging to God's promises.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

So as I trust in God and learn to let go of the worries, I will cherish her childhood. I will play make-believe. I'll wear a tiara made out of pipe cleaners. I'll study her tiny hands. I'll brush her hair. I'll try not to curse the toys I trip over. I will think to myself all of the words I want to say to her.

Adele, my sweet girl, enjoy your third birthday. May it be a year filled with playtime, wonderment, music and fun. May God protect you, mold you, capture you. May you be little as long as you can. May your imagination never stop short. Your mom and dad want the very best life has to offer for you, but for now, we want you to know that you are loved. Truly, deeply loved by not only us, but by God in heaven. There is so much life ahead of you. From baby dolls to ballet lessons. From bike rides to lip gloss. From your first concert ticket to your first speeding ticket. I am so looking forward to every second of your childhood. I'm going to live in the present and savor every bit of you I get. Happy birthday Dell Bell. Your mommy loves you so much!

New Year Reflections: Finding Rest

I've never been big on New Year's resolutions. One year I gave up looking at gossip magazines and websites because I felt my love for all things pop culture was getting out of hand. And, well, while I still love reading a People magazine every once in a while, I think it's safe to say that I'm not a celebrity news junkie anymore (unless it has to do with Britney Spears or Prince George). Although I suspect that has something to do with growing up rather than making it a resolution. Another year in college, I gave up sodas. That one didn't last long (sips large Dr Pepper from Chick-fil-a). Those are really the only two I can think of...

I thought about making one this year and thought how on earth would I have the time to fit in a resolution? And that's when it hit me... I have no time. Why is that?

I'd be lying if I said I was sad to see 2014 come to a close. My sweet Elliot is the year's saving grace. I spent most of the year in a really tough pregnancy battling sciatic nerve issues, high blood pressure, hospital bedrest and an early delivery followed by Elliot's surprise diagnosis and six-week NICU stay. Once Elliot was finally released we've had to learn to navigate his needs and the Down syndrome world. I also had to resign from a job I loved and had no intention of leaving, which then caused Justin and I to acclimate to living on one-income. I'm not saying all this to complain; I'm just saying 2014 was rough and I've never been so excited for a new year to start.

When I look back on the year and look at making a resolution for 2015, I can only come back to one thing: time. Between Elliot's appointments and therapies, potty training a toddler and keeping a clean, happy home, I feel as though the last time I rested was, well, when I was on bedrest in the hospital. How ironic it is that I can look back on what I felt was like prison and think, "Wow, if only I could get some rest like that again!" So there it is... my new year's resolution... to rest. Physical and mental rest in Christ.

I read this blog post last night that encouraged you to find a Bible verse to pray over in 2015. I found it encouraging and a useful tool in finding the Bible verse I'd like for our family this year. And after much praying and pouring through my Bible, I decided on Isaiah 26:3:

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

As the blog post suggests to create, my prayer for the year for my family is this: God, you are so great. I thank you for the many blessings in disguise that came our way in 2014. I pray for perfect peace in 2015. I pray that our hearts and our minds stay on you this year and every year after. I pray our trust in your perfect plan for our family only grows with each passing day. I pray that Justin and I trust in you and model that trust to our children. I pray for rest, for peace, for your continued grace as we adapt to our new family. Thank you for another year. Amen.

This past year tested me in ways I've never been tested. I'm a better person, a better wife, a better mother for everything that went down in 2014, but I do pray that 2015 can be much calmer and that our family can find some rest this year... maybe even take a vacation, imagine! Maybe I'll be ready for some excitement in 2016, but for now, I just want a year filled with Saturday morning cuddling, HGTV watching, front porch sitting and healthy kids. Here's to 2015 (holds up previously mentioned large Dr Pepper.)

A Letter To 18-Year-Old Melinda on her 30th Birthday... Just go with it.

Words of advice to my 18-year-old self on my 30th birthday.

Dear Melinda,

Hey! It’s me! I mean… it’s you! Happy birthday! Wow, 18. Can you believe it? You just got your acceptance letter to Baylor. You’re smack dab in the middle of Madrigal season. Your friends are throwing you and Amy a birthday party tonight. You’ve got the world on a string.

Right now your biggest concern is your outfit for tonight and if they remembered to buy the big sparkly candles for the cake. And you know what? That’s OK! You’re a kid… you shouldn’t have to worry about much more than that.

You’re probably thinking, “Yikes! 30! I’m so sorry about how old and ancient you are.” Well, while I definitely have more gray hairs and random aches that I care to admit, I’m not old… OK, I’m not THAT old and I have a learned a thing or two in these first 30 years. I thought I’d share some advice and insight on what’s in store for you! Get ready… the next 12 years are going to be good to you!

1.  In a few months you are going to try out for a solo for pop show and get only one night instead of the two you think you deserve. #firstworldproblems. Oh, you don’t know what a hashtag is yet… Basically, get over it! There are starving children in Africa! Take your one night and rock it. Besides, you give up the music major thing in like two seconds once you get to college. It’s totally fine.
2. Don’t waste your freshman year of college. Meet people. Go places. Study. Pray. Repeat. Sounds like common sense, but you’ll be reluctant to do these things because you will be heartbroken. Spoiler alert: your boyfriend is going to break up with you over the summer. And no, you don’t get back together and get married despite what happens three years from now. But that’s OK, because four years from now you are going to be in Brett Walker’s truck in the parking lot of Mezzanine Lounge (not as fancy as it sounds) waiting to leave and some guy is going to hop into the passenger seat and introduce himself. He will be what we call a game-changer, an answer to prayer, a knight in shining armor. No, it’s not Matt Damon or Nick Carter, but don’t worry, he’s still really hot and will become your rock in life.
3. Learn to say, “no.” This will save you from a painfully awkward date your freshmen year of college, taking a job you don’t want and probably even the hypertension you’ll be diagnosed with in ten years.
4. Do not let Amy and Jessie give you “Christina Aguilera” highlights in the summer of 2005. Disaster waiting to happen.
5. Be patient when it comes to your career. You’re going to be sitting at your college graduation silently freaking out in your head because you don’t have a job. It’s OK. You will get two offers on the same day three weeks from now and you’re going to leave the one you pick in about six months for what you think is your dream job. You actually won’t have your real dream job for another ten years from now. That job will change your life and your outlook on youth. You’ll also leave this job in only two years to be a stay-at-home mom. I know, right? Not you! Yes, you. It’s cool; trust me. So, again, just be patient and take life as it comes.
6. You will be invited to go on a river trip in the summer of 2007. Don’t go. But if you choose to ignore my warning, for the love of Pete please buy the strongest sun block you can find and just lather that stuff on like every 30 minutes.
7. On New Year’s Eve 2007, you will be asked to housesit. Just do yourself a favor and put the key on your key ring. Not only will you save a ton of money on a locksmith, but you’ll be able to go out to ring in the new year instead of pacing back and forth on the driveway panicking about how your friend’s dog is assuredly peeing everywhere inside.
8. On your honeymoon, just skip tropical drink night. You’ve been forewarned.
9. You will fondly look back on New Year's Eve 2010 as your favorite of all time. It will be a weekend to remember for sure with friends you love so much. That's why you can't let anyone eat at Bill Miller. Stay away.
10. Be content in those first years of marriage. You’re going to have a beautiful wedding and you are going to be so in love with your new husband, but all too quickly you will stop getting distracted by your wedding ring as your hand rests on the steering wheel. Your cozy apartment in the city that you found so charming is going to start to feel cramped. The sound of your new last name won’t be as exciting. You’re going to be ready for a house. Then soon after a dog. Then soon after a baby. All of these steps are big and wonderful, but just don’t forget to enjoy the step you are on. You will never get those days back so drink up those quiet days as a new wife.
11. When you have your first child, don’t freak out about how much she cries. People are going say, “Oh, she must have colic,” or “Maybe it’s reflux.” You’re going to spend a lot of nights crying to yourself about how she won’t sleep and you’re going to obsessively Google, “my baby cries constantly.” And, guess what. Your daughter is just a crier… A stubborn, willful little firecracker in pig tails that challenges you daily and you are a better person for her. So, when she’s a tiny baby that cries all night, just hold her close. You will be surprised how quickly that time goes and how much you will actually miss those late nights (or should I say early mornings?) when all she wanted was to sleep in your arms.
12. You and Kim are going to go to a standing room only Backstreet Boys concert in December of 2013. Yes, Nick Carter is still ridiculously hot, but the moral here is: do not underestimate overaged teenyboppers. You get there early and be ready to fight for your way to the front!
13. In 2014, your second baby will arrive. Your pregnancy is going to be rough. His birth will be early. He’s going to need much more care than you anticipated. But despite all of that, your heart is going to be so full of joy and love every time your eyes lock, every time you wake to his happy babbles, every time his hand wraps around your finger. He’s going to smile with his entire body and it will melt you into a big puddle. He’s going to teach you that God’s plan is greater than your own. He’s going to show those around you what love really means. So, when it comes time for his birth, it’s OK to process your feelings. It’s OK to be confused. Just take comfort in the fact that God doesn’t make mistakes and that this little boy is going to change your heart for the better.

So there you have it. Nothing crazy monumental and most of these you come to on your own. Have a great birthday! Maybe I’ll write another letter to you on your 30th birthday in 12 years. I’ll definitely be old then!

Love,

Melinda

PS – Your friends DO get you and Amy the big sparkly candles tonight! Yes!