ruth’s sols: the shirt.

This photo was taken a year ago, but my son was dressed in this shirt today.  Before I even got out of bed this morning, I began percolating on today’s slice of life . . . thinking about this orange shirt.

It’s not the typical kind of thing we dress him in.  We love parenting.  We love being mom and dad.  We love our energetic kids, so we don’t advertise anything which would contradict these loves.  He only wears this shirt around home.  If we’re going out in public, then this shirt doesn’t go. 

We bought it on a whim.  We needed two car seats and we needed them quickly.  (Our adoption of the girls was a whirlwind.  From the time we were contacted about them to the day they came home was two weeks.  Fifteen days prior to bringing them home, we were content with being parents to an “only-child.”)

So into Wal-Mart we traipsed, on a mission for two car seats.  We left Wal-Mart with four items:  two car seats, the shirt, and a bottle of wine.   Were we prepared for this new parenting adventure or what?

Today this shirt doesn’t hold the humor that it once did.  Today I’m not exhausted.  A year ago I was dog-tired.  Today I’m comfortable being a mother to daughters.  A year ago I was anxious.  Today I embrace their energy, hold my own, and love being a mother to three.  A year ago I couldn’t envision a new normal.

 It’s amazing how far we’ve come in a year.  It’s amazing how much I’ve changed.  I don’t get worked up over things any more.  I don’t jump to conclusions.  I make less assumptions about people.  I know the power of love. I know the power of grace.  I know the power of faith.  I’ve come to realize the ever-changing nature of growing up and I’m embracing this little journey of life.  Can’t wait to see where the “next big thing” takes me.