Happy birthday to my first born! My active and constantly challenging child. My always has the perfect reaction to social situations boy. My Mr. Personality. My Sponge Brady No Pants. My missing piece!They say that you are given the child that you can handle, the child that will teach you what you need to learn or help you grow those parts of your personality that might have been deficient. I've had friends have to learn to relinquish control. I've had friends grow their patience. And though both of those things have happened to me, that's not what this child gave me.
I know that God had something every special in mind when He gave me Brayden. I was so lost. I didn't know my way though I think I might have gotten close since I constantly was working with children. And then Brady came. My purpose was made clear. I was a mommy with no baby before but now I was complete.
Before Brady, on the outside, I was always a cheerful person. I could put that mask on so people would think I was fun to be around and that nothing was wrong. The truth was that the traumatic childhood I had was constantly weighing on me. Though I could appear cheerful, I was never happy. And THAT is what Brady gave back to me. Through him, I was able to reclaim JOY. I learned how to be happy again. And for that, I will always be grateful.
So, thank you God, thank you Brayden, and thank you Dustin. Thank you for pulling the halves of my heart back together and making it whole again. Thank you for the smile on my face. Thank you for the joy in my heart.
Photo by Amy Leigh Photography
Happy Birthday Brady! Hope it's fun and you get everything you wanted! WOW Ashley! This post is so inspiring and glad you are where you want to be. You are going to have to scrap this with the pics.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Brady! Ashley, what a wonderful post about your little guy. I definitely feel like you...I was put on this earth to be a mom...there's nothing better!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Brady!
ReplyDeleteAMAZING write up Ashley. So heartfelt and endearing. I have a tear in my eye!
Hugs to you both.
OMG I am sitting here with tears running down my face!!! It is SO easy to express love for your child in person but so very hard to put it in writing. I am always so overcome with emotion but it seems to pale in comparison when on paper vs. in my heart. I really "felt" this. Thank you for sharing and happy bday to your beautiful boy!!!
ReplyDeleteAshley, that is lovely. I hope you both had a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteAwwww...such a sweet and heartfelt post. Thanks for sharing your joy. and Happy Birthday to your son!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this post. You got me teary thinking of my own 3 year old. :) Happy belated birthday, Brady! You have one awesome mama too! :)
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