Thanks Mom and Dad...

I know we've all heard it before, but I never knew how true the saying really is... You never know what your parents went through until you become a parent yourself.  And yes... I'm no expert parent at all and wouldn't even consider myself a seasoned one.  But after the arrival of Emma, I started to see my own parents in a whole new light.  It seriously shamed me to think of what spoiled little girl I remembered myself being.  I'm sorry Mom and Dad... for all those things that you beared because of me.  Yikes! And this isn't because Emma has been a bad girl at all... just makes me wonder what kind of daughter I had been for my parents as I see Emma fastly developing into her own little self.



My Mom, me and my little sister after her bath.

Another thing I don't think I ever fully understood was the amount of love a parent has for their child(ren).  I took it for granted... yea, my parents love me... sure they'll take care of me and help me out if I need it.  I never knew the width, depth, and height of the love that a parent could embody for their child.  Billy and I agree... its something that is different than the amazing love between a husband and wife.  (not belittling the wonderful relationship we have at all).  And even amazes me more to think about how much more God loves us.  WOW!

I also find myself wanting to teach/tell Emma many things that I remember my parents telling me; you can be whatever you want to be if you set your mind to it, put others before yourself, if you say you're going to do something you do it... and maybe one day I can tell her "you're the older sister, act like it" (I would be a millionaire if I had a $1 for everytime I heard that).  I even remember my Dad telling me I could be the first Lady President if I put my mind to it.  Interestingly, I think we'll see that happen in our lifetime but I don't have any hopes or aspiring dreams to be President anymore.  But I would be campaign manager for the BILLY BRUCE FOR PRESIDENT Campaign!  (pending for 2032) 

Dad with his 4 daughters... how did you do it Dad!?!

I also remember talking to my Mom about having kids long before I was ever married and the thought of bearing a child was just about the worst, most scary thing in the world.  And she would always say, "but look at what you have when its all over."  It's true... I would've gone through fire to have little Emma.  What an amazing blessing she is...

Thanks Mom and Dad for all the things you've done for me, especially the ones I don't even know about...

With my parents the day before I married Billy.