The other night I was talking to my sister-in-law, Lisa, about doing some photo books. She was telling me about a really cute template through Heritage Makers called "Before I Was Your Mother". It reminded me of when I used to scrapbook, I had always wanted to do a scrapbook about me. I have a ton of programs and tickets, notes, etc. saved from high school and college that need an organized home, but I mostly wanted to document that part of my life so my kids would someday know that I'm more than just a mom - I'm a person who has hobbies and interests and have done and enjoyed a lot in my life
Then today, on the drive home from church Ella somehow started talking about what she wanted to be when she grew up. She was talking away, rattling off a big list of potential careers - a cowgirl, dentist, vet, dancer, roofer (we're in the middle of getting a new roof). I guess she wasn't sure what she wanted to be the most because she asked me and Jeramy - "Can I be anything I want?" We told her "Anything!" Suddenly she was quiet then goes "Mom, you aren't ANYTHING!"
Even thought it was really funny (and kind of sad) and I explained that I used to be "something" but now I get to be "nothing" so I can be her mom all the time, it did get me to thinking. What would I tell me kids about myself before I was their mother? Off the top of my head here a few specifics (besides sister, daughter, etc.)
So Ella, before I was your mother....
1) I was a student. I went to school at Ricks and BYU and graduated with a Bachelor's and Master's in Accountancy.
2) I was a cheerleader. In junior high I was a cheerleader for football but by high school I decided cheering outside in below zero temperatures was nothing to cheer about! In high school I cheered for the basketball team and our cheer squad won provincials all three of my high school years.
3) I went to lots of concerts! I have always loved music and when daddy and I moved to Denver there were a lot of opportunities to see some great bands! Some fun concerts I've been to: Barenaked Ladies, Depeche Mode, U2, No Doubt, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, The Killers, The Fray, Gwen Stefani.
4) I had a "career". A week after graduating from BYU I sat for the CPA exam and somehow managed to pass all four parts! (must have been a low curve that time) A few months later I started working for Ernst & Young, one of the "Big Four" accounting firms, as an external auditor. I also worked at a little startup (that went belly-up after a year) called CopiersNow as an accountant and IT project manager and then at First Data Corp in Coporate accounting.
5) I was a piano student and teacher. I started taking piano lessons when I was 8 until I was 16. During that time I did the Royal Conservatory of Music program complete with theory (yuck!) and exams. For a few years in high school I also taught lessons to a few students.
As you can see, Ella, before I was your mother I was "something"! I did have a job, even a career, I guess. But I knew it wasn't the "something" I wanted to do forever. When I became your mother I happily gave up "something" for "nothing" and have never looked back! Today, I told you when you grown up, you can be anything you want! I hope you find that "something" you are passionate about and want to be, but more than that I hope someday you get to experience how wonderful being "nothing" is.
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8 comments:
Very sweet. Ella and Finn are so lucky.
That is so great Tam! Kids say the cutest things...I am so glad you wrote all of that up for her. And to share with all of us.
Just so you know Tam...I think you are pretty amazing at doing "nothing"
Yep Tam, I have to echo gomez in agreeing that you do "nothing" pretty darn good. Perhaps one day, my "nothing" will be half as good as yours. Until then, surviving the munchkins is in good order!
We look forward to seeing Jer in a few weeks. Glad you had fun in Hawai'i
With all the love in the world, "thanks for nothing".
Hey its your cuz Carley, Wade's youngest. I thought that was a beautiful thing that you wrote. I don't know if it's the pregnancy or what but I got a little teary eyed.
Okay, that was the sweetest entry. Don't our kids make us really think about our lives and what could have been? (ie/ my entry about Spencer's hero) But then, we realize that truely we'd be nothing if any of those could have beens had actually been. By far the most important "nothing" we do is in the "everything" we are striving to be for our husbands and children.
It's fun to rad your blog and see who you are now because I only know the "Before I was a Mother" you.
On a side note, I was telling my sister that my old accounting friend now has a blog and she said "the one with the excel spreadsheet for all of the baby clothes she bought before she had kids."
Tam this has me in tears. I was just saying to Scott last night that I didn't used to be, but I think I am now "dull". Reading your "pre-mom" stuff made me think of mine too. Once we were WILD (yet mild). I LOVE YA GIRLIE!! you have been such a great example in my life. I miss you. but feel so blessed to have spent many days (&nights) hanging together. nothing can ever replace those times.
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