29 years ago I was born in a developing country to poor parents who sought after America in order for me to live a life they thought I deserved to live. It took me 25 years to return to my birthplace, to see exactly what humble beginnings I am from. I was able to be in the same place my parents grew up, met, fell in love, and had me. I was able to see all they gave up to come here, and to see just how far the three of us had come in the last 25 years. I am glad I shared that journey with Jeff.
Moving away from your family, friends, and the only home you have ever known allows you to realize just how strong, independent, and capable you are. And it brings out the hippie you never thought was in you.
I am glad I had to learn to love Jesus before I could ever truly love a man. What a wondrous gift Jeff has been. I am thankful to be married and loved by a man who loves Jesus more than he loves me. Jeff is truly my soul mate. He is strong enough to be man's man and yet gentle enough to a loving and tender husband, and the sweetest father.
I fall in love over and over again each day with Max and Luke. They are so precious to me. They take my breath away when I am holding their little hands, stroking their faces, and sometimes when I am changing their diapers (for obvious reasons). I still miss my other three babies I never had a chance to meet or hold. Fertility is a hard long road. I am thankful I was surrounded by amazing people who carried me through it.
My parents are some of the greatest parents out there, but they are also amazing people. As I have grown older and our relationship has changed, I enjoy their company, wisdom, and humor. I am honored to be their daughter. They have sacrificed and lived through so much. AND I am so very very very thankful that they got me out of the tiny village in Thailand...I probably wouldn't have made it past my first year working in the family rice fields. I know they miss their country(ies) and culture, yet they are the kind of people who raised patriotic children who are thankful for the land they live in. Even though they now treat me like the capable adult that I am sometimes, I am glad I can still whine and pout enough for my daddy to buy me the couch I want.
I share my birthday with the other woman in Jeff's life, his mom. Although we are very different, I wouldn't want to share my birthday with any other woman but her. She is a great mother to all of her children. Even the ones that aren't her favorite. I value the example that my Smoot parents are to me. They serve their families, children, and their communities in countless ways and in a selfless manner. AND they put up with my antics from time to time.
My choice in friends is impeccable, if I could choose lotto numbers like I do friends, I would be RICH! QUALITY way over quantity. They are the kind of people who know all about your past, can laugh at you when you need to be brought down a notch, praise Jesus with you on the worst Mother's Day you have had, move you a million times in one city, call you over and over even when you haven't had the chance to call back, buy you copious amounts of spaghetti and sauce so that you can live in exile with your newborn baby for 8 weeks, buy you a train cakepan even though they know you can't bake to save your life! Over and over they bless me with their presence in my life.
And to the girls I have recently reconnected through facebook, blogging, or myspace. I just wanted to say : I didn't realize how much I had missed all of you until we found each other again. It has been great to talk and share what happened since we last saw it each other.
I look forward to whatever lies ahead in the upcoming years. I am thankful for the love of Jesus without Him I would be nothing.
Even back then my dad was giving me those terrible haircuts I endured as a child. The picture above was taken right before we came to America.
8 comments:
Reading all of that only reminds me that you are truly and amazing person. Funny how infertility can really change the way you see things huh! You have to resign yourself, after many months or years of anger, that God loves you and our lives are in his hands. Your children are darling and you seem so in love with your hubby! Take care of cute little family.
Motherhood has not made you lose your way with words. I am so honored and blessed to have you as my friend. Love you.
beautifully said Took! you're absolutely amazing. happy birthday lady!
Wow Took! you had me in tears reading that! You are amazing! I remember good times in your bedroom doing your hair for school dance's. Those were the days:) I hope you had a great birthday!
Took-
I cannot believe I stumbled onto your page. I hope you remember me! I found some pictures of you, Kate and me and our matching shirts a few months back and have thought of you often since. It sounds like you are doing wonderful and your boys are simply adorable! It is great to see you! Take Care.
Took,
It's amazing how fast time goes by. For the past ten years every time I past your house I wonder how you are, I am glad you have such a beautiful family that makes you happy! Do your parents still live there? My parents live in Bend. They have lived there for almost three years they love it. How far away from Bend are you? Anyway please let's stay in touch it's so good to hear from you.
Trina
Happy birthday Took. Enjoy your last year in the twenties.
Your post was beautiful. You are a great woman, mother, wife and friend and we're all lucky to know you.
Wow Took.... You are absolutely amazing. It has been great to read your blog and to see how much you have grown. You have so much inspiration. I take every word you say to heart. Thanks for the additional piece of mind. Congratulations on all your accomplishments!!! I can't wait to hear about the next :)
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