Kody Markers.

There are many things that change when you become a mother. You learn to sing along with every movie and toy (since it would apparently be a travesty for toys to be made without sound effects). You can change diapers and wash bottles like a champ. You become a child feeding ninja that can sneak food into your child's mouth without them even noticing. You get bags and dark circles under your eyes that become a permanent fixture. You learn your child's unique toddler talk (because I promise each kid sounds different from the other when they are learning to talk and communicate). You learn to fall asleep at the drop of a hat any chance you get. 

All of these are so fun and special in their own way, but the one thing I have noticed when talking to other moms is that the one thing we struggle with the most (yes, even superheroes struggle sometimes) is the physical changes. Nothing is quite the same after you give birth. Everything hangs a little looser, clothes don't fit the same, your hormones are out of control, you get grey hairs long before you wanted them... oh the joys!! The thing I personally have struggled with the most has been the stretch marks. When I was pregnant, I worked so hard to avoid them. I used all the creams and lotions they told you to. At first I thought I was going to get through it with none, but then a couple weeks before Kody came, BOOM!! they all appeared... big bummer.  

Since having Kody, I have constantly been working on my weight. I'm adjusting to the hormone changes, and thankfully, someone years and years ago invented hair color to cover up my ever increasing grey hairs. But still, to this day, I am embarrassed of my stretch marks. I am losing weight, don't tan, moisturize, but STILL they refuse to go anywhere. So instead of letting the feeling of defeat take over me, I decided to change my thinking about them. 

Rather than see these lines as something to be ashamed of, I've decided to focus on what they represent instead. They represent the perfect, warm home that my stomach made for Kody.There is a mark for every time he sucked his thumb. There is a mark for every breath he took, every sleepy yawn, and every hiccup. One for every time he turned in my belly and slept in the most perfect darkness. A mark for every time he would poke me as I sang to him. A mark for every time I would dream of what he would turn out to be like. A mark for every time I prayed for his future and character. My stomach may not be the prettiest or most perfect thing out there and will probably never be. Some may even call it ugly. But it held my precious baby boy until my arms could, and for that, I am so thankful. 

So yes, I have had to adjust to a million different things, and still have so many things to overcome and learn. There are days that I miss my "pre-baby" body and life, but every time I look at my body, I no longer see stretch marks.... I see Kody markers. 

That's my Life.

Hi there! My name is Heritage, but those who know me best call me Tige. These days, there are millions of blogs out there for you to read. Blogs about cooking, fitness, love, religion, politics... there are blogs for everything! So, you may be wondering why I thought I have anything new to offer you. The answer is, I may not. All I have to offer is the story of my life and the things that I think might make a difference to someone. I want to be open with my heart and life to hopefully make a difference in people's lives. I was nervous to start this, but someone dear to me told me that once I get started, it will just come to me. So to start off, I thought I would share the important aspects of who I am and what is dear to my heart.

1) I love Jesus Christ. Before we go any further, that is the most important thing you need to know about me. This may offend you or you may love this fact about me, but it is the center of who I am. Everyday I am striving to follow His path for my life. I fail many many times in many different ways, but luckily, He is a merciful and all-loving God. His grace is never-failing and constant in my life.

2) I am a single mom. I have a little boy named Kody Landon. He is the best part of me. Now after reading number one, this may catch some people off guard, but remember when I talked about God's mercy and grace? I have made some decisions in my life that led me to this and God's grace has made beauty from my ashes. Kody will probably frequent my blog entries because (besides the fact that he is the cutest baby in the world) raising him teaches me so many things.

See?! Told ya he was cute!

3) I am in veterinary school. God has put a burning passion in my life for animals. I just finished my first year. It was life-changing. This past year showed me that I have the ability to make it through all types of trials, and it also taught me that I'm stronger than I ever thought. Raising a son and putting myself through vet school may seem like a crazy life.... and you're right it is! But I love every day of it. I want to be a vet that changes the lives of the clients I meet while loving and helping their animals. It's going to be a lot fun!

4) I love my family. I can tell you that my family has its problems just like every family does, but they are the only reason that I have been able to make it where I am today. They are my support system, my cheerleaders, my coaches, and my voice of reason when I don't know what to do. My parents and my brother and his wife all deserve an award for putting up with me and never giving up on me. 

5) I am waiting for the man God has picked for me. Now depending on your personal opinion, 25 could be too young to be wanting marriage or I could be past my prime and looking at a single life forever. But in the end, I am single and I am waiting for who God has chosen for me. I have always had a heart that longs to be a wife and mother. My mommy heart is full and happy, but I still long for my companion. My heart is so ready to love someone. There are days when I am terribly lonely, but the best part about loving and trusting Jesus is knowing that He is in control and knows exactly where my husband is. So until I meet him, I will just be focusing on my family and my relationship with God.

So that's me. That's the life I have to offer for you to follow. There will be days that I will share my joys and triumphs, and there will be days that I share my hurts and my failures. I will never claim to be a woman who has it all together in life. All that I am is a single mom who is learning to love herself and all of those around her. I live a crazy busy life. I juggle school, parenthood, family, friends, and dating all while trying to appear perfectly normal. That's my life... and I wouldn't have it any other way.