Today’s Make-A-List Monday is things I never had to think about before I was the mama. Being a mom is one of the greatest gifts anyone can receive, but it also comes with major life changes. So here was me, before I was Mom:

1. It took a half hour at most to get to the grocery store, shop, and get home.
2. I peed alone.
   And the only butt I had to wipe was my own.
   And I didn’t stand up and announce, “I need to go potty!” every time I needed to go.
   And I had never had a toddler say (loudly), “Good job, Mommy!” after I finished “going potty” in a public restroom.
3. My house was still unorganized, but I had no one to blame it on but myself.
4. I had never planned an entire day around nap time. Oh, nap time, how I love thee.
5. I never noticed how many f-bombs are in R rated movies.
6. My favorite brands were NOT Graco, Osh Kosh B’Gosh, and Carter’s.
7. I kept my make-up in the bathroom, not the van. These days, it’s either mascara at stop lights or nothing.
8. I didn’t know it was possible to love my husband any more than right then.
9. I relied more on myself than on God. My faith has grown 100 fold since I had children because most of the time, I have no idea what I’m doing and just have to rely on Him. I’d go crazy with worry if I didn’t have faith in God.
10. I couldn’t function on less than 8 hours of sleep. Haha, that one just makes me laugh now.
11. Lunch with my mom consisted of actually having a conversation with her and catching up on each other’s lives, not chasing or quieting or encouraging small children to eat more than just ketchup.
12. Time went by more slowly.
13. While driving, I actually listened to music or talk radio instead of babbling of babies and toddlers.
14. I never knew how intensely my own parents loved me. Or how annoying and sad it was when I fought with my siblings.
15. I had no idea how strong I am. Or how amazing the human body is. Or that labor pain wouldn’t kill me, but could actually bring another life into this world. I was much less confident about my body then.
16. I didn’t know how much love my heart could hold. It’s like my heart grew bigger with the birth of each child, and I’ve grown to love my honey even more seeing him as a father. Oh, how He loves us!

My four loves at Rocky Mountain National Park last fall. I AM SO BLESSED!

Click here to follow Simply Fulfilled on Facebook!