Jessica Kelso

Something I noticed before I even became a mom has been magnified the past couple of months that I’ve had Thrasher. I’ve really gotten to see how harsh the mom crowd can be. I’m not sure what it is about being a mom that brings out that side of women, but it’s serious and I’ve seen and heard it first hand. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. All the topics that seem controversial, like. . .

- Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding

- Medicated vs. unmediated birth

- Cloth diapers vs. disposable diapers

- Stay at home mom vs. working mom

- Organic baby food vs. regular baby food

- To vaccinate vs. not to vaccinate

- Homemade baby food vs. jarred baby food

And I know the list goes on and on.

Every mom that I’ve met has almost completely different views on each one of these topics. I myself haven’t even been given the opportunity to make a decision on a lot of these things and carry them out, but I too have strong views on most of them. What I’ve come to realize lately is that no matter how wrong or right you feel one way is, it’s not always right for another person. While I’m out I’m sure some women might watch me give Thrasher a bottle with formula and judge, but little do they know I’m a foster mom and that’s just how it is. It’s helped me learn that you never really know what’s going on with another person to judge the decisions they make. I’m also learning that being a mom (especially a foster mom, and yes I will pat myself on the back every once in a while) is one of the toughest jobs I have ever had. . . and at the same time the most rewarding. Moms are just too hard on each other. Honestly, I don’t really care what kind of diapers my mom put me in or if she breastfed me or not…I just care that she loved on me constantly and taught me to be a good person and to love God with all  my heart. Those are the things we remember. So that’s my goal as I continue along this path….I will try to encourage other moms in the decisions they’ve made, even if I disagree. I think we should all be supportive to this incredibly tough job of parenting, and if someone wants to hear why we feel the way we do, then tell them. Otherwise. . . let’s be kind and non-judgmental!

Last weekend we attended a birthday party for our friend Hope. We played a murder mystery game that was a lot like Clue but way more interactive and fun. Everyone dressed in their best 1920′s gear (for us everything was free and borrowed so I think we did alright!). I don’t do very good playing new roles but if you know Kevin at all you know he is. He played a congressman that was cheating on his wife. I was his wife and I turned my cheek to his affairs and acted like they didn’t really bother me, knowing deep down I was having my own. According to the game, almost everyone cheated on each other. It made for a very interesting game and the word “hussie” got thrown around quite a few times! Kevin ended up killing me in the bathroom, so I had to play dead hunched over the bathtub. Lots of fun! There were so many details around the house that just fit the theme perfectly. I really felt like we were living life in the 20′s!

I’ll leave you with some of the pictures taken by our amazing friend Tina Sargeant. She’s the best!

I have some pretty high expectations for 2010. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing but 2009 definitely brought a number of hardships our way and I’m ready for some much needed relief. As much as life tested me. . . I feel like with God’s help I pulled through everything fairly well and I believe I’m stronger for having to go through them. So far things are looking up and I’m feeling pretty hopeful. I have a lot of the typical New Years resolutions going. . . like lose some weight, have less road rage, stop biting my nails. You know, the usual. I’m curious to see how they go.

We brought in the new year with Kevin’s family in Tallahassee. It was my first time there and Thrasher’s first time meeting everyone. He did great in the car but he didn’t handle sleeping in a new place very well. I don’t know if it was sleeping in the pack n play or knowing we were right next to him and would pick him up, but either way I ended up with him sleeping next to/half on me most of the night. New Years Eve was very low key with a big dinner and lots of games. We somehow even managed to stay up until midnight! Total party animals.

New year’s is always a special time for us as a couple, not only because we’ve been given the opportunity to celebrate a new year together but because we met on New Year’s Eve 4 years ago! I’ll never forget that night. I knew he was cute, but I had no idea I’d marry him the next year!

So I’m being thankful for what I have and learning to deal with the rest. Maybe 2010 will help me become better at that.