I AM WOMAN

This phrase "I am woman" is a deepening root in me, and when I say it or think it, it's not a surfacey thought, but it comes from a growing place of experience, education, reflection, and honestly more than any of that the simple fact that God has made me awesome. Oh, I AM WOMAN!

So this phrase...where did it begin for me? Jordin Sparks? No, no, no.  Before Jordin was shakin her booty on American Idol performing the song she surprisingly co-wrote "I Am Woman", I was pregnant the previous summer, my body doing all kinds of wacko things, my belly growing cute and round, and I was looking and feeling incredibly beautiful, inside and out.

Through my prego research, I knew going through the pain of labor and delivery naturally - without an epidural or any other drug or medication, was the best thing for me and our baby (by the way, I am married to an incredible fellow!).  By simply reading up and reflecting on the woman body - my body- I was empowered. God has straight up made me awesome, and I was determined to go through labor and delivery leaning in on that fact.  I was made for this.  In the midst of all my reading, reflecting and empowering moments, the phrase "I Am Woman" simply came to mind one day, and it's been my mantra ever since...particularly (most particularly!) when I became the labor-conquering woman and delivered our sweet daughter with the design of God in me (and the help and support of my husband and doula!).  I was wholly there - physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually- for her birth.  I labored well.  I pushed her out of my body well.  And I have been on a high ever since.  I leaned in on God's design, believing that I am awesome, knowing the 7 billion people on the planet are here because women gave birth 7 billion times, and botta bing, here I am singin my song - my own "I Am Woman" song!

This mantra of mine has been growing in meaning and depth for me since giving birth, becoming more than the reality that I can deliver a baby naturally (I am strong!) to the life I can be and am living as a woman, the hood that I want to live in well - the womanhood. :)  Though I am in a season of mothering and wife-ing, my writings I hope to be for all women as womanhood stretches from when we are young girls to perhaps forever.  I am young, and experience and reflection are how I learn best, so this is where most of my writing will come from.  I will tend to lean towards the season I am in, as this is a very serious and long season, and a beautiful facet of my womanhood (and therefore my discovery).

I do believe women in different stages of their lives need each other.  If I'm talking too mommy or wifey talk for you at times, and you are not a mom or wife, still have a read. It's good to be aware of each other's stages and learn how we can serve and love one another in them.  Let's not let our personal ideas, media, or society's stereotypes keep us distant from one another.  As a young mother and wife (also living far from my natural family), I know I am in need of the pursuit and presence of my girlfriends and other women - married, single, kids, no kids and for moms and grandmas in my life.

Though womanhood is the conversation piece of this blog (and indeed, I hope a conversation happens - in here and many outside!), I am not binding myself to this subject. I may write on other things I find necessary or simply I feel at leisure to write. Why not, eh?

So here we go, let's see what happens...!