Having kids changed my life in profound ways. When I was 21, I had freedom and independence, but getting pregnant meant facing responsibilities and sacrifices earlier than planned. I got married just 16 days before my son Sean was born. The early months were a blur of sleepless nights, but we fell into a routine where I stayed home and my husband worked. We gave up luxuries to prioritize our child, spending time bonding with and nurturing him. Having kids taught me to slow down and appreciate life's simple pleasures each day. My boys are my pride and joy, and I want to teach them the value of budgeting and earning what you want in life rather than relying on money alone. I look forward to the joy

1. Having Kids Changed My Life
When I was 21, I thought that I had my life all figured out. I had a great job, great hours, lots of overtime
when I wanted it. I still lived at home, had a decent car, no bills, could come and go whenever I wanted
to. But that all changed the day I found out I was pregnant.
Don't get me wrong, I was excited, yet so very scared. I was not married, nor had my boyfriend and I had
even thought about getting married (yes we had talked about it, but not seriously). I don't know which
was harder, trying to get the nerve to tell my boyfriend that I was pregnant or facing my parents. I guess,
facing my parents wasn't really that hard because they were much younger than me when they got
pregnant with me and they made it last.
Long story short, we told our families, found a place to move into, and got married 16 days before
BabySean was born, yes you read that right 16 days before babySean came Sean R and I tied the knot. It
was a small civil ceremony, but it was perfect.
The first few nights home from the hospital were a blur, Baby Sean was up like a baby should be
expected, but after the first few months, we fell into a great routine, I stayed home with him and Sean R
kept working, we learned how to give up the going out to expensive restraints and movies all the time
and all the other things that young couples due because, frankly it came down to going to the movies or
diapers and formula, once you have kids, your priorities change, at least ours did. We decided that we
would always put our children first and if that meant that we didn't go out and party with our single,
non-married, childless friends, then that's what it took.
We learned to stay home, spend time with that little child that looked up to us for love and attention
and nurturing. We spent almost every waking minute with baby Sean, bonding, playing, attention giving
to him, making sure that he had not only our love and worship, but the material things in life. We
sacrificed the brand new cars and drove ones that we paid off right away, we used our credit cards
wisely, not to purchase a big screen TV if our living room one broke, but one that would fit better into
our budget.
Having kids changed my life, by teaching me to enjoy life and watch every day thru new eyes, to slow
down and literally smell the flowers, which the laundry can wait till tomorrow, but sitting out back and
playing in the sandbox can't. I realized that my two boys are my pride and joy and yet I would do
anything for them, I want them to grow up knowing that they have to earn what they want in life, I don't
want them to think that if they have some cash in their pockets and they are at the store that they can
buy something that they want just because they have the money, that they need to budget for it. I want
them to enjoy life and learn that there is more to it then running around town at 21 and drinking and
partying with their buddies, that kids are the greatest joy to have.

2. And as my Mom says "If I had known being a Grandma would have been so much fun I would have
skipped having kids and gone right to being a Grandmama!" I can't wait for that chance too. The chance
to spoil my grandchildren, a chance to see my children watch their kids grow up and see the love and joy
in their eyes when they accomplish something great in life.