the best version of myself

My friend and I were talking this week and she mentioned that her husband said he felt as if he were now "the best version of himself." I don't think he was implying he has now become his "perfect self" but that he's working on everything he can to meet his potential. I've been thinking about that a lot. I know we are placed in situations to challenge us, and for me, Memphis has been quite the challenge.

Our little family has had more trials these last 8 months then the rest of our marriage put together. There have been bad times, but there have also been wonderful times. Because of this, we trust each other more. We communicate better. We remember to appreciate one another. We encourage.

I now allow myself to lean more on my husband. I don't need to handle every emotional or spiritual hurdle by myself. Afterall, we're equal partners. We need to lean on one other.

I also have found that in some ways, I lean less on my husband. I CAN call the insurance company without feeling like a fool!

The examples of those around me have also encouraged me to examine my own life and see where I can make improvements. We have friends here who are extremely thoughtful, they'll drive to 3 grocery stores to buy you the perfect flavor of ice cream. We have other friends who put the daily spiritual aspects first, never missing a day of family prayer or scripture study. Others who focus on staying positive, never gossiping, educating themselves, etc. I look up to these friends and know I have a long way to go!

I am learning to enjoy time at home with Addie. It has been difficult staying home all day, I enjoyed working and feeling productive and bringing in a paycheck, but just recently I've started to feel the value of what I'm doing here. Tender moments with Adelyn are worth more than any paycheck I received or training I conducted. Understanding her needs, seeing her face light up when I walk into the room, having her forgive me over and over again, all teach me more about our Heavenly Father and His love than I have ever before understood. I really have felt the divinity of motherhood, and am in awe of my responsibilities, but also feel that I am equal to them.

I believe that a woman who actively strives to become a better version of herself is the best version of herself. I yearn to be a woman who is spiritually, mentally, and physically strong. One who is thoughtful, bright, optimistic, and kind. One who can see her mistakes and improve. As long as I'm pushing forward, doing better than I did the day or week or month before, I am the best version of myself.