Birmingham Moms Blog :: Introducing Beth

Birmingham

I moved to Birmingham in 2003 after graduating from the University of Alabama. Growing up in New England, I truly never believed I would call Alabama home. That was until I discovered Birmingham, with all its scars, beauty, and potential. Witnessing Birmingham’s growth over the past 14 years has been an incredible experience. Communities have come together to make this city a better place to work, live, and raise our children. I can’t remember the last time I claimed to be bored. There is always something to do, a new restaurant to try, a trail to hike, a kid-friendly event to attend. And the people. Birmingham is one of the most welcoming communities. I’ve made friends and acquaintances just by visiting the library. I find Birmingham to be much more progressive than the rest of the state, which is evident in its growth. Obviously, Birmingham’s past isn’t flawless, but it’s the city’s future that makes me smile and feel proud to call it home.

Moms

I am the mother of two boys; Ian is 3.5 and Colin is 22 months. When I was working and fell into a rut, before I considered finding a new job I would ask myself, “Am I running to something or running away from something?” The answer was inevitably “running away.” When I became a mother, I finally felt like I was running to something. That’s what I love about being a mom. I’m always running home. Even when I’m desperate for a break (yes, stay-at-home moms fall into ruts!), I can’t wait to hug my babies. I’m running to new goals I set for myself so that I can be a better mother and example to my kids. I love that they make me want to improve myself. I run to the next adventure with my boys–big or small, it is all exciting to them. Seeing the world through their fresh, innocent eyes gives me more joy than I ever thought imaginable. Kids are actually fun!

But motherhood creates challenging dichotomies: from the mundane {a smile for every cry}, to the profound {I could have lived my life never having kids, but now that they are here, I wouldn’t want to live without them}. As they get older, I realize how much I miss cuddling babies but am thankful for their growing independence. I want them to stay this small forever, always in want and need of my hugs and kisses. Yet, I know each stage in their life will bring me more happiness, and I can’t wait to see the young men they grow into. As a stay-at-home mom, I find myself getting lost in my kids’ lives. They are, quite literally, my life. Every day starts running together because there is no break from being a mom. Finding yourself again is difficult. But as hard as motherhood is, it is all worth it just to see those little faces smile at you.

Blog

I’ve always loved writing. My childhood dream was to be a journalist for The New York Times. I even majored in journalism. Somewhere along the line, reality set in and I stopped writing. It’s something I think about doing but never seem to find the time to do; plus, who would be my audience? Then I discovered Birmingham Moms Blog and I knew I had found my outlet. My story may not be very unique, but I try to make my experiences fun and relevant. I love sharing and reviewing places and events with other moms. With two boys, I’m always on the go, looking for ways to expend their energy. This will give me an excuse to visit even more new places with them!