a Kid or a Mom?

I've always thought of myself as fun. I mean, I'm not the life of the party but I like to have a good time and goof off, especially with friends and family. I enjoy coloring, playing dress up, even playing with dolls. Those are kid things, right?

Joel and I have been in Laguna Beach for the past few days. We come here every year with all Joel's family to spend some quality time together and get some much needed relaxation. I always love coming here and spending time with all 39 Taylor's, especially the little kids. It's nice to play, swim and shop in the sun. This year felt different in Laguna though. Since Joel and I are expecting our own little girl, I often caught Joel bonding with the little kids. I even found myself wanting to hang out with them a little more to try to gain some insight into their world. I hung out with the little girls and watched them put on dance shows or attempt to swim back and forth in the pool. They were all giggling and laughing without a care in the world. I felt like I was swept up into their tiny moments of fun. I too felt like a little kid.

I want to share a conversation I had with Joel's 4 year-old cousin Chase while we were playing in the pool, here's part 1:

Chase: Kim...are you a kid or a mom?

Kim: Well, ummm, I'm going to be a mom but I'm not right now

Chase: So then you're a kid?

Kim: Yea, something like that

Chase: Let's swim more

I assume that Chase already accepted me into her circle of kid friends but needed to confirm while she had me all to herself in the pool. We swam for the rest of the afternoon and played in the sun. I was a kid and she told all the others I was.

Later that night this short conversation got me thinking about what type of mom I'm going to be and how Joel and I will act together as parents. How will we raise our kids? What will our new baby think of us? What will she tell her friends?

After playing all day in the sun Chase and I parted ways but she came back to visit me late that night. Here is part 2 of our conversation:

Chase: Kim, what day are you leaving?

Kim: I leave tomorrow, when are you going home?

Chase: Monday. Why do you have to leave tomorrow?

Kim: I have work on Monday

Chase: But I thought you were a Kid?

I guess you're not allowed to work if you're a Kid. And maybe I'm not a Kid anymore since I'm on my way to being a mom but I know one thing for sure...I'm a little girl at heart and that will probably make me an okay mom.