ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—There's nothing more I want to accomplish in writing this blog than to just be honest about my trials and tribulations of motherhood.

I'm American Indian. I am educated and proud to be in possession of a bachelor's degree and a terminal degree in creating writing. I am the proud, single mother of two children: Emma and Edward. They define my emotions, feelings, struggles, goals, morals, values and beliefs. They are my sustenance. They are my life as an American Indian woman.

Motherhood came to me almost naturally. I grew up in a big family. I was a little mama to my youngest brother and a babysitter to many of my neighbors' children. Changing diapers, feeding, bathing, cradling, playing and loving babies was a big part of my childhood and adolescence.

My daughter came into my life in 2005, I was 23, and I knew what I had to do almost immediately, instinctually, some might say. Edward arrived just 18 months later. Since then, I worked hard to do the "right" things in the beginnings of their lives, I believe.

There have been many challenges, too. Sometimes I just can't believe how much I've grown and overcome. My experiences challenged the definitions of the contemporary American Indian family. Also I witnessed how my family came together for the benefit of my children.

I have learned many good lessons from my sisters and my parents. My sisters, who are also mothers, taught me the ways I want to mother and love my children. They are more experienced than I am, I admit, but I strive to be like them in ways I have seen them mother their children. And my parents have taught me one of the most important values as an Indian parent: Do not (two words I use in almost every conversation I have with my two-year-old) forget to teach your children about who they are.

We are Dine, or Navajo. Many concepts and philosophies in Navajo life, I was taught, are defined by the underlining theme of Hozhoo, or the Beauty Way. Navajo people strive for Hozhoo, beauty, balance or our concept of happiness. I strive for that everyday.

Also in Navajo philosophy of life, there should always be an "outlet," a way out. Literally, that is evident in the design of our Navajo wedding baskets and even in our cradleboards for babies.

To write this blog is my outlet. It is one of the ways I try to attain Hozhoo in motherhood and as a human being.

I hope to document my actions and thoughts and stories through the writing of this blog. I want to find some common ground with other mothers and define some ways that American Indian motherhood is truly unique.

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Read Christie Cooke's first Native Moms [1] blog entry.