Elementary education major, student teacher, manager at American Family Entertainment Center, soon-to-be graduate of BYU-Idaho in April and soon-to-be mom are all things that describe Ashley Holden, a senior from Midland, Mich.

In spite of her hectic schedule, Holden recently sat down with Scroll to give a little glimpse of what it is like to anticipate becoming a mother.

Mothers’ Weekend is an excellent time to take a moment and thank your mom for the life she has given you. Holden’s interview can give a glimpse of what mothers have gone through to give their children their lives.

Scroll: When are you due?

Ashley: March 28.

S: What are you having and what are you planning to name it?

A: I’m having a girl and we’re naming her Jasmine. I’ve always liked that name and so have my husband and parents.

S: What was your reaction when you found out you were going to be a mother?

A: I was excited and nervous at the same time. When I was younger I always knew I’d have a family, but you can never really be prepared until it happens. I was really excited, but I was also nervous about how my husband would react.

S: How did your husband react?

A: We had only been married a little under a year when I got pregnant. I didn’t know if he wanted to start a family that soon and we were still in school. I knew he wouldn’t be upset, but I didn’t know if he would be as excited as I was. That’s what made me nervous to tell him.

S: But he took it OK?

A: (laughs) He took it OK. The first couple of nights were sleepless for him because he wasn’t ready for it in a way. But he’s had nine months to get used to it and is dealing with it better.

S: Was it a shock to both of you?

A: We knew it was a possibility. We weren’t preventing it.

S: What has been the best part of pregnancy?

A: In the beginning, I really liked feeling the baby move. There’s a life inside of you and you can’t help wonder, what does it look like? How big is it? Now I’m eight months pregnant and not as comfortable. The baby kicks me in the ribs all the time. But it’s still fun and exciting at the same time.

S: What has been the worst part of pregnancy?

A: (laughs) All the aches and pains! Your feet are always hurting, your back is always hurting and it’s extremely difficult to move toward the end of the pregnancy. You’re just exhausted because the baby is taking so much energy from you. I’m longing to get my old body back. But I know once I have the baby, it will all be a memory and will be worth it. I’m just hoping this last month goes by quickly.

S: What are you most looking forward to about becoming a mother?

A: That’s basically it — being a mother. Being able to take care of my baby, teaching them, once I have more, all the things they need to learn and just nurturing them as mothers should. Watching them grow up and be successful and happy.

S: Has being pregnant been everything you thought it’d be?

A: I had no idea! Before I was even pregnant, women would always talk about their aches and pains, the typical things, but I didn’t know it would be extreme. I didn’t know it would take five minutes to try to get out of bed!

If I drop something on the ground, I get really upset because I know how long it will take me to pick it up. Getting out of bed in the morning, for example, I have to roll to my side, use my arms to push my body up and then both my hands to ease myself off of the bed. It takes twice as long to do things. It’s a lot more painful because of how the baby’s situated. Your stomach’s in the way and you’re just not used to that. If I have to get something from the top of the cupboard, I have to turn sideways. (laughs) You just learn to do things differently.

S: Do you think you will do things similarly or differently from your own parents?

A: I know I’ll do a lot of the same things just because I noticed being on my own, being single and then being married away from my family, I do things like my parents. I know I’ll raise and teach my kids the same things my parents taught me which is to do the right things, be a good example to those around you, be a good citizen, things like that. I also will have my own ways of doing things, but for the most part I’ll do what my parents do because I think they brought me up pretty well.

S: Do you have any dreams for what you hope your daughter will become or things she will accomplish in her life?

A: Right now, not for what she becomes, because I don’t know her personality, I don’t know how she is, I don’t even know what she looks like yet. You always hear after a baby grows for a few months, you see their personalities come out. It probably won’t be until I see that in her and see her personality and that I’ll start having any dreams. But then again, I want her to have her own dreams and accomplishments. I’ll stand by her and support her in whatever she does.

S: Are you looking forward to having more children?

A: Not any time in the future! I’m just going to be focused on this first one for now.