Usually, he gets up between 8:00 and 8:30. LOVE THAT! We hope it lasts -- a little while anyways.
This morning, however, he was still sleeping at 8:50 A.M.
But, I had to get to work; AND, I had to get Luke to Andrea's first.
So, I walked in on this....
I took this photo, and then, I woke him up. He didn't like that. In fact, he cried for a bit. It was sooooo sad. But, on a good note, he wanted to cuddle for a bit to wake up. Luke's not a real cuddler, so I must take advantage of it whenever he wants to.
Why am I blogging about such a morning?
Well, it was a big day in our lives. Today was my last day of working outside the home with Luke being watched by our friend Andrea. Today was my last day being officially affiliated with Dairy Queen. That's a little weird because pretty much anybody who knows me knows that somebody will probably want to etch a DQ cone on my tombstone someday. Yep, for the last 17 years, I have been affiliated with that brand in some way.
But, DQ is definitely not the point to this blog.
My staying home was really never in our plans. I know -- weird for some of you who always wanted to stay home with kids and who currently do stay home with kids OR those who are working and would like to stay home with kids.
My mom worked. I always thought I would -- even with kids. When Marc and I were dating and talking about marriage early on, the plan was for me to keep working even after we had kids. I enjoyed working. I enjoyed bringing home my salary.
It's amazing how things change. Various people and various circumstances in our lives have shown us that for OUR FAMILY, me staying home would probably be the best thing. I can honestly say that is one thing God showed me (I believe) during our little bout with infertility and my miscarriage with our first baby.
God does truly have a plan for each of our lives!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-12
Now, please understand this will be a HUGE adjustment to me. I have always been the "go-getter" type with jobs. I enjoyed leaving home each day for a job.
Now, God has taught me that my full-time job is this....
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Yep, being a full-time, stay-at-home wife to Marc and mother to this little guy pictured above --
Now, just so you do understand...I do still have two little jobs for income outside of my stay-at-home full-time mother thing.
a) I will be watching two cute little children (Oliver and Lily) 1-2 mornings a week.
b) I will continue my position with Graber Backhoe (an excavation company) as their safety administrator as well as back-up payroll person. Most of this work can be done at home, and when I do need to go to their office, Luke can come with me.
Our family is a part of Grace Community Church. Marc and I also continue to lead a Community Life Group (starting up on our 4th year). We're also co-leading (or facilitating) a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class. I'll still be in our wonderful Young Mom's Bible Study on Tuesday mornings. Luke's signed up for Kindermusik this fall. We'll work diligently on getting to the toddler story time once a week at the library. Marc runs A LOT! Marc still does Taekwondo twice a week. I've been walking A LOT lately. I'm on Community Life Council at church. Marc's on the tech team at church. Sometime, we need to spend time with each of our families. And, how about spending time with each other without Luke every once in awhile?
WHOA!!!!! Yes, we're busy...It's nuts sometimes. But, we wouldn't have it any other way.
**I would like to say one more thing in this already long post -- Somebody recently told me that "there seems to be a dividing line between working mothers and stay-at-home mothers -- especially in this town at our church."
Well, I personally have heard things like that NOT just in our town or at our church. I think that's a common perception everywhere. I really don't think there's a real division other than with that perception -- or at least I hope there's not a real division.
Motherhood isn't easy at all. It's something we can all support each other with. I do NOT at all want to come across to anybody that I think I'm better or superior to other mothers because I will be staying home with Luke. This situation we're embarking on happens to be what we feel is best for OUR FAMILY. It doesn't mean that it's the "end all be it all" situation for every family. Some families may not financially be able to do it. Some mothers just want to work outside the home. We just are very GRATEFUL right now that God has helped us work it out so that I am able to stay home.
The important thing is that we be the best mothers that God intended us to be.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
3 comments:
I want to affirm your decision. I too have been a "stay-at-home". Personally, for me, I never had the desire to work outside the home. Raising kids and taking care of the house, involvement in church seemed like all I could do. I did work for awhile, when the kids were in high school, but was always home when they got home. I have loved that Allen wanted me to be home too and am so grateful it worked. When I was growing up, I went to boarding school. In grade school I saw my parents on weekends. In high school I came home for summer and winter break, then either the Easter or Thanksgiving break. School was in Tokyo and it took 24 hour train or ferry ride to get there so we couldn't get home more than that. I was grateful for wonderful dorm parents and close friends. But it was sad not to have parents right there. Being a full-time mom was quite a different experience for me. I often wonder how my parents felt as they said good-bye to us for a couple months at a time. I don't think I had the energy or stamina to work outside the home. I don't know how some women can have such strength to do it. I am not wired like that at all. I applaud all those who are able. There are great examples of wonderful women in our church who do it! Balancing work and family. I find it amazing.
Hey Sarah, just wanted to wish you well in your "new job" because I know you will still be a working mom, just at home, instead! Also I just started a blog finally (something I've been wanting to do) but it's still in the beginning stages. http://ricksamhorton.blogspot.com/
You're right, Sarah. I, too, think the "division" between working moms and stay-at-home moms is just a perception. Everyone's views are shaped by their own life experiences. But, moms are moms regardless, and we will always have things in common with each other whether we work or not.
I, too, have always loved working. I always thought that I would never be able to be a stay-at-home mom because I thought I would go crazy not working. However, my weekends are proof that I still "work" - just in a different capacity. Some days it's very difficult to balance work and raising children, but somehow God gets me through it. I always marvel at the strength He gives me, even when I'm convinced I have nothing left!
I'm glad you will be at home with Luke. One of these days, I hope to be able to do the same with our girls... :-)
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