Life over the past three weeks had been a wonderful blur of typical day-to-day life as a SAH (stay-at-home mom). We get up, eat breakfast, head off to the "Y" (or to Luke's preschool on Tues/Thurs), eat, play, nap (everyone but me!), play, wait for Daddy to come home. I SO want to treasure these times with Luke and Caroline. Every day is so precious.
Bible study is going well. Our moms' encouragement class has been great, too. The book has made me stop and think about my "profession" and the decisions I make each day. It is odd that we spend so much time, money, and energy pursuing our careers. After we've spent four years in college-- and perhaps on to grad school or internships-- then we get hired and then spend more time at conventions and meetings learning how to be better and comparing notes with others in our chosen field. We spend hours trying to get ahead and learn more and do more and climb the ladder..... Then we decide to have kids and stay home to raise them and that all seems to go out the window! After all, now we are just "moms."
It is a "career", too. I choose to be where I am. And, although I have temporarily (or permanently?!) shut the door on my previous teaching career, I still put in many long hours. This class has also reminded me that I need to maintain the mentality I had when I taught of constantly wanting to be better, find new approaches, learn more, etc. It is good to remind yourself that even though some days I SO don't feel like making beds, washing clothes, loading the dishwasher, fixing meals, etc. that is IS my job-- my career choice. I am responsible for those duties as CHO (chief housing officer) for my family. Beyond that, God has blessed me with this time to be home with my children and of being their mom, and I want to do it well-- for His glory.
Several of my dear friends are going to start a "Desperate Housewives" (desperate for GOD!) group which meets every other week. The goal is for us to pursue times of total honesty about our lives as mothers trying to raise Godly children-- what we do well, what we struggle with, what we need help figuring out. We want to be accountable and challenged and encouraged. I am blessed to have women like that to share this amazing journey with. We are going to use Nancy Leigh DeMoss's book "Lies Women Believe" as a resource.
Watching Luke play soccer has been so fun! Many of his friends are in their third season of playing and are much more adept than he... but, it is so cute to see him running around out there in his yellow jersey! Scott is also loving being a coach and working with him and the other kids.What a miracle kids are! I am just in awe each day as I watch Luke and Caroline grow and soak in the world around them. Am I officially a soccer mom now? Whoa!
I have been reminded of this is such a real way over the past few months. A mother of one of Luke's classmates at Otter Creek has recently lost her baby who had trisomy 18. Her faith and candidness through this whole ordeal as touched thousands. If you want to be inspired and reminded of how precious life is, check out Boothe's blog-- then go hug your kids.
