My new gig

It's been a month since I left my corporate marketing job for a new role - stay at home mom.  Although it's something that I've wanted for a long time, I didn't ever really think it would actually happen.  We are just like most other middle-class families with college debt, two car notes and a mortgage.  We've always tried to live credit card debt free so I guess that's a win.  After a year of juggling foster care (not the kids, but the amount of time it takes to meet all the other demands) and working full-time, we felt like there was too much of a strain, something had to give. I told Mike that I felt like every aspect of my life and everyone that needed me was only getting pieces of me.  I was drained. There were days where it took every ounce of effort to go to work with a smile on my face and enough brain cells to get through the day.  I didn't have a "hard" job but there was a lot detail and moving parts and sometimes it was overwhelming because I was overwhelmed before I got there each day.  I was missing time with my kiddos and the chores around the house were mounting.  Mike and I were both stressed, feeling like we weren't getting any closer to sanity, only further from it.  He took a new job that allowed the finances to work and one Friday night, he told me to quit my job.  What?  I wasn't 100% confident we could make it work, but figured there was no harm in trying.  I put in my two weeks' notice and said goodbye to my friends, to my routine and to work that I genuinely enjoyed.  Here we go, there was no turning back.

In the interest of full disclosure, I was pretty freaked out by day one and it was only a Saturday. "M" was teething pretty hard core and would scream the second I put her down.  I'm very fond of my personal space, very claustrophobic (I don't even like tight seat belts....) so I was wiped out after 5 hours of holding a sweaty, whiny baby.  I panicked, wondering what I had signed myself up for.  Satan has a way of sneaking in and playing on your insecurities. Thankfully after some Tylenol for her and a nap for both of us, we were fine.  We've had a couple of bumpy days since then, but for the most part, we've really enjoyed our time together. 

My time with Henry has been great as well.  I was able to attend his end of year awards ceremony and hang out with him more after school.  Seeing him finish kindergarten was a good reminder of how fast time goes, especially when you aren't home.  Our mornings now move really slow and it's been great for both of us.

I've been able to knock out some projects around the house while "M" naps and I've cooked dinner more nights than not.  Mike was previously in charge of supper because he got home much earlier than I did.  I'm sure he's thankful to have passed that baton.  I have time to grocery shop now, go to the gym and run errands, too. We are also able to go to church on Wednesday nights, something we haven't done since I was on maternity leave 6+ years ago.  I'm also going to facilitate a women's Bible study next month - very excited about that. We've been able to catch up on doctor's appointments and visit family and friends.  Of course caseworkers, CASA and the attorney visits are now during the day instead of in the evening after work which is a HUGE break for our family.  Leaving work to pick up kids and make it home before visits was very disruptive to our nightly routine.

It's not all been sunshine and rainbows but it's worth the sacrifices.  Getting to stay home with my kiddos, especially when they are little, knowing they are safe and happy means the world to me.  Being able to support Mike as he advances his career is pretty cool, too.  Being able to open our home to more foster children further supports what we've been called to do.  It's pretty cool to see God work it all out and to Him we give thanks.