To catch you up on what the Straightforward Mom has been up to--trying to keep from getting completely covered up by life! I always thought that being a "stay-at-home mom" was a life of leisure and fun with your kids. I have been at home for 9 months now. All I can do is apologize to people for being so naive about what those mom's actually do. My days are full of cleaning, working (I do work part-time), diapering, breaking up fights, dealing with whining and crying, and so much more. There are some days that I look back on the days I was working 70-75 hours a week and think what piece of cake that was compared to the life I now lead!!
Don't get me wrong, I love my children and husband dearly. I know that I am doing the best possible thing for them. However, there are days that I feel like I am going crazy! I am by no means "Suzy Homemaker." In fact, she and I would probably end up in a cat fight if we ever met. I am actually, in a way, being domesticated. I know that sounds terrible (like I lived this wild life and now am being taught how to be a lady), but I am learning how to be in the home. I am learning how to function, be productive, and have a purpose within my home. In years past, I found all of these things in the jobs I performed. I knew my niche and I stuck with that. This new life has completely thrown me out of my comfort zone and I have had to find new ways to adapt.
I have found that I am now busier and more strapped for time than I ever was with a full time job. I wipe twice as many bottoms, noses, and dirty hands. I pick up the same toy 500,000 times a day. I make thousands more meals than ever before. Through it all, I have to say that I have been able to learn more about God through being in my home than I did on the job. I might be busier, but I hear Him more clearly. I see Him teaching me things like patience and compassion (Have you ever noticed it is easier to be patient with someone else's child rather than your own?). He is teaching me that there is more in life that I need to learn. I don't know it all. In my previous jobs, I focused on learning more about the subjects I was teaching. Here at home, I have had to learn more about subjects I would never have ventured into otherwise. I have learned to cook more than just salad and scrambled eggs (not much more, but some). I have learned more about small business ventures. I am developing a green thumb. It's like He slapped me in the back of the head and said, "See! There is more to life than just school and sports!"
So where has the Straightforward Mom been this month? She's been learning to be a better mom, wife, and person. I wish I could share all of the things that I have done and learned this month, but instead of writing a book, I will share some pictures! :)
The boys at Easter.....they had a blast.
Reilly enjoyed his 1st birthday even though Daddy and brother were VERY under the weather!
TJ had a great time at his 4th birthday. The monster truck rally was awesome!
