Staying At Home

So, you have a career and a job that you love.  Not many people can say that, so you should enjoy it.  But now you're pregnant and it's just a matter of time before your life is going to change big time.

I have always known that I will stay home once that first baby comes.  Luckily, Ryan decided in high school that he wanted a wife that would do that.  It worked out for us.  We didn't plan it, but we'll be bringing home a baby in 3 months.  This is happening sooner in my life than I ever expected.  As happy as we have become, we know that my "career" will soon be changing, too.

I do have a job that I love.  There are parts that I am not good at and there are parts that I don't like, but mostly it is an enjoyable challenge for me.  The people I work with are great and after being here for 2 1/2 years I feel like the level of enjoyment I get in working with them has only increased as I have gotten to know them and the job better. 

I hear people talk about how difficult a decision it can be for a woman: career vs. children.  I will miss being in the office and having that interaction, but I am confident and excited about being at home.  With James just 3 months away from arrival, I've had several conversations, both at work and otherwise, about my plans.  Mostly, the feedback is positive and I am always blessed to hear supportive words.  It makes me feel like they understand what is important to me.

I was surprised at first, but I have also had some negative feedback.  Some people tell me that I will get bored and beg to come back to work.  Two people reacted with the attitude of pity, like I was enslaving myself or something?  I really feel like they assume too much.  Really, I'm reaching a level of self-actualization.  I rarely find a greater sense of accomplishment than I get from doing household chores!  I'm a total homebody - I would rather stay in than go out just about any evening.  My social needs are really very low.  A perfect day for me would be spent with the windows open to the breeze, a load of laundry going, kid(s) playing in the yard with a puppy, and working on a creative project I have had on the back burner for a while.

I don't really like filling the stigma of a plain mid-century housewife.  No, it's really not very cool, and I know it makes me an easy target for joking and even some criticism.  Maybe I was born in the wrong decade, but here I am.

Are you ready for a really cheesy mission statement?  (c;

What I long to do is be devoted to maintaining the hearts and bodies of my family.  You may plan on keeping your career post-kids, and I really won't argue against anyone who decides to do that, I can only assume they are doing what they feel cut out to do, just like I am.  It is a good feeling to love what you do!

Now on to something even more exciting for me.  I am incredibly blessed that the company I work for has offered to set me up working part-time from home, even with the likelihood that Ryan and I will be relocating to a different city.  I get to take the parts of my job with me that I love.  I always saw myself dropping work "at long last" once I have kids, but in all truth, I'm so happy I get to keep part of the working world.  I get the best of both.  Again, God, thanks for knowing my heart better than I do and - GOSH - thanks for giving it to me!