Stay at Home Moms...Can you relate?

Alright, I have thought about this post for awhile. I would love to share with you what a typical Stay at Home Mommy day is like. Why?? Because I occasionally get comments like this:

Oh, how great to be a stay at home mom! It's great that you...
...can play with your kids all day
...have plenty of time to do your housework
...don't have any commitments
...have no stress.
...can watch your soap operas (seriously?)
...have so much time!
...don't have to work.

OK. really? So, being the optimistic person that I try to be, I'm thinking that those people who say these things simply and truly have NO idea what Stay At Moms do all day. You must think we just sit home and eat chocalate all day while laying on the sofa watching our shows? ummm...no.

I cannot remember the last time my tv had anything other than dora the explorer or music playing. Yes, I do play with my kids...but umm, not all day. Plenty of time to do my housework? It must have been a LONG time since you've been to my house. I consider it a extremly succesful day when my house looks anywhere near clean. No stress? really, no stress? I'll keep those comments to myself. Don't have to work??? I work harder and have less time then I ever did when I 'went to work'.

Do I enjoy being a stay at home mom? You bet!!! I wouldn't change it for the world. I love that I get to 'work' and be home with my babies? Really could it be any better. Do I wish my house was clean and the laundry wasn't an all day event? Yes. But, I'd rather have happy kids and a messy home, then a clean house with unhappy kids. Do I wish I could do it ALL...yes. But I can't and that is ok.

I AM NOT SUPER WOMEN...AND I AM OK WITH THAT!

So, what I decided to do, was simply document a day in my life. So here ya go...for all those that truly have no idea what we S/WAHM's do all day. Enjoy!

Things I didn't get to today...
Today, I didn't make it to the bank and didn't get the goody bags done for the birthday party this weekend. I also didn't get a slide rental (although I did call, but ran out of time to call back). I didn't get Bug's pants made and didn't get her shirt to my friend who is going to embroider it. I folded all the laundry, but it's still in the middle of the living room floor...wish I'd had the time to put it up. And my house...yea, haven't touched it in 2 days.

But, what I did do is everyday things. My day is full, every day. Every day holds different items on the checklist. And everyday I can get overwhelmed if I let life get to me.

But, why get overwhelmed! Life is good, very good!! I truly have the best job ever. I get to see my kids grow. I get to see them learn and laugh and love each other.

Tomorrow, with a 3 year old behind me every step of the way... I will do all the things I did today (minus the grocery store and dropping/picking up Bug from school) plus, I will clean the house, go to the bank, pay bills, drop off that shirt that I didn't get to today, start preparing for the birthday party, more laundry, make the pants for Bug's party and clean the back yard of all the kiddos toys and clutter. I also need to refreshen Bug's hair, which will take 30ish minutes. We also do homeschool 3 days a week, and that happens to be tomorrow. Oh, and I can't forget to rent that slide for the party! Oh dear...have I ordered cupcakes yet??

Every day is different and every day is busy. For those of you who think we SAHMs just sit around all day...I love you, but I think you are clueless. Soooo....here ya go. I did miss several things, but maybe you'll get the idea. :)


*********************
Today started at 5:30
Shower, then...

Answer a few emails from overnight.

Put up dishes from last night...leaving the kitchen a mess.

 get the kids up for school!

 

Look at this in my home...love it!

Start laundry load ONE of the day

Breakfast...I have no idea why there are 2 spoons?

Last minute homework.

 

Hubs left his sunglasses...Hulk running out to hand them to bossman.

Bath time for Bug

Packing Hulks folder...check out these awesome grades. GREAT start to the year!

Say for the millioneth time...tie your shoes!

A few seconds of play time before school. Notes from Bug to Hulk

Load up! Time for school

Check it out...wet hair! Yep, no time to dry it. I'll do it when I get home.

Driving driving driving

Morning prayer for our school, teacher, friends and our family.

Made it...now we wait

 Whew, made it just in time. Never tardy, but we do cut it close some days. 

 Back home. Bug is really excited about her new 'high score'...please note, there is NO iphone/ipod. Our kids don't have them...so they use their imaginations. yea, mean mommy, right?

Now time to get Bug ready for school

Loading up again...

 Today is grocery day and the pantry is empty...quick stop

Yep, that's healthy? Air head are NOT for lunch by the way. :)

Walking Bug into school

In class

Back in the car...

Back home, hanging up car keys, and grabbing studio keys.

Thankful for a hobby/job that is literally in the back yard.

Time to finalize galleries, network and start uploads before my 10:00 appt

Just a few minutes to straighten up this crazy mess

He's here!

Session finished, now to purchase a few things for the birthday party this weekend.

Gourmet meal and 8 minutes of peace and quiet in the parking lot.

1:00 and time to get Bug!

Grocery shopping

Unload the groceries....did I mention the slight panic when they were out of car carts...not my panic, Bug's! Thankfully one rolled up at the perfect time and we grabbed it. Grocery shopping with a regular boring cart is just no fun.

Ugh...hate putting away groceries

Laundry load 2

Wash dishes...again. How do they multiply when I'm not even home?

Prep yarn for Bug's yarn braids that I will freshen up tomorrow

Fold laundry (this happens. all. day. long)

A few minutes of front yard play time as we wait for the bus. For the record, she dressed herself

Bus is here!

Homework time

Backyard sprinkler fun while Hulk does homework...means I'm in 2 places at once

Supper prep

More homework...with a small appetizer

Load 3 for the day

Starting supper. Love this purple pan. :)

Good behavior/effort reward (homework time can be brutal). 10 minutes of music.

Supper time

Yep, the dishes multiplied again

Laundry load 4 for the day

Bedtime...we have early bedtimes at our house. Everyone needs beauty rest!

Kids go to bed and Hubs follows soon after...didn't grab a photo of him. :)

See ya later Dora!

Write letter to one of our kiddos bmoms. 

Last load of laundry (for the day) in the dryer. Silent celebration!

Answer emails from the day

Sit down to work on the session from today, expect to be there a couple of hours

Fold the last load of laundry

Work at the computer until 12:30 and called it an early night. 

**************

If you've actually made it this far. Thank you for taking the time to ready. I know it's long, but I did enjoy doing this today. I did kept forgetting my camera and missed several things...but I hope you get the point. Being a sah-mommy is the most fulfilling thing...ever. But it is also tough, and finding that balance is tough. 

If you know a sahm, give her a hug, and encourage her. Tell her she is a great mommy and is doing a great job. There are far too many mommies out there trying to be super-mom and do it all. 

Ladies...you don't have to be super-mom. We don't have capes and red boots with stars on them. But we do have fantastic kids and the opportunity to be there while they are young. This is a blessing!!! Stop worrying about what the mommy down the street will think of your decorating or un-swept floors. Do YOUR best...but most of all, make time for your kids in your busy busy day. 

Love ya'll!

He gives you the love to share

It's hard. Incredibly. Hard.

See, in adoption, you give your heart, your whole heart to a child that is not yours. You love them, pray for them, and hope that one day he/she will be your child. But in the time waiting...you fall more and more in love with this child. Often, this is a child you've never met. Never hugged, never touched...but constantly longing for.

Eight years ago, I fell in love with a little boy with the biggest cheeks I'd ever seen. I loved him with every inch of my being. My arms ached to hold him. In my heart he was MY son. I found myself wondering what he was doing. Was he happy? Was he crying? Was someone comforting him? Photos and updates were all I had. But I longed for more! I needed to know everything about this small person who I didn't know.. God had linked us together.
But the reality is that, he was not mine. Not yet. 

Four years ago, I fell in love with a child. My heart made a space for another child. I seriously had doubts for awhile that I would be able to love another child as much as I loved my son. But then it happened. My heart was opened and already in love with another child. But this time, there were no pictures, no updates. nothing. nada. zip.
But my heart was still full and longed to meet my next child.

And then the phone rang. Short and sweet details about a baby girl in another state. She needed a family. THIS was my heart! I loved her before I even knew about her. At that moment, I would have done anything for her.
But she wasn't mine. Not yet. And yet, I loved her.

How can you love someone you've never met?
Someone who *may* be your child one day?
Someone who may *not* be your child one day?

Easy.
God allows you too.
He gives you the love to share.

Adoption is not easy. It is not for the faint of heart. You may fall in love with a child that may never be yours. Whom you may never see. A child who you may hold and love and fall even more in love with only to have to say good bye. This is the reality of adoption. It can be hard. It can be difficult. It can be frustrating. It can shatter your heart....but...

But...

It can be AMAZING
It can be JOYFUL
It can change you more than you can ever imagine
It will BLESS you
It WILL change you

It is worth every moment of love that you can give!!!!!
It IS worth the risk!!

See, when you commit to adopt, you commit to opening your heart to the unknowns. Each type of adoption has it's own risks. Financial risks, legal risks, emotional risks.

International adoptions are often unstable. Things can change at a moments notice. I know many families right now that are loving their children from afar, some fighting for years to bring their children home after country programs closed. Is it the usual in international adoption? Thankfully...no. But the risk all the same.

I know families who have met their babies through domestic adoption, loved them, prayed with them, named them and shared their love with their families, only to get the call that the birth parents have decided to parent...and they needed to bring the baby back. Is this the usual in domestic adoption? Thankfully...no. But the risk all the same.

Is it worth it? YES!
Is it hard? ABSOLUTELY!
Will we do it again? YES!

Why?

Adoption is not for everyone. But it IS for us. I cannot imagine my life without my children. I can not imagine my life without adoption. There is not one single thing that I would change in my life.

The risk is worth it. 
God's children are worth it!!

Old pic...but LOVE it!

First Order of Tshirts are HERE!!

The first order of tshirts are here and they are fantastic! I've hand delievered a few, but with last weeks sickies that ran through our house (are more specifically me and Bug) I hesitated to deliver more for fear of sharing our new found sickies. I figured you would all appreciate me waiting a few more days.

I will be pulling labels this evening for those that need mailing and those will go out asap. Again, I can not tell you all enough how much we appreciate you each taking this step of faith with us, loving us, supporting us not only through this fundraiser but by committing to lift our family in your prayer.

If you are local, I will get yours to you tomorrow or Tuesday. My mother in law has several that she is handing out, and my mother will be handing out those from her church that purchased. 

If you missed this order and would like to get in on the next (and possibly last) order, please click the link above and it will take you to the order screen. And always, thank you!!!!

A matter of the heart....

For the past few months, I have watched anxiously as a precious friend has journeyed through adoption, for the second time. In traditional adoption rollercoaster, it has included ups and downs, hopes and disappointment and even a short term placement of twins.

And then...her consultant called her one day and mentioned a little boy to be born soon with a diagnosed heart condition. It truly is a matter of the heart. She committed to pray about this baby and whether or not they needed to present their profile.

God said yes. 

...Fast forward 2 weeks...they are now, many many states away. They have met the precious mother carrying this baby boy and anticipate meeting him tomorrow. Tonight I sit here thinking of my friend and her husband as they prepare to meet their son tomorrow.


I pray specifically for this mother and her unborn son.
I pray for their health.
I pray this is an uneventful easy labor.
I pray for her peace and comfort as she places her son for adoption.
I pray for my friends.
I pray for their hearts, their peace, their comfort tomorrow as they wait.
I pray for the relationship forming.
I pray for this sweet little boy...and his ultimate healing. 

Adoption is a bittersweet pill. As adoptive parents, meeting our children is the greatest joy on earth...but it comes from the greatest heartache on earth. Adoption comes from loss.

Would you please commit to lifting our friends, this mom and Baby H in prayer tomorrow? Will you pray specifically for his health, and that the defect is minor and easily corrected...and that his hospital stay in less than expected? Would you please pray specifically for this mother tomorrow as she places her son in another mother's arms.

Tomorrow I will be wearing this shirt. These were a fundraiser for this adoption and the wording is perfect for tomorrow.

Fearfully and wonderfully made
CHOSEN
before the foundation of the world
ADOPTED
unto Jesus according to His good pleasure
LOVED
with an everlasting love.