In the last week, I've had lunch with two friends who are each pregnant with their first. I am so excited for them. I was telling one of my friends that after nearly 10 months, I'm still in love with Noah and waiting for the honeymoon to wear off. That's when a woman at the next table over leaned in to say, "It doesn't. My son's 4, and I'm still in love."The other friend asked me if I ever regret leaving a job I loved to stay home with Noah. In a word, no. I did love my job right up until the day I left it. But my new job--mother and household manager--is so fitting and fulfilling for this time in my life that I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's been an adjustment learning to schedule my time so that I can see balance, productivity, and challenge in my days, but I already see those muscles developing as I explore the different facets of this occupation. For example...
The Top 5 Reasons I Love My Job
1. Time with Noah -- teaching, watching, and loving on him, minute-by-minute.
2. Time with Josh. I'm not rushing to fit every chore into our nights and weekends, so when he's not working, we can be together.
3. Time for God. I've never felt the need for Him more than I have this last year. The responsibility of teaching a new person about the world and how to interact with it is a heavy weight. I'm so thankful for the teaching and prayer time that makes me a better wife, mother, person.
4. Time for extended family and friends -- lunches and facebook and emails and birthdays and playgroups and dinners and roadtrips, deepening relationships that were on autopilot for years.
5. Time for me. Reading, writing, consulting, cooking, swimming, hosting, organizing, traveling, eating out. I have time to stay connected with the book world while also pursuing hobbies and habits that keep me healthy.
Staying home is not for everyone or for all time, but I feel like it is allowing me to enjoy motherhood to the fullest. Which may explain why I'm so excited for those who are about to fall head-over-heels.
No comments:
Post a Comment