A "SAHM" Rant

Over the last few months, the topic of working vs. not working moms has been swirling around me, causing much frustration. I have been judged many times for my choice to leave the work force and stay home with my kids. However, it wasn't until I over heard people judging other SAHMs I knew that it had really gotten me fired up. I'm fed up with the misguided view of what a Stay At Home Mom does and the judgments that are made against those that are SAHMs and those that are working moms.
Do we just tend to kids, eat bon-bons and watch soaps all day? NO! Do working moms only care about themselves? NO! Are these thoughts way off base? Absolutely, each situation is different.
I have chosen to be a SAHM (though I prefer the term Domestic Diva) and this is why: Parenting is a serious job that requires dedication and constant guidance. Children need to know that they have a caring adult that will be there for them to help them navigate through life's challenges. Not only do we tend to boo-boos, cook meals, and help with homework but we also search for ways to provide opportunities for our children to learn life lessons that will mold them into successful adults (that's the business I'm in!) I entered into this career field (yes, it's a career) for the betterment of MY FAMILY. It was a conscious decision that required a lot of sacrifice and I know that it is well worth all that has been "put aside."
Is there a time and a place for working moms? Absolutely, I was once a working mom, I know it's hard and at times there is just no way to avoid it. I worked while my husband when to college. It was a PERSONAL DECISION that was made after much agonizing thought and many prayers. It was what MY FAMILY needed at the time.
Is one better than the other? Absolutely not! It all comes down to doing what is best for your family.
Do I plan to go back to work again? Yes, once my kids are in school all day I plan to get right back into it, as long as it allows me to be home when my kids are home. Just because they are older does not mean that they will not need love and guidance to safely tread through life.
Regardless of whether we work outside the home or not, let's strive to get to know each other so that we can support each other. The world is in great need of caring women that resist the urge to judge, and get to know others instead.

Keep it simple

I'll admit it, I'm a perfectionist. It affects everything I do. It can be quite the time sucker and at times it has prevented me from actually finishing projects.

In keeping with my theme for the year,
LIVE IN THE MOMENT, I'm striving to:
1.) Not take on more than I really have TIME for;

2.) Not start projects I can't WALK AWAY from;

3.) Focus more on capturing the NOW and not worry so much about the pages I should be creating;

4.) Focus more on the PROCESS of what I'm doing and less on the product that is being produced;

5.) Learn to get over mistakes and LEARN from them along the way.

If I'm going to be the best example to my children and help them to build a good sense of self, I must show them these qualities.
Mistakes happen, we all make them, but it's how we deal with them that matters most.

Hair products...I love them!

I love good hair products! As I was doing my hair this morning, it made me smile. Lame, I know!
I have been trying to use up the half gone products that have been cluttering up the bathroom for the past month or two before replacing my favs...Finally I have them back!
My can't live without product: Kenra Hairspray.
What's yours?

The things that get in our way but don't keep us down.

Just a little taste of our weekend:

Being stuck behind snow plows doing their own form of synchronized plowing at 20 mph for over 30 miles on our way to the Tri-Cities for another job interview. The roads were snowy both going and coming back making the drive longer than it really should have been.
Followed by our water pump going out on our way out of town causing us to stay an extra day and the daughter missing her field trip.

Followed by a migraine that has been haunting me...ugh!

Looking back, I really can't say the weekend was all that bad. We enjoyed hanging out with our family, having lunch with Val at Jason Lee (plus visiting camp buddies while there) and I especially enjoyed the chance to be creative with Megan. I'm not sure how much help I actually was to her but it has inspired me to get my scrap on! I'm also very thankful that I have an awesome Dad that came and helped us on the side of the highway and for Jeromie staying late to get us all put back together to make it back for a birthday party. Now that I think of it, I really do have so much to be thankfully for. I will just keep running away from that dark cloud that seems to be following and not let it get me down!

A chance to learn about money management

Given our financial position, we have been scaling back on the things that are not a necessity in our life and felt it would be a prefect opportunity to teach the daughter while doing so. She has a rough idea that you have to work to earn money but has been struggling with the concept that just because she has $2.00, doesn't mean she can't has enough to take us all out to Red Robin, as sweet as that is.
To help her understand better we've been playing a very simpified version of Monopoly. She has by no means mastered the concept but I feel like every time we play she understands just a little more.

Blog neglect

I know it, I've totally neglected the blog and I don't even really have a great excuse. In an attempt to make it up to all of you, here's a brief run down of what's been going on around our house:

We've Traveled lots for job interviews however still don't have a job. It's been really hard on Randy. :(

My computer crashed and has been super time consuming to get going again the way I want it. Totally frustrated me but am so lucky to have a computer savvy husband to fix it.

We have enjoyed some beautiful warm afternoons recently. We can't wait to be able to spend all day in the backyard again!

I had a fabulous GNO concert night with my great friends.(P.S. totally took these pictures from Tiffany & Alli's blogs because mine didn't turn out as well)

The little man has been really sick for over a week and is still not totally better yet. We are all ready to have our happy guy back. Tomorrow maybe???

There you have it February in review. Now let's move on to March...

What to say?

I have attempted to post something for the last week or so but can't seem to put my thoughts into words. With each passing day, I feel more strongly that the layoff was for the better, however don't know what we are going to do. Are we moving? Are we staying? How the heck are we going to survive? While I know that things will work out, When? It's all so stressful yet some how I'm feeling surprisingly calm.

Tutu fun!

Since the daughter got real ballet shoes and leotard for Christmas, she has been dancing around the house non stop. The only problem; No ballerina is complete without a tutu.

Here's how we solved the problem:

Cut tulle that daughter has picked out into 3" strips.COOL TIP: Did you know the easiest way to cut tulle is to roll it up and then using a ruler cut every 3" (or whatever width you need). Seriously, try it. You will not be pulling your hair out attempting to cut straight ever again!

Tie Tulle on to pretty ribbon (or elastic if you have some)That's it, you're done. Now you're ready to be entertained for hours.I meant it, she really does wear it for hours.

High hopes for February

Here's to hoping that February will treat us better!

A Bit of Perspective

This I know for sure; All the money in world could not buy the things I treasure the most.
Faith, Family, and Friends.

Going to the Temple...

We're off to the temple to hopefully get our emotions under control and for guidance on what to do next because, well, one of my fears has come true.

"Cast thy burdens upon the lord, and he shall sustain thee..." Psalms 55:22

25 Random Things About Me

I've been tagged multiple times by multiple people on both Facebook and blogs to do this list and how could I resist making a list (I love list!).
So here you go: 25 things you more than likely don't care to know about me!
1. I never feel like I have enough time to do anything.
2. I love all colors (they all have a place)
3. I drink one diet Coke a day (it's my vice)
4. I have absolutely no will power when it comes chocolate chip cookies. I mean it, I'll eat them all!
5. I lost 30 lbs three years ago yet can't seem to loose 10 more.
6. I like to being self-reliant
7. I have to get outside everyday even if it's just to get the mail or I feel like I've lost touch with the world.
8. I have a hard time letting go of things that I feel very passionate about.
9. I tap danced from the age of 5 until I was 17 and want to get back into it again.
10. I love cleaning products.
11. I can't stand clutter
12. I clean our bathrooms twice a week
13. I'm constantly making lists
14. Sometimes I put something I've already done on my to do list just so I can cross it off...
15. I work best at my kitchen counter where I can stand (plus it has good lighting)
16. I can't sit down and watch a show without having something to work on. Such as folding clothes, scraping, sorting bills, checking my e-mail, organizing something, etc....it drives my husband CRAZY!
17. I'm most productive during the day
18. But I'm a night owl.
19. I sleep on the right side and hug the edge no matter what size bed I'm in.
20. I'm opinionated (big shocker, I know!)
21. I enjoy cooking and baking as long as it's in my kitchen.
22. I love to clean out closets and cabinets especially when I have no emotional connections to the stuff.
23. My dream job is to have the Early Childhood Education Specialist position, however, it would require me to finish my degree...
24. I'm currently doing the photo a day for a year (Project 365) challenge and so far haven't missed a day.
25. I love to read a good book while in a really hot bubble bath especially when my hubby gets it all set up for me without me asking because he notices how crazy I'm feeling.

Wow, that's random information!

A new title

I've decided my new title when asked my occupation will be "Domestic Diva". No more boring homemaker or SAHM (Stay at home mom), after all it is by no means a boring job! It sounds sassy and fun and may even start some fun conversations.

Have faith, not fear

While busy hurrying from one thing to the next today and passing by this sign millions of times, it wasn't until my sweet little boy pointed to it did it cross my mind. Actually, it hit me like a ton of bricks...you dummy, have faith not fear!

I love the comforting message Elder Jeffery R. Holland shared in the July 2004 Ensign. Here's the parts that struck me to my core and has lifted me up today.

"First, we must never let fear and the father of fear (Satan himself) divert us from our faith and faithful living. Every person in every era has had to walk by faith into what has always been some uncertainty. This is the plan. Just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and He knows your need."

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—that is the first principle of the gospel. We must go forward. God expects you to have enough faith, determination, and trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. He expects you not simply to face the future; He expects you to embrace and shape the future—to love it, rejoice in it, and delight in your opportunities."

"Is there a happy future for you and your posterity in these latter days? Absolutely! Will there be difficult times when those ominous latter-day warnings and prophecies are fulfilled? Of course there will. Will those who have built upon the rock of Christ withstand winds, hail, and the mighty shafts in the whirlwind? You know they will. You have it on good word. You have it on His word! That “rock upon which ye are built … is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men [and women] build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12)."

While I still worry about things, I'm trying to take my mind of my fears by remembering how grateful I am for the things that I have been blessed with. I will embrace change as it come our way (as, I know it eventually will) and try to make the best of things because I have faith that there is a plan for us and that we will never be alone as we face trials. Things will work out.

A big ball of nerves...

All I can say is despite my knowledge that my heavenly father has a plan for us, I fear.
I fear if we will be able to afford to get our car out of the shop, if we will have a job each morning with the layoff swirling around us, if we will be able to concur our school debt, what the future holds for us, and basically how we will make it from trial to trail. I fear scary times ahead. What is going on with me?