Return to work after baby was born or stay home? How did you make your decision?
(Mama Kat's Writing Workshop)
In our first few months of dating my (now) husband and I had many conversations about having a family and the roles we would have in them. Although I was a teacher I knew I wanted to stay at home with my own children. It was what I always wanted and it is what I had growing up.
Now with 3 small children and one on the way I get to stay at home. Most of the time I sit on the couch and eat bon bons.
The transition from working to being at home was pretty easy, at first. About 5 months into being a SAHM (this was also the time when school was starting again) I had a very hard time with my new role. I wanted to return to a normal schedule. I wanted more interaction than just a small infant that only smiled at me. I wanted to feel like I was contributing to our family finances (since I felt like I just kept spending money on groceries, etc.)
I am almost 5 years into this new role and am so thankful I get to experience it. It isn't always easy. But we are making it work.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Top 100
Sometimes I don't know what to write about, but I know I need to write more. Especially on here. As I was thinking/researching about writing stuff I came across a top 100 list. This list is for the top 100 children's novels and now I have a new "goal". I am going to work on reading this list. Not only is it something tangible that I can do but it will also be a great way to be exposed to even more children's novels. If I still want to write my own book then I need to learn from some of the best.
I think I might be putting too much pressure on myself but I don't have a date I have to finish by, just an idea to try and follow through with.
I think I might be putting too much pressure on myself but I don't have a date I have to finish by, just an idea to try and follow through with.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
New Year's List
2011 is now gone. Although this year has had a few surprises and many moments of uncertainty, we are incredibly blessed. I can't begin to explain all the ways in which we have been blessed. As always I like to take this time to think about my life, my family etc. and what I can do to make things even better. (My husband doesn't like to make resolutions so he never gives me any insights into his personal thoughts) These are a few of the things I would like to improve on.
Dating my husband - We do a pretty good job with this. We have a great list of babysitters, friends and family that have helped watch our kids. With the addition of our fourth child in March I really want to continue to make it a priority. In order to do this I have decided that we will have a date night once a week in the month of January. (I would do it every week this year if I could, but I think that is a little unrealistic. February is busy with both of our birthdays and Valentine's and March will be busy with a new baby.) We enjoy going to Sounders games so we try to make those our date nights. Hopefully we will keep "dating" a priority throughout the year.
Organizing - I am terrible at organizing and keeping the house clean. It drives me crazy and I wish I was better. I just don't have an "eye" for those things. I hate spending money on organizing stuff. And I am for the most part, ok with a "messy" house. However, with a house full like ours I know organization will only become a bigger need. The one thing I keep going back to is that I need to get rid of "stuff" in order to be more organized. So for the month of January I have decided to "throw away" 31 things each day. My husband thinks I'm crazy and doesn't think I have 900 + things to throw away. I would like to do it the whole year but I think we will start with a month and see how it goes.
Prayer - I want to spend more time in prayer and reading my bible. This is an ebb and flow for me. Sometimes I'm in a good groove and other times I'm not.
Friends- I want to continue to stay connected to good friends and let them know how much I love them and appreciate them.
H20- This is my health goal. I want to drink more water. I don't do a great job with this and I know it would only help me feel a little better.
Play - Especially during these next 3 months I really want to take the time to play with my boys. I will be exhausted and strung out soon after the baby comes so I want to enjoy this time right now.
Writing - I have been so bad at writing. But I want to continue to make this a priority. I'm still trying to decide what my goal will be. So many posts, stories etc. I just don't know yet.
I'm sure I will have more to add. 2012 is going to be a great year!
Dating my husband - We do a pretty good job with this. We have a great list of babysitters, friends and family that have helped watch our kids. With the addition of our fourth child in March I really want to continue to make it a priority. In order to do this I have decided that we will have a date night once a week in the month of January. (I would do it every week this year if I could, but I think that is a little unrealistic. February is busy with both of our birthdays and Valentine's and March will be busy with a new baby.) We enjoy going to Sounders games so we try to make those our date nights. Hopefully we will keep "dating" a priority throughout the year.
Organizing - I am terrible at organizing and keeping the house clean. It drives me crazy and I wish I was better. I just don't have an "eye" for those things. I hate spending money on organizing stuff. And I am for the most part, ok with a "messy" house. However, with a house full like ours I know organization will only become a bigger need. The one thing I keep going back to is that I need to get rid of "stuff" in order to be more organized. So for the month of January I have decided to "throw away" 31 things each day. My husband thinks I'm crazy and doesn't think I have 900 + things to throw away. I would like to do it the whole year but I think we will start with a month and see how it goes.
Prayer - I want to spend more time in prayer and reading my bible. This is an ebb and flow for me. Sometimes I'm in a good groove and other times I'm not.
Friends- I want to continue to stay connected to good friends and let them know how much I love them and appreciate them.
H20- This is my health goal. I want to drink more water. I don't do a great job with this and I know it would only help me feel a little better.
Play - Especially during these next 3 months I really want to take the time to play with my boys. I will be exhausted and strung out soon after the baby comes so I want to enjoy this time right now.
Writing - I have been so bad at writing. But I want to continue to make this a priority. I'm still trying to decide what my goal will be. So many posts, stories etc. I just don't know yet.
I'm sure I will have more to add. 2012 is going to be a great year!
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Most Wonderful Time of Year
I LOVE this season. I love the time from Halloween all the way through the New Year. It is especially more exciting and enjoyable when you have little ones to share it with. This year has been no different.
Yet, already I am feeling the unnecessary stress that can come with the Holiday season. Typically I am one that can let things easily roll of my shoulder and not worry about them. It's ok if my house is a little messy or unorganized. It doesn't bother me if things are not completely planned out. And although I would like things perfect it's ok if they are not, most of the time.
So, I hope I can manage all the extra stuff that will happen and enjoy these little moments with my kids and family. They truly are precious.
Yet, already I am feeling the unnecessary stress that can come with the Holiday season. Typically I am one that can let things easily roll of my shoulder and not worry about them. It's ok if my house is a little messy or unorganized. It doesn't bother me if things are not completely planned out. And although I would like things perfect it's ok if they are not, most of the time.
So, I hope I can manage all the extra stuff that will happen and enjoy these little moments with my kids and family. They truly are precious.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Money, money, money
One good reason why you are not in charge of your family’s finances. (Mama Kat's writing workshop)
When it comes to money, I'm a mess. It's not that I spend too much, exceed my credit card limit, or don't have a clue about dollars and cents. It's quite the opposite.
I do have a clue about my money.
Aside from one misunderstanding I have done well with my credit cards.
I spend way less than most people do.
The reason I am not in charge of our family's finances is because it would put me in an emotional mess. It would cause me unnecessary stress and worry and it would constantly plague my life. Not only would the task of paying bills on time be something extra to deal with, but the idea of spending money would be very hard.
Instead of spending money I would try to save every penny just because. We would not enjoy this moment and instead would live extremely cheap. It's the way I have always been and although I think it is a noble quality to be cheap and to save money I think it adds stress because I constantly worry about having enough money saved.
*Don't get me wrong. As a family we still save money and my husband manages our finances very well. He just brings a nice balance to my obsession with saving money. For example, he finally convinced me it was ok to buy new underwear since mine had holes in them and were ripping at the seams.
When it comes to money, I'm a mess. It's not that I spend too much, exceed my credit card limit, or don't have a clue about dollars and cents. It's quite the opposite.
I do have a clue about my money.
Aside from one misunderstanding I have done well with my credit cards.
I spend way less than most people do.
The reason I am not in charge of our family's finances is because it would put me in an emotional mess. It would cause me unnecessary stress and worry and it would constantly plague my life. Not only would the task of paying bills on time be something extra to deal with, but the idea of spending money would be very hard.
Instead of spending money I would try to save every penny just because. We would not enjoy this moment and instead would live extremely cheap. It's the way I have always been and although I think it is a noble quality to be cheap and to save money I think it adds stress because I constantly worry about having enough money saved.
*Don't get me wrong. As a family we still save money and my husband manages our finances very well. He just brings a nice balance to my obsession with saving money. For example, he finally convinced me it was ok to buy new underwear since mine had holes in them and were ripping at the seams.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
72 days
I'm not one to stalk the news, but I do try to stay a little in touch with the world. I regularly check out the People website to get the latest on celebrity news. Not sure why, but it is interesting stuff to me. The latest news has me mad, confused and annoyed.
A celebrity, Kim Kardashian and her husband Kris Humphries ended their marriage after 72 days. Now, I don't really know who they are aside from hearing their names every so often. I don't watch their show and I don't care about their lives. What I do care about and what makes me mad is how quickly and easily marriage was put aside. After only 72 days they filed for divorce. They didn't seek counseling. They didn't work on staying together they just said this is tough, we are done.
Now, my marriage is not all over the news (thank goodness, I would be a basket case) so I don't understand the scrutiny with which they have lived their lives already. However, didn't they know it was going to be like this. Didn't they seek professional help to sort through these potential problems. They certainly have the money to.
I do know my marriage has taken work. I feel so lucky to have a husband who is patient, understanding and willing to talk through things. But it's still work. I clearly remember a month into my marriage having a misunderstanding, a fight, disagreement, whatever you want to call it. Yes, I could have just said this isn't fun I'm done. But it took work, it still takes work and it will always take work to make a marriage (or any relationship) last.
This is just such a bad example to the world that you can easily say I'm done even after spending 18 million dollars on your wedding day. How annoying!
A celebrity, Kim Kardashian and her husband Kris Humphries ended their marriage after 72 days. Now, I don't really know who they are aside from hearing their names every so often. I don't watch their show and I don't care about their lives. What I do care about and what makes me mad is how quickly and easily marriage was put aside. After only 72 days they filed for divorce. They didn't seek counseling. They didn't work on staying together they just said this is tough, we are done.
Now, my marriage is not all over the news (thank goodness, I would be a basket case) so I don't understand the scrutiny with which they have lived their lives already. However, didn't they know it was going to be like this. Didn't they seek professional help to sort through these potential problems. They certainly have the money to.
I do know my marriage has taken work. I feel so lucky to have a husband who is patient, understanding and willing to talk through things. But it's still work. I clearly remember a month into my marriage having a misunderstanding, a fight, disagreement, whatever you want to call it. Yes, I could have just said this isn't fun I'm done. But it took work, it still takes work and it will always take work to make a marriage (or any relationship) last.
This is just such a bad example to the world that you can easily say I'm done even after spending 18 million dollars on your wedding day. How annoying!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Our song
Part of Mama Kat's writing workshop
I've never been all that romantic. My husband is. Sometimes it drives me a little crazy because I have never understood why people would spend money on flowers when they eventually die. Yet each time I would receive flowers (only from him) it made me feel special. So I get it. It's still just hard for me.
I dream of being more romantic.
When it came to having a song I always wanted one but never thought there would be one. Then somehow it happened.
On our third date we went to a Tim McGraw concert. In an effort to win me over my now husband knew I liked country music and surprised me with these tickets. We loved the concert and ended up getting his CD. It was the beginning of listening to Tim McGraw, laying by the fireplace and gazing at each other, then kissing, gazing, and kissing some more.
In the process we found our song, one that we fell in love with, became our first dance and one we will always dance to when we hear it.
I've never been all that romantic. My husband is. Sometimes it drives me a little crazy because I have never understood why people would spend money on flowers when they eventually die. Yet each time I would receive flowers (only from him) it made me feel special. So I get it. It's still just hard for me.
I dream of being more romantic.
When it came to having a song I always wanted one but never thought there would be one. Then somehow it happened.
On our third date we went to a Tim McGraw concert. In an effort to win me over my now husband knew I liked country music and surprised me with these tickets. We loved the concert and ended up getting his CD. It was the beginning of listening to Tim McGraw, laying by the fireplace and gazing at each other, then kissing, gazing, and kissing some more.
In the process we found our song, one that we fell in love with, became our first dance and one we will always dance to when we hear it.
(Lyrics to my favorite part of the song)
And all I want to do is let it be
And be with you and watch the wind blow by
And all I wanna see is you and me
Go on forever like the clear blue sky
Slowly, there's only you and I
And all I wanna do is watch the wind blow by
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