Adventures in Homemaking

From now on, I imagine many of my posts will begin with, "Now that I'm a stay-at-home-mom...."

Yes, it's true! After 5 years at The Master's College and nearly 13 years in the work force, I am thrilled to announce that I'm trading in my dress slacks and perfume for yoga pants and the scent of baby spit-up! For the past year, AK and I have gone back and forth as to whether or not I should return to work after Henry was born.  Originally I didn't want to, then I did, then didn't....you get the picture.  To be honest, when I found out I was pregnant, I was not super thrilled. At the time, we didn't think we could get pregnant, and I had started to shift my thinking to become more career minded.  I was (mostly) loving my job, and I was good at it (at least I hope I was).  I took a lot of pride in what I was doing--improvements I had made, changes I was implementing.  And some really stressful situations were just starting to work themselves out.  Then I got pregnant.  It was difficult for me to give the job I had invested so much time and energy into over to someone else (I was working 2 positions, one of which was full-time; I quit that position when I went on maternity leave and was planning to return to the second, part-time position).  After Henry arrived, I really missed my co-workers and was excited to go back and really perfect and refine the position.  But as the weeks passed and Henry started to change, the less I wanted to leave him (I mean, in one morning he went from not being able to use him arms to knowing how to use them--it happened so fast!  I don't want to miss out on important stuff like learning to use body parts!).  I also began reading an excellent book by Sally Clarkson recommended by my dear friend, Carla, called The Mission of Motherhood.  The premise of the book (touching your child's heart for eternity) began to really resonate in me--when I invest in Henry, I invest in a soul that will live forever. And I only get one opportunity to do it.  I could go back to a job at any time.  I also began to realize that I wasn't going to be able to do everything well. I was barely managing day to day; the thought of adding a part-time job on top of everything else was completely overwhelming, and I knew some parts of our life would end up suffering.

AK and I had many, many conversations about my returning to work. Finally, one week before I suppose to return, we made the decision for me to quit.  It was with tremendous joy that I called my boss with the news.  Yes, I'll miss my co-workers, but I'm still friends with them and will see them.  And the Lord has shown me that the pride I felt in my job really was just plain old sinful pride. He's blessed me with a much greater job--being AK's wife and Henry's mommy.  I'm really surprised at how much I'm enjoying this new job--budgeting, meal planning, cooking, etc.  It's challenging and fun and I'm learning lots--I had no idea there was so much to know about homemaking!

I'm just so very thankful that the Lord has allowed me to stay home with Henry.  He's blessed AK with one of the few jobs where he can still work overtime if we need it. And we've found a number of ways to trim our budget and live more frugally.  I'm sure I'll be writing about those in the future.

I would like to end with a disclaimer and one final thought...First of all, I do not believe it is sinful to work outside your home if you have children. I hope I did not convey that in this post. I understand that the Lord gives everyone different life circumstances and some moms need to go back to work.  But...if you really believe that you should be home with your kids, just pray about it. I have had numerous friends who thought they would have to go back to work (or move their family to a different state) because of finances.  These friends didn't want to go back to work--their hearts' desire was to stay at home with their children. So they started praying; I prayed with them. And in every single family, the Lord provided exactly what they needed for Mom to stay home (or for the family to not have to move).  It;s been amazing to watch God work in each circumstance. He did it for my friends; He did it for us; and He will do it for you if you ask.

And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
Matthew 21: 21-22

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24