Recommitting

I've come to some new (or old) realizations lately.  As a SAHM, I sometimes feel like I should be contributing to the family income.  The other day I started thinking about "recommitting" to my job as a SAHM.  As a SAHM I have the opportunity to give our family more spending (or saving) money by simply taking the time to make more homemade meals, do more couponing and menu planning.  These few things can have a significant impact on the extra cash we have to do other things with.

I have to admit I spend too much time on the computer.  The other day I was thinking about when my oldest was little (and I only had one).  Things were so much more simple...I only had one kid, there was no computer...no internet.  I actually spent more time doing "home maker" things.  When I look back on that time I sometimes long for the way it was but I know that all I have to do is make some changes and embrace where I am right now.  So in the next few weeks I hope to share some of the changes I've made and how they're impacting our family.

Here's a line from the theme song on "The Biggest Loser" TV show:
"What have you done today to make you feel proud?"

Searching...

Today I had a long talk with a friend.  It was nice to visit about our hopes and dreams for each of our lives.  I often find myself searching...searching for my life's purpose.  It seems like it should be obvious but it's just not.  I don't feel like I'm exceptional at anything.  I am mediocre to above average in tons of areas but not outstanding in any one area.  I wish I had a real passion about one thing that just stood out like a sore thumb.  This leaves me searching...

Is anyone else searching?

I feel fortunate to be a SAHM but sometimes I feel like I should be doing something more.  I love my boys and being with them but when they're at school or off with their friends and I'm left with the laundry, dusting, changing sheets, etc. I feel left wanting something more...for me...I'm torn.

Staying Connected

Yesterday I was reminded to stay "connected" to my kids.  That's such a good thing to keep in the fore front of our minds.  I'd like to think that I do that on a pretty regular basis but so often life gets in the way.  Take today for instance...I'll be picking the kids up from school and then we're off to the ortho and the eye doctor...after that a quick dinner and I off to an evening meeting...there goes the night.  By the time I get home everyone will be in bed.  

We all have good intentions...it's reminding ourselves that nobody's perfect and that we're all doing the best we can, with what we have, where we are.  That's all we can expect from ourselves. 

Today's Quote: The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child.  ~Joe Houldsworth

Here we go!

This blog is a work in progress.  I can't really say at this point what direction it will take as I don't know myself.  But my goal is to share ideas, stresses, wisdom and trials in hopes that someone reading this will feel like they're not alone in the world.

To start I'd like to share with you that most of the time I feel like I'm alone in the world when it comes to being a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) of older kids.  I love being a SAHM.  I have lots of SAHM friends but ALL of them have young kids and babies.  I only have 1 good friend who is also a SAHM but she lives half way around the world...kinda hard to stay connected and support each other at that distance.

I'm going to come clean about an insecurity that plagues me.  Because I'm a stay-at-home mom and my kids are 16, 13, and 10 I feel judged. 

What's the first thing people ask when they meet you?  "What do you do?"  I hate this question!  I answer, "I'm a stay-at-home mom." Then there's the inevitable question that follows..."How old are your kids?" Long pause followed by judgment after hearing the answer.  I know this isn't something I'm just imagining...you can see it on their faces.  Why do people feel the need to judge?  I guess this is a question I'll touch on now and then as it's something that bothers me.  I wish I had a great answer to that question...one that empowered me instead of somehow making me feel "less than" because of it.

Quote of the day:

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.  ~Plato