Some People Think I Sold Out

I ran into an old guy friend at the store tonight at the store. We were talking and it was brought up that I don't work. He said, "Oh, Stay at Home Mom?" I said, "Sure am." AND que the silence.

It seems like so many people think I sold out, being a Stay At Home Mom. The way I like to think of it is that I didn't BUY IN to modern views on the family structure.

Sure, I could have gone to school and got a four year degree and got a job straight out. Made good money. Been able to go on lots of vacations and have plenty of money in my savings and checking. But there was nothing else I truly wanted to do. I wanted to stay home. That is what I WANTED and STILL WANT to do. I wasn't forced into staying home so that we didn't have to pay for daycare. It isn't a guilt thing. And Jessie didn't beg me to do it. We agreed to it before we even started trying to have a Baby. And we have never strayed from that belief that that is what is best for our Family.

We have both fought for me to stay home. When Sam was younger and we were living on a lot less than we do now, there were times where we weren't able to spend a whole lot of Christmas. We couldn't go out on many dates. And you could forget going out to a nice dinner mores than a few times a year. As Jessie moves up in his line of work, that isn't much of an issue anymore. But there are times that our savings account doesn't have very much in it. We didn't have thousands of dollars put away to fix my car when the motor blew, so we had to pay on credit cards for a little while. Yes, occassionally Jessie works a weekend to get that little something extra, like a nice vacation or Christmas money. (I also do things to earn money for this sort of stuff. Generally, babysit.) And there are times we have to say, "Sorry. We can't go out to eat with you guys this weekend because we are low on money."

But it is all worth it. Every time I get to see Samantha overcome another obstacle. Every time I see her smile or have the time to just sit and watch her play. Watch Samantha slowly, slowly grow into a young lady. Being able to stop and smell the roses every day. Being able to volunteer my time, follow my passion, while also being home. I can't imagine any other life.

Plus, on a side note, being a Stay at Home Mom is my guilty pleasure. ;) I do it for Samantha, but I am also thankful that I enjoy it so much. I Love doing just about anything Susie Homemaker does! I like cleaning and baking. Cooking and crafts. Decorating for seasons and holidays. Making lesson plans. (Not sure if that one counts.) I Love the little groups and playdates in the day time, when the playgrounds and other places are empty. I like spending Beautiful days with Samantha outside and not having to wait until the end of the work day. I Love Blogging and Reading or doing a Bible Study on the couch during nap/quiet time. I Love serving my Husband. And trying my hardest to make our house into a warm home that our guests feel welcome in.

I didn't sell out. I am living my dream of serving my Family in our Home.