Change is Coming

Quality Time

The time has come. I must go back to work.

I'm happy. I'm sad. I'm nervous. I'm excited.

When my husband went back to grad school for ministry in 2005 we knew it meant having financial hardships for a few years and eventually moving away from our families. All I asked was that I could be a SAHM for a while when he was finally called to his own church. 

Well, we moved here in 2009 and I became a SAHM to my then three year old son and six-month-old daughter. I didn't think I could make it after the first month. I was ready to pull my hair out! But, we finally got into a routine and I loved it. I missed a lot of the adult things, like lunch hours and conversation. I also realized what a gift staying home was for me.

After having my son in 2006 I returned to work full-time after twelve weeks of maternity leave. It was hard leaving him but I had no choice. I had to work.  When our daughter was born in 2009 we had already moved once. I had a new job and could only stay out for eight weeks and then had to return to work. Again, I had to work.

Then my husband was called to VA. He kept his promise and I got to stay home. I realized what I missed while I worked when my son was little. I don't regret it but I am sad that someone else got to see everything I missed.  More than once I've sat back and wondered, 'How in the world did I get all this done when I worked?'  I've learned what an incredible person it takes to work and be a wife and mother and take care of a home while making sure your kid doesn't turn into a serial killer. What's more amazing are the millions of moms and dads who do it every day!

So, in a few weeks I will return to work, this time only part-time. A few days a week. It will help me ease back into the real world. For some reason I think leaving my kids this time will be even harder then when they were infants.  They have become my side kicks, my partners in crime.

I am excited about entering the adult world again! Having conversations that involve subjects other than Buzz Lightyear and trains is a huge plus! I think I'm really going to enjoy my job.

Most of me can't wait to get started. The part of my heart that is with my kids is dragging a little though.

Valentine's Day Ideas

Doesn't he deserve a good V-Day? :)

I need suggestions. Are you a Super Romantic? I would love some ideas for Valentine's Day!

I have a confession. I am a girl and I DO NOT LIKE TO SHOP! I am also NOT a romantic.

As Valentine's Day approaches I am reminded of how unromantic I am. I just don't think in terms of candlelight dinners, surprise getaways or super thoughtful (took me a lot of time) gifts. I think the best I've done so far was the wedding gift I gave my husband. It was a small scrapbook of special notes and pictures from when we were dating and our engagement.  Since then, I think I have failed miserably.

My husband, on the other hand, LOVES to shop and is great a buying gifts! He has great taste and loves to plan little getaways for the two of us every now and then. He tries to help me out by pointing out things he likes (even making lists) or mentioning places he would like to go. I very rarely remember and most of the time I can't find the gifts he has hinted at (usually random Jesus books. We call all his religious paraphernalia Jesus books).

Sometimes I feel guilty for lacking the romance gene, but it is me. Some people are just better at things than others. I have high hopes every year for Valentine's Day and his birthday but I never seem to get it done.
Maybe this year will be different.

Are you missing the romance gene too?