Goal #92: Staying Home - COMPLETE

More progress on my Project 101 in 1001 list. Read about my journey here. 


Goal #92: Work from home full-time - COMPLETE


I wrote before about how having twins, or even one baby, was never part of my Project 101 in 1001 list-of-things-to-do-at-this-point-in-my-life. The "plan" was to do the things on my List in preparation for starting a family, but my plans got turned topsy-turvy when we found out I was pregnant, and with twins!


This new turn of events made it a priority to complete Goal #92 a little sooner than planned and on February 1, 2012, I joyfully celebrated my first day as a stay-at-home mom (who also works a little from home here and there). 


Completing this goal at this time pretty much guarantees that I won't complete some other goals on my List (mainly the travel ones - they cost time and money that we just don't have right now). I'm a little disappointed. But really, in the long run, traveling to New England in the fall (Goal # 94) or staying at a bed and breakfast (Goal #99) pale in comparison with staying home with my little ones (when they are still little) and being able to invest the time into my family that I long to. Something I wouldn't have been able to do if I had stayed at my full-time job. 


I am so grateful to even have this option, because I know a lot of mamas who want to stay home and just can't. I'm grateful for a hard-working husband who encouraged me to stay home with our boys and who has taken over the role as sole provider with such a go-getter, positive attitude. I'm grateful for the frugality and debt-free living that gave us the freedom to make this choice.  And I'm grateful for the peace that comes when I lay my future in God's hands as the Ultimate Provider. I am excited to see what doors He may open and the lessons He may teach us as we take this step of faith.


Becoming a stay-at-home mom and "household manager" full-time will be an adjustment for sure. I know there might be days were I miss being a career women with my own identity, using my skill-set in the workplace. And I know that there will be times when I miss the "more than enough" money that we had at our disposal. To be honest, I'm a little nervous to see how I'll handle the transition. I'm hoping that I will love staying home as much as I think I will, but I'm sure there will be "those days".

My dear friend Ashley gave me some amazing encouragement on this subject which comes to mind every time I have the panicked thought of, "What have I done?! What if I hate being at home and completely loose my marbles????" Which is surprisingly often, even being as confident as I am that this was the right choice for our family. 


Ashley (who is way more level-headed than me) said, "It won't always be easy or fun or feel like the best job in the world, but you will know that you are doing God's will and that is what matters most. You will be pouring your life into the most important people in your life, your husband and children." 


I think about the sometimes daily hourly frustrations I used to face at work and compare that with the frustrations of motherhood/homemaking and I realize that the "sweat and blood" days of staying at home will be worth it in the end, because the end results is that I'm putting my efforts into serving and loving my family. Compare that with the sweat and blood effort of serving "The Man" at a job that in the end, is just a job (and one that I did not love), and the decision to make motherhood my new career becomes easy and even thrilling.


So, here I go! I'm embarking on a dream-come-true (as I have always wanted to be able to stay home with my kids) and though I have very little idea as to what to expect out of this new phase in my life, I am bubbling with joy and anticipation. Wish me luck - prayers appreciated!

My new "employers"