Reading

Our Thursday morning routine is to go to the 11am story time at the local library. While Colin got his chooo chooo on in the kids play area ( he really LOVES thomas the train right now), I came across this book and brought it home with me, it's been so nice to read something that validates the importance of what I do every day. It's easy to take the everyday things for granted and sometimes it can feel a little mundane but I have to say this is the happiest I have ever been in my life. Staying home with Colin is a true joy, and although I don't say it enough or always show it, I am eternally grateful to Evan for supporting me in this role and working so hard for Colin and I. I'm also grateful to everyone else who has supported me here, from my parents and in-laws, to my friends and ex-coworkers, and my boss who was so supportive when I uped and left my job.

I often think the stars were aligned just perfectly for this to happen. Evan worked double time to beef up our savings because he had a feeling I wouldn't want to go back after Colin came ( he was right!)At work, I was able to take advantage of an enormous opportunity to sell my practice,which meant I was able to arrange a way to leave and still get income, which has been so nice to have to feel like I still contribute monetarily to our expenses. And then the ease and luck we've had renting our house in Ybor. How did this all come together, I'll never know but I do thank God every day.

There are so many obvious benefits to staying home with your child...the giggles, the hugs, the kisses for the boo boos, the teaching opportunities, never missing those firsts, just being able to play and play without feeling like I'm supposed to be doing something else. I could go on and on about it all, but I'd say the top thing I love about being at home is never having to rush anything. The most important thing I'm doing at all times is being with Colin and making him my priority. I am very conscience of this luxury. I think it has been good for our entire family too. Sure there are days where I'm tired and cranky, but for the most part I feel like I greet Evan with a smile, a hug and warm plate of food when he gets home....if I was still at Ameriprise I don't think this would be the case.

If Colin ever reads this blog, I hope he understands how much I loved this time in my life, just being his Mommy. Right now I am his favorite person, ( with Daddy quickly coming up on my heels, I think I might be replaced soon!) and I love every moment of it, even the times filled with tantrums or crying. I hope he looks back and appreciates that I was here with him and that I ( hopefully ) will always be here. My dream over the next years as our family grows ( no I'm not preggo) is to continue to stay home with our children, that Evan is in a private practice which will have good hours ( are we dreaming in the medicine world?) where his wife and children can come often, and that as my children are older, I can be home when they are home and continue to manage our real estate and any other side jobs/businesses or community work as my interests allow and my schedule opens up.

I know this stay at home gig isn't for everyone, but so far it's worked great for me, and for that I'm so happy!


P.S. I am also  grateful to my own parents. To my mom, who stayed home with me and Andrew and gave us the safety and security that came with it, and to my Dad, for working so hard to give us everything we needed and wanted and for always bringing me along in whatever he was doing.