A Non "Working" Mom

So I had an apt at the doctors the other day. No big deal, just some things that needed to be taken care of, end of story. I brought my 1 and 3 year old with me so they wouldn't cause troubles at home, and like I said, the apt. was no big deal. Until I remembered that my 1 year old is a fresh out of the gate, just walkin', full blown, tazmanian devil...what was I thinking??

The nurse practitioner who was trying to go over some stuff with me, was totally distracted by Baby-Zilla. He was climbing in the chairs, banging on the window yelling at ducks outside, and at one point even climbed up and stood on top of the trash can. She remarked "He is so cute!". I said, "Yeah. He is also SOOO bad!". To which she replied, "I see that! He is a hot little mess, and I think that's what makes him so cute to me. I can't stand it! These two must keep you busy all day long, I can't imagine." And then she said it. Three seemingly little words that make me cringe, "Do you work?"

These words shouldn't really make me feel negative. I mean, what's the big deal? I know what she means by that. She means, do I have a nine to five that I get up and go to every day that provides me with some kid of compensation at the end of the week. I get it. But in the crazy feminist society that we live in, the words "do you work" have so much more meaning behind them.

A long time ago, women used to work because they had to. And yes, there's still women today who only work because they have to. But the majority of working women, are working because they want to. Now that's not my issue, do what you like. My issue is that somewhere along the way, women decided that it's no longer "work" to stay home and raise a family. That doing such "menial" things is only what uneducated, oppressed, women do because "they have to". That just staying home is not a worthy endeavor. It's much better for a woman to get an education and a career and make a lot of money. That she can and should "do it all". And that mentality, that this society teaches our little girls, is why I hate those three words.

Let me tell you what I do-

I wake up to 6 beautiful children every single day, for better or worse, rain or shine, sleep or no. There are no sick days, personal days, weekends, or vacations. There is no sleeping in. Because there are budget restrictions with the life that we have chosen, there is no take out, delivery, or eating out. I plan for, shop for and prepare 21 balanced, healthy, meals a week, on a tight budget, every week. I clean up after all of those meals, and I don't have a dishwasher to assist me with it either. I do about 15 loads of laundry every week, and there is no dry cleaning. I wash, dry, iron and hang all of my husbands work clothes. My children are home schooled, and yes, it is hard work. Five children in five different age/grade levels, and I am teacher to all of them. No one gets on a bus to leave all day. My house can get very messy, very fast. There's a lot more cleaning to do when the children are home all day. There's also a lot more quarreling to referee, and 6 schedules to keep up on every minute of the day. There are floors to mop, bathrooms to clean, things to dust, windows to wash, walls to wipe, and four out of six children require my assistance with bathes. Then there's the dressing, teeth brushing, hair combing, diaper changing, nursing, and helping with the potty on a daily basis. I'm the nurse when they're sick or wounded. I wipe noses, kiss boo boos, and hug the tears away. I pull teeth, and clip nails. I remind them of their please and thank you's and yes ma'am/yes sir. I pray for them, encourage them, and I know them so intimately, I weep for them when I know things are heavy and hard for them. I have a husband to support as well. He works full time, an hour and a half away from home. He is studying for the gospel ministry. We're involved in planting a church in our community. We're learning to raise chickens, and grow our own food.

My duties don't end at 5 o'clock every day. They go on, and even interrupt my sleep on many occasions. There's no manual, or training, just learn as you go, and pray for God to guide you and bless your efforts. Most times there's success, sometimes, not so. I don't get benefits, or a paycheck. I don't get time to myself, and I don't have time for hobbies.

What I do get is all the most precious time with my children before it's gone for forever. I don't have to miss out on things. I don't just get time with my children for a few hours in the evenings and on weekends. I teach them. I watch them learn. I watch them grow. I nurture them, and love them. I trust the person who takes care of them all day. I know they are safe and in good hands. And my family gets 100% of me and my efforts, not what's left over after I have pursued other things all day. They are my priority over all other things. I am so blessed to be able to say this, I know many women who cannot, and wish that they could.

One day, when I'm old (Lord Willing), I do not think I will look back and say "I wish I had had a career, and more free time to myself". I believe I will miss my children, and all the work that came with raising them.

So the answer to the question "do you work", is this-

Yeah I work...and dollars to donuts, my job is way harder and way better than yours.

Out to Lunch-Be Back Soon

Yep, that's pretty much where I've been, out to lunch! And I'm not really talking about the meal that falls between breakfast and the leftover dessert I woof down while I'm cooking dinner either.

Don't know the date on my last post, but I know i'ts been a while. Well, look out peops, I'm back. I'm back to annoy you with my sarcasm, and complaining about the wonderful, beautiful, insane, crazy life that I have been so blessed with.

I imagine that my next post will be something to do with moving into this here place we live in now. Yeah I know it was a year ago (almost) but I figure that's a good place to pick up where I left off...wherever that was...

Stay tuned

Tolerance huh?

Recently I came across this little tidbit...





Well, to all of you who seem to find this humorous, I dedicate this post...

tol·er·ance-
–noun 1. a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry.

I love how I get hung out to dry constantly for being a Christian, by those who run around screaming about my intolerance.

Please, all of you self-righteous people out there, someone direct me to the place on the Duggars or my website that makes fun of Jews, homosexuals, the disabled, people of other races, or those who have no kids at all.

Seems like this society is FULL of "tolerant" people wanting me to know how wrong, crazy, humorous, stupid, or oppressed they think I and others like me are because we're different from the norm.

Oxy-morons!

Maybe if Mrs. Duggar would have had and MBA, a big house, a successful career, and 17 abortions rather than children, she would have gotten applauded instead of poked fun at...


Oh, and P.S. - You're right, I am intolerant...of hypocrites

House of Cards

"For those who thought a Democratic congress would end the war in Iraq, think again: their new budget proposes supplemental funds totaling about $150 billion in 2008 and $50 billion in 2009 for Iraq. This is in addition to the ordinary Department of Defense budget of more than $500 billion, which the Democrats propose increasing each year just like the Republicans."- Congressman Ron Paul M.D.

No matter what your political affiliation may be watch this video about Ron Paul speaking on the Dollar / currency policies of America. It will give you a little crash course in basic economics. Read the texts that appear on the screen. Pause the screen if you have to.

FACT: The Dollar is worth .04 cents of what it was in 1913 - right before the Feds seized the Gold (from citizens) and created the fiat money system we are under today.The "Federal" Reserve is not Federal at all. It is an amalgamation of PRIVATE banks. They pull the strings of the US economy and thus, set its policies.

"Give me control of a nation's money and I care not who makes her laws." - Mayer Amschel Rothschild.

Home Sweet Home

Finally after almost 4 months of living like a bunch of hobos, we're in our own house. We still have lots of work to do though. Everyone is happy to be getting back to normal , and we love our new house. The kids love their huge yard, and mommy loves her brand new appliances and floors. NO MORE CARPET! It's like a dream! Now we just have to unpack and prepare for baby :)

Side note: Thanks to all who helped out with the renovations. We couldn't have done it with out you!
Thanks especially to Joe and Becky. Joe spent week after week over here breaking his back with Chris for months. Becky spent week after week holding down the fort alone, missing Joe, all the while never complaining. Their selflessness is something I will forever admire and always be truly grateful for.

Guess What?

Happy Tears

Probably everyone in the world has seen the video about the soldier who surprised his son at school when he came home from Iraq. Apparently I live in a cave, and this morning was the first time I actually saw it, or even learned that it existed.

I was sitting there, watching this video, with tears streaming down my face, hoping my kids wouldn't notice. The thought of explaining to my kids how women cry when they're happy, was not really appealing to me. So I look over at my oldest, hoping he hasn't noticed me, or isn't starring at me wondering what my problem is, and there he is, eyes welled up with tears, saying "I can't imagine if Daddy was gone for that long, I bet it would seem like forever". I didn't say a word, or even acknowledge his tears. I didn't want to embarrass him.

If you're a mom, then you can most assuredly know that was officially the end of any successful efforts to hide my tears. There was no stopping the water works now. But you know what? That conversation about "happy tears" that I was trying to avoid, would no longer be an issue. You see, with out ever having to say a word, my little boy (not so little anymore I guess) understands. My heart is filled with joy, and a certain bitter-sweet feeling that comes with the realization that your kids are growing and maturing. Sometimes these things come out of no where, unexpectedly, and catch you off guard. This one hit me like a ton of bricks, "happy bricks", but bricks none the less. My boy is growing up.

It was a wonderful blessing this morning to see my son experience something that so many people don't, compassion. As a parent I try my best to teach my kids to be compassionate, to put themselves in others shoes. Now I know he actually gets it, wow.

Look out world, my kids are growing up, and there's bound to be lots more "happy tears"...better get yourself an umbrella :)

Stop! Thief!

Seven thirty A.M. and it was already starting to be “one of those days”. I woke up to Ethan raising the roof in his room, the baby screaming, and Libby sitting in a HUGE puddle of pee in the middle of her bed. Yay!

Mission: Kick start my brain, corral and occupy other 3 kids, clean up the mess, then the girl, and try not to swear at anyone.

Step one: I got Chris to go down stairs with Ethan and Abby, and got him started on breakfast.

Step 2: I worked on cleaning up all the pee and bathing Libby. It took a while, but I finally got everything clean and smelling fresh.

Step 3: I put the pee pee laundry in the washer, turned it on, and got Libby fed, all the while still smiling

Mission accomplished!

So now I’m sitting down, about to enjoy my breakfast when I notice that Abby has some brown stuff on her pants, hmmm. She was whining too, so I figured I should investigate. I picked her up, and realized that she had pooped through her clothes, and now it was on me too, the fun just keeps on comin’! So I cleaned us both up, and went to throw her diaper away, outside. I came back in thinking about how hungry I was and how I couldn’t wait to relax with my bagel and coffee, finally. I got to my breakfast only to discover an empty plate. I looked up and there it was, my bagel, in Abby’s hand. She was smiling as big as she could, obviously enjoying my breakfast. If she wasn’t so cute I think I would have been mad. No big deal I guess, I’ll just make another one right? WRONG! There’s no butter left.

Think I’ll go take a shower and pray for naptime to hurry up.



Notice the little bites missing...