Stay-At-Home-Mom

Today I was relieved to read a friends blog, when she stated that being a stay-at-home-mom is hard. That's right. She admitted it. Which got me thinking, why is it so hard to admit that being at home isn't always as easy as it sounds? Before I had Axel, I thought being at home with him all day, every day would mean endless freedom to do whatever we wanted. We would go on walks, do art projects, sew, watch movies, cuddle, go shopping, and Jordan would always come home to a delicious cooked meal.

WRONG!

Although there are good days, and even great days, being at home is hard work. I'm sure there might be someone reading this who would kill to be a stay-at-home-mom, and hates me for "complaining". Don't get me wrong. I LOVE being able to stay at home with Axel, however I'm also admitting that it isn't always a walk in the park. My son, who is perfect in every which way, is messy, active, clingy, and whiney at times. When the house is a mess, I can't always get up and clean it. When I try to load or unload the dishwasher I am interrupted by a little boy who is determined to climb onto the door of the dishwasher. When I try to cook, I have a sweet little set of hands tugging at my leg. When, on an ambitious day I attempt to do my hair or makeup my bathroom becomes a war-zone! Nap-time for him means rushing around and getting as much cleaning and organizing done as possible, and in my recent case, homework! Once Jordan gets home, mouths are fed, a bath is given, and Axel goes to sleep. At this point, I clean up his toys, clean up after dinner, and fold laundry if needed.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not bragging or looking for sympathy. I know people have it tougher than I do. I know that. I just think it is interesting to realize how much a mother does. Even mothers who work. They are gone all day and once they come home the job continues, and break time only comes during the wee hours of the night when Mr. Sandman comes to put us to sleep. Sometimes, he brings a tylenol PM.

Although becoming a Mother has somehow taken away all fashion sense, dancing abilities, and sexiness I may have once had.. I wouldn't trade my time with my Axie for anything in the world! Plus, all of my jobs at home make for a pretty decent work out! I'm sure Jilliam Michaels wouldn't agree, but suck it Jill! This job get's my heart pumpin!




Recently I came to a conclusion regarding stay-at-home-moms; We all need a hobby! I have a sewing machine, and a whole box full of craft/sewing supplies, but time doesn't always allow for that kind of hobby. Recently I started BYU-Idaho's online degree program to finish my bachelors. It is something I've always wanted to do, but after I went to beauty school, I decided I was happy with my education and would leave it at that. About a month ago I changed my mind. Last week my courses started and my spirits have already lifted. Yes, I know my life has great purpose. I am a wife and mother, and those are great things to be. However, knowing I need to carry some weight in another domain has given me a strange new confidence. Maybe it's just the distraction from the same ol' same ol'. Instead of speaking to a 1-year-old, I am reporting to an educated person. I am reading insightful essays and writing for a grade. My major is English and I'm doing a minor in Marriage and Family Studies. I know it will get more chaotic as the semester progresses, but I am really enjoying these first few weeks while I have the motivation.