You know, I think I got a lot of heat for going back to work almost 15 months ago. Maybe it was behind my back, maybe it was to my face...but either way, I don't really care. It was perfect for our family! I love it! I love my job! I love the people! I love making people happy! I just love it!
But it doesn't just happen without sacrifice and some stress, but then again when isn't there a little of that anyway. I absolutely believe 110% that God placed me at MY starbucks for a reason. And I love it!
I have a lot of respect for women that work outside the home full-time and then come back home and complete all their needed home-duties. It is a lot of responsibility. Like my friend Katie, this lady has it all together...well maybe not all together, hehe! But she is such a hard worker. She goes into work at 4pm and works til 1am, comes home-puts a load of laundry in maybe then goes to bed, wakes up at 8am, feeds her husband and 2 little girls, takes her daughter to pre-k, plays with her younger daughter (as well as any housework, laundry, paying bills...etc), picks her older daughter up 3 hrs later, makes lunch, takes a short nap, gets up and leaves for work at 330pm then does it all over again 5 days a week. I mean WOW!
You know, I believe that when someone stays at home to be with the kids, it takes sacrifice. No matter what type-finances, time, energy. But honestly, I also believe not everyone is able to stay at home due to whatever reason. Kudos to those working moms and wives out there!! I pray for you!
That being said, I have just put in my 2 weeks at Starbucks. My last day will be January 30th. It is bittersweet really. It's only been 15 months, but it's been a wonderful 15 months. I have made relationships with my coworkers and customers that I would never have been able to make. I have stretched and strengthened my faith in ways that I have never even imagined doing. I have enjoyed the conversations, both meaningful and maybe even a little meaningless. I have poured my heart out to strangers and they have poured their heart out to me, it is wonderful. I have not said a word when someone's cousin, dad or friend passed away, just listened. I have given and received hugs, love and encouragement from wonderful believers and unbelievers who (some) people would be timid to even look at in the eyes. I am incredibly blessed. Thank you Jesus. Thank you.
I sit here with tears in my eyes and maybe even one slipped down my face, because these people, who maybe are still strangers or just acquaitances or maybe more like friends, say they will miss me dearly but are truly happy that I'm able to go back to being a stay at home mom. I am so blessed.
I am so blessed because Jake cares. He wants me to do what will be less stressful for me, he wants me to be happy, he wants me to be healthy, he wants me to be able to be who God made me to be.
So, as of Monday Feb. 1st - that will be my official first day of my life back to being a stay at home mom. We will plan on waking up in the mornings, eating breakfast, having an activity time, reading books, enjoying eachother, then have lunch, take Halee to pre-k from 115-345, Karis, Jett and mommy will take a nap, or I will do some cleaning, then pick Halee up, get dinner started and wait for Daddy to get home :-) I will love this different phase in my life. We will be having plenty of playdates and library times, we will go to the park and play games, I will definitely be having my own girls night, and Jake and I will absolutely be having some much needed date nights!!
I love my life. Thank you Jesus.
