From corporate world to play time

My life has changed dramatically in the past 5 months. My days used to be filled with business attire, meetings, appointments, spreadsheets, phone calls, messaging, and more spreadsheets. 

Now my days consist of sweat clothes, snack times, playgrounds, pools, tea parties, monster truck races, dirty diapers and runny noses. Instead of taking meeting notes, I help use finger paints to create beautiful pictures for mommies. 

I kiss a lot of boo boo's, hug a lot of necks, drink a lot of fake drinks and eat a lot of fake foods. I no longer have to meet deadlines, I no longer have a designated lunch break. I don't sit behind a desk 9 hours a day anymore, I only sit at the library for story time.

I am constantly on my toes, chasing after an infant or 4 year old. I'm ready to take a nap at 1:00 but ready to do all the madness all over again tomorrow.

I'm no longer in corporate America and now just Mrs. Clara who comes to play.

I love my job and grateful The Lord has allowed me to be a a stay a stay at home wife and nanny.

I don't miss the corporate world one bit and love being able to help out my sweet families. Isn't life to be enjoyed anyway?

I am forever grateful to my husband as well. He is encouraging, supportive and

Loving in my new role. I don't think he minds my happier demeanor too and the fact that the house is always cleaned before he gets home.

I hope and pray that I am lucky enough to be a Mom one day, but until then, I think I've got a pretty awesome gig helping other moms and dads out.

Sitting still?

The past two weeks have been great, but not.  Confusing? Let me clarify. 

As you know, I have been babysitting for several months now and absolutely LOVE it. I love not having to go to my corporate job everyday, driving an hour each way and dealing with some not so fun issues. I love spending my day with kids outside playing, singing, dancing and having a ball. 

This week and last however have been a little dull. I haven't had a babysitting job everyday (just based on  parents needs) and I have been super duper BORED. I am not one to sit around and do nothing. On the days I have been off, I have cleaned out and  cleaned up but here is only so much TV I can watch before I get a headache from it and only so much laundry two people can make. I have read every book in the house and fiddled with everything in my home. And sadly, the grass only needs to be cut once a week. 

Hot enough for water playing. 

I mentioned my dilemma to the hubs last night and his response helped so much! He pointed out that I get re-energized and am happiest when I am busy and with friends - so he suggested I pick up a hobby or someone part time outside of babysitting and make plans more often with friends. Simple yet genius. I have been craving other adult companionship during the day and needing a reason to get out of the house. I guess I just needed someone else to tell me its okay to get out and do stuff.

Austen and his water stick. 

Each day my schedule is different and I love it. I love my sweet families and kids I watch after and wouldn't trade it - I just need to find some other activities to keep me busy on my off days - and maybe exercise more!

Thomas taking his lunch break outside and eager to get back playing. 

Time for a change

picture via

I've been needing to make a change for awhile. Its crept on slowly, but I've been feeling the Lord nudging me for a long time.

I was anxious, excited, nervous and all other emotions running through me.

I have never done something so "out of the box". But, I took a leap of faith. I will always put my marriage and family above everything else this world has to offer.

With that, I quit my job and I don't have another full time job lined up. Am I nuts?! Should I really do this?

 My husband and I sat down numerous times and talked about it. We live solely on his salary and are comfortable with it and even save.

My salary wasn't huge, but it was nice to have that extra cushion for trips, furniture, a dress I just wanted, and the like.

I most definitely wanted to be a stay at home Mom, I just never thought about being a stay at home wife. Both Stephen's and my mom were stay at home mothers and I can't begin to tell you how much that had an impact on us. My Mom and dad made it to every voice recital, baseball game, dance recital, and piano lesson. I loved that my mom was the classroom mother and my girl scout leader. I am so thankful that in every childhood memory, was parents were present.

I know I'm childless right now, but the same concept is there. I want to be there emotionally for my husband. I want to be physically home when he is home. I want time to enjoy cooking dinner and lunches. I want to spend more time helping him in his job rather than feeling drained from spending 2 hours total commuting in and out for work and being exhausted and irritated when I get home.

I am ready for the next stage of this journey. I'm crazy nervous and anxious, but eager about the possibilities.

 I can't wait to see what the Lord does with us, future jobs and our marriage! I am giving Him my everything.