On Becoming a Stay-At-Home Mom

Those of you that frequent Facebook likely already know the news I am about to share, but for the rest of you – I am going to be a stay-at-home mom starting January 15th!! I am SO excited! (I am sure some of you are flabbergasted because I have heard many references to the fact that people think I would be bored staying home). The rest of this post will explain why that might not be the case!

A little over a year ago Ben and I went on a vacation to Hawaii. I probably don’t need to tell you that life is a little “slower” on the islands and this got me thinking. Pair the vacation with the fact that we heard a great sermon ocean side listening to the waves, and my quiet times affirmed the restlessness I was feeling. I began to really look at my life and all the things I fill it up with (other than God) to make myself feel good.

Then I got home and heard this great sermon by Mark Driscoll (pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA) that was on Women as Homebuilders. A friend had given me the sermon but I had put off listening to it for months thinking that I wasn’t going to like it. Turned out it changed my life!

Now, I didn’t exactly determine I was going to stay home at that point; I wasn’t even pregnant yet. Fast forward to July of this year when I was put on bed rest during my pregnancy with Isaac. I worked from home 20 hours a week and was exhausted from the pregnancy and the blood pressure issues. BUT I LOVE my job. I work with some of the greatest people, doing the coolest things, in one of the best counties in Ohio. I knew I would be a fool to give that up.

So I really struggled with this decision. I am sure all new moms do. Ben and I talked and prayed a lot. How do you make a decision like this? Between a job you love and a son you adore!? Ultimately, in the end, the decision for me came down to obedience. I really feel like God has been calling me to trust in Him more. I have not been jobless since I was 15. I never would have dreamed that I would be able to have a kid (read more about this here). I never dreamed I would have a husband so wonderful as to want to do all he could to make my staying at home a reality. BUT with all of these things I still constantly feel like I have to keep “doing” to provide for my family and to prove something to myself and to the world. THAT is what I feel like I am being called away from at this time.

That and to simply being the best mom I can be. What wouldn’t I do for my son? He has been such an amazing gift, I do not want to take his presence in my life for granted. Not now, not ever! And I only have this one time in life to see him grow up! I definitely don’t want to miss that!

I am SO looking forward to spending more time with Isaac watching and helping him to grow. To hang out with Cortney who has youngin’s of her own. To be a servant and a friend to other moms who have been placed in my life. To have lunches with people like my sister who works down the road. To plan meals for the week for my family and cook often for my husband. To make my own babyfood! To resume my once-a-month cooking days and help other moms/wives do the same!

So as you can see, it is very likely I won’t get too bored! But I will miss OSU Extension (not that I will be that far away) and feel blessed for all of the friends I have met, opportunities I have been given, and the memories that have been created. I will be off the payroll but not necessarily “away”. Who knows, maybe I can start one of those 4-H clubs – I should have plenty of time for all the “paperwork” everone is always complaining to me about!