SAHM

SAHM = stay at home mom.

That's what I am now. Well, actually I'm more like a SAHMWSWFH.

Need help?

Stay at home mom who still works from home.

It has all the glam of being a SAHM with all the stress of a SWFH. If you know what I mean. Thankfully the job I do from home is one I love.

My last day at Hallmark was August 16th, which was perfect timing with Tom's sister's wedding on September 1 (pictures to come soon. Very soon.) I have had so many kind friends ask me if I'm just looooving being a SAHM mom, and I'm not really sure how to answer.

Do I love morning smiles and snuggles? Yes.

Do I love going to the grocery store when it's not packed and busy? Yes.

Do I love being caught up on laundry? Yes.

Do I love finally having time to make meals for friends? Yes.

Do I love wearing comfy clothes every day? Yes.

Do I love feeling like I'm almost caught up on my to do list? Yes.

Do I love story hour at the library? Yes.

Do I love morning walks around the lake? Yes.

Do I love planning meals after taking the last 18 months off? Yes.

Do I love having more time at night to go on bike rides? Yes.
Do I love the quiet time in the afternoon during nap? Yes.

Do I love meeting new friends and other SAHMs? Yes.

Do I love not rushing out the door to make the bus? Yes.

Do I love playing pretend and reading books? Yes. 

Do I love hearing her say new words for the first time? Yes.

Do I love having a routine? Yes.

Do I love being caught up on email? Yes.

Do I love having more time during the day to edit pictures? Yes.

Do I love having the option of an afternoon nap? Yes.
Do I love now longer dreading Monday mornings? Yes.
Do I love being more available to love on Gwendolyn and play and watch her grow? Yes.
Do I love being less stressed? Yes.

But...

Do I love getting poop on my hands from particularly messy diapers? No.

Do I love hearing her fuss and whine due to tiredness or boredom? No.

Do I love it when she won't eat and then wants to eat an hour later? No.

Do I love cleaning up the kitchen five times a day? No.

Do I love wiping her snotty nose constantly? No.

Do I love always having company while I go to the bathroom? No.
Do I love being stuck inside on busy days when I really need to get work done? No.

Do I love saying "no, no" multiple times during the day? No. No.

Do I look forward to Tom getting home and "taking over"? Yes.

So, yes, I do love being home, but it's certainly not like we're getting ice cream and playing Chutes and Ladders everyday. (I love that game.) I am thankful that we were able to make my staying home work, because I know it's not an option for everyone. I have already learned a lot about the importance of having grace. Grace for myself. Grace for Tom. And grace for Gwendolyn. I know deep in my heart that I'll be a better wife and mom this way, and those are my top priorities. We're still just getting into a good routine and figuring out what the best use of our day and time is.

Already things are improving every week as we're getting into the swing of things, and I'm learning how to balance being at home while owning my own business. I also try very, very hard to wake up before she does so I can get ready and start my day. If I let her be my alarm clock, then I always feel like I'm behind and I don't like starting my day like that. I have also noticed that she starts getting fussy around 10 am, so we try to leave for errands or a walk around 9:30. We've enjoyed story time and music class in the mornings as well so it's definitely good for both of us to have something to look forward to every day. Gwendolyn's a joy to be around and is always making me smile.

She goes to Miss Kathy's once or twice a week as well depending on how many shoots or editing I have to do, which is a huge blessing. What would we do without Miss Kathy?! I do not know. I love seeing Gwendolyn's face light up when she sees her and all of her friends. It's really a great balance so far, and it's so nice to be able to work without interruptions. Really, when it all boils down, I have the best job I could ever ask for...being able to be home and still do something I'm passionate about. This is definitely a busy season with fall sessions, but we're blessed and we're thankful.

This morning, Gwendolyn and I had some snuggle time before taking her to Kathy's around 8:00 am. Then I sipped hot cider while checking my email, and was able to get dinner in the crock pot before I left for a morning shoot with an adorable 5 month old. I ran two errands on my way home, and now I'm getting some work done (this counts).

Sounds pretty perfect, huh?

I do believe it is.

I'm thankful for this new job, and for the opportunity to help my family in this way. She's worth it.