Today is the Feast Day of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. I find it particularly fitting that on my unborn child's feast day I officially begin my career change as a stay-at-home wife/mother. Or, as I am fond of saying, I have begun my retirement from the workforce today!
I have to admit, it's after 3:00pm and I am not yet fully dressed. Nor have I started working on any of my housewifely duties. But the good news is that I've caught up on all my blogs and emails (very important) - and there are no online shows to distract me ('cause I've already watched them).
Transitions are always difficult for me. I knew today would be kind of a waste, as I reassessed my daily schedule and spent the day with no official commitments pressing on my time. It's hard to figure out where to begin. With Michael Ryan still in womb, I don't yet have all the responsibilities of motherhood. However, I want to discipline and prepare myself before he arrives. But I can't think very clearly with the apartment in chaos (and, believe me, there is chaos here, leftover from the last couple of frantic, busy weeks)!
Knowing that today is St. Michael's feast day does clear my mind. There is a purpose, a reason, for my early retirement. It's not because I am tired, or lazy, or just plain bored with the corporate world. My vocation is to marriage and motherhood. I've been dreaming about the opportunity to raise my children, take care of husband, and make our home a delight to live in. My dreams are finally becoming a reality! Now I have to figure out how to get from point A to point B: from the chaos of the DINK lifestyle to the calm serenity of the domestic wife & mother vocation.
The best way to start is to just begin, to get moving. I've got an hour and a half before Ryan returns home. It's time to turn on the Laura Ingraham podcast, wash those dishes, and tidy the house. Eventually all will be organized and I will have a new daily schedule. There's peace in knowing that transitions can't last forever.
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2 comments:
Hey Ashley! I just read your post and I loved it!! It really made me appreciate how truly blessed we are to be stay at home moms. Wow, I hope I never take it for granted or feel like it's "not enough," like the world tells women.
I did chuckle a little at the part about "the calm serenity of a domestic wife and mother." Even before Joseph, most of my days were never quite "calm and serene." However, the calmness and serenity is more in my heart. I carry this gift and this sense of peace in my heart, even when the days are crazy, because I rest in the fact that I am doing the will of God by being present to my little family. Yes, even when I don't quite have it all "together," - when the bathroom isn't clean, the laundry isn't put away, and dinner isn't quite gourmet - even though I'm a stay at home mom! I am happy because I am present to my family, and that's at the heart of what we're called to (as we continually work out the rest).
I have just recently been reminding myself that I am the only mother Joseph will ever have, and the only wife Patrick will ever have. We only live once, and what an incredible gift to mean the world to the souls entrusted to us. I am so happy for you and your "career change," and so proud of the witness you are to the dignity of women and motherhood.
As for the transition - give you self TIME, like, a few years!!! It is a universe shift to stay at home and have babies, even when it's what you've always wanted. So be patient with the long days, the same-old routines, and most of all, yourself. Eventually you will get into a rhythm, but then you will probably find yourself being perpetually flexible and always tweaking things just a bit. Especially when little Michael Ryan arrives on the scene :) I will quote my mom's advice to me, "You can have your whole day planned as a mom...and then someone will throw up on your shoes." It's the best though! ALL of it- the good days and the bad, the goals of organization and the reality of chaos living with little people. I wouldn't trade my job for any other job in the world. Welcome to the best workforce out there, Ashley!!! The job with eternal benefits. We are happy to have you join our ranks!
I quit my job at 4 mos..haha I was an English teacher and liked to joke with my students that if I found out our baby had any problems due to stress it was their fault!! I was half joking..lol..the protective mothering instinct I guess.
But really there's enough to do to prepare for our first babies even without the commitment of work. Plus we get more time to stay fit and exercise. I have really been enjoying lap swimming lately and gym workouts which I know would have been really hard to fit in with work.
Anyway, you look awesome in your photo from 7 mos!!
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