Staying Home

I am sure most of my (few) readers know this by now, but I quit my job upon having Lorelei so that I could stay home with her. It was not a difficult decision; it was something I have always wanted for my family and my children and myself. But it was definitely something that I knew would challenge us. Before having Lorelei, I worked in the marketing department at a very corporate company. I worked the usual 40-45 hours a week and commuted almost an hour each way. While it was definitely not the type of job I saw myself in, I made great money for someone only a few years out of college and had great benefits, not to mention was gaining great experience. It was certainly humbling and a little scarey driving away from the building after giving my resignation, knowing the financial security that I had just walked away from. For several weeks, we were able to pretend that we still had two incomes. I got paid out vacation and we were pretty ahead of things. But this week, the inevitable happened: the fact that we are now a single-income family caught up to us, and it has made me anxious.



Allen and I have been generally wise with money, and have made provisions for this time, but it still was shocking to see on paper how hard it is to be a stay home mom in today's economy. But through it all, God is so kind and gracious, and I know we will be perfectly fine. God has blessed us so much. He gave me a husband who works harder than anyone I know, who has a great job. He goes above and beyond what is asked of him on a daily basis, and for the most part, has a cheerful heart and a love for his job that is rare today. He gets up early and works late to do what is best for our family, and when he gets home and is tired, he still has a huge smile on his face for Lorelei, a kiss for me, and still does the dinner dishes :-) I adore him!




Aside from that, God has already shown us so much encouragement. Every time I get discouraged, a dear friend says to me "Diana, you are doing God's will for your child by raising her and teaching her His truths. He is going to bless you!" I know He will too! Two summers ago, I was unemployed, and God had an uncanny way of providing the exact amount we needed at exactly the time we needed it, no more and no sooner. I am sure He will do the same again. He provided a great part-time work-from-home job for me that will start in the fall, which will give us just the little extra we need and help me to keep up in my skills. He also was gracious to make the time between my quitting my previous job and starting this next one a short as possible so that we were not tight for a long time.

We are learning a lot through this already. I have been learning to budget and meal plan and schedule better than I ever have in my life. Soon, I hope to learn to coupon and bargain shop better! I learned to cloth diaper to save money on baby necessities, and I actually really enjoy it! I am learning to be creative and make things that I want. We are also learning to pray very specifically for the things we need, and to thank God for all He has given us more regularly. Before this time, my prayer life was not that great, and God has been drawing us to Him and teaching us how much more peace we have if we take our cares to Him.



Even though at times I am anxious about the changes in our lives, I am really happier than I have ever been. I get to spend every day with the most precious and sweet girl in the world, who is continually showing me her funny personality. I may not be able to buy her tons of toys or fancy clothes, but I can pray with her all day, nurse her exclusively for as long as I want, read her stories in the middle of the morning, and have a buddy when I do (copious amounts of) laundry. I can go on playdates in the daytime and visit my grandmothers or someone from church who may need a smile. I can join a regular Bible study! We can go outside and walk around our yard, looking at the pretty things God made (I get to cook fun meals for my husband to come home to and learn how to be better at making my house pretty (ask my dad- I am not the world's best cleaner!) How could I not be thankful?



Sometimes I am a little sad about giving up my "career" so young. I am 23 and not really progressing toward any sort of advancement in Public Relations and Marketing. But then I remember that I am still "working," in what I think is one of the most honorable jobs in the world. I am a stay-home mother.