Welcome to the Burbs!

(Summer wreath on the front door of my home)

After a brief hiatus, I'm returning to my stay-at-home-mom lifestyle.  I'm happy to share my journey with you as I give a glimpse of what's cooking for dinner, why I've decided to home school my 6 year old daughter, and manage my little home in the suburbs. (As well as whatever surprises might come up!)

Before I married 16 years ago, I was quite successful in my chosen field.  However, that success was empty in a lot of ways.  Sure, I made a name for myself in my little circle and was considered a force to be reckoned with.  I had earned respect among my peers and students, but what good was it to not be able to share it with someone?

Enter the hubs. He's so cute!  After dating for 3 months, we got engaged and married 3 months after that.  I stayed with my career for the next school year, but we moved almost immediately that summer for a ministry opportunity.  Suddenly, I went from full-time career woman to homemaker within days.  What a switch!  I didn't have a schedule to adhere to ~ I could stay up late and sleep in as long as I wanted ~ for the first time in years!  I didn't have any deadlines to stress over ~ unless you count having a hot meal ready for dinner.

However, all that "freedom" got old quick!  I got sick of feeling logy all the time and daytime TV no longer held the appeal it once had.  I finally came to the realization that I had to (gasp!) make a plan.

Well, here I am, 16 years plus 3 kids and a dog later, and I've come to the same conclusion.  I HAVE to make a plan!

I've enjoyed vegging out this past month after a long school year, but it's time to get back into the groove of things.

I've missed my home ~ yes, even the cleaning! ~ and all that it takes to be a home manager.  I was so frustrated to feel so far behind in everything ~ laundry was never done, I was too tired to feel like cooking anything, the house was a little too cluttered and dusty to my liking!  All I did was come home, teach a few piano lessons, and fall asleep on the couch by 9 PM.  That is NO kind of life!

I felt as if I was not only was I letting my family and myself down, but the Lord as well. After all, He GAVE me an amazing husband to be a helper to and 3 incredible children to love and take care of, as well as train to be the next generation of Christ Followers. So how was I measuring up?  I'm ashamed to say MISERABLY!  

So even though I will miss my career, I now consider this to be my "chosen profession" ~ Homemaker ~

As I reread this, I wanted to state that I'm doing this blog as a way to keep me accountable to my friends and fellow "sistahs".  I have several issues with social media because it has a tendency to put too much emphasis on "me".  Seriously, aren't we narcissistic enough as a society?  

ANYWAY, I thought about doing away with FB completely, but I've been able to re-connect with friends from way-back-when, former students, family, and keep up to date with my current buddies.  I don't want to loose those connections, so I'm staying for the time being.  (I also enjoy playing certain games that shall remain Candy-Crushless ~ I mean nameless!)

That's what I want to do here ~ connect and keep myself accountable.  With that being said, here we go!