Thursday, April 10, 2008

Just A Mom...con't...

I met a man. Not just any man, but a man who melted my feminist heart with a smile(Those dimples still make me swoon!). A man who made me want to marry him, cook for him and have his babies. A man with a HARLEY.

So all of my lofty aspirations for making loads of money fell by the wayside as I planned a life with the man I would marry. I was more than happy to "quit school". It was a good thing too, someone kept me so distracted I could not even think straight. We met in August, got engaged on Christmas Eve, and married in May. As we planned our future together, we agreed that I should be a stay-at-home mom when we had children. In fact, not long after we were married, I quit my job to "practice" being a stay-at-home mom. My house has never been cleaner and supper was never more prompt. However, I hated it. I decided to go back to work at a floor covering store so we could get new floors at cost. It was fun and I planned to stay on there for a while when I became "in a family way".

After the birth of Erika, I never even gave another thought to finishing school or having any type of career. I was the happiest I had ever been. Becoming a mom fulfilled me in a way I had only dreamed of. Erik and I were so bonded and just crazy about our little family. Then 3 short months later we found out our family would be adding one more. This began our tumultuous years-we survived them by the skin of our teeth and emerged even more in love and committed to our little family. A few years later, in an attempt to downsize our lifestyle(and more importantly, our debt) we moved to a smaller house in the country(sort of), the house we live in now. We were so content and snug in our new home. So content, in fact, we immediately became preggers again. And then there were three. And then there was a tubal ligation. And once that decision was made and the steps of permanent birth control taken, our love life became so extraordinarily marvelous...TMI, TMI.

When Lilly was 2 years old, I became a Pampered Chef consultant. That sort of awakened an urge in me that had been dormant. The urge to do something with my brain to make money. It was a fun 4 years. Then the busyness of life won out over the urge to have a career. So where does that leave me today? It would be nice to do something to contribute to our family income, but my hubby is a good provider and it really isn't necessary. It would cover some extras-but it also would probably just make us want even more. So I am, just a mom. And, for the most part, loving every minute of it. I still like to think about what I will be "when I grow up" but I really like being a kid again through mine. I am content. Law school will still be there when my kids are grown.

4 comments:

Jason, as himself said...

Hang on to that dream!

Stephanie said...

Being "just a mom" was the best time in my life! I love where I am now, but I wouldn't change a thing about how I got here. Enjoy your days . . . they pass so quickly and then they are 21 and getting married!!!! Ahhhh!!!!!

Sara said...

It's fun to read your story Janice.....I bet it has been fun for you to reminisce about it! Your girls will love reading it too someday!

Jen said...

just a mom......seems to me there should be more this should be more important in our society than it is........I'm just a mom too, as you know and it is the craziest, busiest thing I have ever done.....