So for the last 10 years of my life, I have worked outside the home. This was not an option. Financially speaking I had to work. Although Jason worked very hard as well, and would've loved to have been able to support us on his own, we weren't that fortunate. For years I have always prided myself on the fact that I work. Deep inside however I would pray that one day God would allow me to be at home with our children. I've never really shared with anyone how much I really longed for that though. For some reason my twisted mind told me that staying home with the kids would mean I was lazy and unmotivated. Or maybe not so much that my mind thought that but that my mind thought other people would think that of me??
I've prayed about this for years and even after Jason went back to school and got a new job, I would continue to have to work. Although our financial situation was much better, you know how it goes, the more you make the more you spend. I continued however to pray that somehow someway God would allow me to be at home. To take the burden of working outside of the home (because it is a BIG job) and give me the peace and serenity that comes with being a stay at home mom! Ok...wait for it! I know what you're thinking and trust me, I now know the real truth. I'll get to that in a minute! Most of you know, that nearly two years ago my oldest child was in a car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Immediately after the wreck, I was forced to take a couple of months off from work in order to be with him in the hospital and through therapy. After a bit though I attempted to go back to work. I was taking on more than I could handle. The stress of now raising a child with a disability, two other children, a husband with a job out of town, and me working outside the home as well was a bit of a challenge. It was recommended by many doctors and therapists that I either shorten my day or give up my outside job completely. We prayed about it and asked God for answers. It was clear...Parker needed me! So then it began...my new job as a stay at home mom!
Although yes there is some peace and serenity but not in the ways one might think. Depends on what you consider peace and serenity to look like. I do find it peaceful however to so many aspects of my new position. Here are a few of my peaceful moments: To wake up my children and get them ready without worrying about myself and not stress if I am awoken to a child who has puked 4 times beside my bed or even in my bed. I find it peaceful when I don't go into a panic when we wake to find no milk for cereal only to realize we will have to make a pit stop at McDonalds. There's no stress when we get to school for drop off and realize that someone left their backpack in the driveway because they were too busy playing basketball in the driveway in the morning. I have no worries when I have to pick up all the neighborhood kids who need a ride to school. I love being able to attend all school functions and also to be able to volunteer in my middle schoolers classroom (oh how he loves it :). I find it peaceful as I sit in a car rider line for 30 minuites or even to sit on the living room floor surrounded by stacks of folded clothes that is never-ending. I now have time to grocery shop, go to doctor appointments and therapy appointments! What a relief! Oh did I mention the laundry? And the best part of all...I find it completely peaceful when I slave over making an incredible yummy awesome dinner only to see three kids sit down at the table and complain about what I made and sometimes even throw up what I made. Trust me, this blog is no compaint by anymeans. I truly do enjoy all of these things. I feel so blessed to be able to do this. Although yes, given our circumstances it was a forced decision, it is not one that I would take back or change. God sees the bigger picture. All of us have differnt situations and reasons why we stay at home or not with our children. I will say this however, no matter what your situation, don't judge the other one. Both are extremely difficult jobs. I will also say though to remember God's promise Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Although this is not how I envisioned my life or Parker's life to look like, I realize it's not my vision...it's God's! I never thought in a million years that my prayers would be answered this way. With a blended vision, God listened and answered. He wants me at home!
So yes, I do work! I am a stay at home mom who works 24 hours a day and instead of being paid money, I'm paid with a heart full of contentment and happiness!
So remember all you stay at home moms, when asked the question, "Do you work?", just smile and give the answer "yes, I work full time!"
With love,
Senior President as the Bewley Household Mom
Anyone that knows me, knows that I love having my birthday! A day for me!!!!!!! This year my husband really made it special! About a month or so ago, he asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday. Honestly I've really been feeling a bit down lately (due to circumstances out of my control) and I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. Unusual I know! I told him to surprise me! And he did! My day started with him letting me sleep in by taking my cell phone out of the room and locking the kids out! I woke at 11:15!!! For those of you who don't know, I don't sleep well at times and so this truly was a gift! He had arranged for the kids to be gone from the house at 12:15 and so I woke to say hello and bye! I then had the day (well til about 3:45 to be me!) I went and worked out at the gym for an hour and then came back to shower and watch junk tv while I got ready! All the while, Jason was prepping for the evening! He had gone out and gotten me a very special gift (Pandora Charm), and groomed himself well by going for a haircut and shave! He arrived back at 3:45 to wisk me away on our special surprise evening! He invited a few of our couples friends out for a very special dinner at Carrabas! Dinner was nice, but what made it extra special was all the planning that went into it! He had arranged all night babysitters for our kids (Aunt Krissy and Grammy & Poppy)...Thank you to them! He had also made reservations at one of my favorite restaurants and asked everyone who came to share something special about me! It was free therapy!! After an awesome dinner, some of us headed back to our house for a fun night of games! We had such a great time laughing the night away while munching on hot Krispy Kreme doughnuts, coffee and cokes! Can you say sugar high!!!!! What a great Birthday!
Thank you to all of my wonderful friends for coming out and celebrating my special day! Thank you as well to all of my friends and family who weren't there but love me so much! Each one of you has a special role in my life!
Thank you most of all to my wonderful, amazing husband for all of the thought you put into making me feel special! I feel so incredibly blessed to be married to Jason and spend the rest of my life wrapped in his arms!
P.S. Yes my birthday is today, but we celebrated yesterday! Well, I actually celebrate for about a month so anyone else wanna have a surprise party for me, I'm in!
So as parents, we get tested daily by our children by how strong we are. Are we strong enough to discipline when they NEED it. I know for me, I can easily become lazy and simply not want to dish out or follow through when it comes to punishments for my kids. Today was a true test! Anyone who knows my oldest child Parker, knows his love for football! He has big plans for tonight! Having a friend over, snacks, recliner and cokes for the big game tonight! Today while we were at church, Parker was rough housing with the smaller boys after I told him not to. Not too big of a deal, so I went over to him and told him to stop and talked with him about it. He didn't like what I had to say and proceeded to literally shove and push me out of his way. I was in shock. A flash came over me of him as an older teenager and the what if's. What if he puts his hands on me when he's older? I really couldn't believe that he did it. Over really nothing too. We went over to Jason and Jason could tell something had happened. As we drove home in a silent van, Jason and I both sat wondering the same thing. Should we punish him from watching the super bowl tonight? Once home, Jason and I went into a seperate room to discuss his punishment. Jason immediately said it! My heart sunk and I began defending Parker and how we couldn't possibly punish him from that! I gave all sorts of other options! I was desperate for another consequence! Jason was calm, but felt adament that this was right. He felt strongly that we needed to leave an impression on what had happend. He wanted him to know that not only was I Parker's mother, but I was his wife and he would not put his hands on me...EVER! So I told Jason that I trusted his judgment and the thought of breaking the news to Parker I couldn't bear. I told Jason I was going to lay down for a bit while he spoke with Parker. Chicken! (me of course!) I slept for nearly 2 hours! (I don't sleep much at night right now due to stress...another topic on another day :) I woke up feeling still saddened. I composed myself and as I got to the door to come out of my room, there was a note from Parker! A very sweet tender note telling me how sorry he was that he pushed me. Man if that doesnt make me wanna change my mind! I had to face him though. I came out into the kitchen and there he was. Sitting at the table with daddy playing a card game. He hugged me and said he understood his punishment.
Honestly discipline is harder for us as parents. I'm so grateful for my husband for leading our family though! While I was asleep, he called and got some Godly advice before deciding on his punishment.
In the end, Jason decided that punishment from the Superbowl (along with no tv, video games or friends tonight) was the best. While yes, I did chicken out of telling Parker and left that to Jason, I do fully support and respect Jason's decision! Our decision! I think most importantly out of this whole day, is that the children see that Jason and I are united. No matter how much my heart melted for Parker and felt sad that he would miss the big day, I know in my heart we made the right choice. The choice to be good parents and help our children learn from their actions.
Just a day in the life of a Bewley parent!
Yep that's him! Now you know how hard it was to make the right choice! Hope to inspire you to follow your hearts and the commands God gives us as parents to bring them up in his way not ours!
