Mothers - Doing the Best We Can

I found this blog post this morning and it really spoke to me. I never saw myself as a working mom--in the predominant culture where I live and the religion that I practice, stay-at-home moms are praised and portrayed as the ultimate ideal for all mothers. Working moms are few and far between, and one gets the impression that they only are working to put their husbands through school or because their husbands are out of work, never because they truly want to work. If a mother truly wants to work, it's seen as going against the counsel of our leaders, almost as evidence that you "don't love your children enough" to stay home with them.

I have gone through countless hours of guilt for working full-time since my son was born over three years ago. I cried the night before my maternity leave ended, wondering how I could ever leave this little 4-week-old baby, even though his father would be caring for him at home. And then I began to resent my job, because at the time, it wasn't fulfilling for me and I hated not being at home with my son.

Then things started to change. I got a new job, one that I find challenging and sometimes even exciting. It gives me adult interaction and a sense of purpose and fulfillment. So now I'm a working mom and will likely be for the foreseeable future--and I don't feel that guilt anymore. I'm not sure that my family will ever be able to financially survive on a single income, and that doesn't fill me with dread anymore. As long as I have a good job that doesn't bore me to tears, I think I'll be okay working during the day--maybe part-time, maybe full-time--even while I have young children.

Would I like to be a stay-at-home mom? Honestly, I have mixed feelings about it now. I feel like my son has a great time playing with his friends at daycare, and he loves the activities they do and the games they play. He still comes running up to me with a huge smile and a "Hi, Mommy!" when I pick him up. He gives me the best hugs and kisses, and we have a great time together in the evenings (when he's not playing Angry Birds on Daddy's phone, his current preferred activity) and on the weekends. This may all change when I have another baby, but for now, I'm okay with working and I actually almost prefer it. We're more financially stable and Joshua gets the friend interaction that I wouldn't be able to give him if I were at home.

So anyway. I'm not sure where I'm going with this post. Basically, I liked that post and I do believe that mothers, whether working or those staying home with their kids, are generally all trying to do the best we can. After all, the goal is to raise a righteous generation, right?

I'm 29!

My birthday was last week...the big 2-9. Kinda weird that I've only got a year left in my 20s. It was a pretty quiet day, as my birthdays usually are. We didn't have any big plans since usually those type of plans involve some sort of restaurant trip (usually Tucanos...I miss that place!) and I can't really do that anymore, at least not for awhile.

But it was a good day. I felt well-celebrated by the end of it. Joshua enthusiastically told me, "Happy Birthday, Mommy!" as he handed me his Easter basket, which contained several open plastic eggs (with no candy inside, as he'd already eaten it all) and a half-empty jar of peanut butter. Best present ever. And Cody got me a few things--the Hunger Games trilogy (I'd only read the first one and am now half-way through the second), Harry Potter 7 pt 1 on DVD, and a "coupon" to go to a spa and get whatever pampering I want. I feel like I need some pampering, especially considering all that I've been through this year, so I'll probably go get a pedicure and something else, not quite sure what yet. I have to wait for my toenails to grow out a bit first, though. I can't really have cake, but I do love carrot cake so Cody got just a slice from the store, and we all shared it (I only had a few bites). Here's a video of the birthday singing:

Oh, and I got my hair highlighted on Saturday. I wish I had time to straighten it like this every day, but at least it looked good until I had to wash it again!

Hoppy Easter!!!

This was the first year that Joshua really understood what was going on during Easter festivities, so that was quite fun. Here's a few pictures of our egg-dying yesterday:



Our silly-faced eggs:
The Easter bunny came while we were at church. He brought an awesome basket for Joshua:


We did our best to make sure we explained to Joshua the real reason we celebrate Easter, and I think he sort of got what we were saying. It was a wonderful day--I'm so grateful to my Savior for His life, His death, and His resurrection. I would not be who I am without that faith I have in Him.

I accompanied our church choir today while they sang "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," which is one of my favorite Easter songs. It expresses my feelings a lot more eloquently than I could, so here are the lyrics:

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Happy Resurrection Sunday, everyone!

It's a time tower!

This is the Alumni Center at BYU--or, according to Joshua, the "time tower" and "time castle." What goes on in that kid's head, I have no clue. I just love that he has a good, active imagination.

Welcome, Baby Maggie!

No, she's not mine! (obviously) She's my sister Kirsti's! Maggie (Margaret Anna) was born yesterday morning. She's so adorable and makes the cutest little baby grunts. I am one proud auntie. Congrats to the new parents!

Oh, and awesome new Joshua quote: Prior to visiting his new cousin last night, Mommy was trying to teach him a little bit about babies. When asked, "Where do babies come from?" he responded knowingly, "From Aunt Kirsti's tummy!" =P

Happy Love Day!!!

We had a quiet Valentine's Day around here, but it was just right for us. Dinner was Café Rio (I had black beans, fire-grilled chicken, and salsa...soooo yummy), and then we exchanged gifts after Joshua went to bed. First is the spread I made for Cody. That's sweet sushi on the left, made from twinkies, fruit roll-ups, and swedish fish, regular sushi in the middle, and red velvet cupcakes with peanut M&Ms on the right. Hey, if I can't have it, at least somebody in this house should get a little bit of the goodies that make up part of Valentine's Day tradition:
Close-up of the sweet sushi. I was pretty proud of myself:
Cody loved the sushi goodness:
And, of course, what Valentine's Day would be complete without flowers for the lady? :)
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!!!

Great news!

I fail at blogging. The last month has just flown by...we were in CA for about 10 days and had Christmas with my parents, then we came back and I got distracted by the next semester and all of the work that comes with that, plus needing to prepare myself for time off after my surgery (see my personal blog for more information about that)...anyway, now we're fully into January and I haven't even said anything about Christmas.

But we just got some good news that couldn't wait for catch-up. Cody got a job! And it's a paralegal job, too! He'll be working for a company called iMergent, and it's only about a mile from our house. We're just so excited that he'll finally be able to quit his night job and start working in his chosen career. He starts January 31st, so that gives us a little over two weeks to figure out what we're going to do as far as daycare for Joshua. While we don't relish the thought of both of us only seeing him for a few hours every day, I think it will be good for him and for us as well--he'll get stimulation and social interaction.

So HOORAY! Cody got a job! Sound it from the rooftops--Cody got a job!!!!