Dream a Little Dream

Anyone who thinks being a stay-at-home mom is easy has never been one.  My days are filled with dirty diapers, runny noses, temper tantrums, public humiliation, skinned knees, scattered toys, sippy cups and snack requests.  I constantly tend to the basic needs of two little boys, and beyond that, labor to see they are being played with, read to, kept clean, taught, taken out, tickled, hugged, and kissed.  The days are long, the nights are short, and usually punctuated with the cries of a distressed child.  There are always errands to run, meals to make, messes to clean, laundry to be done. Where is the fabled couch-sitting, bon bon-eating housewife? I could use her help.

Caring for our children is a joy. I love it.  Homemaking may not win society’s esteem, but nowhere are my efforts more important now than here with my family. While I am deeply grateful to be afforded the luxury of nurturing our children during these tender years, I do have life goals outside the home.  For nearly a decade, my dream has been to obtain my master’s and doctoral degrees in order to become a college professor when our children start school.  Most days found me wondering about how and when I’d obtain my education.  But “someday" thinking never satisfies.

I must have bemoaned this fact to Andrew one too many times, because he filled out the request for more information about master’s degrees primarily done online. It might have been a harried attempt for peace more than an act of love, but either way, I’m glad he did it.  Otherwise, I’d likely still be in a holding pattern within my comfort zone.

I started my master's degree in Communication Management through Gonzaga University in March and will graduate around the same time Andrew does in the spring of 2015. So I'm about a third of the way through. The realization life only gets busier really compelled me to knock it out now while I still only have two children who both nap (plus Preston also takes a morning nap while Asher is in school...score). I figure they sleep roughly 28% of my waking hours, so I have to make good use of this time! I want to be prepared and qualified to take care of our family in case something ever happens to Andrew. I want to use my mind and become a more substantive person, better able to contribute to my family and community someday.

Over the past few years I have developed a deep admiration and respect for all good women. Rather than feeling divided by faiths, cultures, career choices, parenting styles, etc., I feel closer to others knowing that life is hard for everyone, and we're all just doing our best.

We all have different paths and this is mine. It has been really stressful at times, and I have struggled to find balance between school, family, church, friends, fitness, etc. But I have learned to rely more completely on my Savior, better manage my time, and appreciate more fully what a wonderful, giving husband I have who always picks up my slack. He is such a beautiful constant in my life....and is never more beautiful than when seen cleaning up dinner, bathing children, or putting away laundry I have neglected for a week. I love that man. 

So here's to working towards dreams, and the people in our lives who make achieving them possible.