I'm Going On Vacation!

I saw this quote this morning, and I thought....that is how I feel right now! "By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I say that not to complain. I always hated it when I was unable to conceive and I would hear mothers complain about their kids. I wanted a baby so bad, that I found that kind of attitude offensive. That's not to say my children never make me want to tear my hair out, or so exasperated I don't know what to do with them. But, honestly, I wouldn't want it any other way....ok, I would like them to be more obedient and kinder to each other, but that's part of what the job is all about...teaching them those things. I've never had a better job than I have right now...being a stay at home mom. Ok, I really dislike that term. It sounds like a lazy unproductive person. As though we just sit home, watch tv, and eat bon bons. I prefer the term "professional mom"! It is my profession after all. I recently lost a part time job of 10 hours a week, that I had held for the last 21 months, due to the store being closed; and though at first I was very disappointed, I came to quickly see it as a blessing. I wanted to go back to focusing on my 24/7 job of professional mom. I believe God gave me the nudge I needed to do that. When I had to go to work, and when I was there, I just wanted to be home. People I worked with assumed I got the job to "get away" from my kids. Nothing could have been further from the truth. It was simply a financial need. So, now that my job has ended, and I'm back home enjoying the craziness that comes with motherhood, I am happy. And less stressed, even though I just lost some income. Ironic, huh?

But there is a point of exhaustion we all reach as mothers, when like my family, we are fighting the second week of a nasty stomach bug, there are decisions to make, things break down, 3 toddlers not so happily co-existing under one roof, homeschooling a kindergartener, potty training a 2 year old, a potty trained 3 year old is regressing, 2 weeks worth of menus to plan, grocery list to make, coupons to compile, groceries to purchase, errands to run, transmission going in vehicle, hunting for an affordable used vehicle, and loads of laundry that seem to reproduce themselves when there is sickness in the house and potty training going on.

So, what is my response going to be? I'm at that exhausted point, to be honest. A vacation sounds like a dream, but then there is reality. There will be no vacation. There is no "time off" coming. So, to deal with today and its stresses, its challenges, its work, I need God to give me the strength, the patience, the calmness, the gentleness, and energy to do it all with grace. So, I'm going to take a little personal time, vacation time, unpaid time off, what have you, and refresh myself with time alone with God.

So, if like me, whether you're a mom needing a vacation, or you're an employee feeling overworked and stressed, or a housewife feeling underappreciated and bored with the monotony of it all, take a little unpaid time off as soon as you can, and "walk on the beach" with God. I think we'll all find life will look a little better afterwards!

To make you smile:

Carter's new joke...."Why did the banana go to the doctor?" "Because he wasn't peeling well!"

Two 3 year olds arguing about who was going to be first. After reprimanding them for being selfish and saying "me first", they quickly changed their tune. The started arguing about who was going to be second!

Happy Thursday, Everyone. It's a beautiful blue sky and sunshine today, here. Gods' mercies are new every morning.