Stay At Home Mom Finally... Stays At Home

I have been a stay at home, homeschooling mom (other than ministry and a few odd jobs to help out in the tough seasons) for 23 years. Over the last few years it has started to loose it's appeal. I have been feeling trapped in an endless list of services I offer, almost exclusively, out of my car. My older children have drivers licenses, jobs, friends and now, even families of their own. I have started fantasizing about getting a job, some appreciation and finding something I am passionate about! Then it happened. I started my new old life.

Through a series of circumstances, I am back to staying home almost everyday. Jedidiah is in 7th grade and so, nearly all of his studies have to be done at home. Trinity has a car and is in culinary school so, although she attends everyday, I don't have to take her. After so many years of driving to classes, running errands, driving to my parents, waiting for one thing to end so I can drive them to the next thing... I am at home again.

I'll be honest, I thought I was going to feel even more trapped then I had been and I was worried. Then the most amazing thing happened... I remembered why I used to love this. I like having time to do my quiet time. I like having time to pack Ben's lunches and make Jedi breakfast soup. I like having time to do my daily chores and then work a bit outside. I like having time to live in the house that I have worked so hard to make a home. I like having time to write. I LOVE staying home! All this time I felt like I've been stuck at home and it turns out, the real problem, was I was never here!

We go through all kinds of seasons in life (I know this one won't be forever either) but I spent way too long stuck in the busy season. Too busy to really enjoy anything because I was always late for the next thing. I was trying so hard to make sure that my kids got more interaction, more classes, more experiences, more of everything that I forgot about the peace that comes with a quiet life. This is why I started homeschooling to begin with. All those mornings with everyone in pajamas, nowhere to be and all day to get there. The excitement when daddy comes through the door... all of it!

It's good to be home.