{SAHM}

I have a confession.  No, not the burn-your-secret-sin-in-the-bonfire kind of confession.

Just this: It takes every ounce of willpower and Spiritpower, to the core of  my being, to be a SAHM.

Not because my kids are so terrible (although, admittedly, they can be a handful),

But more because it's just not 'natural' for me.

Don't put me in the judgement seat just yet.

There are days when every fiber of my being wants to follow any number of dreams I've had

And have the feeling of a project complete, a paycheck deposited, or every other rosy imagining I may have about that world out there.

Most days I am the lady in that picture up there, in my imagining I am Somebody dressed to the nine's,

With a place to go and a purpose to fill.

And most days I am also her, in all my pretendings and the reality is that I am still...at home.

Not just at home, but also homeschooling.  

(It is a lesson, the more adamant one is about NEVER, the more likely it seems to be that they will eat humble pie at some point.)

Some of you were blessed with that mother-gene and it has only ever been your wish to fill the part,  And you feel that this just fills your cup.

I applaud you, and I am not-so-secretly jealous of your level of contentment.

So, what's a mom to do, who only travels within the block once in a week?

I had this feeling this week for a big bowl of potato chips and a bumper to bumper movie marathon.  

And I'm not a daily potato chip kind of gal.

It was just the dailyness of being in these 4 walls that had gotten in my head and my hormones.

Quite frankly, there is no moral to this story, or even a lesson to be learned from this post.

It's just more of : hey, if you've chomping at that mommy bit in your mouth, ya ain't alone.

How do I cope? 

Well, hey, Jack.  Sometimes my husband has to talk me back off the ledge (so to speak), 

Sometimes I get a hold of my own coattails and give myself a virtual spanking.

Sometimes I do buy that bag of potato chips (and I've also been known to buy Little Debbie's and hide them under the school tests in my filing cabinet.  Kids never like to go in that drawer)

But most times I practice a little art. 

Yeah, to me all of life ends up being art when I am most content.  That means tootling with some paint in my house, baking something fancy, sewing some crazy project, or literally doodling on a pad.

Because art is about creating something, usually from nothing, and I am most content then.

So if you happen to stop in someday, and I'm wearing heels and a cocktail dress

While trimming my bushes, know that I'm not a crazy woman.

I'm just practicing at contentment and maybe a little art, all the while praying that the Almighty

would so graciously bestow me with a measure of love for Staying Home.

I know there are more of you...staying homer's.  Tell me, do you love it?  Endure it?

What do you do to practice contentment, or keep yourself from the crazies?

jo 

 

{Dinner for Two}

  In the middle of our busy summer, I decided a photo session with my love was way overdue.
Being in the business of raising kids has made us prioritize some great family shoots
But we haven't gotten any fabulous pictures of the two of us since our wedding 10+ years ago.
Myron wanted some good pictures on his desk at work, and so I thought that a fun photo shoot
Would be the ultimate "i love you" thing.

Our friend and fabulous first cousin, Lyndsi, from LYNDSI Photography was first choice.
She's spent time with our family and knows what a couple of dweebs we are and so of course
We were most comfortable with her.
Not to mention that she has got some uber fantastic camera skills.
She's done This photo shoot as well as a few others for us.

I decided to call a babysitter and make this a dinner date as well.
We hadn't spent any time together, just the two of us, since the baby was born.
The kids and I went back to the farm and set up a table for two

Then we shipped them all off to the sitters, did a photo shoot, and enjoyed a fabulous dinner
Prepared by my gourmet chef sister-in-law.

 The sunlight was absolutely golden.  From up on the hill at the farm, the breeze had settled down and it had to be one of the most delicious summer nights of the year.  None of the deer poked their heads out into the pasture to see us but for a town-living couple, the quiet of the meadow and woods, the sound of birds, and the view over the lake was magic.  Unforgettable, really. 

JO

{Perfect 10}

 

 Let's not assume that I know everything there is to know about marriage.

Because I feel like I'm still in an early learning phase.

But it has been a Perfect 10 (going very quickly on 11) for us

And here are a few hard-earned secrets I learned on the way.

Pack a Punch  

Be unashamedly territorial.  Put on the boxing gloves if you need to.  You know where your man's weaknesses and vulnerabilities are, guard them like a maniac.   A lioness prowling in the grass is the picture that comes to mind.  Ain't nobody, nohow.

Pick Your Fight

Yeah, believe it.  I'm advocating a fight.  But not just any old.  See, I've seen marriages crumble because at some point, one or the other of them, simply clammed up.  Refused to get out what was really inside.  Sometimes a disagreement is needed to clear the thick air.  But you've got to learn to fight well and make up even better.

Party Hard
I did say I'd keep this PG, right? And how.  There are too many parties missed in a marriage, and no, I'm not just referencing what flashed through your mind.  I'm talking about everyday celebration of the other person, big celebrations on birthdays, and all around making your marriage an experience rather than a daily grind.  A little more cream and a cherry on top of that cupcake if you please.

Posh
Maybe this is more of an elaboration on the above point.  You've got a bedroom?  Make it look like something out of a resort.  No, this is not your college dorm room.  And no, it's not the family room.  Make it exotic, restful.  Save some pennies and buy some fluff.  Pillows, throws, fur, rugs, whatever speaks lavish to you.  

Primp
If you're not a mascara girl, maybe you should become one once in a while.  You hear modesty preached, and rightly so, but girls, your marriage is no place to be modest.  If you aren't twirling a little skirt for your man, you'll have to go back to Point #1 and you'll be punching in all directions.  

Pass on Mediocrity
Give of your fullest self.  That means you're bringing all of your personality, charm, and strength to this thing.  When (not if) your weaknesses pop up, learn how your man's strength can fill in that gap. Or talk it through.  Make sure he understands you know it's weak, but you want to learn strength.  Be the very best version of yourself, not the flake you admire in someone else.  200% all the time, baby.  KEEP YOUR LOVE ON!

Panorama
Sometimes it takes a stepping back, a viewing of the overall picture to bring about perfect.  Look at how well you're meshing in finances, food, fun, family, frivolous, and more.  Make it a well rounded marriage with a landscape of balance proportions.  Don't just major on family and forget the fun.  You get the picture.

Passion
Don'tcha know it!  Go get some. Unashamedly.

JO