Wednesday, December 1, 2010

It's What You Wear From Ear to Ear...

...and not from head to toe, that matters.

As I laid in my bed, still curled up in my jammies, bed not made, and my laptop on my lap, I realized something.

I have the best job on Earth.

When I was pregnant with Sissy, I worked 40 hours a week...outside the home.  Roon was in school, and I woke up at the crack of dawn (work started around 6 am) to spend 10 hours making feeding tubes at a local manufacturing plant.

I enjoyed it.

It was tedious work, but it gave me sense of accomplishment.  I made some awesome friends, and with the exception of having to meet daily quotas, it didn't really feel like work.  It was adult time.  Listening to books on tape as I glued little baloons, and chatting with the person next to you about their plans for the weekend. 

I cried when I left.

Mostly, they were tears of joy, because I was finally going to start the family I had wanted so badly.  But I was also going to miss my job.
What if I lost that sense of accomplishment, my connection to friends, and some sort of personal validation because I was doing something important to help others?

But...

This morning, I didn't have to punch a time clock.  I've been punched in for nearly 8 years. 
This morning, I went to "work" in my jammies.
This morning, my "coworkers" snuggled under the covers with me, and gave me a kiss when I opened their fruit snacks.
This morning, I chatted with a friend, texted a friend, and received an email from a friend.
This morning, I pitched an innovative idea...and was validated.

And I didn't even have to leave my house.

Just now, as Boo ran into the room, wearing nothing but her underpants (because HALELUJAH, the potty training seems to have stuck!), covered in orange Dorito dust, her hair all a mess...I smiled.

Because I made that.

Later tonight, as I'm folding the last of the laundry, I'm going to thank the Lord for all the mismatched socks. 
I'm going to laugh at the fact that as soon as everyone gets into jammies, the laundry will no longer be "done".
I'll walk by my messy bathroom, and sigh at my list of things I didn't get done.
But I won't feel defeated.

Because I may not wear a fancy suit to go to the office...
But I wear a smile.

16 comments:

Brooks said...

Aw! I needed this post today. Thank you.

(So, is the gum-ball machine doin' it for Boo, then??)

Amy said...

Awesome! Doesn't it feel great to have such an impact on someone's life? Although much of the world doesn't think what we do is fulfilling, I challenge all of them to read this post, and to think again. You described it perfectly, and you are a much better woman than I am if you can smile at the fact that as soon as you get your laundry done, it is needing to be done again. Much better than me. :/

Rachael said...

What a woderful way to think of staying at home with the kids...as a SAHM myself I sometimes need a reminder that what I get to do is pretty damn awesome! Thank you.

Unknown said...

Awwww...if it turns out that you don't have enough laundry to do to feel grateful I'm sure I can find some at my house. :)

Macey said...

Girl, this is the BEST post evah. :)

Heather said...

I have to agree...I am going to love my job when I finally get it; but I will always secretly want yours! Unless my husband becomes the richest insurance man in TX, I will have to stick with my day job and be a mommy at night.

Emmy said...

LOVE love love this post. You are so so right. It is easy to lose perspective during the grind but you are right!

Shawn said...

We do have the best job ever...and the hardest! I feel blessed beyond measure to be a SAHM!

Evelyn @ Hanging by a Silver Lining said...

What a great post Sami! Thanks for the positive thoughts. I so needed it.

CRZN GMA said...

I think you've made it your goal to put your mother in tears with each post.....

Krebster said...

Wow I really love this post. Makes me want to be a mommy some day even more. So sweet!

Sarahie said...

All I can say is thank you. I needed that today. =)

Mamarazzi said...

FINALLY...a mama who gets it. It is soooo nice and really refreshing to read a post about a mama who loves being a mom. all too often i am jogging around the blog sphere and hear nothing but complaints.

motherhood is a gift from God, being able to stay home with your children is a gift to them.

i am smiling too!!

Myya said...

Ohhhh Sami I so love this post! I have been attempting to clean all morning & finally decided to sit at the computer & have some lunch. I was just thinking how sweet my girls were sitting on the couch watching The Princess & the Frog and licking on a popcicle. I sure yell at them a lot but I would so much rather be here to do that then not be here to do all the other stuff too. Kids are definitely a blessing!!!

Anonymous said...

So sweet. Thank you for the reminder. And can I tell you - I have the same issue with laundry. If I don't get it all done in one day, I have to do an extra small load so that it will ALL BE DONE... for at least 5 minutes. :) And congrats on Boo's potty training!

Xazmin said...

Okay. Thanks for making me cry. It's not even noon - sheesh.