The Worth of a Mommy

Full time stay at home moms are not given the credit they deserve.

I can't think of a job that encompasses more job titles:

Childcare provider- aka "Diaper Changer Extraordinaire"

Maid- Pigsty lectures only get you so far.

Chef- "I don't like this. I want peanut butter and jelly."

Chauffer- Forget the limo...bring on the minivan with DVD!

Nurse- Able to list off each kid's individual dosage of Tylenol without pause according to weight and age.

Crime scene investigator- Evidence weighs heavy when trying to figure out who wrote on the wall with marker.

Judge- "How do you plead on the accusation of marking on the wall with a Sharpie?"

Jury- "I find you guilty on all counts of marking up the wall with black permanent ink."

Executioner- "As punishment you will sit in the corner for five minutes and when you come out you must help mommy clean the wall."

Jailer- "If you get out of time out I will add minutes to your time."

Financial consultant- "That's too expensive, put it back."

Butler- Ever answering calls for water at 2am.

Bank- "Here are four tokens, go play Skeeball."

Laundromat- It literally never ever stops.

Policewoman- "You are in violation of rule 182 that states you may not get up from the table until you ask to be excused."

Referee- "I saw what you did to your sister. Time out for you buddy!" (Refer to executioner and jailer descriptions.)

Fashionista- "Those do not match, go back to your room and put on the outfit I laid out for you."

Educator- "Yes, daddy's expensive watch will flush down the toilet."

Plumber- Usually fishing for toys or stopping toilet overflow (see above).

Milk Maid- Nothing like a screaming infant pulling on your shirt at the store.

Chief Negotiator- "If you are good on this shopping trip I will let you pick out a treat."

Historian- Baby book keeper, photographer, sentimental keepsakes saver.

Nutritionist- "Pretend your broccoli is a tree and eat it like a dinosaur."

Speech Therapist- "Say dada. Daaaahhh dahhhh. Daaaaahhh dahhhhh."

Secretary- Arranges playdates, doctor's appointments, and Gymboree.

Courier- "I've gotta run two dozen cookies to Jr's class today."

Cheerleader- Sits at every sporting event and roots for her favorite player.

Defense attorney- Because that bully at school is going to pay!

Nurturer- This is the most important job of all. One that defines our career and makes us unique in our jobs.

Today my eleven month old son was sick. Last night he was up five times. He was pretty pitiful. I had to wake him up from a nap to pick up Bear and he laid over my shoulder and patted my back affectionately. To him, I am everything. There is nobody above me. No concept of God...nothing greater than mommy. I am the healer of all things yucky. By the end of the day I was covered in snotty smears and as tired as I was I longed to pick him up for one last warm baby hug complete with back patting action. I turned up the baby monitor so I could hear every noisy breath, every cough. No matter that I might wake up more often, I just wanted to hear every movement he makes. He is everything to me, but to him I am all he knows and the only person he trusts to keep him safe. For that I am honored.

There is no way to pay a mom. No monetary value you can place on what she does day in and day out. Truly moms shape our world and can influence a whole generation...what other job gives us that kind of responsibility?

The last four months that I have been unemployed have been busy. I love my new job staying at home, but there is truly nothing quite as diificult or exhausting and I wouldn't trade my position for anything else in the world.

Kick Em When They're Up, Kick Em When They're Down

On Tuesday I had a bad headache and just felt bad overall. That night my throat started hurting. I didn't want to eat or drink. Then my glands in my neck swelled up and my throat felt like it was on fire. I waited a day and existed on 4 Advil every six hours. On Thursday I was in tears because I hurt so much despite the Advil. I called and made a doctor's appointment for that afternoon knowing I was going to have to pay out of pocket for everything because we are still uninsured.

Right before I left for my doctor's appointment I got a call from the Respiratory Therapy consultant for the new hospital where I interviewed at. He told me that because I don't have my RRT that I will not be able to be the supervising respiratory therapist. I spoke with him (the best I could with how much it hurt to talk) and told him that I was working on it but it didn't seem to sway him any. So basically that door was slammed in my face.

Feeling as if I just got kicked in the stomach, Midge and I went to the doctor's office. They confirmed my suspicion that I had strep throat and sent me off with a prescription.

The pharmacy couldn't fill my prescription for an hour and a half and so I went home, where I started feeling worse than ever. I could feel my temp spike up and my throat hurt so badly I stuck my lower jaw out and tears ran out of my eyes. I couldn't even swallow. I had to keep a towel by me so I wouldn't drool. Luckily my grandpa came to the rescue, picking up my prescription and bringing me some ice cream and a slushie. I finally was on the road to recovery.

My husband came home and the rest of the night I spent sucking on ice cubes and bravely swallowing the ice cold water down even though it hurt like crazy.

This morning I feel better even though I am still at square one. My throat is still sore but it's not as bad as it was. I am eating ice as a type. I had ice cream for breakfast but the sweetness burned too much. My glands are not as swollen and I don't feel achy. I am still planning on staying at home in my jammies for most of the day.

Thanks to everyone who was so encouraging with me getting the job. I have to wonder what God wants me to do. Midge has gotten to the point where he cries if I am not around all the time so I hate to think of leaving him full time. My bank account cries when I am not working.

The next chapter begins....

The Interview

I got back from the big interview a couple hours ago. I spent the last couple days picking out a business suit (a first for me) and updating my resume and getting pep talks left and right.

I arrived 15 minutes early and made pals with someone there who liked classic cars (go figure). Then I was sent back to meet the Chief Nurse Executive and the Director of Outpatient Services. They were both nice and we settled in for an hour and fifteen minute interview. I told them about my career and why I think I am right for the position and then they asked me a series of questions about my leadership skills and I asked them questions about the position and what they expected of me.

The hard part was that I had to explain why I was no longer working at my old job. I turned it into a positive by assuring them I am "driven" to get my registry exam done now that the opportunity has been taken away from me. They seemed satisfied with that.

The good points were that the Chief Nurse Executive commented on how organized I was and how good my resume looked. She ended the interview saying that she wants to give opportunites to people.

I have two more interviews, one with the CEO of the hospital and one with a prominent physician who I already know. I know I am up against one other therapist for the job and so we shall see...

Overall I think it went well. Continue your prayers and positive thoughts for me!

Could This Be What God Has For Me?

I have a JOB INTERVIEW on Thursday at 4pm!!!

Wait, it gets better...

I had applied at a hospital that is currently in the process of being built. They are a surgical hospital that is physician owned. I thought it would be neat to help form a department and I was hoping to get an interview.

When I called about two weeks ago I was told that the hospital needed to hire a respiratory supervisor before they could hire staff so I probably wouldn't hear back until June. I was disappointed but kept looking for a new job.

Well today I got a call and the woman in Human Resources called me and asked me if I wanted to interview for the supervisor position! I couldn't believe it...I really expected that they might have already have had therapists in mind for that position. I agreed to the interview and now I am set for Thursday at 4pm.

I am already looking for a professional business outfit and I am printing my resume out on nicer paper to give to them. I am hoping to walk in there and knock their socks off. I am going to interview with a large group of influential people in the hospital so it's going to be tough.

Keep me in your prayers...I need this job!

Thanks!

The Dirty 30's!!! (aka I Got Older)

On the 15th I turned 30.

I didn't have a major crisis. I didn't whine about feeling old.

I believe I just smiled and said "My next 10 years will be so much better than the last."

Atta girl!

Quiet You Brats! Mama's Watching Her Stories!

So I am on week two of being out of the "work force." Between eating my bon-bons and watching my "stories" in my bathrobe and rollers I pretend to look for work and enroll in school but don't sign up for any classes. I then take Stephen's check and blow it on a new turkey fryer and a box of Twinkies at the Walmart. After that I move the car engine out of the bathtub so I can take a bath and drink Pabst Blue Ribbon out of a Dixie cup.

Okay, so that's not the way it has gone, but I like fabricating stories around stereotypes.

It's been good and bad being a full time mom. I love my three monkeys so much. It's been great to feel available to them. I have also been attending church on Sunday and I am able to eat lunch with the family on Fridays (our tradition). I also have the house more kept up and the kids are in more of a routine. The only thing that sucks is that there are these things called "bills" that keep coming in the mail. Sometimes they disguise themselves as "statements" or "invoices" but they are the same thing. They are all people who think that I have money to give them. I want to chuckle when I see the amounts they think I have sitting here waiting to give them...the fools! You need a job to have that kind of money!

So back to the age old debate...should mama take her precious children and place them in the care of someone else so she can work and bring home the bacon or should she watch her husband work 14 hour days and count pennies until they are self-sufficient and she can again go to work without guilt?

It's really not an easy answer...especially since Stephen is self-employed and it's not like he can just work overtime. It's kind of wild and stupid at the same time...like floating down the Mississippi without a paddle or a chastity belt (think Deliverance).

I am not sure what is going to happen yet. Today was a bad day...I was wondering if someone might actually pay me if I had to become an exotic dancer. I took comfort knowing that if they didn't like what they saw they could pay me to put my clothing back on. When I start thinking in those terms then you know things are a bit stressful. And to those who are appalled at my thought...get over it. If you haven't been down and out enough to have this thought then you really need to experience life a little more.

I don't want people worrying about me. We will make it. It's a time for change and growing. We are out of our comfort zone and it's probably good for us. Just keep us in your prayers that God points us in the right direction soon.

Fabulous!

My five year old just sang the word "fabulous."

I am so glad he did because it brought this SNL treasure back to the front of my mind.

Enjoy!

Homocil

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