1- I will value stay at home motherhood more
Mike was laid off a year ago, and continued his Master's program graduating in June. Still no job, but some good leads. We were VERY blessed that I started working literally a month or so before he was laid off, so my income has supported the family for the last year. I have gradually increased from 1-2 days a week to 3-4 days a week. It was such a nice break to use a different part of my brain (or just use it at all!). BUT (that is a big BUT on purpose), today I was looking at videos from when I was at home with my children and my heart was filled to the brim for love with my little boogers! I ache to be with them. I want to be a stronger and more constant present in the home for them. I am still Mom, and they still love their Mom thank goodness, but it many ways home just isn't "my territory" like it used to be. In many ways, I have almost forgotten how to turn any moment into playtime. The rare ocassion I make it to play group I hear constant complaints from other mom's about the inconvenience of staying home all day. I know it is very demanding to be a stay at home mom, no doubt about that. The reward though, is infinitely greater than working all day and seeing the kids during dinner and bedtime routines. I keep praying that the Lord will see fit to let me be at home with them more and enjoy these precious days that forever shape my children.
2- Appreciate husbands who are willing to work and individually provide financial support for the family
Guess what- there are a lot of not very nice people that you have to interact with on a daily basis at work. I thought my kids were bad- dealing with immature adults is worse.
3- Health care is often miraculous, but you still have to stick to your guns about concerns.
Aubrey was found to have bilateral dislocated hips. The doctors didn't catch this until she was 1 1/2, which meant the only intervention was surgery. Ironically, I had been asking the doctors about her hips for the entire last year, but every time they did the routine hip dysplasia exam and then gave me some other explanation for her funny symptoms. I finally vowed to take a chill pill and let it go. Thank goodness my Grandma Doreen encouraged me to ask for a referral to an orthopedic doctor after we came out to visit early this summer. I did, and they took and X ray of her hips to find out probably the worst thing we could have for her symptoms. The PA who informed me kindly stated "We are going to get to know each other very well." They didn't tell me much about it at first, just that she needed to have more imaging done. I was thinking physical therapy, but was very let down when I found out surgery would be the cure. After surgery she would be in a cast for 4 months. We said goodbye to swimming and many other activities and have said hello to complex diapering, playtime and feeding positioning, and nighttime position changes to prevent skin breakdown. Oh and then there is the stinky cast, and cleaning up any blow outs. It is like having a newborn, without all the perks of a newborn. Aubrey has been a champ- really very happy the first 2 1/2 months. Just now she (and us) are just so tired of the awkwardness and limitations. She will watch other kids play and get really sad now, not that I blame her. Only 7 weeks left. At least Aubrey has made quite the fashion statement with her casts. The current cast (#4 out of 6), is designed to look like a pair of jeans with pockets and stitching. The surgeon is awesome. With her cast, she gets a lot of attention (I also get a lot of looks that say "abusive parent"). I have met many people who know of others with similar problems, and I have been so relieved to hear of how many of them don't ever have to limit their physical activities as they grew up. I really hope this fix it will give her full mobility, and a fuller childhood. What is a childhood without being able to ride a bike or roller blade, or even just run well?
4- I love the fall
Not only because Aubrey's cast will be off, but so many of the best memories do go around fall holidays. I like summer, but I love fall. The food, the weather, the activities. I still miss the back to school shopping, but only one more year and we will start doing it for Elena. Crazy!
5- There is a reason Moses went to the top of a Mountain to speak with God
As you stand on top of a mountain looking out, there is something truly miraculous about it. The literal elevation seems to help with a mental elevation. It changes your perspective both literally and spiritually. I miss how close the mountains in Utah are, but this summer as we have seen more of Denver's Rockies I have become so fond of them We have driven up to see Mt Evans (the highest paved road), Pikes Peak (inspiration for America the beautiful and most visited mountain in America- 2nd in the world), and Trail Ridge Rd in Rocky Mountain National Park (the longest road above 11,000 ft). Not only are these must see places for locals, but anyone! Definitely some of life's best experiences.
And here are pictures!
