Balancing

I feel blessed to have been raised by parents with an exceptional concept of work/life balance. Exceptional, because it was the exception. It was steady on work, heavy on life. We didn't have a lot, but boy we had A LOT! We learned about doing things well, but not doingdoingdoing all the time. We had chores and responsibility, but we also read a lot of books, spent a lot of time playing in the cow pasture, and were constantly creating.

This heritage is ingrained in me, and is part of my inspiration to shift to a different pace now that we have reached the parenting phase of life. I'm now working outside of the home only 2 days a week, and hope do so even less as/if our family expands, but the balance is perfect for now. Maybe it's not necessary...many moms have more kids than me and work full time. But it seems necessary for me and mine. I guess is what matters.

Once I had the idea that this schedule change would equal a spotless house and lots of completed projects. So far, though, it has meant more time to play with my kiddo, more dirty laundry from playing in the mud, more time spent putting together puzzles and playing "africa toys", and more projects left half finished because of a little boy begging "play with me, mom". Playing seems to be the theme.

My own Mom was 46 when she died. I was never blessed to meet my mother-in-law, who was also in her 40s when she died. Every day this reminds me that getting is less important than giving...giving time, experiences, tickles, snuggles, songs, kisses, horsey rides, all the good stuff. This post is more of a note-to-self than anything; something to remember when I feel left behind by the Joneses. This is the life I am choosing!