Photo Courtesy of Morguefile.com
This past weekend I went away for the first time since I became a mother. Sure, I have left my kids with the babysitter from time to time, but never have they been left by Mommy for days in a row. It was an interesting experience for all of us.
I went away to enjoy a weekend with my sisters. There were going to be no kids involved, and I had the idea that it was going to be a perfect, stress free weekend. Quite the contrary. One of my sisters got sick, and a big change of plans had to be made. All of a sudden, our fun weekend became very laid back. Laying on the couch watching movies and reality TV the whole time. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.
But, I learned a lot of things about myself as a mother. I learned that I not only love my kids, I love being with my kids. I appreciated them so much more after getting home. They were giggling with excitement to see me. I felt the same way. I realized that they are my home now. They are my family. Of course, my parents and my siblings are my family too, but these people that I have created a life with (my husband and our three beautiful kids) is where I am supposed to be. I felt at home more than ever when I
walked back through the door of our house.
I also found a new appreciation for my duties as a Mom. The mundane boring tasks that I don’t like doing as part of being a stay at home mother suddenly took on new meaning. As I piled up the laundry today, and have been taking care of two of my sick kids, I felt a sense of satisfaction that I was home to take care of all of these people that I love. They needed me. And, I needed them too. God gave me a beautiful family, and I’m so grateful for my job to be the mother and wife that they all need.