Found my calling!

I have come to a very important conclusion. Here is my thought process. Surely you didn't think I was going to just get right to the point? Right up until I met Frank Chavira, I never pictured my self being a mom. For one, I was painfully aware even then what my concerns for my children's health would do. But mostly, I was too busy wondering around, trying to establish my career and find my identity on top of it. Then enter Frank Chavira. It was easy, so easy. The whole relationship, commitment, marriage, easy, it was a no-brainer. Having children was the natural progression. There was never any doubt that my children were destined to "institutionalized" (daycare kids) I love my job, I love what I do. God granted me an amazing gift and I intend to use it to the best of my abilities. So it was decided that I would "settle" I would give my children the second best thing. A working mom. But WAIT! Three and half years and 2 beautiful children later, it occurs to me, I have found my calling. wait for it.....wait for it....my calling to be a really good working mom!! That is not the second best thing I can give my children. I have come to the realization that I am a "juicebox mom". I am not the Alpha Mom.

A perfect example of who should stay home with their children: The Alpha Mom. (I won't mention her name to avoid any potential embarrassment but let's just call her "Calliou's mommy". She truly is the Alpha Mom. She is happily married, highly educated, beyond creative. She could bring Martha Stewart to tears. Her children and brilliant and well rounded. Well behaved. She enjoys getting out of the house on her own as this is not her only identity. She maintains a happy marriage an orderly house. Ok, spotless and well decorated. When it comes to holiday parties for the kids and I am busy feeling proud of myself for cutting up strawberries and cheese, she is making some beautiful and delicious creation that will doubt be on a stick. Children will squeal with delight. Her gift is find wonderful and creative ways to use all of her talents. This is my perception and Im sure she would edit this if she could to something far more humble. I also don't pretend that this is always an easy task. She is the Alpha mom, not super woman.

I am the juicebox mom. I am reminded of a Christmas party Josh had last year at his school. We were asked to bring a little something that all 22 of them could enjoy. The first thing I thought of was "How can I make Josh proud?" "What would Josh like?" So Im checking out the sign in sheet and I see cookies and rice krispie treats repeated on the same list. Not much variety. But who am I to judge? They have to work too right? I was busy with a new born and a 2 year old. So anything labor intensive is likely not gonna happen. Even if I could think of something. So I decide to go with Josh's favorite...fruit and cheese. I bought the fruit fresh and cut it up and placed it ever so pretty on Christmas trays. Lovingly cut the cheese in to cubes (insert joke here) and placed in on another Christmas tray. Feeling a little bummed that this is the best I could come up with I took it into Josh's class. He is foaming at the mouth over it at this point. What I see are Kroger made cookies and pre packaged boxes of Rice Krispie Treats. Don't get me wrong, I have gone the route of being the "paper plates and napkins" girl. But the moral to this story is...I give the best I have. Josh is always excited and proud. And isnt that the point. The teachers at their schools know the cute songs and have the know-how to teach. Im not a teacher of everything just by virtue of being a mom. I watch their schools VERY carefully. God knows I have stepped on toes and left destruction in my wake. But these are MY babies and if any one of them say they would do any less is crazy. I just don't ever want to regret anything. I will continue to try to divide my talents as efficiently as I can, always to the benefit of my family. I rarely do it efficiently and its not always easy. But I am so thankful God called on me to be a working mom for Josh and Caroline!