we're moving!

So excuse us while we take a little leave of absence. There's a lot of packing and unpacking and cleaning and setting up to be done over the next several days. Although, somehow I think I might run into a few distractions along the way...

Can you blame me?

ten random things (v5)

Do y'all like these? Are you bored with it yet? It's a good little brain dump for me at the end of the week and I'm quite enjoying it :)

1. We're closing on our house next week! Woo to the Hoo! Can't wait to actually start LIVING in Connecticut.

2. Our first visitors are coming next week! Andrew's parents are awesome and have offered to come help with the move. However, I think the real story here is that they're coming to see a certain little cutie, but what do I know? ;)

3. Read this post about taking care of friendships. I'll wait....okay. While I'm a big believer in giving grace and second chances and I wish her friend didn't just write her off, the bottom line rang so true with me: you can't use the busyness of life to justify not giving a little TLC to your relationships. A very good reminder, indeed.

4. It snowed this morning. Yesterday, it was 60 degrees and my heart was all "I'm alive! I'm alive!" and then I woke up to a slushiness on the ground that just shut my heart right up. And then all these people down South are talking about how warm and beautiful it is. Here, let me stand really still so you can punch me in the gut.

5. We have a jabberer on our hands. Non-stop and it's pretty adorable. This one's for you, mama.

6. I'm meeting people! I joined a Bible study at a local church on Wednesday mornings and so far, I love it. The little escape is nice: free childcare, good conversation, women I can relate to. But still, every Wednesday there's a little internal battle about whether or not I want to go that morning. Don't ask me why, it doesn't make sense. But I've managed to quiet it (or God's managed to speak louder) and I always go. And never regret it.

7. Someone recommend some good books. I'm in the mood to read, but don't know where to start. I started the Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers, but I haven't been able to get into it so far. Any suggestions?

8. I got my nails did. Last Friday night, after a particularly stressful week, I was close to running away for good. So Andrew sent me off to get a mani/pedi while he handled the bedtime routine. It was awesome, y'all. I loved getting away and not worrying about when to get back. Also, I got a shellac manicure. Have you heard of this? Best ever. It's been a week and my nails look like I just left the salon.

9. We're planning on doing a little submarine watching. Our new neighborhood is just a few miles down the river from the sub base. And the park at the end of our street has the perfect little spot to watch the subs come in and out. We plan on watching Andrew's departures and returns from there. Cool, huh?

10. Pizza, pizza, pizza. I always liked pizza, but they're doing it right up here. I'd never really heard of this New Haven style pizza, but Y'ALL. It's good. I want to eat it every day forever and ever amen.

So there's that. Have a good weekend!

stay-at-home (fill in the blank)

First, let me say this: I'm so thankful that I can stay home with my son.

It was something I started thinking about the day I found out I was pregnant. I was blessed to have a job where I could work from home, but that set-up also meant that I was pretty much stuck where I was - there wouldn't be any moving up or change of pace in any way. So while I enjoyed what I was doing, it was starting to feel a little too routine for my taste. I didn't feel fulfilled by it anymore.

Which meant that if I continued working, it would be mostly for the paycheck. Thankfully, even though it's taken some major adjustment, Andrew's paycheck is enough to sustain our little family. So the decision was made.

In full disclosure, there are days when I miss it. I miss the work clothes and the meetings and the being around adults and feeling like I was good at something. But then I think about all the ways I can watch Jack learn and grow firsthand and I feel so, so blessed. So there's that. 

But here's the real story about being a stay-at-home mom: I hate that term. 

Stay-at-home mom. 

SAHM. 

I'm just a mom who stays at home. 

Except I'm NOT.

There's a lot more that goes on around here than just being a mom. I don't hang out in my mom jeans with unshowered hair and talk to my baby all day. I do a lot of the obvious: cleaning, laundry, cooking. 

But I also manage the finances. And make appointments. And coordinate schedules so we can take care moving stuff. Etc, etc, etc.

But also. I'm not a stay-at-home MOM. I'm not a stay-at-home WIFE. As much as I love being a mom and a wife, I don't recall leaving my identity at the altar or in the hospital room where Jack was born. So maybe I'm a stay-at-home Page?

I kind of like the term household manager. 

I feel like that does a better job of accurately describing what I do all day. It feels more official. Or something, I don't know, but I'm not a SAHM.

People. This is serious. What am I??