Service of Love

The joys of being a working mom.  I'm working tonight(this morning) with my daughter, Tylea.  She tends to keep my hours and it's a form of bonding time that we share.  Her favorite movie is Baby Einstein's Old McDonald.  So the movie merrily sings in the background as Tylea climbs on me while I work on my computer.  She chews on random things within our reach like my cell phone, a pen, an IBprofen bottle(great noise maker for a 10 month old).  Other moments she blows on my tummy or plays peek-a-boo over my side.  She's super playful and happy during these night hours.  She mostly occupies herself but every once in awhile she plays with mom.  I really enjoy this time of the day(night) with her.  Maybe it's because it's the one on one time.

With two older children it's hard to slow down the day to focus on the baby.  Usually she's slung on my hip, there for the ride.  Don't have to worry about her as I chase down the boys because she's attached.  There are moments in the day though.  Like when I push her on the swing while her brothers roam the playground and I get the cherish her giggles.  Or those sweet moments before a nap when she cuddles in deep for comfort before she drifts off.  Oh and to have a baby this little hug you!  It's amazing.  Overwhelms your heart to get a hug from this little girl.  She hugs you tight too.  I love it.

Another favorite time with her is when she sleeps.  Like now.  She's so beautiful and peaceful when she sleeps.  I can stare at this little wonder to my heart's content in the quite moments of sleep.  Although it's late and I know the morning will come too quickly, I also love the fact that she will sleep in.  Her late hours are followed by late mornings.  Making breakfast with my boys much easier to maneuver as I answer emails and flip the pancakes.

Being a working parent isn't all fun and games.  There are a lot of moments that it's hard to focus on one or the other.  Having to choose to answer a business call or to answer your child.  Responding to customer emails quickly or jumping on the trampoline.  Doing an act of service for your co-worker or for your child.  Making a business brunch or making a pb&j lunch.  Feelings tugged from all sides with a chaos of priorities.  In the big picture your child is #1.  In the day to day, however, work pays the bills.  Food, clothing, housing, utilities are all things needed to take care of that child.  So do you miss the precious moments of their toddlerhood to answer a phone call that pays the water bill?

For me it depends on the day.  Lately I've just been piled under so much work that it's hard to take time for anything else.  I do see light though.  Things are getting better.  I'm trying to change my perspective, even if only a little each day.  My children are so wonderful.  They are still small, if only for a moment.  I haven't missed it.  I'm still in the middle of their baby years.  So I choose to stay up late.  To work during those hours that they rest.  And I hope that I won't be too tired to enjoy the morning and their sweet faces.

My second child turns 3-years-old tomorrow(well today).  Such a sweet, amazing little soul.  Born wide eyed and aware.  Observing his surroundings.  Now a toddler with great imagination and a gentle calmness.  He has his choatic moments and can keep up with his active big brother though.  My little Jaxon.  Happy Birthday buddy.

Zavien is my oldest kiddo at 4.5-years.  I can't believe he's that old already.  He has friends and cousins starting kindergarten.  I get to keep him for one more year though.  September baby.  He's pretty logical and I can see his mind turning when I talk to him.  He is now showing love in surprising ways since his sister was born.  There's something about having a little sister, a darling, an angel.  He told her "Goodnight cutie patootie" tonight.  So cute!

Oh to have all the freedom in the world.  If only money weren't an issue.  If only we could raise our children without having to work so hard to provide a life for them.  I emphasize WE because my children need time with my husband as well as with me.  We both want to raise them, cherish them, play with them.  Which is also a large part of why we own our own businesses.  It allows us the freedom to choose our days.  Granted in the beginning stages we work more hours than the common 40 hour week.  I digress.

I look forward to the time when the people are of one heart and one mind.  Where we each contribute our talents and provide our services and no one goes wanting.  Where a farmer gives his produce, a delivery driver delivers, and a diaper store gives diapers. Not for exchange of funds.  But because there are those in need of those things.  And when the farmer, driver, or shop keeper need seeds, a new tire, or accounting that they receive those items in return.  Again no money.  You give and you receive based on your need.  There are not those who take advantage because they know that there is no heavenly reason.  We are not here for ourselves.  We are here for others and to love others.  To love God's children is to love God.  To serve God's children is to serve God.  When you nurse the wounded, feed the hungry, cloth the naked they are God's children.  This planet has been created with enough resources to create happy healthy lives for all.  We need to only lay down our selfish desires and to focus on God's children.

So why am I a working mom?  To help create that community that I long for.  To help united a people that share their talents and resources with each other.  A community where no one is in need.  I enjoy my children, they participate in my work, they meet the people that we serve.  I hope that we give them a strong foundation in service that they will grow and help those around them in an effort to be a people of one heart and one mind.  That foundation starts with love.  Love found in moments of peek-a-boo and playing horsies.

Be Inspired to Inspire

I was reading a few different blogs that I follow this evening and it tickles me to see into other woman's lives.  These very successful women and their drive to be who they want to.  A stay at home mother with her law degree who gets to enjoy the company of her son and she runs a very successful blog.  She's been published in other venues and is a supportive parent and resource in her circles.  An inspiration to so many.  (Code Name: Mama)

Another mother who's creative side inspires her children's creativity as well as her readers.  Sharing her crafts, cooking, and pleasant enjoyment of life.  Her humor and light hearted tone make the mind cheerful and you find yourself smiling.  Accented with gorgeous photography and her blog is truly a beautiful piece of art. (Naptime Musings)

On a different tone there is the blog of a hard working farming mama.  Life full of inspiration that she shares with her readers.  Information to enlighten them to reality and tips on how she overcomes obstacles.  There is a brilliance to her writings as she combines humor with the hard truths of life. (Naturally Local)

Then there is me.  How would I characterize myself?  As a women who has been inspired by these woman.  I hope to share parts of me and my life that may be inspirational, bring a smile, or enlighten someone else.  There are many ways to touch people in a lifetime.  Many antidotes that can inspire others in life and online.  Living life only to inspire oneself is unfulfilling and pointless.  We don't exist for our own enjoyment.  We are here to love.

To love other human beings.  To love our creator.  The greatest challenge in life is to lay down our selfish instincts and sacrifice our desires to help others.  To give everything we are to others in the hopes of returned love but with no expectations.  To love them regardless of the outcome.  It's so easy to get caught up in oneself, or own family that we forget the rest of the neighborhood, the community, the city, the state, the country, the world.

It takes one person to cause a reaction.  Maybe one person working very hard and consistently but still one person can cause a reaction that changes the world in a small but noticeable way.  Wouldn't that be great to have Michael read from the book.  Deeds in life: inspired millions by.......  saved millions by........ raised children who went on to...... fed the hungry...... clothed the naked....... healed the sick...... sheltered the homeless........ prevented hate and war.......

The possibilities of what we can do with our lives are endless.  The power is ours.  Better yet the CHOICE is ours.  Sadly many people don't choose to sacrifice their desires to love others.  Thankfully there are women in life that choose to love others and share inspiration.  Hopefully I can take that seed that inspired me, made me smile, and enlightened me to share with just one other person.  To start a reaction that may change the world for the good.  Thank you to the woman that share their inspirations, talents, lessons, and lives.

A Mom Entrepreneur's Chaotic Nest

The life of a mom entrepreneur is a nest of chaos where housework is neglected for a moment of playing legos or snuggling through a cartoon.  Where priorities have to be established and reestablished on a moment's notice.  Focusing on your child's development and keeping aware of their needs and making changes to better there lives.  Being a parent is a huge responsibility and a full time job.  Taking care of a home where children live is a full time job.  And owning your own business is the type of career where you work 36 hours a day and get paid less than minimum wage.  So how the heck do you get it all done?  You don't.

Housework is the first thing to go in our family.  We're just happy to get food cooked let alone clean up the kitchen and laundry piles up until we need clothes.  The children can't be neglected and so motherhood and business merge.  Playing legos with my laptop next to me as I reply to emails.  Designing websites as I sit down for breakfast and chat about the plans for the day.  And most phone calls are made in the car on the way to drop the kids off or on the way to my store.  And the best time to work?  2am of course!  When the baby has finally gone to sleep and the house is quiet.

The beginning of a new business is always the most time consuming.  Trying to get the process ironed out.  Estalishing contacts and routines that best suite the business needs.  Training yourself and employees on what you want for the business.  And what do you want?  Who knows you are making it up as you go.  Often thinking of things for the first time as you face them.  Of course you had grand plans before you started but many of the mundane everyday details where not your focus.

So when people stop and talk to me about how they couldn't do what I do, my first thought is- "Well I'm not doing it either."  My life is a chaotic nest.  And I know that once both business are strongly established we will be able to share the workload by hiring more employees.  But until that happens I don't stress over a messy kitchen, or laundry piles, or less sleep.  My life is full enough of other stress.  And I'm thankful for helpful family and for moments of legos and snuggles.  I know that our lives will calm down and we will reminse on the beginning days.  Until then I will continue getting by and savor the special moments of being a mom entrepreneur.