2 Nephi 22

1 AND in that day thou shalt say: O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedest me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.
3 Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 22:1 - 6)

A short chapter (yup, that's all of it) but so much more joyful than the others. After all the bad stuff comes the good stuff...reminds me of a sister at church who said that the last days are like transition in labor, but you can make it because you stay focused on seeing that new baby...and that's the good stuff.

About that topic...Stephen asked me what I would say to a woman who had a baby, who had great career prospects, and who was torn between staying home & working. I've been thinking about that, and thought I'd write it down, for my own sake--because sometimes I need to hear my own advice.

First, let me clarify: I went to college, I did finish with a very employable degree in human resource management, with honors. Some people I meet assume that because I'm not working, I'm uneducated, not so. I may sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in a high pitched voice with hand actions, but that is for the sake of my kids...not who I am all of the time. When I first started this "Mom Journey" I sang songs like The Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Star Spangled Banner, and Vogue (yes, by Madonna). I'm not well traveled, though I desire to be...but I don't desire it right now. My kids are little (5, 3, 0) and I want to be home. I'd take them, but grocery shopping with them is hard enough...let alone touring Europe or Africa.

So...what would I say to someone who is in the position I was 5 years ago, knowing what I know now?
It's not easy. That sounds cliche, I know, but I really thought it would be easier than working and having kids. I did the whole work, finish school, get sitter thing with Z up until he was 6 months old. It was hard. Yikes! I slept very little, and wanted to see him more than anything. I chose to stay home after that...
However, it was harder! Aaaack! There was no one to answer to, no schedule to keep to (unless I make one), and no one to hand the baby off to when I just couldn't take it any more (before I had a very reliable sitter who would take him even if I was home & needed to get something done).

I have a lot I'd love to say more, but at the moment, the kids are all occupied, and there is much to be done in this home (home maker, remember?). I'd just add that you shouldn't go into it with rose colored lenses. It's going to be a struggle. BUT, the struggles will be worth it (they have been so far), dinner around the table will be attainable, a clean floor will happen once in awhile (yes, not all the time, sad, I know), bottles of shampoo will be dumped, plants over turned, toys stepped on, books read, hugs given, long days spent at the park, or zoo, needing a shower but not getting one, wishing for a nap--and not getting one, it all happens.

Now, off to make my little sanctuary (my bedroom) look like it might belong to an adult.