Okay -- here's the truth. If you've talked with me in any sort of intimate way over the last few years, you've probably already heard this, but here it is: I love being a homemaker. I sort of defaulted into this life of homemaking a few years ago, and I have been so thankful that I didn't find the right "job" for me, outside of the home. I look back over the course of the 5+ years since I graduated from college, and since I married my college sweetheart, and I can say with certainty that I think God has provided for us in incredible ways by freeing my time and energy to be spent and used in ways that it simply couldn't if my schedule were more constricted by a traditional job. Tonight, for instance, we are able to serve our church community by opening our home up for a women's team meeting. That means that today, I will be tidying our home and running to the store to get ingredients to make some sort of yummy treat for the girls coming into our home tonight (seriously -- when you're arriving at someone's home for a meeting, and the air smells of some delicious something, freshly baked and pulled from the oven, doesn't that just make the time so much more inviting, cozy, and intimate??). I will be home today to consult with construction workers who are working on our garage-to-home office conversion, and make sure that we are communicating well with one another on expectations and goals for the project. I'll also make some plans for our baby boy's nursery, and I'll cook a healthy, homemade meal for my husband and me to enjoy this evening. Here's the thing that I love about all of this: I get to spend my time looking for ways to improve and build upon what is around me. Doesn't that sound so rewarding? I do consider homemaking my job. I don't consider it "staying home," in the sense of not having a job. I simply consider it that my job is to care for my family, friends, home, etc... So, my workspace and my living space are one-in-the-same. Imagine that going to work everyday, your job was simply to look around you and say, "how do I make this better today?" Your creative juices start flowing. And, then -- you have the freedom to do it. I have the freedom to look around me, examine needs, and creatively figure out ways to meet them. It can be such a fun and creative process!

The decision to be a homemaker (especially pre-children) is not a popular one. It is counter-cultural, to say the least. But, I have truly, truly loved it. We're back in the decision-making process about my "job", as we prepare to welcome baby, and I complete my education and testing towards my real estate license all at the same time. So, we are praying a lot about what is right for right now. But, I love the sense of freedom that I have now, more than ever -- to work or not work. What a journey it has been to get to this point. If you want to know more about that journey, and all of my foibles and struggles along the way, I'm always happy to share. It's a bit too much for the blog, but it has been quite a process. An ongoing process, I am sure. And, that is my little celebration of the life of the homemaker today. Now, I must get back to the tidying and such. :) Praise to God for the freedom and ability to do so. :)