The snow is snowing all around,
It snows on field and tree,
It snows on the evergreens near,
And all too often, me.
~Hat tip to Robert Lewis Stevenson
On my way to school...except the streets are not plowed in Madison.
Emma was home for the blink of an eye....
Her hair does it's own thing.
You know she had lovely sweet curls when she was a toddler.
Impromptu iPhone shoot in the bathroom.
Yes. She knit her scarf.
(so proud)
Today I will drive back and forth to school three times and then to volleyball and home from volleyball.
I will be on playground duty today and tomorrow.
Sometimes people tell me I should get a job.
I don't know who would take care of all the driving and school responsibilities if I did.
I think I have a job.
Love,
Donna Elsie aka the accidental chauffeur
p.s. here is another poem
driving driving
driving driving
driving
And you are the chief caregiver for Ginny too :-)
ReplyDeletesnow snow go away
come again
in December
It doesn't rhyme, but it works.
(By the way, our snow is finally entirely gone and it feels like Spring is in the air. I saw a crocus today!)
Prayers for all here,
DeleteWish you were near.
We would happily share our Spring
And, send you robins on the wing!
I like your poem better Susan, but this was the best I could do today. We have "daffy-dills" and iris blooming around here right now, so pretty. jep
You are a poet at heart, jep :-)
DeleteI love that poem. And I love her hair. And that she knit her own cowl. I remember those days of driving, driving, driving.... it is a job.
ReplyDelete"Driving Miss Katie" Having older kids, you know how very quickly these days fly by. It's wonderful that you're able and willing to be the accidental chauffeur since the school isn't in your backyard - or your kitchen! Safe travels each and every day, Donna.
ReplyDeleteMary Z
P.S. I covet Emma's hair.
P.P.S. I would be way too claustraphobic to ever drive on the roads in your picture. Gah!
I agree Mary, I also covet Emma's hair :-) Gorgeous!
DeleteAmen Mary Z. Safe travels when you are out driving Miz Boo! Keeping you in our prayers. jep
DeleteI have never seen roads like that before. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThat driving poem was my mantra for years. ;)
The robins are here.
Spring is near.
That's mine for today.
Love that scarf and that hair.
Lovely poem! We saw our first robin this week and today folks are out mowing lawns. Three cheers for Spring whenever it gets to your neck of the woods. jep
DeleteSeems like I read somewhere that the photo is from Norway? I've seen it before. But now I can't remember exactly.
ReplyDeleteDo you know if that's true, Donna - do you know where it was taken?
I think I saw Japan.
DeleteWhen we lived in WY, we saw roadside snow that deep especially in the Spring. It is hardest to take snow in the Spring when others are having robins and nice weather. We missed Fall and Spring the most during our six years in WY. It is a beautiful place to live though and great people there. jep
DeleteYES, Japan - not sure why my brain came up with Norway. Same brain that forgets the grocery list ;-)
DeleteNorway, Japan - potato, potahtoe
DeleteDonna: I've had a job for 4 years after being home for 5 years. I realize that working outside of the home with older children is actually a lot of work. Now that my kids are doing more activities, I am needed a whole lot more than when they were just taking naps and playing with blocks. I am not minimizing caring for littler ones, just acknowledging how much work it is. I decided that I need to be home more now and have left my job because my kids need me more now that they are 9, 11, and 4. Just sayin'!
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful that you stay home and get to be mom/chauffeur/jack of all trades each and every day. Can you imagine how things would get done if you worked? Plus, you have your photography business-that's work!
ReplyDeleteI stay at home with my 21 month old and 3 1/2 month old. I think my days are numbered as my husband was laid off yesterday. He isn't worried and I'm worried enough for the both of us. Prayers would be nice right now. I don't want to leave my babies and go back to work. It makes me very sad to think about our morning snuggle time not happening. Not to mention the rest of the day. Stay at home moms are courageous and trusting and loyal and lovely. They are worth their weight in gold to teachers and schools, trust me. When I taught, the help I received from parents was invaluable. Unfortunately there are fewer and fewer parents who can help because of their work schedules.
I don't know how working moms get everything done, but they do. Moms in general are pretty much super people.
First, bless your heart Julie - sorry about your husband's job. I pray that you can stay home with your little one's. Secondly, you speak truth: Moms who work within the home, caring for their family and making themselves available to teachers and others at school are so valuable. As you said, worth their weight in gold.
DeleteIt's tough work for sure. My children are adults, all grown up, but I do not regret the years I spent at home, working and driving and just being there.
prayers sent
DeleteI agree with Susan, bless your heart Julie and we will pray for you, too. jep
DeleteJulie, you and your family are in my prayers.
DeleteI only work part-time at my dad's insurance agency. So I get to stay at home with my daughter four days out of seven. I love it! I wonder how full-time working moms do it all, too. I have respect for them, but I also feel so blessed that I'm able to stay at home. I truly hope that you will be able to stay at home with your children.
Sarah P. from Iowa
I thought of that this morning. Somehow Moms do works it out!!! Whether they are working at home or away.
DeleteIt's one of those 'choose your hard' things, isn't it?
I guess part of the 'hard' of choosing home is the way other people judge you.
Ha! And probably the same for away from home moms. They get judged too... And they are still responsible for everything at home. Yikes!! Women are pretty amazing!!
Julie, I will be praying, too.
DeleteDi
in our christian circle of friends and acquantinces i am judged for working. (most girls i know are stay at home moms, and it seems most who read your blog are too) without knowing our circumstances, or how badly i would love to not work, they judge... moms are always judged. it is a terrible offense to women the way we judge each other instead of rallying for each other. working is hard. being home is hard. both jobs are hard. and it is not always just about choosing your hard... it is about doing what you have to do. we should be each others biggest fans, and help each other in whatever way we can instead of aiming a pointing a finger. from both sides going both ways. women judging other women for choices they believe to best for their familes is really my biggest pet peeve in life. we are all doing what we believe is best, and we could all use the love and support from the women around us. sorry you are judged for not working, as i am sorry i am for working. love you.
DeleteI'll certainly be praying for the right solution for your family, Julie. My husband was "downsized" just a few months after we bought our house 12 years ago and was out of work for about 8 months, but he loves the job he's been in since that time and we both feel that it was meant to be. Have faith and know that others are carrying your burden along with you.
DeleteMelinda : Word. So true.
DeleteYesterday's post: {LIKE} your family, dancing, hair, Electric Slide, Despicable Me, and the scarf!
ReplyDeleteIn my hometown a very popular song that is played at wedding receptions is Mony Mony and Footloose. Those songs draw everybody out on the dance floor.
Your girls are just beautiful. Their hair is...well..I'm jealous. :)
You know, after I had Sophia the most popular question people asked me was when will I be going back to work. It used to irritate me so bad. I got over it. And when they'd ask me I would just ask them why are you asking me that?
You do have a job, Miz Boo. You encourage us everyday. That is HUGE.
Sarah P. from Iowa
{{{LIKE}}}
DeleteRaising children (and teens!) and taking care of a home will always be the best, most important job in the whole entire world.
ReplyDeleteYou are nurturing a life...
You can never get this time back.
ReplyDeleteSo much time after they fly the nest...
Ask me how I know this.
Such beautiful Emma pictures. We think about her every time something is said about Chicago. Hope this last snow storm was not too bad where she lives. When you are a stay at home and work mom, you are paid in getting to see your children's smiles...that is how I always felt during those early years at home with kids. It was like gold to have one of the boys give me a special grin. Later one of our boys sent a homemade valentine telling me I was the "glue" that held the family together. That is what mothers do, keep the family glued together through thick and thin. And, you Donna keep all who read QL encouraged. Thank you!
ReplyDeletelove and prayers, jep
LOVE this.
ReplyDeleteI had to start working in January because my husband is unemployed and can't collect unemployment. It was really hard to do after being home for 25 years. Now we are trying to keep homeschooling while I work part time. My husband is not around to help, so I am trying to do everything. It is really hard and I have a new appreciation for mom's who work all the time and don't have choice.
ReplyDeleteLove to all you ladies out there!
Dear Robin, My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. jep
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to find a job to help through this time, Robin. Hopefully your husband will be back to work soon. Praying for your family as you continue to try to keep everything in motion with finances and homeschooling.
DeleteGreat poem. :-) The snow/road picture reminds me of the Blizzards of '79. We'd only been in the Chicago-area a few years...that was a complete shock for Southerns!
ReplyDeleteMissy
The photos of Emma are FABULOUS. I especially love #2. Very Vogue. I'm just thinking that when your chauffeur days are over you should consider a new career in fashion/art photography. Think about it- some of your pins on Pinterest reflect this interest and styling and your fashion commentaries after awards shows are wonderful. The next Annie Lebowitz! You have the eye.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Z.
The Emma images are model-like. She is gorgeous, as is that hair, that scarf . . .
ReplyDeleteI do think everyone feels judged, Donna, but I wonder how much judging really happens. I think people want to talk to people they can relate to and feel similar to...so differences become opportunities to be socially awkward.
ReplyDeleteThe last few years our finances have been soooooo stretched, but any time we think about my going back to work, we do the same logistics questions you presented, Donna. Who would DO all those things I do that I think aren't that much? It turns out it is a whole bunch of much!!!
But all of that said, I have friends who work who create a beautiful life for their families...it's all in what we're called to, and sometimes it is only for a short time (the work or the stay home part.) My time as homeschool teacher only has a few more years, so I intend to enjoy every bit of it. Even these Wednesday when I am In The Car all morning and again in the evening. Someday my kids will be gone and I will miss the hours of sports radio and singing along to songs I should be way too old to know the words to, and even the companionable silence and the eye drooping fatigue. (Can you tell I am preaching to myself...I really like to stay home and not be behind the wheel (-:)
My favorite haiku these days:
How I Feel About Getting Out of Bed in the Morning
No No No No No
No No No No No No No
No No No No No
Hardee har har.
Wish good ol' Lynn in WI would chime in with one of her delightful haikus. I miss Lynn.
Love to you, dear encouraging Donna. Thank you for reminding me that my life is important. The title of your post is so perfect, my friend. Our lives are our best poems. And rhyming is really not the point. Beauty is.
Those girls of yours are so gorgeous!
Love,
Di
{LIKE}
DeleteSarah P. from Iowa
{LIKE} as well!
DeleteMary Z
Knowing your calling. This is so important. This would preach :-)
Deleteloved your haiku here in western NC, Di. And your reference to The Car.
DeleteI'm a stay at home mom, I guess, by the standard description - who is SO BLESSED to be able to do these gigs that support our family, without having to do a 9-5 or 7-7. I work lots of nights at the supper club, but the kids are at dinner and bedtime by that point. When we adopted our first two boys, I was working full time in a consuming job at a growing church, and my husband went to part time on Intervarsity staff so that the kids were home with a parent every day... So I guess I've been on both 'sides' of the conversation.
I am with the rest of you, though. We have to stop picking on each other and choosing sides. I think this really does fall into the category of adding to the beauty - of singing with grace the song that The Lord calls us to sing season by season. I remind myself regularly that It's all worship. It's all sacred, no matter how you slice it - when done with the desire to honor The Lord and create a loving and safe environment for your family, no matter the season. So you,Donna, are going to be the best darned school commuter there could possibly be. And you, dear MS, while you're hatching a new one, are going to, fully redeemed and with grace on your lips, work that night desk with all the glory you can muster, making it a sacred and holy place. And I am going to fold that mountain of laundry in Jesus' name.
It sounds a little corny, I think. But then again, redemption comes in strange places. ;)
Love you QLCS,
Stephie
TRUTH. Thanks for this good word and have a wonderful weekend of ministry.
Deletelast week when the forcast showed snow again for this week (it avoided us, thank you jesus!) i cried. big ugly crying tears and a little freaking out. i need the sun and the bird chirps and the flowers again. and then i need to move to a milder climate.
ReplyDeleteDear Melinda Sue, You reminded me of a quote about tears:
Delete"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love." Washington Irving
You are a power-filled and loving woman with many hats to wear. We hold you up in prayer always. jep
Melinda,
DeleteI'm sorry you've felt judged for working. I have had to work full time all my parenting years. As you stated, everyone makes choices - or, due to circumstances - has the choice made for them. When I was a younger mother and people referred to stay-at-home moms as "full time moms", I used to want to scream "I'm a full time mom, too! I just am not home full time!!!" I work in HR and when women resigned and said they had decided to be a full time mom, I had to bite my tongue! Seems so silly now, but boy, did I get upset! I'm totally with you on women being each other's biggest fans. Preach! I hope you are feeling well. Prayers for you, Robin, Julie, Donna and all others who are either struggling or sometimes feel the pain of motherhood -- in all its variations!
Mary Z
Melinda, in response to your post above...I say, "Amen, girl!". I have a ton of respect for you being pregnant, having a family, juggling work and school. You are amazing!
DeleteYep, the judging needs to stop. After I had Sophia and we brought her home from the hospital, I can definitely say I wasn't the same person anymore. That was a very hard time in our life. And when you go thru hard times it makes you realize what is truly important in life and you do what you gotta do. I had to end my friendships with two people because they were so judgmental of me. It was hard, but you know what? I'm a lot happier and God has given me new, truer friends that don't judge me. :)
Sarah P. from Iowa
* the judging needs to stop *
DeleteAMEN!
Di
Well, I think Di has hit it right on the money when she says that people find it comfortable to deal with others who are in similar circumstances. What you're doing is SO important and obviously it is where you belong right now. I can't imagine you or your children regretting this time spent together. Keep on keeping on!
ReplyDeleteP.S. We finally have sunshine here so I'm hoping the snow will be on vacation for awhile at least :)
I am with you Melinda. Lets all fly south.
ReplyDeletePlease come to Arizona. <3
DeleteAs usual, I'm a day late....but wanted to add my thoughts on this:
ReplyDeleteThe stay at home parent has one of the most important jobs in the world! I use "parent" because I am the working parent in my little family....I love my children and my husband more than anything, but I also know that I am a better mother because I work. My husband offered to quit his job and stay home when we had our little preemie 8 years ago and it was the best decision that we've made.
He does all the driving, making breakfasts, lunches and dinners. He does the laundry and cleans(enough) and takes care of the house and yard). He volunteers at the kids school twice a week. He take my daughter to her weekly physical therapy appointments, etc.
Sometimes, it makes me really sad when my daughter is sick and she wants dad and not me....but deep down, I'm ok with it because I know that she's so loved; she and her dad have a really special bond. I have that bond with my son, he wants me and wants to snuggle with me when he's not feeling well.
I was recently laid off from my job and spent 3 months at home. You know what my son told me the best part about having me home was???? There was always homemade cookies in the cookie jar! (he's 6)
Now, I'm back working a crappy consulting job and searching for long term employment....and my husband is still a stay at home dad.
We are judged...sadly by my OWN mother as to why he's not going back to work...I've politely and not so politely told her to butt out and mind her own business and that we are doing what is important for our family.
God bless the stay at home parent, one of the most important jobs ever!
Amen. Good word, Juli
Delete(((LIKE)))
ReplyDeleteThis week was so busy that I haven't been able to visit. And I have missed you. Every day, when I come, I feel closer to Jesus. It's true. You make me think more about Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI think you are driving your Katie and loving your Katie and being the best mother you can be. I really think that is amazing. I miss the days when moms stayed home. I wish I could stay home. I think, and I know it matters so little what I think, but I think that staying home with a child is the most sacred of all callings.
Thank you for driving on the snow covered roads. The rain covered roads. The leaf covered roads. Thank you for driving your Katie to school where she can learn more about Jesus. And thank you so
much for blessing me every day with your pictures and your words. You are an inspiration.
I missed you all week. Did I tell you that already? I actually said it tonight when we got home from Kaishon's hip hop class. He said he wanted to use the computer and I said, well, for a little, but I absolutely must see how Miz Booshay is this week. He knows who you are because your card is our fridge.
I hope your weekend is happy.
Thank you sweet girl!
ReplyDelete