This is the view from my current job. My family financing and budgeting, along with planning and preparing appointments and schedules part of my job. Later I'll become housekeeper with endless amounts of laundry (where does it all come from??) This afternoon I'll switch hats once again to teacher for my ten-year-old's math homework (my worst subject!), motivational speaker for my three-year-old’s refusal to potty train, and hopefully cheerleader for outside time to soak up some sun (and let them exert the last of their energy for the day... as if that is ever a possibility). After that I'll try my hand at gourmet chef, but will more than likely settle for a mix between something from a sidewalk cafe and concession stand food. That will of course be followed by bath time, bed time, and picking up what's left behind before I, crawl into bed, or at 25 months pregnant, do a waddle/roll/sprawling motion onto the mattress adding "dear Lord, please don't let me miss" to my nightly prayers! Is a mother's job really ever over?

Whether you go to work or work from home, there just never seems to be enough hours in the day, or your days just continue to run together on a continuous loop of daily to-do's that never seem to get done. How many of my Mama's have ever felt overwhelmed, unappreciated, or underpaid?? (Especially my stay-at-home Mama's). What if I told you God's plan for us doesn't always look like what we had planned for ourselves?? Goodness gracious!! From detours, downhill spirals, to FINALLY devoting myself and my life to Jesus I feel like I've been put through the ringer-- several times-- and I could have NEVER imagined the life I live today-- BUT I also wouldn't have it any other way!! Yeah my days are the most BEAUTIFUL form of a crazy chaos and some days are a little less beautiful than others, but it's the living, breathing, life I've been given and I have to remind myself to be grateful EVEN on the days the bills are piling up, the house is a mess, the kids are out of control, and the husband is working past his normal 12+ hour shift. Even in ALL those things I just listed there is STILL so much love, beauty, and BLESSINGS!!

Thank you, God, that we have a roof over our head, shoes on our feet, food in our bellies, and bills that can be paid. Thank you, God, for my children, each with their own perfect and strong-willed personality. And thank you God for giving me a hard-working husband whose countless hours put into his job don't come close to the unconditional love he has for his family! See the beauty and blessings in your life and strive to be the beauty and blessings in someone else's!!