Choices, Choices, Choices....

Recently I was faced with the option to return to my professional career, after being a stay at home since our son was born. For me it was not about returning to WORK because STAY AT HOME MOMS WORK 24/7! We work all day and night caring for our children and staying at home IS a full-time job, for which many moms do not get enough kudos or credit. It the most exhausting, challenging, and simply INCREDIBLE job I HAVE EVER LOVED!! Before I had J.B. I actually thought I would be bored (WHAT WAS I THINKING?? LOL LOL), but being at home with him has made me so very happy, watching him grow and change everyday is AMAZING and there is never a dull moment. I love the quality time I have been able to enjoy with him and I know that it's precious time I will NEVER get back, so I literally cherish every giggle, smile, and milestone met. So when the opportunity to return to my professional career came about I was completely overwhelmed and just riddled with guilt and then I began to actually feel awful because I was considering it and looking forward to the possibility of going back. I could not sleep or think straight and it became an emotional journey! After much prayer, consideration, and wisdom from a great friend who told me, "Christina, you have to give yourself permission to return to your profession, and not beat yourself up about doing something you love, IT IS OKAY TO HAVE BOTH!" For some reason that resonated with me and I realized that I can still be a fabulous mommy to our sweet J.B. who I LOVE with all my heart and return to my professional career which I LOVE AS WELL. It is perfectly fine if I want to do both, and the real person who needs to be okay with it is ME AND ONLY ME! As long as I am okay with it then I do not need to seek the opinions of others, because each mom's decision is strictly their own. I cannot help that some may judge me and I am okay with that because I know that GOD himself is in control of our lives and that our son will be well taken care of and LOVED when I am away from home. I do wonder though if I can ACTUALLY and realistically DO IT ALL? This question is still is in the back of my mind... but when I am flooded with that heavy and loaded question I remember that I have the support of my SAVIOR, my sweet husband, both sets of parents, and our church family and that is ALL I NEED! Is it REALLY possible for moms to have IT ALL? And that my friends is a question ONLY YOU CAN ANSWER FOR YOURSELF! ( For me personally it is YES and it does not make me any less of a GREAT MOMMY to want it all!)