I Wouldn't Change A Thing.....

I have always said that there are two things that I got from growing up in the Ohio Valley: A love of great food and a great work ethic.  I graduated from High School and went to College.  I got a degree in Elem. Educ. and had every intention of using it however I graduated in 1994 and did not land that full time teaching job until 1999.  At that point I was about to get married and we were purchasing our first home.  I had to have a job.  We had big plans!

But then Miss Cora came along in April of 2003.  We planned the pregnancy perfectly and I was able to take off the rest of the school year so I didn't have to go back until Sept of that year.  And I did what every good working mother does.  I solidified the best babysitter I could find.  And I cried almost every day when I dropped her off.  The next year brought a new babysitter who was equally as awesome as the first but I still felt the yearning everyday to be with Cora.  It was hard being with 20+ other kids while someone else was taking care of mine.

2005 came quickly as we were preparing for Steve to retire from the Navy.  When he took the job in SC, I knew I was going to have to resign my teaching position anyway so we decided to make it permanent.  When this decision was announced I know there was a collective gasp.  Because I was supposed to work. That is what I had been raised to do.  I had a piece of paper that said I was a teacher.  And I know that I let people down. But the decision was made and we swiftly moved to SC to start our new life.

Now make no mistake, I did have a job.  I had a thriving home based business with Pampered chef that allowed me to stay home with Cora and work in the evening.  When asked what the best part of my job was I would always say that it was the relationship that Steve and Cora developed while I was gone doing shows.  It allowed him to be a dad without me watching over him!  I am also thankful that I was able to use Pampered Chef to show my daughter that there is a way for a mom to be a mom and have a job without sacrificing her family's needs.

So now as I sit here writing this blog entry, lunches have been packed, showers have been taken and clothes are ready.  Tomorrow I am back to work.....doing what my piece of paper says I am supposed to do.  Part of me is ready.  Cora is in 3rd grade now and doesn't need me as much as she used to.  And we are on the same school schedule so it is the next best thing to being home!  But there is a part of me that earns to hold a sweet 3 yr old again......just for a minute. 

Because no matter what anyone thinks, I was a stay at home mom because that is what my family needed.  I didn't do it because I was lazy.  I didn't do it because I didn't want to work.  I did it because we were able to do it.  We made sacrifices.  We may not drive the best cars or have the most money in the bank but I wouldn't change a thing from the last 6 years.

So the one thing about this decision is that Cora is really happy for me.

I remember telling her I was going to stop Pampered Chef and she was so sad.  Probably because that is all she has ever known!  But just as I was sure she was proud of me for being a business owner, I know she is proud that her momma is a teacher again!  That makes tomorrow a little better. 

So with that....I am putting in my Stay at home mom resignation.

~Cora's Back To Work Mom