Dream job

In the morning, I usually wake up to hugs and “Good morning, Mommy — how was your sleep?” from a groggy eyed Benjamin, or to cooing and a snuggle from Liam.  As the day goes on, I feed my boys, I change diapers, I enforce nap time.  I build roads from blocks for cars to drive on and I play ball in my living room.  I try to juggle playing, being in charge, taking care of errands and trying to keep the house at least a little clean (Benjamin helps — really).  I run races, put puzzles together, play games on the computer, answer lots of questions, share ice cream and wash sticky faces and fingers.  I try to get my kids out so that we can see some of this fantastic city (because I know that all too soon this opportunity will have passed).  I give baths, I cuddle, I read stories.  The other day, I filled a wading pool using a 32 ounce plastic cup and countless trips back and forth from my kitchen to the terrace.  Tonight, Benjamin fell asleep during story time — I looked over, halfway through our second book, and he was out.

This is the best job ever.

It is hard, the hours are endless, I am often exhausted and sometimes pushed past the limits of my strength (mental, physical and emotional), there are no sick days and a break is really hard to come by.  But this is exactly the job I want to have.  I am so grateful that I get to spend this time with my wonderful kids.  I complain about it sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  If I had millions of dollars in the bank, this is exactly what I’d do (although I’d hire someone to make sure the house stays clean).  What a great feeling:  I get to wake up every morning and do exactly what I would do if money were no object.  I love it.

3 thoughts on “Dream job

  1. Emily,
    I’m new to your blog, (thanks to your husband who recently emailed my husband, Eric with tips about moving to Vienna) and I have been absolutely enthralled by it for the last several hours. Can we be friends? Seriously. As a stay-at-home mom about to embark on the same adventure of moving my family to Vienna (in less than 3 weeks!!), so many of your posts have already “spoken” to me (not to mention have given me copious amounts of wisdom about our upcoming move) but this particular post actually made me tear up as I read it. As a mom of four young kids, I could not have written my job description an more poignantly than you just did. Thank you for reminding me that even amidst all of this chaos of a giant move (and even bigger leap of faith), that I still have and will always have the BEST job in the world – no matter what.
    Sincerely,
    Janessa

    • Yes! Let’s! 🙂 Dan told me that he had inundated you with information, and was worried he’d overdone it, so I’m glad that he didn’t. Yes, yes, yes . . . call us or email us if there’s anything we can do to help. (There almost certainly will be things. Please do ask. We had so much help when we first arrived and would love to have the chance to help.) And once you’re settled, let me know. We’ll get a coffee or go to the playground or both. (But SERIOUSLY, ask. For anything.) 🙂

    • Actually, after 10 days of stomach illness in our house, *I* needed to re-read this as a reminder of how good I really have it. 😉

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