Thank You, Daddy!

Our family is so so blessed. Rick has allowed me to be able to stay home with Amelie every day and for that I am eternally grateful and I know she is too. It really isn't fair to the child to have someone else raise it while the parents work. I personally know that when the child gets old enough to talk, they express how they constantly miss their parents while they are at work. So sad. Plus, it would just break my heart not to be with her and I don't think I could get any work done anyway for constant wondering what she is doing and if she is alright. I almost left church services last Sunday to go and peek on her in the nursery because she cried when she saw us leave! But, I do realize that a lot of parents can't afford to stay home or are simply not willing to make the sacrifices Rick and I have had to make in order to allow me to stay home with our child.
And believe me, sacrifices are made EVERY day! But I would choose them again in a heartbeat because it's what is best for her. (And because I can't seem to go two hours without sniffing her like some sort of addiction!)
Seriously, being a stay-at-home mom is not easy. I always thought those women were just lazy and didn't want to go and get a job... until I became one. Now I realize that it's actually the hardest job there is - and I'll gladly debate anyone who disputes that fact. The hardest part about it is that there is no such thing as 'leaving your work at work' because it's a 24 hour a day job, 7 days a week. Weekends? They don't excite me anymore. My weekends have been replaced by trash days because then I get to throw the diapers out. And yes, that's exciting for me now. It's amazing how big a mess little hands can make... ALL DAY! It's constant cleaning or cooking or feeding, or cleaning up from the cooking and feeding. And sometimes we get to mingle at the grocery store. That's exciting. To say my social life has diminished would be an understatement. But at least I have all new friends now (Dora, Minnie, Handy Manny). Rick and I have had to tighten our financial belt too, which isn't always easy.
Sacrifices? Yes, I make them every day. But, I'm so addicted to that l'il punkin who fills my heart with so much joy and happiness that I don't miss 'the good ole days' for one second.
So here's to the best Daddy in the world for giving me an awesome awesome life! Thank you, Rick. I love you!