In the Beginning

My dear college friend KTP from House of Prince called me out one day while posting in her comments section. She encouraged me to start my own blog because I admitted that I compose posts modeled after hers in my head throughout my day.

I was hesistant, because if you know KTP or have been to HOP, you know what a wonderful and clever writer she is.

My reaction to a comment by the LA Times included in one of her posts did push me over the edge. As I strugged on how to kick off the blog - how to be clever and witty, I concluded that this post of mine included in her comments section pretty much sums up what I am guessing will be the background of my blog - the story of Jax and me as we live our Completely Unpredictable Life.

So as an intruction to JaxMom, here it is:

Okay. Be prepared for my vent. When KTP gets my blog done , I will
vent there. I have stewed on this quote all night, and can't let it go. Since it
was a third party, I feel I can let my frustrations out.

I did not exactly have a choice about staying a working mom, but I don't
think I am missing out with raising Jackson. I have been there for his first
crawl, first step, birthday's, vacations, spelling his name, learning colors. I
guide his eating, his manners, habits, medical care, hair cuts, discipline,
playmates.

I don't have to watch spongebob and have never seen a Dora episode. We don't have formal play groups, and we don't make crafts once a week.

But we do play Hi-Ho Cherry'O and Candyland; race cars, color, write thank you notes, carve pumpkins, color easter eggs, and bake lemon cake. We do wrestle most evenings, and tickle each
morning. We have dinner at the table with no TV nearly every night, even if is is the 1-2-3 meal (1 min for veggies, 2 mins for chick nuggests, 3 mins for easy mac).

He helps with laundry, dishes, setting the table, and picking up toys. He is very healthy and one of the happiest children ever to walk the planet.

He does know mommy goes to work, LOVES coming to the office, playing on the computer, pretending to have meetings. Recognizes two facilities where I have run conferences, and does know that when Grandma B comes, typically mommy is headed to Chicago.

I have made career sacrifices. I did not pick up and move to Indiana to take a job with D.C. when his friend Mitch became gov so Jacks would stay by his dad. I do leave work by 5:15 most nights, and rarey bring work home, and if I do, I rarely touch it. While I work at least one weekend each
month, he has quality time with dad, grandma or Aunt Lori, and typcially gets to do something fun I likely would not have taken him to do.

He has learned to love the library with dad, go to the gardens with Grandma, and can't wait to fish with Uncle Steve.

NO, I am not with him 24-7. But when I am with him, it is quality time. Everyone makes their own choice. Both choices are hard. But I take great issue with the LA Times implying that I "miss out on raising" Jackson because I work "outside the home."

I hope you enjoy your visits! - JaxMom