law school here I come

Before I give my rant I would like to thank my supporters! Garrett has supported me this whole way and Mariah has been my cheerleader. Teddy wins for the best "congrats!" and Jaymie wins for the one person who really "understands." Kalon gets hugs and kisses for moving here so I can have Mariah!

For those who don't know this, I have wanted to go since I was young. Long story short, after many attempts to get a job this year after my library one ended I realized that I should finally go to law school. Garrett and I prayed about it and felt it was the right decision for our family at this time. I know if I don't go now it won't happen. As it is, I am 5 yrs behind the rest of the group and don't want to be in school when the girls are in high school!

There are those out there who have the opinion that women should stay home with their kids. I used to feel that I had to defend my personal decisions that someone I am talking to doesn't agree with, but after a conversation earlier today I have decided I no longer need to back up my decisions with examples and so forth. If I want to go to school that is my decision and I really don't want to hear the comments like "what are you going to do with the girls" or "so does that mean you aren't having anymore kids?" First off, last time I checked, my older daughter is in school all day and Reagan and I will be together all day everyday if we like it or not. She is almost 4 and pretty independent. Of course I have my cheerleader aka Mariah who is willing to drive to my house and help if needed. I of course would drive Rea up there, but its the point that she is willing to do it. As for not having more kids, once again that is not anyone else's business. I first want to apologize to those out there in the mormon world who I thought rude things about in my head b/c they only had one or two children. This was when I was younger, but still it wasn't right. Having children and how many to have is not anyone else's business but your own.

Interestingly in all of this, my personal statement was about the box that women are put in with regards to what I have basically stated. Too often there is either a double standard or an expectation that unless you have to work, you shouldn't work. What I am amazed at is the double standards that occur. I find it amazing that those out there who don't agree with women working are the same who love their child's teacher or pediatrician who without them going to school and working outside the home wouldn't be that teacher or doctor for your child. So those who don't think mothers should work should look at those around them. Perhaps they shouldn't go to that doctor, have their child in that classroom, or perhaps if their husband has a business tell him not to hire mothers because that is against what they believe! Obviously this is an exaggeration of the situation, but I just wanted to make the point. You also have the individuals out there that think its ok for their daughters to go to school, but heaven forbid they actually use their education outside the home and its ok to work while your husband is in school or out of a job, but how awful it would be to keep the job you have grown to love because there is the expectation to go home.

There may be those out there who don't agree with me about what is "right" but shouldn't the decision be based on your family? Of course! The real question though is how often do we judge others because of their decisions? I do this too, though more on a superficial (like what the person is wearing) than a decision like occupation and number of children to have.

With this I say bravo to you who stay at home and bravo to you who leave the house to work. I realize now that there is no such thing as a worldwide solution. If a mom is happier to be at home than away in an office or classroom, that is what she should do. On the other hand, if a mom is not fulfilled by being home all day, regardless of the number of children and their ages, and the solution is to get a job, go to school, etc that once again is her decision.

Boxes come in every shape and size. The box that fits your neighbor, friend, or family member isn't going to be the same size box for yourself. I definitely have learned this over the years. Luckily for me, I finally am doing what I want to do and not what is "expected of me". The best part of all is that I no longer care what others think but I am doing what I want and what makes me happy!

The family tone is set by the mother so in the end I would like to say, "if mom ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."