I totally get your winter blues. Spring has not sprung here yet either. Being a SAHM is a struggle some times especially in the winter. I"ve been dreaming of moving to the south the last few weeks. So not realistic but it sounds nice at the moment.
Can't wait for your next update.
Spring has been a tease to us this year! It's supposed to be warm again tomorrow, but then rainy and cool this coming week.
It is so, so soooo hard when there are so many cold days in a row.
You can always dream! Even if it's unrealistic!
I've stayed at home for the last 6 years, the last 5 with kids and it is hard. I am at a weird crossroads too so I know how you feel. I will have one in Kindergarten full time next year and the 3 year old will start Preschool part time so I will have more time to myself to figure out what I want to do with my life. I'm going to school very part time right now and should be able to go full time next year so that will help out with my feelings of no direction, being tired of being at home, etc. I feel grateful for the time I've had with my kids but the whole SAH thing IS like a giant loop or groundhog day or something, nothing is ever done and it's the same old thing day after day! Now if I could just figure out what the heck I want to go to school for?!! 32 years old and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
Hang in there. Something great will come your way soon
It's true! The SAH thing is a complete loop! I don't EVER get anything completely done. There is always a dish to wash, or something needed at the store. I clean a floor and 38 seconds later it has play-doh on it. It gets tiring. And all that is still happening, even with me now having a job of sorts, but I also have a to-do list aside from all that, and I DO get to check things off it, things have a start and and end! It helps!
I hope everything with school becomes clearer for you. I have a degree, but I've never worked in the field!
Oh yes, we get plenty of those!
I just looked at the pictures the other day and there are about 20 of his Legos too.
I have been following along w/ this TR and loving it, so I went ahead and started reading your previous TRs as well.
I was wondering what lens you typically use on your camera while in the parks? I have a kit lens (18-55mm) and a zoom (55-200) and trying to decide if I should bring both along with me to the parks...how about filters? I have several,but again wondering if it will be worth it to tote around this extra stuff! Thanks!
We only have the kit lens and a UV filter. The filter stays on most of the time. I would LOVE to get a zoom. We both really enjoy photography, but we almost always keep the camera in simple modes in the parks and just use it like a point and shoot. I do try to capture things with a few others settings on the rides, but we don't do much experimenting with it. The ONLY reason for that is because of Henry. Having a little one just demands extra attention and photography kinda goes by the wayside. As he gets older I can see us spending more time setting up shots and investing in filters and lenses though!
With all that said, we have a backpack style camera bag that works great. It holds quite a bit of stuff and is still light and easy to carry. So it never hurts to bring what you think you might use if you have the room and it doesn't weigh you down.
Hello there! I'm joining in for the ride! Looks like I'm not too late. I've really enjoyed the story so far and your pictures are wonderful. I love photography so that caught my eye immediately. You must use lenses and filters at WDW???? I know it makes a huge difference in the picture quality, but I just can't convince myself to lug all that stuff around on vacation, especially when I already have to carry everything except the kitchen sink for my DD. Maybe one day. I'm sure enjoying looking at your pictures though! And Henry is as cute as can be. Can't wait to read more.
As for your SAHM feelings, I would say that you are totally normal. I have stayed home with my DD for 7 years now and I get into a funk sometimes too. I think that women today are so used to getting out, being social, and "having a life of their own", that sometimes you do feel like you are missing out on something. I would just offer you some encouragement on that front, because Henry will be grown and gone from home before you can hardly blink, and I am certain that this time you have spent with him will be priceless to you. I don't think you will ever regret it. And try not to let the world convince you that you are wasting your time or talents because there is nothing more important that you could be doing with your life right now. There will be so many years ahead of you for all that other stuff, but Henry will only be little for a VERY little while. And I must say that the SAHM blues always hit me hardest in the winter, so hang in there just a little longer and I'm sure you will feel better.
As for going back to work... Everyone has to figure out what works for them and their family, but for me, working part time has been perfect. My DD started half day kindergarten last year and I started keeping kids after school. This year she started 1st grade (all day) and so I took on a part time accounting job as well as the after school care. Between the two jobs, we are doing fine financially (we'll never be rich from it, but it provides that budget breathing room you were talking about). Working like I am now allows me to be there for my DD after school, and I am able to be active in her school functions which is important to me. So I would say thinking outside the box when it comes to work was the answer for us. I think if you could find something part time to do, you would see that it helps a lot on the financial end without making you feel like you are loosing your mind because you can't juggle being a wife, mother, career woman, and everything else all at once. I know there are women out there who do it, but it just ain't for me!
Good luck sorting it all out. I know all about how you are feeling having just gone through this transition myself and it does take a lot of consideration. I'm sure you will come to the right conclusion though!
Hey there!
Thank you for reading!!!
As for the camera stuff - I answered that a bit above. We do have a Cannon XSi, but we just use the kit lens and a UV filter - not too fancy at this point. A lot of times we even leave the camera bag back in the room and just carry the camera around our necks! After H-Man is a bit older I can see us getting more into having gear though...
As for the SAHM stuff - winter is HARD. And age 3 is HARD! I like your suggestion of thinking outside the box...I feel like I did just that with working to become a Travel Agent. It takes a while to make money at it, but I'm excited about it and just having that focus and drive for a career really helps in all aspects of my life. I do like that I can still be home with Henry though - and like you said, be able to participate in his school functions and all that. I look forward to it!
Still following!
Good call on TT for the ride of the night in Epcot!
Your MK morning on Main St. is eerily familiar to our morning.
You will see for yourself..... if I ever get my TR started.
You better get it started! I hope you took good notes, you'll forget what happened before you even start!
We will be in Disney for a couple of days before the cruise, but my compromise with the Grump includes NO park time. I think going up to MK and standing at the gates, knowing that I could not go in, would be torture!
OH MAN! That is tough!!! Joe and I have talked about doing a "no parks" trip someday and just take advantage of the many, many things outside the parks. The parks are wonderful (and it would be hard to stay out of them!), but I know you guys will have a magical time just being on property.
You can get a nice backpack bag and it will not only cushion your camera equipment (I know, I was knocked off a bicycle with mine once!), you can fit a small umbrella, your wallet/passes, and some hard candies. It's easy to carry, and will fit at your feet for all coasters.
Yes! Exactly! We have a backpack type, it's a one shoulder one. It's great-and has a waterproof cover.
Hey Brook! Stopping by to say hi, and trying to play catch up. Been a full weekend of girls' fun, and I'm ready to jump back in here. Have a great day!
Hey there! I'm playing catch-up as well...as usual.
in there to make it seem like the right choice. 
next month. 40 really? It is just a number right?
Can I just say College of Disney knowledge sounds like so much fun!!!
Hi, I just found your report and started reading. Love your title and your little boy is so adorable! Can not wait to read more
I will get over there as soon as I can!
