Spoiled Oilfield Wife

This is not your usual "spoiled oilfield wife" bumper sticker story. As long as I've known my husband he has been a VERY diligent and hard worker in the oil and gas industry. He's worked out of town, in town and 24-7 for as long as I can remember. He's had a phone glued to his head for the past 4 years...much longer I'm sure but that's as long as I've known him :) When we got married and decided to have children we both agreed I would stay home to raise our kids while he went to work. This was an easy decision when you've worked for a company for 9 years and your making good money. So security is something I thought we wouldn't have to worry about. Recently my husband who I once thought was invincible was laid off. It hit me like a ton of bricks because I never once expected it. Mostly because I'm his wife so I'm his biggest fan and I watch him go out of his way to do the best job he can when he's there and even more when he's not. So in my mind I always thought any company couldn't afford to lose a guy like him. A major part of the oilfield industry I've learned is politics, it's who you know not what you know. So they let him go. At first I was mad I mean pregnant girl, hormones raging ticked off. He just recently had knee surgery so he can't exactly run out and get another job with one good leg and crutches. On top of that I'm 7 months pregnant so now they've laid off a guy with one leg and a new dependent on the way. I mean talk about a blow to a guys confidence who has agreed to support his family and now there is a fear he can't do that. The day after he got laid off I found myself praying pretty much all day. Praying for a new job at first but then God kind of slapped me (that's usually the only way He gets me to listen up and give up control) with reality and made me see that our roles as husband and wife were reversed. Even though I can't financially support our family right now I have to be my husbands emotional support and remind him that I'm still his biggest fan. I mean that's what I agreed to didn't I? "For better or worse, for richer or poorer." I like to think I'm always a good support system for my husband but its easy to lose focus of that when you've got a one year old who needs you 24/7. Once I focused my mind on that it was like everything else fell into place and I was at complete peace. I don't usually stay upset about things for long I usually go into survival mode pretty quickly so once I started calling about health insurance, life insurance and all the other things we were losing with this lay off I started to feel better. My husband made a commitment to take care of me and our children and he's never once stopped doing that. I've realized now that support or taking care of us is not about a job or finances it's about the man he is to me and our kids. I'm "spoiled" not because he can buy me things but because he loves me without condition and would go to the ends of the earth for me. Now is my chance to prove I feel the same about him since we will be spending so much time together now :) I'm going to embrace this lay off as a time for his knee to heal properly and a special time he gets to spend with Sadie that he wouldn't get if he was still working. She will only be "the baby" for two more months and how lucky are we that we get to spend this time together as a family. The perfect job will come at the right time. I know this because my God never waivers. If He's not worried then why should I be? I'm so thankful my husband chose me to be his wife and there is no one else I'd rather go through this life with. He "spoils" Sadie and I everyday with the man he is and I'm forever grateful to him for that.

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  Matthew 6:31-34

What do you DO all day?

People ask this question more often than I thought they would before having children "what do you do all day?" Or "you don't work?" With a shocked look on their face. These questions used to annoy me or automatically put me on the defense. However, since becoming a mom it's a whole lot easier to not let the opinions of others effect your day. Mostly because I don't have time, I've got a one year old yelling at me she wants something 24/7. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be a stay at home wife and mother. This job is the toughest but most rewarding job I will ever do in my life. I wanted to be there for every smile, giggle and tantrum. Even though some days I think about going to check the mail and never coming back (we all have those days.) I love the stay at home mom life and I wouldn't trade it for the world! So to answer the age old question of "what do I do all day?" I've made a small list (because I also love a list) of how to stay sane. Hopefully some moms out there can get a few tips or just feel better knowing they are not alone! 

1. Get dressed. You don't have to get ready for the oscars every morning but it's amazing what washing my face and a little mascara will do for my day! 

2. I have a cleaning schedule which has been a life changer (how embarrassing) but seeing it on paper makes it seem more attainable for some reason.

Sadie is the slowest eater ever so I can get a lot checked off while she's eating breakfast. Whatever I don't finish I ALWAYS let her "help" me with. Whether its helping me fold laundry or unload the dishwasher I always want her to know that taking care of where you live is part of living there and we pick up after ourselves. Even though it takes twice the time it's so easy to make a fun game out of any chore for them. When I sweep she's behind me with the dust pan trying to "get me." 

3. Laugh. With a toddler life is just easier if you laugh. Like when Sadie digs out EVERY SINGLE piece of Tupperware I own instead of getting mad I just thank her for finding the lid I haven't been able to find for three years. 

4. Go outside. Even when it's raining we have to go outside atleast once a day or we will go crazy! Some things she likes to do outside: 

-Play with her puppies

-Blow bubbles

-Walk her baby doll in her stroller 

-Go down her slide 

-Smell EVERY. SINGLE. FLOWER.

-Ride daddy's four wheeler  

-When the weather permits, play in a kiddie pool or the sprinklers 

-Sidewalk chalk 

-Fishing 

-Going to the park 

5. Enlist your husbands help (or anyone else that will help you!) Even if it's just my husband giving her a bath or him playing with her while I cook dinner that little bit of time where I am not the ONLY one who can make her happy is extremely helpful and necessary for my sanity! 

Not all days go like this obviously. Kids get sick or just act like wild animals from time to time but on those days I'm just thankful we both make it out alive :) At the end of the day, you've done your most important job which is being a mom! 

Vow to my Second Child

"Don't you know how to prevent that?" "Your hands are gunna be so full!" "get ready to never sleep again!" That's just a few of the things I've heard since announcing we are pregnant with you. When we announced we were pregnant with your sister it was nothing but "congratulations!" And now it's nothing but negative! Not all people are negative but you definitely get a more negative vibe the second time around. As if the 19 month age gap between you and your sister wasn't planned. We are THRILLED to be expecting you and I vow to not let anyone EVER make you feel otherwise. I promise to never make you feel second best or let anyone treat you that way. Granted with your sister when people asked me how far along I was I knew down to the second and this time around I've got to check the app on my phone to even remember what day it is. And last time I was a member of FOUR yes four online mommy groups and by Sadie's 6 month birthday I had deleted them all. Those women are nuts! But I can give you the gift of experience which I couldn't give your sister. This time around I won't be googling every noise you make or checking your temperature a thousand times a day. I will be much more calm which makes for a much more calm baby. However, I can't speak for your sister she's always crazy and loud but you'll get used to her :) I promise to savor every cuddle with you because your sister is a "touch me not" so I know your cuddles may not last long. I promise to enjoy this pregnancy no matter how miserable I might be because it's probably my last time to experience it all. I promise to love you with my whole heart for the rest of my life. I can't wait to meet you❤️