Isn't that just the way life is sometimes?  It seems like when you have everything mapped out the way you think you want it, life throws you a curve ball or puts a wrench in your plans that leads you down a road you never imagined being on.  It's so easy to lose track of the plans and goals you set out for yourself amidst the hustle and bustle of life.  Being a single working mom presents quite the challenge to me on a daily basis because I have to map out all of my "day job" tasks and how to efficiently complete them while also making sure that my son is at school on time, ready for the day and then picked up on time and off to his respective sports and activities.  

Whether you're a "working" mom or a stay at home mom, doesn't it seem like the "to-do's" list grows longer and longer each day?  Sometimes I feel like no matter how many of those items I complete, there are still many more waiting in the wings.  My mom was a stay at home mom and boy oh boy, did she work her butt off taking care of my brother and I.  We were not the easiest  children to take care of although I like to pretend I was an angelic daughter not giving my dear mom a moment of worry or trouble.  My mom worked her butt off to make sure we were well taken care of, that the house was clean and that we always kept busy with music or sports.  Were it not for her diligence and hard work, I would not be the well-rounded individual I am today.  Thanks mom! 

I think stay at home moms work harder and longer than "working" moms because not only do they get no time off, but their "job" is so much more important.  Raising children is the most rewarding and challenging job a person could ever have.  It's the only job I've ever had that I truly loved doing.  Being a mom (or a dad) so important because though there are no bonuses, vacation pay, progress reports or board meetings, the end result of parenthood is having a balanced and happy young adult that you let out into the world to do good for him/herself and others.  Being a single mom can be so hard because I have to be both a "working" mom and a "stay at home" mom at the same time and sometimes I feel like I have no time to breathe.

I think that sometimes the things I worry about for my "day job" and the "important" to-do's are actually the lesser of the true priorities in life. As a parent you find it's the quiet moments and the little things that add up to make the bigger picture.  Spending time with my son this weekend working on a diorama and a report for Indian in the Cupboard project he had for school was one of those quiet moments that will last a lifetime in my memory.  I had tons of "day job" paperwork to do and tons of people to follow back from the Aloha Friday Blog Hop (which is still going on so link up if you haven't yet) but my Alaka'i asked me to help him with ideas for his diorama so I took the time I didn't have to spend helping him brainstorm.  I dropped so many balls yesterday for the "day job" but none of it mattered because my son was more important.  I had the privilege of helping my son discover ideas he never considered as his imagination soared cloud high.  With a little direction and a few glides of the paintbrush to show him how, I helped my boy create something spectacular that he was so proud to take to school this morning.  Seeing the look of pride knowing he did a good job all by himself was worth more to me than all the money in the world.  

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and that Monday is being kind to you.  

xoxo,