Work-At-Home Mom

I just recently discovered the phrase Work-At-Home Mom. I'm not sure it's the first time I've heard it, but it's the first time I noticed and remembered it. Because it perfectly describes me.
Two weeks ago I jumped into two commitments that would have surprised me just a few months ago. I committed to earning money for my family, ON TOP of taking care of house and children.
I haven't worked in more than eight years. The last time I earned money I did a tiny bit of freelance writing when Sam was two. I LOVED it, but the work dried up and I wasn't ready to get back into my career at the time.
In recent years I've had two very real things to weigh: 1. God called me to write. When I was fresh out of high school, He spoke to me one Sunday morning at Southside Baptist Church and said to me "You Will Save People Through Your Writing." True Story. 2. He later gave me FOUR children to raise.
So how do these things go together? I didn't worry, because I knew He would guide my steps. In recent years I've come to believe that He wants me to fulfill both purposes, to write and stay at home where my children need me. To not be "owned" by a man or company that does not have my family's best interests in mind, but also not to become a woman who doesn't write to share the Gospel with those outside her family. So the solution was to become my own boss, and freelance write from home. A harder endeavor at first, but I believe ultimately the perfect fit.
Maggie began sleeping through the night this summer and it has brought a whole new stage of my life. I am no longer the exhausted mother just trying to make it through the fog of the day. I am a (mostly) fully-rested woman who finds she has a few hours during the week where she could be DOING something that has nothing to do with motherhood. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
I LOVE being a Mom. I LOVE being a writer. And more importantly, I LOVE doing God's will.
As I was discovering this new time, I also discovered Young Living Essentials Oils and met a Mary Kay director through my gym.
Mind you, I swore to myself I would never do the home business thing, because it would be stepping off track to freelance writing from home. But as I listened to the Mary Kay business plan and saw the benefits of essential oils, I realized I could be spending those few hours a week, AT HOME, making money for my family RIGHT NOW. As I continue to build my freelance career, I can slow down with the home business. I can still research HOW to freelance and make money (this is the stage I'm at now). Did I mention I could be making money NOW?
So I jumped. I was excited. I called Mom. I trouble shot it with Brian over and over. He was incredibly supportive. I talked to the Mary Kay director about five times trying to find the downside to this. Ultimately I decided it couldn't hurt, but it could be a nice opportunity if I committed to it.
This week has been the most challenging so far as I learn the ropes to not one, but TWO business structures and selling techniques. Selling isn't hard for me - I have a degree in Advertising! But actually WORKING. I feared I had become a lazy beast and finding my reluctance to do things I don't want to do has reminded me I've been free to do what I want for a LONG time. It's time I start remembering that not all work is fun, but all work is rewarding with the right attitude. I will benefit, my children will benefit, and if I'm doing it right, God's kingdom will benefit!
YOU can help me with this endeavor by supporting my businesses! If you want to know more, ASK! If you have a friend who might be interested, give them my info or tell me! I truly want to help people and in turn help my family. I see it as a win-win. :)

My first Mary Kay event Friday night. I'm with my Director, Ginnie.