Wednesday, June 10, 2009

I am officially a S.A.H.M.



That's right folks, I have officially closed out the school year (and six years of teaching) to become a stay at home mom. I have enjoyed teaching and have always known that it is my calling. But when Madison Hope was born on December 22, 2008, my pr
iorities shifted. After maternity leave, I finished out the school year so that Tim could finish his MDiv, but my heart and calling was always with Maddy. Tim has done a fabulous job taking care of Maddy while I was away - but I have missed her so much!
I am thankful to the Lord that Tim got hired at our church: The Orchard Evangelical Free Church to begin as a full-tim College Pastor starting August 1st. God's provision has allowed me to be able to stay home with Maddy and finish my Master's of Arts in Teaching degree at Trinity Graduate School.If all goes well, I will graduate May 2010. That means that I have to finish about about 5 classes, student teach, and write my thesis. I think it will definitely be attainable as long as I begin refining my thesis topic and researching my topic this summer. I begin classes again in
August. I am looking forward to some fun summer activities with the family in Chicago. There are some great free ideas for summer fun in this city.

All in all - it has been a trying, yet rewarding time teaching at
Holy Family Lutheran School on Chicago's West-Side.
I have learned much about life, teaching, a new culture, and my God. And one thing I know for sure: God is good- all the time.I cannot express in words the elation that has come with the knowledge that I can stay home to raise my daughter - at least for now. I have never known a love like this.

I don't have a ton of pictures because our camera as gone M.I.A. - but I will post a few.

Maddy eating rice cereal - so messy!

Maddy is 5 1/2 months already- hard to believe! She is very active- up on her hands and
knees rocking back and forth- dancing -grabbing at everything in site and babbling away. Her most recent sound has been "ba -ba- ba". It's so cute! She has us wrapped around her little finger-that is for sure!

This was Maddy amidst all of the clothes at the "Swap Party"
Tonight as I reflect on a closed chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one - I am encouraged by this scripture:


Psa. 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song.


11 comments:

Danielle said...

WONDERFUL news, Julie. I am THRILLED for you!!!!!!!!! I admire your determination in the way you have helped to support Tim as he finished school although it meant being apart from Maddy. Now I admire you putting your family as your first priority, but that you're not giving up on your education pursuits to finish your masters in the meantime. What an exciting time. I wish you the best! I will also graduate in May 2010 (I have 2 classes to take in fall & 1 in the spring- one of the classes in the fall is finishing my thesis). Can't wait....how fun it would be for us to finish this at the same time! Love you!

Karis said...

Woo-hoo!

Lacie said...

I so happy for you! And proud of you for finishing the race strong. I can't imagine how hard it had to be to get up every morning and leave sweet Maddy! I'm so glad you will get this time now with her. Love you girl! Can't wait to see you.

Katie Barker said...

Oh Jules,
I am so happy for you. You wrote so beautifully as well~ You are such a good momma to that Maddy girl!

Tim, Kristen , Megan, Emily, and Anna said...

How exciting that you get to stay at home with your baby!! It is the best thing in the world!!! Have fun!!

Katherine said...

So excited for you, Julie. God has been so faithful to provide for your family in His perfect timing. Also excited about Tim's ministry at the Orchard!

Don & Katrina Hines said...

Hip hip hurray! Welcome to the few, the proud, the frugal, the completely lucky women who get to stay at home with their little ones. What a blessing. Congrats to Tim as well on getting the position at the church.

kellyH said...

welcome to the club - you're going to LOVE it. I know that going back to teaching was probably the biggest sacrifice you had to make during Tim's seminary years - you are such an amazing supporter to him to do that! now welcome to this fun, fun phase!! :)

JordanandSue said...

I am SO excited for you! FINALLY you're able to do the funnest job in the world. AND, I can't wait to see you and your little girlie! :) Love ya-

Beth said...

very happy for you!

Liz said...

Isn't it so much fun!!!!! I'm so happy for you!