July 12, 2005

A great question...

came through my email this morning from Sherry:

I was thinking of a topic you maybe could address on your blog. HOW do you get to go do these amazing things? Conventions and trips and stores etc? You have a husband, you have a son...what happens to them as you go about doing what you need to do? I guess I'm thinking realistically about any other woman, aspiring to be a part of the scrapbooking world...what happens to life when your gone for that short bit. I'm not wanting details of your private life, but thinking more of... is that a dream even possible for a woman with 2-3 even 4 small children? How could she get away to be so creative and fun and get business done if she has little ones who need her? Do you just find ways to make things happen?...Finding those few hours to create is so hard as it is? How do you get yourself into other exciting things?

I hope you enjoy your trips and really know how blessed you are to have a piece of your life that is not only as a mother and a wife, but as your own person. It IS what every woman wants, I think. That thing that gives air to your spirit...

I am guessing that there are more of you out there wondering some of these same things. One of the first things to keep in mind is that my entire experience has been a process...of moving from one thing to another. Over time we, as a family, have adapted to the idea that my work would involve travel. One thing has added on to the next. First I started working more at home, this included the decision to have Simon attend school/day care. In many ways it worked out really well: he benefits from the interaction with other children and I am able to get work done without interrution. Travel for CK - to editorial meetings, trade shows, CKU's - and now travel for teaching at local scrapbook stores has gradually gotten more and more.

One of the things that I love about CK is that I know that I always have a choice. That they believe that family comes first. That has brought peace of mind to me on many occasions over the last year.

When I travel Simon either stays here with Chris or he stays with my parents on the coast. Here at home Simon attends a school/day care where he can stay until 5pm (if needed) during the times that I am gone. One of the benefits of my travel is that Simon has been able to spend time with my parents for more extended periods. He is getting to grow up with them as a constant in his life. I did not really have that sort of experience with my own grandparents. I feel really lucky that my parents are in a position to care for him - and they are often asking when he can come next.

Many choices have been made in our household. I never imagined that I would have a job that involved traveling, actually I never really anticipated working much at all after I became a Mom. Once I started getting more involved in scrapbooking I realized that I had really found a passion. That this was something that I really wanted in my life. That for me, I needed more...as you say Sherry, "giving air to my spirit."

For a variety of reasons, including my desire to continue working, we have decided that one child completes our family. At least for now. But, if you have more children does that mean that you couldn't be in a similar position, no way. It really all depends on your personal situation. What kind of supports do you have at home? How does your significant other feel about all of it (maybe you can make a deal with him/her). Do you have other family around that would help? I know of other women in our industry that have 2, 3, and more children, making it all work. I defintiely don't think it is easy (it is not easy with one child), but it is possible.

And you know what? I am still figuring it all out...all the time. Everyday poses new challenges, choices, etc. Is Chris always happy when I take off for four or five days? Nope. But I do know that he understands that I love what I do. That I find satisfaction for myself in what I do. That it makes me an all-around better wife and mother. And in return, I am supportive of him as he searches for and chases his own professional passion.

Simon needs me. And I am here for him. But I am also here for Chris. And I am here for me - in my case, sometimes being here for me means going away from home. But I always come back...

Things in life are always evolving. A time for everything... You never know what will come next, what will be presented to you, what mattered today may not matter tomorrow. Is this lifestyle for everyone? Nope. Is is possible, most definitely.

#Scrapbooking