Staying at home has afforded me many opportunities that I truly enjoy: watchingmy kids grow, never missing a moment, getting them to fun places when it's far less busy, having fellowship with other Moms, getting to know my nephew and sis in law so much better, etc.

One selfish reason that I simply LOVE staying at home is because I have energy left for reading. As a teacher all of my time was spent grading, writing curriculum, or designing new lessons plans. When I had a few minutes for fun, I certainly didn't want to spend it reading... It was far too much work. But, now that my work is far more physically demanding than intellectually demanding, I get to read often. Since January, I have made it a priority to read some fiction and some non-fiction. I rotate between fiction and non. So far I've read all of the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo books, and have "Graceling" on the shelf. Alaina passes along good fiction titles to me ;) In the non-fiction category, I make a habit of writing down all of the books my Bible Study teacher or SS teacher recommends. So far I've read Love and Respect by Dr Emerson Eggerich, and am mid way through Bringing up Boys by Dobson. In addition, I studied A Marriage without Regrets by Kay Arthur and A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I think that's more reading in 2 moths than I managed to do during all 5 years of my teaching career. It's so nice to be able to read again. I'm accepting all kids of book recommendations, fiction or family/marriage oriented non-fiction! ;)

On a totally unrelated note, I got to post this from Wordpress for my iPhone!!! I love it!!! Blogging on the go!