52Photos :: independence

my 52Photos capture

Seven years ago, after having my middle child Isabella, I again made the decision to be a stay-at-home Mom. I had made that same decision 11 years earlier when Zach was born. And, it was a surprising decision for me both times. I knew that those younger years were so important for a child and felt that it was something I should try, especially since my plan was to nurse and I knew it would be tough to do so and work full-time also. But, even more so because I was an independent, head-strong gal who never thought she would put kids before career. But I did. 

I stayed home with Zach for 3 years until his Father and I divorced and I became the supporter of our little family. No child support, needing a car, needing to find a safe place for us to live, having just begun a new job and parents living a whole day's plane ride away. We made it. We were happy.

Enter Gordon {aka Mr. wRight}, an interesting courtship, our marriage with Zach as ring bearer, Isabella's birth 5 years later and Victoria's birth 7 years later. Yep, second time as a stay-at-home Mom, again leaving the career behind. No regrets. Lots of hugs and kisses and messes and art projects and well, you know.

But, during these last seven years, I have missed making decisions that people actually want to hear and follow-through with {the kids not so much, right?}, missed earning a salary to contribute to the well-being of our family, missed the creative juices flowing at the start of a new project. Now, I wasn't a jet-setting anything. I was an Assistant Vice President and Director of Marketing for an 11-branch community bank.  

So, six months ago, I took the plunge and finally put items for sale in my Etsy shop that had been open since 2008. Can you believe it, two years sitting empty? And that's why my blog name is what it is...I wanted to tie it in to my Etsy shop when I started blogging at the same time. Why not put that Marketing degree to good use, right?

You endured that very long explanation to arrive at this: my Etsy shop and blog have provided so many things for me, but mostly a new-found independence. On me. And what I want to do or not do to make it succeed. Oh, and I'm able to surprise the family with a few things that didn't get purchased through the mutual account. Empowering, too, if I may admit that to you.

next week's theme

evening

the wrap-up

52Photos is up to 78 80 members in the Flickr group as of Wednesday afternoon. It's been a real pleasure to see your photos and how you are each interpreting the theme. There's a blog roll that's been started if you want to add your name, do a little visiting or make some comments. Don't forget to stop by Lisa's blog to say hi...they've just had more snow in Sweden, too!

If you're new to 52Photos, go here for an explanation, a blog button and an invitation to join our 52 week journey of discovery!