Expectations.

Where did our life expectations come from?  There are all these things that are engrained in us from a young age, particular things that you're supposed to do with your life.  I was always told that I was supposed to go to school, have a family, a career, a beautiful home that it immaculate all the time.  How is one person supposed to juggle all of these things and be successful all the time?

I have found myself thinking about these a lot lately.  My dad recently reminded me that I should be going back to school to get my counseling certification so that I can further my assistance to those with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  When am I supposed to find the time to do that?  I have all the excuses in the world on why not to do it.  A house, kids, a husband, pets, and that keeping up with those things takes up my time.  I know that the counseling is a life goal of mine, I just don't have the time required to devote to that right now, that time will come. 

I try to live my life in the now.  The typical "someday I will..." statement doesn't sit well with me.  As a military family, we have seen firsthand how quickly that statement goes out the window as you really can't foresee what's around the next corner, you really just never know what will happen.  So why do I put that goal on hold?  I think it's because no one is going to put their life on hold while waiting for me to finish, and that's ok!

I have learned to live my life without regret.  I don't want to wake up one day and realize that my kids are grown up and I missed it because I was too busy with school or work.  I'm very proud to say that I'm as close to an old school housewife as I can be.  I'm the mom that makes treats for my kids' classes for holidays and birthdays, attends all the sporting events, and does what I can to enjoy them while they are still small.  I think people are too caught up with other aspects of their lives, work, hobbies, etc, that they miss out on enjoying their kids.

So my priority list will be as follows:

Family - and yes I included the people who are self created family
Friends
House
Everything else

My kids aren't going to wait for me to have time for them, they are growing up even when I'm busy.  I don't want to look back on this time in my life and wish that I had devoted more time to enjoying the chaos.  I'm a mom first and foremost!