My life as a housewife is evolving.

[Darla Shine]

When I wrote my book five years ago my children were young, and sweet, and adorable. I was sitting with them in the afternoons making crafts and spending my mornings at the park pushing them on the swings. I wanted to meet other moms of young children and I wanted to join mommy groups. Creating a warm and loving home was my goal and I created it. But now, my son is a tween and my daughter is nine years old and my life is completely different. I run around each day from tennis, to guitar, to piano, to science club, to religious classes. There are school projects and math competitions and tennis tournaments and stress and pressure. It doesn't get easier. But it is different. I am getting to know these children as people. Their personalities are getting stronger. And I am so happy to be with them each day. I love when my son comes in the door and throws his backpack on the floor. I love hearing about his school gossip. I love editing his school papers. When Hannah walks in the door she always says, "what's for dinner?" and I know it makes her so happy to see me cooking for her. She tells me about her day and we chat over the kitchen island. It is a new era for me listening and learning from these little people. Some days are a nightmare with the slamming doors and screams of 'I hate you.' But I know that is all normal and I am prepared to get through it with laughter and wine. My husband and I are blessed. We have healthy children and a home. I thank God every day. I am still a happy housewife. I am cooking more creative meals. And I am deciding what is next for me as a woman. It is important for us to reinvent ourselves as the years go by. I don't want to be home all day cleaning any more. It is time for me to do something. I am thinking of starting a ladies group to help the poor in my community. I am thinking I might write another book next year. I am thinking of going to school to become a nutritionist. I am thinking of going to cooking school. Maybe I will run for the school board. We'll see. But as our lives grow and change, so do our children, so do our husbands, and so do we. It is important to go with the ride and stay awake. Life is short girls. Go with it.

[MumofMany]

Couldn't agree more. Whilst my children are young, I fully intend to be the mother they deserve. Here for them whenever they need me. But once my youngest is a bit older and in school full time I figure that is a time I need to start thinking more about me as a woman. My current plan is to go to University to study Midwifery but who knows - that may change as the years move on and I move further from the conception-pregnancy-birth-newborn experience myself....

If you write another book what do you think you'll write about?

[mommy of twins]

Darla, I know you will set your mind to what you want to do and the world will blessed because of it. I'm still at the stage of having little ones (and about to have even more little ones) but I can relate to what you are saying and I can undersdtand the need for a new project. Praying for you while you narrow your focus!

[Darla Shine]

I am not going to think about it until the fall.

[keltie]

You have such a good, generous heart Darla. Whatever you do, you will do it well and be an inspiration!

[helen]

Great blog Darla! I too know EXACTLY how you feel. My older 2 are 15 and 12 and I too am busy running from tennis, soccer practice, ballet folklorico practice, art club, etc all while maintaining the house and taking care of the younger 2. Sometimes I feel like I am stuck between 2 universes between my older 2 kids and my younger 2 kids.

[Theresa]

How exciting, Darla!
As my kids get older I feel like I'm busier now more than ever. The school day goes by so fast as I do my errands and chores and then after school I'm running them all over the place. I'm not ready to do anything else yet. I really am content right now. But that's just me. I also don't handle stress well at all, lol. So I don't think I could handle more on plate right now. I do think about it though!

[Brittanie]

My kids arent that old.. 5, 3 and 7 months and I feel like a mad woman! 3 days a week we have the extra kiddo, 3 days a week preschool, 2 days a week t ball and atleast 1 dtr appointment for the baby a week.. some days we have all 4 things.. I feel crazy and am ready for school to be over!

[Valerie]

Not to threadjack, but Brittanie, I didn't realize our children were that close in age. How neat! Jackson will be 5 tomorrow, Parker is 3, and Simon will be here 11 weeks from today!

[Darla Shine]

Connor and Hannah are gone all day in school. I am in a different era. I do miss those years though when they are young, home, and please cherish every second of it.

[TracysTribe3]

That's great, Darla! You have a lot to say (obviously lol) and a personality that people listen to. It'd be exciting to be able to add to your message, now that your kids are in school and occupied with their own activities.