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Happy 6th *gasp* birthday, sweet David! You are such a blessing and a joy. When you were born, everything I expected suddenly changed. We were worried and scared but also enchanted with you. You were so small and cuddly. The future seemed so uncertain. But as the first days passed we grew into a small family.

Over the past six years you have been teaching me joy. To find joy where I am and to soak up the little things. You have taught me that life doesn’t usually go the way we plan but the unexpected can be a blessing.

This necklace was created in honor of your birthday.

$10 from the sale of each necklace will go directly to the CdLS foundation. A sterling disc (1 1/4″) is hammered, domed and stamped with the phrase ‘find joy in the unexpected’. Strung on 18″ leather cord with a sterling clasp and bronze coin freshwater pearl detail. An organic, earthy necklace. Perfect with jeans and a tee! $46

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After David was born I worked outside the home (about 20 hours) as a behavior/curriculum specialist with special needs kiddos. I enjoyed my job *most of the time* but felt frustrated leaving the boys at home. I started my business when David was about one year old and hoped it might enable me to work from home so I wouldn’t have to have sitters and be away as much.

I was thrilled and terrified when the business grew enough for me quit my job and stay home with the boys. But suddenly I was faced with a new reality. I still had work to do and two little boys who needed attention. I could be home with them, but I wasn’t necessarily focused on them and I felt spread very thin.

Working from home is great, but challenging as well. I am definitely aware that I can’t do it all. I have an awesome sitter who comes in two mornings a week to help with the boys and laundry. I also have some help with the business which has been an incredible blessing. Sometimes I feel like the boys and I are in a good rhythm and sometimes I want to pull my hair out.

I try to bust through emails first thing in the morning and then during nap time. When I get behind on emails I start feeling stressed, so keeping up means keeping my sanity. I set aside a few hours everyday for focused playtime with the boys. I also have to be flexible and willing to take breaks (sometimes every ten minutes) because the boys’ needs take priority over the business. When it’s time to work, I work, and when it’s time to play I clean up my work bench and put my computer away and focus on playing.

How do you juggle home, kids, work, friends and all the other demands we moms face?

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On the plane to Seattle, I was surprised to find myself feeling sad. I began to wonder if it will be harder to have get-aways in the future. I let myself wonder what it would be like if David was a typical six year old boy. I let my chest ache with a mix of missing him and relief at getting a break.

Then I reminded myself what a blessing he is and how much joy he adds to every day of our lives. His sweet disposition and simple happiness permeate our home. The time away was good for me. I needed some rest. I needed to reconnect with Steve. And, I think I needed to ache a little, too.