Back to “work”

I don’t know if I have shared with you yet but we are a hunting family. Honestly I was not pro-hunting before marrying Proeun and it was almost a deal breaker for me. But I listened to the arguments, about keeping populations in check, environmental stewardship and family. So this last week was the annual hunting trip. This year Two accompanied Proeun for the first time, and due to circumstances got to have his dad, uncles and one set of grandparents all to himself. I have asked Proeun to write a recap of the week so maybe he will be able to write it for Friday.

So today I ponder different things in the life of the Doeun family. Now that the vacation is over and we are officially back to “work” what does that mean for us? Work looks alot different for us than most families as it centers around the home. So it is fitting that getting back to work would be a return home. But it also feels alot different, there is a joy in it and a deep sense of privilege, both for the circumstances that have led us to this place and the decisions and convictions.

Last Friday I was off on a free-lance writing assignment. For those of you who don’t know I write for Hmong Times part time and no Proeun is not Hmong. It has been one of those unique circumstances that is an incredible story that allows me to be home 90% of the time. Anyway I was talking with a dear friend and fellow writer who had just had a baby. We were discussing mothering and the topic of work came up. She works in academics and while she enjoys her work felt she needed some additional challenges.

Right then an there I felt a deep sense of thankfulness wash over for me. See I always feel “challenged.” Whether I always feel good about it is a different story. Part of my work is the work of educating my children I could write volumes about the intricacies of our journey but let’s just say my work will always be challenging and that is something I should be thankful for.

So as I spend the day doing laundry, getting the house back in order, cooking meals and trying to explain again why today we do school and no we can’t wait just one more day I am thankful for the opportunity to challenge myself and the children at our home in this amazing life we are called to.

P.S. sorry no pictures today–too busy working.