Just a little something more...

I have been a stay at home for just about 10 years now and I can hardly believe it has gone by so fast. I've transitioned from a sleep deprived, overwhelmed, new mom rarely ever leaving the house to being a (miraculously) more rested "hockey mom" to 4 amazing little boys...running the roads all day as a taxi driver, enjoying a hot coffee in the early morning at the rink, back and forth to school, going on field trips, to playdates, birthday parties, kiddie lands, playlands, Christmas parties, you name it....and you know what?? I LOOOOOVE IT. There is NO where in the world I would rather be and I am SO blessed to be able to stay home full time...of course, we have had to make sacrifices to be a one income family, but me being home with our boys was what meant the most to Jody and I, so it was worth it. I wanted to be the here for EVERY first smile, giggle and step...and NEVER miss a moment.

But sometimes you get lost in the mommy role and you have a small desire to do something apart from being a mom. I think most mothers could attest to that. It's not that you don't love and cherish every inch of being a mom, but sometimes it's hard to always see where you are contributing outside of the daily task of getting 4 kids out the door and off to school on time or convincing a 3 year old to eat what he is given because you are not making 6 different meals...That, YES, you have to get a shower/bath AGAIN...the list could go on....

Although, you know you are investing in the lives of your little ones...and wouldn't want to be anywhere else, there can be a pull to have something in addition to daily routine tasks...because you know what? Being a mom is not an easy job. In reality...I think it really is THE hardest job in the world...trying to be the patient, loving, kindhearted mom you always envisioned you'd be and somedays feeling like you've really nailed it, only to feel like you've failed the next. Putting out SO much into your day, but feeling like you accomplished little. Even though changing pampers, reading stories and picking up play-doh all day really is the most rewarding job, you feel there has to be something more for you. For you moms who "get" this....this is where I was. This is the point I decided to add something more to my life and that is when I took my desire to be healthier and make it a full time job as a fitness coach.

I'm sure not everyone can understand why a busy mom of 4 boys would want to add working at home to an already hectic lifestyle or why I wouldn't just sit back and enjoy the ride. Not everyone can understand why I do what I do or how it changed my life in so many ways. Not everyone understands that if I could, I would get every mom to join me in being more active and more healthy because it feels SO good to do something for you, whether you are just in it to get healthy yourself, or to inspire others as you go. In truth, sometimes the highlight of my day is to receive a message from a challenger who "LOST 5lbs!!!" or a call from someone who feels that in some way I helped "change their life," when in reality they have changed MY life.

It's not about being top 20 in Canada or earning cruises or reaching "star diamond"(especially when most of the world doesn't even know what that means!..LOL!) and although ALL of this means the WORLD to me because it means I have reached goals in my business... but it means there is that something more. It's feeling like in some way, I can step outside of being "just a mom" and feel like I am making a difference in another one's life...no matter how big or how small.

Because as I mom, I get that we can feel disconnected from the real world. I get that some days we feel unappreciated. I get that we need support to reach our fitness goals, because it is NOT easy to go it alone. I get we can't all afford gym memberships or have child care to get to the gym. I get that it's nice to feel like you are bringing income into the family and helping to pay the bills. I get that there are SO many moms like me who LOVE being a part of a group and taking a little break through the day to "chat" with other adults...even if it's just online! And I get that other moms AND dads LOVE doing what I do and it has changed their lives in ways they could never have imagined.

It's crazy to think of how things have changed in less than one year. No doubt, I have always felt SO blessed to be home with my boys and blessed with health and happiness, but I feel doubly blessed that I can follow a passion to helping others achieve goals living healthier, fitter, happier lives, as well....DREAM COME TRUE. And the crazy part? All it took was one leap of faith and taking a chance on something new...:)