Life with the Bauers: First Week Back

Well I did it. I finished my first week back at work.

I'm finding it difficult to describe how it feels to be back...I think because Jesus is involved...and sometimes His actions are hard to explain...what I mean is this- I absolutely love my daughter. I love every single moment with her. I think she is the most beautiful, fun, funny, amazingly perfect baby on this earth. Before this week, I couldn't imagine being away from her. There wasn't an ounce of me that thought it would be a nice break to get out of the house, that thought it would be good to do something more meaningful than changing diapers all day, that thought it would be more fulfilling to have adult conversations for a change, that thought it would be good to go back to doing something that was familiar, that I felt good at....nope, not an ounce of that (now none of this is to say any of those feelings would be less valid than how I feel...I know plenty of moms who feel the way I described above when they go back who also love their kids extravagantly with all that they are, but also find joy and purpose in their careers, which is fantastic- many of those moms provided me much wisdom and encouragement as I made the decision to go back to work)...all that to say, I didn't feel like this new season was necessarily a welcome change to my new pace of life. I was perfectly content continuing my life as a stay at home mom...but that's not the season the Lord has for me right now. He has something for me at my job...and He has something for Sara King and Anniston Joy at home. So wouldn't it be just like the Lord to have me get up on my first day back to work and feel covered in peace? To feel completely fine going back to work? To feel hopeful for a great day when I kissed my daughter goodbye? Wouldn't that be unexpected, yet totally just like Him to give me that kind of day? Yep. So I went back and it was great. I saw some friends, I got some work done, I felt welcomed and needed and like I was able to use some of the gifts I have been given from the Father. I am able to love my daughter to the point of tears (all too often) and also get up three times a week and joyfully head to work for 10 hours...HE IS GOOD...

Now, what also helped with my transition was the fact that Anniston got to stay home with her dad this week...with him being a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner now, she is probably safer at home with him than with me...and I knew they would be having a blast. Apparently she finds much joy when he beat boxes (is that how you spell that?) and smiles like crazy when he does it. They had so much fun- they went to the mall and found a new shirt that "Anniston really wanted", they played on the play mat, they had bath time...they had an all around good time...their MOST fun was when they surprised mom on her first day back at work, which also happened to be Valentine's Day, with a visit at work. Anniston and Dad came up to the office to bring my Valentine's Day gift and to have a drive around the parking lot for 5 minutes together as a family...so fun! How great is my husband?

So first week back is over and gone...and I must say it was a good week. Thanks to the One who loves to bring joy and peace when you least expect it...because He's just that good.

Of course, some pics of my growing little one!