On Family, Work, and Pursuing Passions…
One of my favorite things about blogging has been getting to know such a variety of people from all over the world who are doing life in a thousand different ways: Young singles who are chasing their dreams, moms who juggle work and home life, amazing homeschooling families, as well as awesome grandmas, and even a few cool guys who work hard and love their families.
When it comes to work and family, I just love that we live in a time when there are so many options! With a bit of intentional effort (ok, it usually takes a lot of that) a family can thrive in a variety of situations.
Though I graduated from college and did some graduate work, my heart’s desire was always to be a wife and a mom — to stay at home with kids if I possibly could. And I’ve been super grateful to be able to be able to do that. Yet, if I’m honest, I always felt like I had something stirring in me. I had no clue what it was, but I even told Dave a number of times over the years: “there’s something more I’m going to do one day.”
Thankfully, he agreed and encouraged me.
So, I was 40 years old the year I started my blog. I had my fourth baby in my arms, and I was homeschooling the other 3 boys.
I had dreamed of starting a blog for years, even if I kept really quiet about that. After all, I had no tech skills, photography experience, professional writing or business sense. I had no online connections. Clearly: I had no reason to believe I could be any good at anything close to an online platform.
But I did it anyways.
And I’m so glad I did. Over the past 7 + years I have grown so much. I have learned new skills, dug deep to develop my gifts, and been stretched daily. I have had to establish solid priorities, and organize my time. But so many exciting things have come from out of it all. Amazing friendships, the chance to encourage a whole lot of people, a super fun blog, and now a publishing contract!
WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED all of this could happen!? Definitely not me.
It’s really a cool time to be alive.
Now, with my Boy Mom book coming out next summer, I have a lot of work to do. You’ll find a new look on my blog soon (I’m so excited!) and I’ll be gathering a bunch of you to be on a launch team. But even besides all that, I have a lot of ideas for other projects I want to dive into.
Because honestly, over the past 3 or 4 years, I have spent a lot of time dreaming of more things I would like to do! I’ve got book ideas, course ideas, and I only wish I had the time to start a podcast! (Remember, I’m an Enneagram 3, so my wheels are always turning!) If you are an email subscriber, you recently received a survey from me to help me learn how I can best serve all of you. (if you took the survey, thank you so much! The results were incredibly helpful!) (~if you’re not a subscriber yet, you can become one here.) It’s fun to dream, but another thing to figure out where to invest the little time I have.
Because one thing I am sure of is that I need to keep my faith and my family as my top priority.
And with that, I have to plan well for those fringe hours — between school subjects and surf contests, loads of laundry, and all of the food it takes to feed these hungry animals teenagers.
In the midst of all of my dreaming and exploring the various directions I would like to go, I came across an online course that felt like it was made just for me. It is created by one of my favorite online mompreneurs, Alli Worthington, and it is called Gainful Growth.* The course is literally to help you figure out which direction to go with the passions you have inside you.
I dove right in and took the course…not over weeks but over a couple of days. And I loved it! It is super practical and full of Alli’s personal experience and inside tips. By the end of the course I had narrowed my ideas and made a few decisions. After all of these years I finally feel like I have clarity on what I want to do next! (and you’ll hear more about that soon, of course!)
Since I know some of you have an entrepreneurial spirit, or have a skill or passion that you dream of sharing with the world, I wanted to pass this course on to you as well. You can read all about it by clicking on this link!*
If you happen to be in a season of dreaming about “what to do next” this course might be great for you. If not you, maybe you know someone this is for. Either way, I hope you’ll comment and share a little about your life–
Tell me; Do you work outside the home? Do you work from home? Have you ever owned your own business? I would LOVE to hear more about your dreams — for now, or for later….Because I truly believe there is a season for everything.
And if you decide to take the Gainful Growth course, I hope you’ll get back to me and let me know what you discover!!
Much Aloha,
Monica
** Affiliate links included. 😉
PS I couldnt’ resist sharing a few sneak-peek pictures which were taken for the new blog look and for book related stuff. My dear (photographer) friend Emily Turner has such a gift!
Hello! I just found your post because I got an email about Alli’s course and googled it to see if anyone else had a comment on the course and I found YOU! I am not a boy mom (2 girls, 9 and 13) but am the oldest of four – three brothers! I love in Richmond, Virginiawith my husband and girls and a labradoodle named Ghillie. Between dance mom and softball mom and brick-and-mortar business that was my mom’s dream, I’m trying to discover (REdiscover) my dream. I liked where you’d wrote your dream was to be a mom – I taught school for a while before becoming a mom and don’t want to go back to that – I LOVE being a mom! I also love encouraging people – my friends say I’m a good listener but I’m not sure I’m one to give advice. I have thoughts on writing a book (or 2), working FOR the school, or doing something online. My dreams are all over the place! An-y-way…I am considering the course and have already subscribed to your blog! I can’t wait to read more!
Good morning Monica… I’ve been following your blog for several years and always enjoy reading! Often feeling a little empowered, encouraged and even a little smarter;) so thank you!!! I am the mother of 6 “spicy” kids- aged 12, 15, 17, 18, 21, 23- 3 boys and 3 girls. We live in my hometown- small beach community on the east coast of Florida. I absolutely loved my time mothering young ones, but will admit the transition to adolescence and young adulthood posed some challenges for me. Although I’ve “redefined” my views on parenting older kids I’d still choose toddlers over teens ALL.DAY.LONG. (even a toddler having a melt down/temper tantrum!). Your words and perspectives have helped me tremendously. And the constant of faith, trusting God always brings the point home! Through the years I’ve job-shared as a wellness coordinator, taught childbirth classes at night and juggled other extras for fun, as well as some bonus $$…but my job as stay-at-home-mom was always my #1. I enjoyed that role at home and the ability to volunteer at all 4 schools (preschool thru high school). Regretfully we never did try homeschooling as we have strong HS support in our community…BUT we took many “hookie” days from school to explore other interests like surfing, among others. Haha
I recently went back to school to pursue my masters degree. Not just to say “I have a Masters” but b/c after much prayer and discernment I felt called to be a LMHC (licensed mental health counselor) which requires a masters level program and MANY hours working as a student intern. I am grateful to have a supportive husband but it’s been extra challenging to time manage successfully without “jipping” my family as well as taking care of me (I value self care immensely b/c if my pitcher is dry I’m unable to fill their cups!). I’m happy to say I’ll graduate next spring (2 1/2 year pgm) and I am thriving in this new season of life. Even on the days when laundry is backed up and it’s yogurt fruit & granola for dinner…my family is behind my new pursuit! Thank you for your post…again reaffirming my choice to further my education. I truly believe “everything we want in life is JUST OUTSIDE our comfort zone”. God bless you and your family
Oh I absolutely love hearing your story, Denise! Got goose bumps all over! I’m so happy for you and proud of you. Thank you for taking the time to share! I truly hope you’ll keep me posted as you enter yet another new season (hopefully a very rewarding one!) Bless you and your family! (and thank you for the kind words too, that is a huge encouragement!) With Aloha–
Hi Monica,
I’ve been a subscriber for a while now and I’ve been so encouraged by you and hearing about what it’s like to live in Hawaii. I’m sorry to say that I have been so preoccupied in my life struggling to find a purpose for myself as I am just existing it seems… However, I am in the process of moving and I am totally dreading it. Thinking deeply about preparing myself for a change as I’ve been at this address for almost 3 years now. But for some reason, I am kind of frozen in my head about everything. Can you please pray for me to get a grip for myself, my adult son and a roommate. Thank you for your time and your blog. It was a great way to remember who I was when I first started reading your posts and so much has happened in all kinds of both positive and negative experiences and I am seriously thinking of my abilities and what I’ve accomplished in the last few years as well as how I managed to maintain a household for 3. Plus our cat who has been in our lives for a few years now so I am doing okay. I just need to know that I can accomplish what I put my mind to with personal effort and some legwork. I hope my comments aren’t too overwhelming to read and I welcome some much needed feedback and advice on my tasks in the next week or two. Thank you.
Renata, from Vancouver, BC, Canada 🍁. Cheers!!!
Always a blessing, timely and a refreshing reminder, we’re human! Just the right encouragement at the right time! Thank you, for your perspective and tender voice!
Monica thank you! You always seem to talk about perfect things that are pertinent to my situation.
This particular blog post I most definitely needed to hear! Lord help me pray for your direction in my life and my family’s life! You are always good!
First of all, love love those photos of you! Can’t wait to see the rest.
And YES to all of this. I’ve always worked part time outside the home, but dream of being able to be home and find a way to make an income while being “mostly” 🙂 a stay-at-hem mom. I’ll be checking out the course for sure.
Thanks for sharing so authentically. You inspire me. Hugs!
Thank you. I’ve been following your journey for many years and it is fun to look back with you now and see how God opened doors and I know He will continue. It isn’t my season to pursue work now, but I have a list of dreams that I know will one day be a possibility. This course sounds amazing. Can’t wait to follow you in the adventures ahead!
Oh I love this so much!! I have been able to mostly stay home with my kids, but always needing a to find ways to make a little extra income and have had so many ideas at various times. This course looks perfect for me! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to all you have ahead.