Anne

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined."

(Henry David Thoreau)

You would think that a career in elementary teaching would lend itself readily to motherhood, but I found it a rockier transition. I was used to dressing my best, getting out the door early, and feeling like somebody important as I dropped my sack lunch in the staff room and marched down the hall to my cheerful classroom. I felt like a hero every time one of my students' reading level advanced. My heart leapt when I heard the words, "Oh, I get it!" I felt like I was making a real contribution in the world. And then, suddenly, I found myself in a recliner all day, nursing a fussy baby. I felt lost. I felt unimportant. I felt ugly.

It would be months before I felt comfortable in my new career-- full-time motherhood. I realized that I needed to develop a whole new skill set. And do you know what got me excited about that? Being introduced to other women, who were sharing their daily triumphs and struggles on their blogs. I started peering in on moms that genuinely loved being moms, who were performing brilliantly in their chosen career. For the first time since leaving the classroom, my heart was excited about something. I wanted this. I chose this. It was time to thrive in this. I wanted to be a fun, creative, gentle, patient mother. I wanted to cook great meals with whole foods. I wanted to learn how to sew. I became interested in making my home beautiful--in making my life beautiful. And I set to work.

I hope that, regardless of what season you find yourself in right now, Bloom will inspire you and help you 'live the life you've imagined.'