Authors’ Open House: Jaime Jo Wright

Well, here we are, friends, for the third installment of the Authors’ Open House. Last week Rachel McMillan and Meghan Gorecki stopped by. I don’t know about you, but I’m having a blast reading what these ladies have to say. (Get the full line-up here.)

Today is no exception. It’s my pleasure to fluff my couch pillows and brew the coffee for Jaime Jo Wright. Jaime hold a special place in my heart as the first author I met in “the wild” at last year’s ACFW conference. We’d connected on Facebook before, but she opened her heart and arms to me in Dallas and encouraged my socks off! Since then I’ve fallen in love with her witty humor and huge heart for supporting others. Now, just a year later, I’m just plain giddy to have the opportunity to be Jaime’s host at the workshop she’ll present at this year’s conference in Nashville next week! Be sure and read all the way through to her bio at the end for some exciting stuff.

Without further ado, help me welcome Jaime to the Authors’ Open House…

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I Wasn’t Meant to Be a Mom

I played ping-pong today. A rousing, speedy game that had my head flipping from side to side faster than a bobblehead on a race car’s dashboard.

“MOMMY!” cries the boy.

“MOMMA!” screams the girl.

“WATCH me!” yells the boy.

“Momma LOOK!” hollers the girl.

I swear, if I twisted my head one more turn to look at the other child, my brains would be scrambled—sans drugs.

I have a secret. I wasn’t cut out to be a mom.

I’m a writer, for goodness’ sake. I like to live in my head, but with these two little hooligans hollering at me, it’s like trying to sleep to Metallica. I spent the entire day TRYING to plot a novel and they spent the entire day unraveling each little thread of the book until I am left with … 1 sock, 3 crayons, 2 dirty paper plates, 1 poopie-pant, and … no plot.

I’ll say it again. I wasn’t cut out to be a mom.

When I’m not writing, I have a serious case of wanderlust. I’m already fostering it in my daughter, hoping one day, when she’s done bouncing across the couches, she’ll decide to travel too. Tonight, we decided top of the list is Thailand, Italy, and France, with France being our first choice since I’ve already been to the other two. But for now, I travel zip-zip around the nation and usually leave family in my wake. Nope. Strike that. I don’t. I love them too much. But still. I want to travel SOOOOO BADLY it kills me. My childless years let me check off multiple countries. But now?

Nope. I wasn’t cut out to be a mom.

I love to socialize. People. They’re energizing, they’re exuberating, they’re … not at my house. I married an introvert. I gave birth to an introvert. And my son is practically a hermit without a beard. Yet. I am an extrovert. At home. On Friday evenings. With the kids.

I wasn’t cut out to be a mom.

Being a mom changes everything. It takes away my time, it takes away my freedom, and it takes away my friends. If I choose to look at it that way. But you know what? Tonight I’m sitting on my couch … wait … I’m sprawled on my couch with a smile on my face. That was a rowdy game of mental ping-pong today, and yet I was awarded my win with multiple kisses and hugs. Lankly little arms and legs wrapping themselves around me and giggles in my ear.

I was meant to be a mom.

Today I traveled to the bathroom. Oh, say about 30 times. The laundry room is off of it and I did about 10 loads of laundry. They were exciting trips. I skipped over Matchbox cars, slipped on the elusive other sock, and took a nap in the bathtub. I folded little socks, size 4 Power Ranger underwear, and pink leggings. It was a fine trip, because I saw my family. Seeing family on travels is always a win-win.

I was meant to be a mom.

We had company today too. A four year old, a six year old, and a super goodlooking dude I married. I socialized, I laughed, we played, we bantered, we caught up on the good times … over coffee.

Yep. I was meant to be a mom.

Life is all about perspective. What you don’t have, or what you do have. And, one thing I know that I do not have? Is absolutely no complaints.

Do you struggle with perspective? As a writer, mother, spouse, employee? I have a feeling we’ve all been there. Share your thoughts with Jaime below. Your comments mean a lot to our guests! 

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About Jaime Jo Wright

Professional coffee drinker Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited turn-of-the-century romance stained with suspense. Coffee fuels her snarky personality. She lives in Neverland with her Cap’n Hook who stole her heart and will not give it back, their little fairy Tinkerbell, and a very mischievous Peter Pan. The foursome embark on scores of adventure that only make her fall more wildly in love with romance and intrigue. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimejowright.com as well as:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Goodreads

Read Jaime’s Novellas:
“The Cowgirl’s Lasso” in The Cowboy Bride’s Novella Collection (Amazon)
“Gold Haven Heiress” in California Gold Rush Romance Collection — JUST RELEASED! (Amazon)

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TODAY’S TWEETABLE:

Authors’ Open House welcomes @JaimeJoWright talking
about #perspective as a mom and writer. — TWEET THIS!