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New Year, New Season

Happy new year, friends! Did we all survive the holidays in tact?

2012 is set to bring big changes for my family, changes I’ve been wanting to tell you about but wasn’t sure how. This where we get all serious and quiet and start to expect the worst, right?

Okay, come out of it! Now let’s chat. 🙂

I spent the last five plus years working in public relations for a large corporation. Not long after Weston was born, my prayers were answered with the perfect change in my job situation: I was able to move to a part-time schedule, working almost exclusively from home. I couldn’t believe how beautifully it all worked out. It was the best possible situation and I soaked up every minute, realizing that it couldn’t – and wouldn’t – last forever.

The day I found out I was pregnant this time around, I also found out my company would be going through a round of massive layoffs, including all part-time and contract positions in my department. Can I tell you what an odd day that was – learning I was pregnant and my job was ending at the same time?

Why is this stork so dismayed?

But in a lot of ways it was just perfect. The timing didn’t feel like coincidence, didn’t feel like rotten luck, didn’t feel like it wasn’t meant to be. I was sad to know I’d be leaving, but at peace knowing that in many ways my life was just moving on to another season for a little while.

Just a couple weeks ago, the day the seasons changed, they changed in my life too – I worked my last day at that job, turned in my badge and blackberry and drove away.

Blog posts should have photos.

So what’s next? I have lots of ideas! I plan to do a little freelance business writing and public relations work – and if you know anyone who can use something like that, send ’em my way! – but I’m also going to explore some “fun” things, things I’ve always wanted to try, like maybe opening an etsy shop.

This time between today and when the baby arrives sometime around mid-April will be a time to enjoy my last few days as a mama to only one, and to try some new things that might succeed or might fail, but are okay either way.

I am finding myself very concerned with adding structure to my days, so I have a chunky little list of resolutions I’m hoping to share with you later this week. Is it cool if we just make this resolutions week? I also want to tell you about what we’re hoping to accomplish with the house. Busy week!

Anyway, I like to be pretty open and let you guys know what’s going on, so later if I casually mention starting a new gig or moving out of our house, living in our car and scavenging in the trash for food, it won’t be a surprise. (Kidding! From the day we got married, we’ve always tried to live within one income, which means my income has always been “extra,” over and above our required expenses. This just means a little less fun money and LOT more creativity in making our home projects happen on the teensiest of budgets.)

What do you have planned this week? Expecting any changes with 2012 in your life?



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Comments

  1. Ever since we got married we’ve tried to live off of one income too. We knew someday I would just be a “soccer mom”, and didn’t want finances to play a role in deciding whether or not I stayed home with kids. Trouble is, I’ve been at my current part-time job for a year and a half and I LOVE it. I don’t know if I can give it up once baby #2 comes in July… decisions decisions!

    Can’t wait to hear your resolutions! I haven’t figured mine out yet so “resolution week” sounds good to me. 🙂 Have a blessed new year!!

  2. you are so funny! love the “blog posts should have pictures”. and if you are scavenging and living in your car how will you have internet???? i will miss you if that happens. 😉

  3. You have such a good attitude! We’ve also been living off of my income for the past 3.5 years and have been using Rick’s pretty much exclusively to pay off his student loans. Happy New Year to you guys! I know the Lord has better plans for you this year than you ever could realize! 🙂

  4. Great attitude indeed, it sounds like you’re in a good place to welcome baby to the world 🙂

  5. Congratulations! It is so very scary at 1st, the thought of living off one income, but we adjusted and I’m happy to say I’ve been a work at home/stay at home mom for over 12 years!
    With such a positive outlook; I’m sure you will have no trouble finding your perfect balance.

  6. I’m not going to lie. I was really jealous of your new free time. And then I remembered that you have a toddler so you don’t really have free time. 😛 Glad things are working out in a weird (but good) sort of way! Happy 2012!

  7. Change can be hard especially when its outside of your control. I’ve been going through a lot of change with my husband’s job and having to put 100% trust in the Lord that HE knows whats best even though I may not always see it right away. So excited for you guys and your baby #2!

  8. Awesome post. I’m excited about the posts to come =)

  9. Wow – coincidence? I think not. ENJOY THESE NEXT FEW MONTHS!!!!

  10. Wow! Exciting times! It seems like there are a lot of changes happening in everyone’s lives lately, I’m beginning to feel left out! I haven’t made any resolutions yet but I am hoping that 2012 will be filled with opportunities and success! Here’s hoping 2012 will be good to you too Kelly, keep us posted! I say go for the Etsy shop!

  11. Wow, that’s a lot for 2012! In a good way. 🙂 An etsy shop would be great fun. Best of luck with everything!

  12. You will definitely be a success at whatever you choose to do! Congratulations on your new focus (and your new addition)! I can’t wait to see everything you create!

    blessings,
    karianne

  13. My story is similar to yours. I took a package when my first was a baby after many years in the corporate jungle. I decided the time was right and started taking courses to finally get the Interior Design degree I”d always wanted. New and better things are around the corner for you for sure!!

Trackbacks

  1. […] a new years resolution post, in addition to the recent post on our house goals for 2012. Now that I’ll be a stay-at-home/work-from-home mama, I want to take advantage of my time and not let myself go completely out of control with the […]

  2. […] I went down to part-time work and cut my pay in half. Then two years later, when we had kid #2, I was laid off and went down to making almost nothing. We’re back to both of us working now – me on […]

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