Love Street

The Great Trade

Wow! What a whirlwind it has been at work since word of my resignation was put out. My boss sent an email to everyone in the company letting them know that I resigned. He even attached a copy of my resignation letter because I think he wanted to make certain people knew that it was my decision to leave. We have had many, many layoffs and my own pride did have me thinking about anyone wondering if they had decided to get rid of me...because I do think that it has been quite convenient to have layed off a few of the people who were layed off. But my boss took care of that for me. I have received emails, calls and visits from many people around the country who I have worked with over the years. Even our company's founder and Chairman of the Board sent me a warm message. It had been very humbling.

And the feeding frenzy over my job!! Incredible! I had no idea so many superstars would want it. I mean, I think it is one of the best jobs at our branch, and most of the time I don't even feel like I am working. I never equate my work with the money that gets deposited in our bank account every couple weeks. I guess that is a good thing. My boss has asked me to be involved in the interview process of the six candidates being considered. That will begin next week.

All of this excitement has led me to reflect on my past accomplishments. I feel proud of what I have done in my career. And I feel proud that I earned an advanced degree along the way. My decision to leave my job has left me with a great feeling of empowerment as a woman and a mother. I am walking away by choice, and I am trading everything I have ever worked for, for everything I have ever dreamed of.

Not a bad place to be.

How Much Love Can Your Heart Grow in a Year?

I can still remember the days when time went by slowly. My aching heart, waiting, wondering when my kids would be ready to come home. It is hard to believe that last Thursday was the one year anniversary of Noah's homecoming.

I remember the moment we brought Noah through the front door. I felt so proud to bring him home, and I couldn't wait to show him around. We snuggled in for the night together, but he wasn't in the mood for sleeping. He finally fell asleep. We hardly slept a wink, so excited to have him home, nervous that we would roll over on him.

We spent the next few weeks getting to know our son, and fell deeper in love with him every day. Fast forward to one year later and the love continues to grow. Noah is a mellow guy, a very sweet soul. He finds humor in anything and nothing. He has a deep, raspy voice, and he talks more than Lily. He will try to say anything you ask him to say.

I love the way he says, Mama??...and I wait for the question he is going to ask. He can't quite ask, but the wonder in his voice prompts me to answer, Yes Noah? Mama?? Yes, baby? And I usually get a smile. And my heart swells. I love him so much.

Noah likes to play with his cars, but he would rather rock the baby. He likes to take his monkey to the changing table for a diaper change if I tell him his monkey is stinky. He is a good daddy, often wanting take his baby or monkey for a walk in the stroller. He still loves to eat, and usually when I set his plate on his high chair tray he says, thank you. He is truly precious. 

Noah, I am so proud to be your mom.  My love for you is immeasurable.

 

 

 

I Won The Lottery

Well, not in the literal sense. But almost.

Ever since Lily and Noah have been home, people have asked me when I was going to quit my job and I always replied, "When I win the lottery!"

It appears that I won the lottery when I married Ro, because he has made it possible for me to make a career change to that of Stay At Home Mom. Today, I presented my letter of resignation to my boss. Can you believe it? I QUIT MY JOB!!!

Now, I have to explain that I am a company girl. I love my job. I love the company I work for. I love my friends at work. I have worked there for 15 years, since I was a baby. But I love my kids more. My boss asked me if I wanted a little more time to consider my decision. Nope.

I never pictured myself as a SAHM. I figured I would be a working mom. But each day when I walk out the front door to go to work, it hurts my heart. I worked so hard to get to the family I have...what the hell have I been doing? I want to be the one to kiss boo-boos, wipe runny noses and potty train. And I want my kids to never a remember a time when mom wasn't there.

Everyone at work is shocked. It has been interesting to hear about all of the people who could be interested in my job. My boss asked me to help choose my replacement. Fortunately, there are a lot of good people who would do really well. I have offered to stay for a month to help turn over my responsibilities, perhaps a little longer if necessary.

At the end of the day, I look at it not as walking away from my job, but walking toward my family.

Thank you, Ro, for making this possible. You continue to make my life's dreams come true. I love you more than I can say.

Mama

Mama is the sweetest word I will ever know. Especially when uttered from the mouths of my babes. Recently I was on an overnight trip for work, the first one in quite some time, and listening to them say mama, mama, mama on the phone about broke my heart. I hate being away from them. Hate it. Travel for work used to be fun. Not anymore.

Lily and Noah's vocabulary has exploded. Noah will try to say anything if you ask him but Lily will only try if she is in the mood. Noah says more words, but Lily says more words clearly. They are so funny. Neither can say "sleeping", so they will say daddy (insert snoring sound)?  or baby (snore)?

They are getting into more mischief. When they have contraband, they run to the corners to hide while they explore whatever it is they have managed to get their hands on. Lily hides things, I assume so Noah can't play with them. They have started to play with each other more, chasing and wrestling. They are a lot of fun.

I swear they get heavier every day, but they are the same weight since their last doctor appointment last month. Lily weighs 24 lbs and Noah 26 lbs.They eat a lot, but I guess they burn it all off. Remember those kids who ate everything? Well, while they are possibly less picky than other toddlers their age, they still have their moments. They love something one day and hate it 2 days later. It's maddening. But I can't bring myself to not offer them something else if they won't eat what I serve them. My emergency dinner is always cheese, turkey and crackers if I have mutiny in the high chairs.

Time has flown by. Next week it will be a year that Noah has been home. It almost seems like yesterday. We are already thinking about their birthday party. I can't believe they are going to be 2 soon! Where does the time go?

Here are a couple pictures from a recent trip to a local zoo. Lily and Noah loved feeding the animals!