Happy

Well, it's been a whilwind 3 months in the Steffen household.  After 3 months back in the work world, I resigned.  After much thought, lots of tears and even more bottles of wine I finally admitted to myself that I was miserable.  The job was fine, the nanny was great, but the hours were more than I was prepared for.  Being in a consulting role, it was difficult to leave a 3pm (the plan was to work 80% hours, so 32 hours a week) and I felt I was missing out on way too much of the boys' lives.  I was showing up late to Will's basketball practices and games, asking Scott to bring home pizza for supper since I didn't have time to cook, and was relying on meals at Chick-Fil-A way too much.  I realized this was not the kind of mom I wanted to be.  I'm a mom who loves to bake, enjoys cooking homemade meals for the family, volunteering at school and being there to help with homework.  These are my priorities.

When I first started job-hunting back in September, I thought long and hard about what type of work I wanted to do.  Did I want to go back to the marketing analytics world (a big-girl job) or would I prefer something lower-key, fewer hours (and less money)?  I read the marketing-related job postings and got excited!  I wanted to provide value, challenge my brain and return to corporate America.  So, I went with it.  I'm grateful for my experience (and to my employer for taking me back, only to have me leave again) and proud of myself. I felt like I transitioned fairly easily back into the working world and picked up where I left off.  But, most importantly I learned a lot about myself.  I've realized that my priorities have shifted and what makes me happiest is providing for my boys (in a non-monetary way)! 

I know I made the right decision for me.  I'm pretty sure the boys are happy with my decision too.  During my first week back at home, Alex's preschool teachers both said that they noticed a difference in Alex- for the better.  He'd been getting a bit rough at school, doing more play fighting, etc.  Now he's gone back to his usual self, playing nicely with friends and not being as agressive.  I couldn't be more happy.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying the best of both worlds for the moment.  After putting in my resignation at work, my boss asked it I'd work part-time from home until my replacement is hired.  So, I'm working 6 hours a week (Tuesday and Wednesday mornings while Alex is in preschool).  I'll ride this gig out as long as I can.  Then, I'm going to stay home and enjoy the boys until Alex goes to kindergarten in the Fall of 2012.  After that, I'll job hunt again, this time looking for a much more part-time job, closer to 20 hours a week. 

Attached is a video from earlier this week.  This is my life, and what makes me happy.