Coming back up for air

It's been a long time since we've really had any margin in our lives...  My life in particular has been going at a brutal pace for all of 2012.  Turns out, juggling a crazy-intense job, plus caring for a very energetic toddler, plus growing another human being, isn't a particularly sustainable long-term proposition.  After a lot of long talks with David about the lack of balance in our lives, and a series of conversations with the partners at my firm, and plenty of prayer and wonderfully encouraging support from our family and friends, we decided it would be best for me to resign from my job.  So I gave notice in early April, and last Monday, April 30, was my last day of work.

Let me say that again, because it still hasn't quite sunk in for me yet -- I am currently not working as a corporate litigator.

!!!!

I did truly enjoy my work, and am thankful for the time I had at the firm -- going at that pace really does teach you an incredible amount about being a lawyer.  But I can also say that this is undoubtedly the right choice for me, and for our family.

And let's face it: this past week has been such a refreshing time for me!  There are all the little things I just haven't had the time or energy to handle over the last year -- for instance, I ran the dishwasher for the first time probably in months.  Which action so confused David that he re-ran the dishwasher after I had already done it, despite me mentioning that I had just taken care of it.  :)  I also took some photos and videos of Joshua on an actual camera, rather than just trying to snap some cell phone shots before he grabs my phone to try to play with it.  (And I've already composed a blog post in my head to display the latest Joshua cuteness -- that should be coming down the pike soon!)  It's wonderful having the mental space to begin getting back on top of life again!

As for what the future holds for us, it's all still a bit up in the air.  I'm looking for a new job, but my current tentative plan is to stay out of work until after the baby is born.  I'm hopeful that I can find something that will enable us to have a better family balance, and I'm exploring a ton of options -- as I'm sure you can imagine, the type A planner in me is busily researching away.  But in the more immediate future, I'm planning play dates and fun summer activities with Joshua, soaking up as much time with him as possible before he's no longer an only child.  And I'm hoping to get back on top of this ol' blog, because seriously, our little corner of the internet has been sadly neglected for far too long!

And because a blog post is *always* more interesting with photos...  Here's an adorable candid shot of Joshua from Easter, walking down the stairs like a big boy.  With identical toys in his hands, because that's still how he rolls.  :)

Ahhhhh...  Feels good to dip my toes back into this blogging thing.  Stay tuned for a whole series of back-dated backlog posts, going all the way back to Christmas!