The Changing of the Teams

I'm supposed to be working on a 2011 Business Plan, but instead I am blogging.  I am procrastinating finishing up the posts I've already started - 11 month birthday, pumping, tear duct probing #2, & what's really going on at daycare - as well as the obvious real work I need to be doing.  At any rate, I knew I would be writing this particular post one day; I just had no idea how soon.  I also had no idea I'd feel so bittersweet about it.  I thought I would feel only happiness & bliss & excitement.  And yes, I feel all of those things, but there is also a hint of sadness in my heart. 

You see, I am switching teams.

Starting August 30th, I am switching from the Working Mom team to the Stay-at-Home Mom team.  I will be a stay-at-home mom!  A diaper-slinging, cooking, cleaning, tear wiping, "no-don't-eat-that", full-time mother.  This has been a dream of mine since Harper came out of my womb & now I finally get to realize it!

This all came to a head when our daycare situation started to turn sour.  I will blog about that at another date (like I said, I've started the post, I just need to finish it) just so I can remember the details of our experience & perhaps someone else can learn from our mistakes &/or naiveties.  At any rate, my staying home was a decision we made earlier this year, but the plan was for it to happen in January 2011.  It's a blessing we decided it so long ago because we've been able to make sacrifices & financial decisions along the way that have helped us be better prepared for my early departure (pun intended - I work for an airline!) from my job.  Don't get me wrong.  This will be hard.  Very hard.  For awhile - years - even.  But it's all worth it to us.   

I told my boss on Friday morning.  It was such a relief to say the words out loud.  (It felt almost as good as when my doctor said I wasn't in false labor & she was going to break my water & we were having a baby that day.  Pure joy & relief!)  I practiced my "speech" no less than 150 times over the course of a couple of weeks (seriously) & thought that I'd sail right through it without any tears.  Ha!  Was I wrong.  I don't know why I thought I'd be able to get through such an emotional conversation without showing any emotion.  Especially since I'm kind of an emotional person (my family is laughing at that comment).  It really is bittersweet for me.  I am beyond thrilled about what lies ahead, but I am also sad to be leaving such a wonderful company.  I love this job, my boss, the people, & the casual dress code, just to name a few.  I will be lucky enough to be able say that I've had my 2 dream jobs: working for one of the greatest companies in the world & being a stay-at-home mom. 

I am so blessed & so ready for my new team!  Harper, how do you feel about it?

photo by John Wong