Changes...

This week, Martin and I made a big decision. We looked at our finances, our workload with the house, as well as our personal values and family needs. We decided that it really wasn't in our best interest for me to continue working.

The conversation started with talking about the expenses of childcare. After subtracting the cost of childcare, extra gas, and all the added eating out, etc, we realized that I'm just not making much! I leave the house before 7:30am M-F. and I'm not home until nearly 6:00pm. At that point, I basically stuff food down my cranky, tired kids throats, dunk them in the tub and put them to bed. Then I sometimes clean a little, sometimes I just don't. And then we have to deal with the continuous laundry and mess of the house...

For the amount of time that I was working and the level of exhaustion that Martin and I have been experiencing, it just is not worth it... and beyond all that, I am giving up so much time with my children. Time that I cannot go back and re-live. Instead of being filled with family time, our week-ends are full of cleaning and running errands... We are all TIRED!

It surprises me to hear Aziel say a whole sentence. I'm like, "Did you just hear that? When did he learn to talk like that?" Or to see Elijah's drawings. Or to listen to Isaac's imaginary play. They are growing up and I don't want to miss these stages as they work through them. More than anything, I want to be a positive, supportive mother to my kids. Money cannot buy self-esteem for children. Money cannot buy memories that will last a lifetime. Money cannot begin to buy back the time that is lost with family.

I'm accepting the fact that this is a phase. I do enjoy my job very much, but it is the time to re-evaluate priorities and values. My career will come to a pause, but it is only for the season. I'm not going to miss this. These little boys are the most important things to me right now and they deserve my full attention. I strive to live my life with no regrets and I know that missing my babies' childhood would be a regret. So, this is the decision. No looking back!

My first post

I've been trying to think of ways to better keep our families up-to-date on our happenings since I don't keep up my old MSN blog anymore. Thought this might be the solution! :)