An update... finally

So much has happened these past two months. I have no decent pictures to show for it because in the midst of this big transition in my life, I lost my camera battery charger. So, I promise to make up for it with a ton of photos this fall. It's going to be a busy one, but I'm excited about the changes underway.

I haven't had a chance to write because I have been working my way out of my dream job at LSUS into a work-from-home sales/marketing job. (Huh? What? Why, you ask?) One word: my kiddos. I am getting choked up right now just typing this.

Okay... here's the deal folks. I'm a working mommy for sure. I could NOT be a stay at home mom. I do not have that gift of patience. I like working. I always have. I always will. BUT - these past 18 months, and even more intensely these past six months, I was working 50 to 60 hours a week on the university's website. It was the largest project of my career, by far. I had many meltdowns, but she is a BEAUTY. She launched and I can honestly say that it was one of the proudest moments of my career. In fact, most of my "proudest career moments" have come from my job at LSUS.

So why leave?

Because with this job, I was on call non-stop. I rushed around like a mad woman in the morning to get everyone ready for work/school. When I got home from work, it was a mad dash to cook dinner. MOST nights, Chris cooked because he works from home. Then, 30 to 45 minutes of time with the kids before bath and bedtime routines and in the bed they went. For some moms, that's not a big deal... but I grew up having my mom at home everyday when I got home from school. She chose the stay-at-home mom route, which meant she was always there for us. I have always wanted that, but wasn't sure how.

Then at a dinner party for our dear friend Scott, I sat across the table from my college sorority sister Jean. I had mentioned to her about a year before that if she ever needed help with Cayenne to keep me in mind. She owns Cayenne Marketing.... AND Painting With a Twist... AND is opening a "Twist" in Bossier in 2011. Apparently she always remembered that I said I was willing to help her, so we began talking about me coming on to manage most of her existing accounts since "Twist" was taking up so much time.

After a few weeks of discussion with her and Chris - I decided that while I did NOT want to leave my dream PR job, I DID want to have more time with my kids. So, I bit the bullet and turned in my resignation. It hasn't been an easy transition. I gave four week of full-time notice at the university and reluctantly agreed to work part-time a second four weeks to help train my replacement. (Remember me? The one who can't say no? That's me...)

So I started Cayenne part-time while I wrapped up LSUS part-time... launched the university website, packed up my office and headed to my card table desk for this new challenge.

It is not luxurious. I do not have tech support. I do not have an administrative assistant to process paperwork. I don't have maintenance assistance. BUT - I do have this.............

Two pint-sized assistants willing to answer the phone for me, scribble all over my notes, play with my post-it notes, and reinforce this not-so-easy decision. It has been a VERY bumpy ride, but I know it will be worth it.

I've already been able to go with Kennedy on a field trip with her class, coordinate a project for her teacher Mrs. Clark, and cook dinner once or twice. (Hey - it's a slow process, okay?)

So to our family and friends who keep up with us via this blog, I apologize for not updating as frequently as I like. I will do better going forward..........