Goodbye. Hello.

The past year has been filled with many changes.  New job for Eric. New house. New baby.  But it also meant the end of several things that had been really important in our lives. 

The past few months Eric and I had been praying on whether I could stay home after Ansley came.  While Eric was supportive of whatever decision I made, I finally decided that staying at home was something that I had wanted for a very long time. But it is probably one of the scariest decisions that I have ever made!  I have all these fears that run through my mind, like what if I am bad at being a stay at home mom?  What if Liam is bored and I can't give both kids the right amount of attention? What if it is difficult to get back into the workforce?  What will our budget be like?  These are all probably completely normal concerns, but I have been having a unique mixture of anxiety, happiness, fear, and excitement about what the future will bring. 

The past six and a half years working for Congressman Johnson have been really wonderful. I am so blessed to have worked for someone so family oriented and so kind.  I agonized over giving my notice, partly because I was scared that I might not be making the right decision.  And partly because there are certain things about my job that I just love.  It also meant no turning back!  But as scary as it was, I know that it the right decision for this season in my life. 

Today was my last day of work.  It came a little too early.  Literally.  At my final doctors appointment today before the baby comes, my doctor told me that I am further along than I thought. Instead of having the baby next week, I will be having her tomorrow.  Which meant a mad dash back to the office to close up shop.  My wonderful coworkers all stepped in to help me clean up my office, purge old paperwork, carry out pictures, etc.  Everything happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to really think about it until I was clearing my desk for the last time. 

But when it was all done, I had to take one last picture of my office in the dark.  It seemed so strange.  No pictures on the wall.  No clutter on my desk.  Just the same as when I moved in all those years ago.  So tonight I really do have mixed feelings.  The end of one chapter in my life, and the start of something new.  Because tomorrow at this time I will be holding our baby girl and our lives will once again be changed forever.

Good night office.