So much happening in this little life of mine lately! It feels as though so much time has passed since I’ve written about what is going on with me and my family that it seems appropriate to give a little update. I’ve had lots of questions lately – so much so that I’m going to summarize a few frequently asked questions in a Q&A format just to catch you all up to speed. Sometimes it’s the best down and dirty way to get all of the facts.

How are you?

I am good. Really good. We had an amazing Christmas and New Year. The girls are at such a fun age to celebrate that we just soaked it all in. They were excited each time we got together with family and fully grasped the present opening concept. Sylvie was a gift hoarder and never wanted to wait her turn to open another. The girls’ favorite gift from Santa is our new bounce house, by far. It’s currently set up in our (unfinished) basement and gets used at least once a day. I love for them to bounce their little hearts out and burn some energy, especially on the coldest days when we can’t get outside. Though now that I think of it, Maven is obsessed with her new baby doll accessory kit too. We cannot leave the house without her doll in her car seat and diaper bag packed. {Oh my little momma.} My favorite gift from Mark received raving reviews on Instagram: my new Sperry boots. Seriously, so comfortable and easy to wear. All in all, life is blissful.

Is everyone finally healthy in your house?

It feels like we were plagued with illness for quite some time in our house. It has been a brutal cold season and unfortunately, we are not out of the woods yet. Though we have generally all recovered, Sylvie has had recurring ear infections and my poor little girl has been terribly sick several times through the fall and winter. We are currently waiting for our ENT specialist appointment and are pretty convinced she is going to be getting tubes in her ears. We are doing our best to rid all bad germs and are becoming experts at all home remedies for cold and flu season.

Did you really leave your job?

Yes, yes I did. My last day was on Thursday, January 12 and in all honesty, it was bittersweet. I had given a 30-day notice, so it was a somewhat lengthy departure process. That timeframe though allowed me to get my work in order and put together a thoughtful transition plan, which is how I would want to make a departure. This is my first week without “work” and though it’s early – so far so good.

Was it an easy decision?

In some sense it was easy and in another sense it was a complicated decision. I remember when I had my first child thinking “I never want to go back to work”, yet at that time, I was working  full-time in my job and somehow was able to get back into the routine + demands after maternity leave. Though I reduced my schedule to part time when I was pregnant with Sylvie, I still very much identified with my professional self and even valued my work and work time. I know it’s different for every mother, but I do like to work.

Mark and I have been going back and forth about the decision for me to leave my job for nearly 3 years, since Maven was born. It has never been the right time for a variety of reasons – financial, family, personal, you name it. But, we prayed and talked and prayed and talked more, and the time had come. It wasn’t easy to give my notice and it wasn’t easy to say goodbye, but what makes it all easier is knowing that I will have more time with my family and flexibility for them. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Also, Mark is extremely supportive in my “new horizons” as I explore what is out there for me. Those are all things I’m extremely happy about.

What now? What will your days look like?

Those are great questions! I am still trying to figure all of it out, but for now, I have a few freelance clients and this blog here that all need my time and nurturing, in addition to my two sweet babes + husband. I am going to try to find a healthy balance in all of that so I can be with my children more and still utilize my creative + professional-self. As for my days, I will have about one work day a week without the girls home and the rest of the time, well, you know how quickly that gets filled up.

How is your blog going?

Oh this blog? J Blogging has been a journey for me and crazy enough it only started last May. From a creative outlet to a business venture, it has its ups and downs in that short period of time, but I do love it. I get to drive my vision and explore this website-social media-cyber space world at my own pace.  Therefore, while I’ve had some slow(er) content creation these last couple months, I know I don’t need to apologize — I’m sure you understand that when your family comes first, everything else is okay taking a little back burner. Moving forward, I have goals for writing and partnerships and content in general that I am really excited about. I have to say, though, that I love hearing from all of you in the midst of all of it. When I get a message here or on Facebook or Instagram, or even an email sent to me, it totally brightens my day. I love when I get questions or post suggestions or even just someone saying “I get it. Me too.” This momma tribe – it’s lovely. I’m just trying to be my best to raise my little bests and sharing some of my experiences has been rewarding in so many ways.

What about fitness? Are you running the Winter Run Series?

Well, I’m not exactly running as much as I should be or want to be. Mark and I ran the series 10K back in November and it was the following week when I was diagnosed with bronchitis, so it slowed things down pretty quickly. Right now, I’m embracing #2 on my 2017 To Do List and also revisiting my Let It Go mentality while I’m finding a workout routine rhythm given recent changes in my schedule. I’m excited to share more about this in an upcoming post! I still highly value health and wellness and will always make it a priority through both nutrition and physical activity.

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I would be remised if I didn’t mention in the conclusion here that I am so incredibly grateful for where I am at in life. I have an amazing husband and two beautiful daughters. Our life isn’t perfect, we don’t have it all figured out, but we have amazing opportunities and the utmost faith that we will be provided for + a determination to let our lights shine in everything we do.

Please, if you have another question to add to the list, post it below! It’s been a pleasure catching up.

Until next time – XO

P.S. Links to our favorite Christmas presents are affiliate links!