Monday, February 25, 2008

I quit!

Last Friday the 23rd was the last day of my year long maternity leave, but you won't find me trying to put together some work outfits, checking on my day care arrangements, or planning knitting projects for long commutes and lunch breaks. No Sir-ee Bob, not me!

That's because, I am leaving my job!

{My office back in 2005 before I took my first maternity leave}

Yup! Effective immediately, I am a stay-at-home mom and (when I manage to ignore the financial pressure that comes with making that kind of decision) I am filled with glee and giddiness because as much as I really enjoyed my old job and all it's rewards, I love my new job even more. And I know that I will never have nor can even aspire to a more satisfying, rewarding or enjoyable job then caring for my little guys and being right there beside them cheering them on every single minute of their lives! Because that's the kind of mom I want to be to my two sweet as pie little guys and they deserve nothing less.

{That's me on my last day at the office when I was pregnant with Julian.
I was tear-y because I was already thinking that it might be my last day
at the office and how much I would miss my job...
of course, I hadn't even met Jujube yet!}

I have to admit though that it is crazy scary to think of what life will be like as a one income family. Crazy scary. And yet, in another way, leaving my job was one of the easiest decision I've ever made. I discussed it with my boss and friend (a really understanding mom of 3 herself) a few weeks ago, and when it was done and I hung up the phone, I suddenly felt like I grew wings. Fully free to be the kind of mom and housewife extraordinaire that I want to be for my family. And I am so stinking proud of myself!

This just feels so right through and through. And of course, it means there will still be time for knitting at naptime and designing after bedtime. {I should note that Stephen and I are working really hard at redesigning my new pattern site and hope to re-launch Buddy Bags and make Hickory Dickory Dot available from the new site in the next few days as planned - more on that next time}.

Just because I'm staying home to care for my little ones doesn't mean I can't exercise my business acumen and put my other talents to work, right?

Cheers!

40 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:51 p.m.

    Good for you and best of luck in your new endeavor! :-)

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  2. Anonymous4:56 p.m.

    oh anny! congratulations! what a wonderful thing for your and your family. i wish you all the happiness and fulfillment i have found since leaving work to dedicate my days (and nights) to my new life as mama.
    hooray for you, stephen and the the boys. enjoy every moment!
    xoxo

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  3. Anonymous4:57 p.m.

    Congratulations! I've been a long time reader, first timer poster on your blog and love it all. I am so happy for you and your family that you'll be staying at home -everyone comes out a winner.
    I can't wait for the launch of your website and great patterns. I've already added my name to your subscription list. I think we'll come out winners as well.

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  4. I am totally jealous. I knit on my lunch breaks and after my son goes to bed. I am excited for you! I'm sure you'll have even more amazing stuff to share with us. Congratulations!

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  5. Good for you and congratulations!

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  6. Anonymous5:41 p.m.

    Congratulations! Crazy scary to be sure, but obviously the right one for you. Enjoy!

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  7. Congratulations - I'm sure that you'll make it work!

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  8. Way to go Anny! You have the most important job in the world. I never would have given a minute for the time I spent at home with my two little boys. They are grown men now and it went so fast. You will never regret it. Just tighten your belts - you can do it!

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  9. Way to go! It is one of the easiest choices to make! Scary indeed, but easy. Life is short. And childhood even shorter. Invest while you can in the things that are the most important!

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  10. Congratulations! I think that you made a wonderful decision! And just because you're staying home doesn't mean that you have to JUST clean and chase around kids. You CAN do other things -- including those that work your creative energies, and even those that bring in money! Have fun at your new full-time gig!

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  11. Such a great feeling when you know you've made the right decision for you. I hope your boys come to realize how fortunate they are to have a mom such as you.
    BTW, I've nominated you for a "you make my day award", which you can collect at my blog.

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  12. Congrats! It's one of the best decisions I ever made. :)

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  13. Congrats! It's always scary making big life decisions - especially ones that are hard to come back from. Good on you for knowing yourself and what you want. I hope it is the best it can be.

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  14. that is great! good for you!

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  15. Good for you!

    I'm about to go back to work, with my little Lucy just two and a half months old (I hate the U.S. sometimes)and I keep telling myself that I'm doing it so we can pay off a lot of debt over this next year so that when we do this having-a-baby thing again, I can stay home with my little ones.

    Good for you, good for them, and hoorah all around!

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  16. Anonymous1:39 a.m.

    Congratulations and very best wishes, from a mom on the other end of that decision.

    I was pregnant with my first when I had to go lie down for 20 weeks due to complications. I thought I would go mad! I was working full time, volunteering, singing in the Christmas cantata at church and working on my Master's. All gone with by the wave of the OB's clipboard.

    After Kate was born I was offered a position teaching 7th and 8th grade. She was just 6 weeks and our nursing had just become good and I know I was hormonal and all, but I tearfully stared at the contract before me for a week before dh kindly asked me if I'd like to stay home and raise his children. Although this was totally against everything I'd been working for, it felt so right.

    Long story short, I never did finish the Master's, but I homeschooled the kids and ran dh's business (the office and accounting end of things) and today both kids are happy, successful, educated and hardworking adults, and we have very close relationships.

    I consider myself blessed to be able to work at home and to be with my children...not everyone has that choice.

    Best of luck to you all.

    PS Did I mention that dh was making $160/week (in 1986!) when he made the offer? And that I had oodles of student loans that suddenly came due? And yet, somehow, we managed. You will too...promise!

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  17. Oh good luck Anny! I am SO jealous! My dream would be to stay home and raise my family, and I envy everyone who gets the chance. Your boys (all 3 of them) will benefit big time. Congratulations!

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  18. Anonymous10:18 a.m.

    Congratulations Anny! I'm struggling with that decision myself right now, and I'm so happy for you that you know what you want and can make it work! Besides, you'll make a fortune with you knitting patterns :)

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  19. Anonymous12:06 p.m.

    I've recently begun reading your blog and I'm so happy you're able to stay home with those cuties! I'm an "old" mom (my baby is almost 22!) and I've had both worlds at one point or another. I know it's hard financially, but it's so worth it. Have fun and don't let anyone tell you you should be doing anything else!

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  20. Good for you Anny - and good for the wee ones too!

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  21. Very wonderful! I've been a at home mom for over 7 years now and it's been great. You'll gain more spending time with your kids full time that you won't miss the income.

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  22. Great decision and you'll make it work ... because it's the right thing to do for yourself & the family!

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  23. Congrats,welcome to the club.

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  24. Congratulations! Should we expect you to become like Alison http://alison.knitsmiths.us/index.html, raising two (now three little ones) and writing a book and knitting always and .... ?

    I like your stuff on ravelry - thanks for being so proliferous with knitting and the like. You do inspire me!!!

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  25. Congratulations! Things will be right in your world.

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  26. Good for you!
    Knit On!
    Looking forward to all the wonderful designs I know you'll produce!
    (I'm a huge fan, and have read your blog for some time. I'm in awe of your work.)

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  27. Anonymous12:23 p.m.

    This is such a hard decision to make! My daughter is just now making it. First, she decided to stay home, then at the last minute, she decided to go back. And if she feels miserable, she will quit. Otherwise, she is going to have a second baby in a couple of years and then she knows it's over. I really support staying home (but I am not going to let my daughter know that).

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  28. Congratulations, Anny! Isn't deciding to stay at home with the people who are most important to you just the greatest feeling in the world?!? I'm very proud of you. Your little guys will really thank you when they're older and, us fans, will thank you for your current and new knitting designs too! Welcome to the world of single incomes and happy homes!

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  29. Anonymous6:46 p.m.

    I'm jealous, too.... and I'm not even married, yet! But I keep telling God I'd rather be changing dirty diapers! (seriously) My job isn't bad, but those precious little ones are so much more appealing. Not to mention that "serving" a family that loves you is so much more fulfilling than serving a boss who doesn't care all that much. The biggest feminist lie is how fulfilled women are in the workplace... but most of us (men & women) have flunky jobs.

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  30. We have been a one income family for six years. It has been hard at times, but man oh man has it ever been worth it. Congratulations on joining the ranks of Stay at Home Mom. You won't regret it. :)

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  31. Anonymous4:41 p.m.

    Dear Anny,

    Congratulations on your brave decision. You are an incredibly talented designer (as well as an awesome mom). I'm sure that you will be successful at all you put your hand to.

    Wishing you much luck and many blessings,
    Guru Nam kaur

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  32. Wonderful! I recently left work after the birth of my second to pursue a work-at-home contract job. It's not always perfect and I can't always count on a regular paycheck, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

    I feel giddy now too, thinking about that same feeling I had. Hoorah for strong mommies! I'll look forward to seeing more fun patterns on your sites!

    Good luck and I'm sure there are so many good times ahead for you.

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  33. Anonymous12:13 a.m.

    Congrats! You will love every moment of being a at home mommy. No amount of money can make up for being away from your kids. I'm at home with Camdyn all day and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

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  34. Anonymous8:15 p.m.

    Oh Anny! That is such a great thing for you and your family! Nothing can replace the quality time with family....I wish you oooooodles of blessings and I know that your other creative talents are gonna take off! I am so happy for you!

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  35. hi there and congrats on your decision!

    its been no looking back for me! I love being the one that tells hubby what my little one has been up to and we keep busy with activities at home and outdoors and you'll love it! hope we get to see some lovely knitting and patterns created by you with this time and stress free living!

    relax, enjoy, you adjust and you won't be having any regrets! work will always be there but your children won't be!

    Corrie:)

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  36. Anonymous8:45 a.m.

    I have to admit to being an admirer of your work on Ravelry, and now I'm happy to consider myself a reader of your blog! Congrats on your recent decision; I too had my last day at work on the 29th, and although I'm a little nervous about the finances--and how could you not be with the economy these days--I'm excited to be at home with the kids. Hopefully I'll be able to help support your decision by buying some of your patterns on your new site!! Woo-hoo!!

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  37. Anonymous9:59 a.m.

    Congratulations! I made that decision 11 years ago and it was the best one I ever made even if we did go through some tough times. Kiddlebiddle has thrived and she understands who was there for her all the way! Enjoy.... I'm knitting up some of your patterns for two stay at home nieces to give their babies!

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  38. congrats! good for you. i sure hope to be able to do the same after my husband finishes school, but time will tell.

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