A few months in....

A few months ago, I posted and told you about a major life change that the Fabulous Dude and I were making. In that post, I told you that the Dude was leaving the job he had worked at for the past 5 years in order to start his own business as a sub contractor. Since that day, I realize I have not mentioned his employment again.

I decided now that we are a few months in to the new job, I should give a little update on how things are going.

The first few months of the Dude's new job have been exciting, stressful, busy, tiring, and have taken some getting used to. But, he's happy. I'm happy. We're happy.

The hours are different - he leaves a bit earlier and usually gets home later, which makes our evenings feel like they go by much more quickly. There have also been days, and weeks, where he has been working well into the evening and night. One of those weeks was the hottest week we've had all summer and the heat, added to the fact that I was already in bed by the time he got home every night, added to the fact that I have crazy preggo hormones coursing through my body, did not make for a happy Lucy.

But, we managed. And in exchange for the longer hours, he also has more flexibility and is able to be off if he wants or needs to be for any reason.

Aside from the different hours, the actual work that the Dude is doing is more challenging, more fulfilling, and more enjoyable for him. He's learning new things each day and coming home feeling as though he has accomplished a great deal in a day. Even within the first few weeks of making the change, I started to notice a significant difference in his attitude and outlook on life. He's more satisfied, and it's obvious.

Since the change required the Dude to start his own business, there has been a significant increase in the amount of paperwork and organization that goes along with it. And because I am currently a SAH/WAHM2B (that stands for stay at home/work from home Mama 2 be, okay?) I have taken on the majority of this end of the deal. It makes sense for us because I am home most of the time, I am the one who uses the computer most, and does most of the organization for other areas of our life, and well, I am the one who likes that kind of stuff. I've got excel spreadsheets coming out my wazoo tracking the income and expenses for the business and keeping track of everything that needs to be kept tracked of. It has definitely taken some learning and communication between the two of us to figure out a system that works for us, but I think that we've managed fairly well.

Another "responsibility" I have taken on to help the Dude out with his new job is packing his lunch. At his old job, he ate in a lunch room/cafeteria with a fridge, microwave etc., so he usually just grabbed whatever leftovers we had and took them to heat up. And, if we didn't have anything laying around for him to take, we always knew he had the option of purchasing a cheap lunch at work. Now, those amenities are not available and seriously, folks, it has taken me some major adjustment to get used to buying and making things to have on hand for his lunches. He takes a lunchbox with him so it has become my routine to make him a sandwich, grab him a few snacks, and stick the pail in the fridge before going to bed. Then in the morning he can just grab it, throw in some ice packs and be on his way. I feel bad because his lunch is the same almost every day - which is super boring IMHO, but he doesn't seem to mind.

Lastly, the other big (and perhaps most important) thing that has changed with the new job is the amount of coffee that is brewed and drank in our home. We used to be weekend coffee makers only because he always had his morning coffee when he arrived at work. Now, I also have made it a habit to set the coffee pot before bed so it's ready to just be clicked on in the morning. A coffee pot with a timer would be so lovely (Do you hear that, Santa? Are you listening?) Since he started his new job, we've been through 2 large tins of coffee and one tin used to last us for months and months and months.

Even though I was so hesitant about making this huge transition, I feel confident that the Lord is guiding us through it all. I am glad to have had a few months to get adjusted to new routines and responsibilities before we become parents and seeing how much happier my Fabulous Dude is makes me know that it's more than worth it.

The Wheels of Change are Turning

There have been some major decisions and major changes taking place in our household over the past month or so. I have alluded to some of this in some of my posts and tweets. I hate being cryptic in my posts, but there are times when we just have to get stuff off our chests and we can't reveal the details. This was one of those times.

A new opportunity has come to us and, although the decision was far from easy, we have decided to take it.

Today the Fabulous Dude left to go to his very last day of work at the job where he has worked since 7 months before we were wed. On Monday he will begin a new adventure. For those of you who don't know, the FD currently works for the maintenance department for an organization that supports adults with developmental disabilities. The job has been a wonderful opportunity for him, and he has met some great people, but he felt as though there was not enough room to learn and grow.

A few months ago, he was talking about employment with a local contractor who he knows and asked if he ever has extra work that he may be able to do on the side. They briefly chatted about this and went on their way. And then, about a month ago, the same man came to E and asked him if he was interested in looking for a new full time employment opportunity as a sub-contractor for him.

When the Dude came home and told me this, my automatic reaction was "$*%# no!"

I like security. I like comfort. I like familiarity. I like to do things the way we have always done them.

But, I am not the one who got up every morning and went to a job that I was not entirely satisfied with.

For the first little while, the Dude and I could not even discuss the issue as two grown adults because I would find myself curling up into my little shell and crying like a child (see yesterday's post re: out of control hormones and emotions). Eventually, after a great deal of prayer, talking with some of our mentors, and each other - I began to feel a sense of peace about the entire situation.

After weighing the pros and cons of both options, we decided that it was an opportunity that the E should take. The change clearly involves some major benefits and some major risks, which I won't get into here. It is also coming at a time that is crazy and stressful for both of us - a time full of big changes. I completed grad school this week. Our baby is due in 3 months. It's not just us we have to worry about anymore. Big things are happening.

So, while this may be the best decision we have ever made together, it may not be. But, we will find out. I don't believe that God calls us to a life of complacency simply because it is what we are used to. We are confident that the Lord has steered us in this direction and that His hand will continue to guide us. I rest secure in the confidence that He holds us in the palm of His hand.

And yes, this confidence is much easier spoken than lived - despite the fact that I have been feeling a sense of peace about this decision - I cannot say that I have not caught myself worrying and stewing over it a number of times. It is a journey.

My friends, I covet your prayers as we embark on this adventure together as a family - as we adjust to new schedules, new routines, new responsibilities, new challenges, and new rewards.