Happy new year, friends! Did we all survive the holidays in tact?

2012 is set to bring big changes for my family, changes I’ve been wanting to tell you about but wasn’t sure how. This where we get all serious and quiet and start to expect the worst, right?

Okay, come out of it! Now let’s chat. 🙂

I spent the last five plus years working in public relations for a large corporation. Not long after Weston was born, my prayers were answered with the perfect change in my job situation: I was able to move to a part-time schedule, working almost exclusively from home. I couldn’t believe how beautifully it all worked out. It was the best possible situation and I soaked up every minute, realizing that it couldn’t – and wouldn’t – last forever.

The day I found out I was pregnant this time around, I also found out my company would be going through a round of massive layoffs, including all part-time and contract positions in my department. Can I tell you what an odd day that was – learning I was pregnant and my job was ending at the same time?

Why is this stork so dismayed?
But in a lot of ways it was just perfect. The timing didn’t feel like coincidence, didn’t feel like rotten luck, didn’t feel like it wasn’t meant to be. I was sad to know I’d be leaving, but at peace knowing that in many ways my life was just moving on to another season for a little while.

Just a couple weeks ago, the day the seasons changed, they changed in my life too – I worked my last day at that job, turned in my badge and blackberry and drove away.

Blog posts should have photos.
So what’s next? I have lots of ideas! I plan to do a little freelance business writing and public relations work – and if you know anyone who can use something like that, send ’em my way! – but I’m also going to explore some “fun” things, things I’ve always wanted to try, like maybe opening an etsy shop.

This time between today and when the baby arrives sometime around mid-April will be a time to enjoy my last few days as a mama to only one, and to try some new things that might succeed or might fail, but are okay either way.

I am finding myself very concerned with adding structure to my days, so I have a chunky little list of resolutions I’m hoping to share with you later this week. Is it cool if we just make this resolutions week? I also want to tell you about what we’re hoping to accomplish with the house. Busy week!

Anyway, I like to be pretty open and let you guys know what’s going on, so later if I casually mention starting a new gig or moving out of our house, living in our car and scavenging in the trash for food, it won’t be a surprise. (Kidding! From the day we got married, we’ve always tried to live within one income, which means my income has always been “extra,” over and above our required expenses. This just means a little less fun money and LOT more creativity in making our home projects happen on the teensiest of budgets.)

What do you have planned this week? Expecting any changes with 2012 in your life?