Tis the Season for Some Changes

I promise I will discuss my progress with FlyLady as well as vegan (not so great!) on another post! Today as the year comes insanely close to the end, I want to talk about changes. Boy is my world rocking! After MUCH deliberation my husband and I decided that it is in our families best interest for me to be home most of the time. So as of January 1 I will be stepping down as a supervisor (a job I LOVE) and only work 5-10 hours a week. I am very lucky to be able to continue to do the job that I love so much. I was terrified before I made that final decision. I love my job, I love being the semi-boss (yup I'll admit it) but my family really takes a hit. So does my sanity, especially since my hard working hubby works so many hours. Now I have to admit that this was one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make. In case you don't know, I am a bit of a feminist- hippie till I die baby (well hippie-ish). After my first marriage ended and I put myself through school as a single mom (shout out to all the single in school mama's in the world- holla!) I decided I would never depend on a man to take care of me. I really had to fit that idea into me being at home most of the time. I am so happy that my employer is letting me cut my hours so drastically (and not firing me!!) and allowing me to keep a foot in the professional world. Maybe it's more of a security blanket but I think that I can get the best of both worlds this way. I can be a mostly stay at home mommy as well as a working girl! Not to mention I get to work on my fitness and health. Remember I have a marathon to train for (even if I have yet to officially register for it yet, oh the nerves!).

This year will also be the first year my oldest batch is with their dad for Christmas. I'm trying to create some new type of tradition. My biggest fear is that my kids will feel that their Christmas with us is some half-assed thrown together crap. We have the younger two that will open presents on Christmas morning so I have to balance that somehow. My thought is to have our Christmas on Friday with a nice dinner and everything. All the kids will open some presents. We might even do a Saturday morning thing but the extended family would have to be excluded and the kids flight leaves at lunch time. Anyone have experience with this? It's crazy! I do love my crazy ever changing life though! It keeps me on my toes and things interesting!

So for the next chapter in my life, I will be home more (ahhh, yay!), blog more, workout more (gotta train!), and make this the year of the family! I want to really give it all to my family. My hubby deserves to be spoiled a bit, my kids deserve their mommy 110% not just after the chores are done. I can't wait to start this new chapter and to keep you in the loop with all my struggles and excitements with this new life.

My questions:
How have you balanced family, holidays and traditions?

Have you had any big life changes that you really had to work through?

Thanks for reading guys!!