Mycareer of 16 years, the entire parenting journey, comes to an end

This year, I lost my job at Astrazeneca. My last day of work was December 15. I’ve been working there the entire time I’ve been parenting. And although this blog has been very much about my parenting journey, having this come to an end, feels like a real shift and change in the entire parenting experience.

Overall, I’ve had flexibility in this Company to be actively involved as a parent in a way that I mostly wanted to be. I will miss the people I was working with. I think what happened was not right, but I am choosing to believe that God has a better plan for me and that I need to be patient to find it. 

The end was hard on my team too, and I know I will be missed. I know I made a lot of positive impact on the business. I know I’m very good cross, functional collaboration, and a great team, lead, mentor and coach. I also know that I didn’t manage up well and that that’s the one thing I need to do a better job of wherever I land next.

I wanted to share my memory, the thoughtful card that I got on the last day of work. One of my former team members organize this for me. Each of these messages means something to me. I want to cherish them forever.

As I start the new year, I need to step up the job search. I’m nervous about what this will bring for a family. I’m nervous that it’ll be hard to replace the package I had.  However, I am grateful for what I have had and believing that this is part of the journey, God has in store for me to be the best person that he has envisioned for me to become.

Along with the card, I received some gorgeous earrings and stones from the team, which they had shipped from Warsaw to me. Experiencing Warsaw Poland was such a blessing. The people are amazing and the town is vibrant and full of interesting history.

Christmas favorites

I absolutely love the Christmas cards that Clair writes. She is baffled by why we don’t give personalized cards at Christmas in the same way that we do for birthdays. So she’s decided she’ll do it anyway. Here’s a copy of mine from this year. Also, a couple of my favorite wrappings that I had to save. The Ivy paper reminds me of Anita and I love the blue bow on the silver paper that my necklace from David came .

New Year’s Eve party

We are hosting a small gathering tonight. The old gang is getting back together. 

Decorations are prepared and I’m told by Amy are a good choice. 

We will have heavy appetizers and play games. Fingers crossed for a healthy and peaceful NYE celebration. 

Teens

I always worried about the teen phase. I find it hard to manage. Max and Ellie both challenge me in different ways. 

Ellie is quiet and keeps to herself so much. I tend to hear about things only when there is a Big problem or something she wants. 

Maxs mouth runs non-stop. He doesn’t know when to stop. He always wants to argue. He can’t just do something when asked, instead he debates each and everything. 

Max is going to the gym with me now for two months and this seems to be a positive experience. We do have positive conversation on the way home. I think he likes seeing the results of his efforts. You can see he’s stronger. Some boys he plays soccer when at school were calling him “abs” the other day. It made him smile. 

Ellie has a small nice group of girl friends she enjoys hanging out with. She still does Jiujitsu sometimes. I worry she doesn’t do it enough to be worth it. She has also started volunteering at the church Sunday school. I’m proud of her for that. She really enjoys participating in the Young Loge Group at Linganore too. That’s a great outlet for her and I trust the leaders. 

Ellie still has not shown an interest in driving and doesn’t have her learners. I have a feeling this won’t happen until next summer. It’s up to her. She has tried to get a job and might start working at McDonald’s. Time will tell. 

They both love their cats, and hate doing the chores to take care of them. 😝

I know this phase of life is hard for them. I seem them growing and working through challenges. I’m proud of them. I hope they know this and know I love them! 

Free from the cast!

Friday Clair got the all clear to not wear the brace anymore on her arm, except when playing sports. She was excited but also a bit nervous. She said her arm felt empty and she wanted the brace back. But I forced her to go out and about Target shopping with me without the brace. After that, she seems to be good to go!

I told her that I’m very proud of her for how she handled this process with grace and poise. She listened to the doctors orders and was patient. She said it was her fault. But I reminded her this wasn’t about fault; this was about dealing with consequences with grace and without anger. She did very well. 

College is coming

In the midst of Christmas break, the first college materials have arrive for our sophmore. I asked her to look at them and consider. She says she did but isn’t interested in either. She’s not super thrilled about college really. I guess life around here must be better than she thinks. But I do hope she finds some inspiration soon. 

I’m excited for her. I hope she finds the excitement too. 

Boxing Day stockings

Christmas night

A few photos from Christmas night. It seemed the cousins really enjoyed hanging out in the basement finally. Dad too!

We got 18 people in the dinning room. 

Dessert table 

Aunt Katie’s game is always a hit. It was sort of beer pong this year with gifts instead of beer. 

A full house!

Young ones first. 

Interesting boy gift from Uncle Danny!

Christmas trips

This year we tried to be a bit more controlled and purposeful with kids gifts this year. 

Each kid got plenty of things. They also each got trips which I think were their favorites. 

Max, Ellie and David are heading to see Grannie in January. 

Clair and Mommy are on our way to Orlando Universal Studios to spend time in Harry Potter World. 

There were clothes and shoes for the bigger two. Max says he loves his new phone the most. Clairs most wanted and happy gift is her new VR headset. 

We also hosted cousin Christmas on Christmas night and everyone seemed to have a nice time. I make steak pie which was way more work than envisioned. Boy, Hazel deserves an award for her steak pie. Mine was not as nice but David and Katie were happy. 

The week between Christmas and new years has been relaxing. We really haven’t done much. There were thoughts of travel but it was too expensive. Max and Ellie also had colds so going into DC was also postponed. We’ve played games, watched movies and just hung out. 

Everyone has had lots of chance to sleep and eat well. It’s been a relaxing time. 

Christmas excitement

Clair is beyond herself excited for Christmas this year. 

She has spent significant time buying and making and wrapping presents. She was so excited to make cookies. She keeps asking when we will make fudge. 

She has taken to some sudden squealing of excitement throughout the day about how she can’t wait for Christmas and is so excited! 

She has a lot of excitement for buying presents for others now. 

Christmas readiness has come early this year

This is actually from December 2022 but was missed last year. 

Clair started asking about the Christmas tree in October. The girl has plans. She wanted the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. My rule is that it has to be December. Well, she won! 

At nine she is full of energy and joy and love for the world. She is so excited for Christmas and the magic. She believes and loves with her full heart. This makes it magical for us both and I decided to try to indulge as much as I could with her this year from the early tree decorating, to all the traditions she remember, to the early arrival of the Elf, to shopping for siblings, to decorating, cookies, fudge, countdown chains, oh my!  

The finished tree and elves   

The cherry pie tradition after tree decorating continues. 


Walking in the Christmas Parade with Girl Scouts and enjoying giving out candy from her Santa sack. 

After the parade. 

Small crew this year waiting for Santa. 

Santa gave her a present. 

She won the guess for one of the candies and Aliza won the other one. 

Visiting Santa with Gramma and her cousins 

We even ordered matching PJs which I’ve never done with her!