Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter

P1060268

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
-Walt Disney
I don’t just write down my goals/hopes/resolves/whatever you want to call them at the beginning of each year. It’s a constant practice with me. I just love writing lists, so any occasion to think about and write a list makes me happy! Each year, I do them differently. Sometimes I pick three words to mentally guide the year. Sometimes I pick one. For 2012, I’m picking two words: “FAITHFUL ACTION”.

 

This year holds so many question marks as one chapter of my life closes. I kind of mentally mark the stages of my life as “chapters”. Working my way through Columbia and graduating was one chapter. Working my way up in corporate America until I had a physical office of my own was another chapter. (I know that might not seem like a big deal to you, but space is at a premium here in NYC offices!)

 

Then, there is the chapter that will be ending in September of 2012 – my “staying at home with the kids until they are both in full day school” chapter. I must say that this has been the most challenging yet rewarding chapter of my life so far. It was a dream/wish/prayer when Reggie and I decided almost eight years ago (yes, Michael will be 8 in March of 2012?!) that I would stay at home with the kids as long as funds stretched/hopefully until both kids were in school. Up until last month, there was a question of whether or not we would try for kid #3. At this point, we’re both pretty convinced that I’m physically done having kids (unless we just so happen to be blessed with an “oops!” baby). We’re leaving the window open for the possibility of adoption for a couple of more years, but we’re done with the babies and toddler years for now. At first, I was like “My babies! My babies”, but now I’m excited. I’m super grateful that my dream to watch my kids came true and I’m eager to see what unfolds in the next chapter of life.