Five on Friday

{one}

I got an offer for a permanent position at Boeing this week. It will be for a different manager in a different organization though. I am so happy and relieved to finally be in a company with great salary and benefits...this will be pivotal for my family. After all the contingencies are taken care of, I will know when my start date is. In the meantime, I am still working my contractor position there.

{two}

There were lots of Insanity workouts, running and eating clean this week...it's amazing what a difference I can feel even after just a few days. My new meal prep service has been well worth it.

{three}

I'm hosting my neighborhood wine night tonight for the first time...should be a lot of fun as usual! I am making my night the karaoke night...I may have to post a video here shamelessly soon.

{four}

I made a few small changes to my entryway decor...and I'm trying to decide what to do with this mirror. I'm leaning toward metallic gold, but maybe white? What do you think?

{five}

Check out my post on The Gym Bunny today about why you should wear weight gloves when weight training.

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Well Hot Damn...

I just up and left you after last Monday, didn't I? I knew my first work week would be a bit overwhelming with the schedule adjustment, but WOW...I did not even touch this blog at all. Let me tell you though, this job is an AMAZING opportunity...I am so happy I bit the bullet and just said yes even though it was so random and unexpected. I had been bummed I didn't land anything permanent in my organization when I left Boeing two years ago, but sometimes when you allow yourself to look back at times that were disappointing and you see all that happened between then and now, you realize that maybe the entire time, God did have His hand in it all, and what I had thought was best for me then, wasn't even close to what He had in store...and His best is ultimately BETTER.

 

I may not have gotten pregnant with Farrah 8 months after leaving Boeing had I never left. I mean, would that right place and time have happened? I was working so much and doing so much overtime. I just don't know. I certainly wouldn't have been blessed with the opportunity to stay home with her for 9 months. And as far as the job I had then and the job I have now...I mean, WOAH, soooooo much bigger of an opportunity to be a part of something really great. Going into a contract position, you don't know what organization you'll be in or who you'll be working for until you show up on day one ready to work. I am supporting an Executive Vice President in the Boeing Research and Technology organization. He manages 1100-ish people. I am working next to genius-level engineers and rocket scientists. We are so much more than just the 787...we support Boeing Defense and Space...and so many way in the future projects. It is awesome. Being where I am, if I can make a permanent position out of it, I am in an amazing role and I am so excited about it. And my boss {the VP} is soooooo nice. Just a pretty laid-back guy that always makes the time to say hi and ask me how I'm doing. For a guy at his level to take that time, it just says a lot about him. But he's already complimented me so much for just "taking the bull by the horns and running with it" and my direct report manager has labeled me a "God-send" when asked by the VP how she thought I was doing. I have only been there a week and feel more appreciated than I ever did in the year and a half I worked there before. However, I am thankful for my past position there because ultimately, it has made going into this position so much easier because I am familiar with the lingo, the processes and the "Boeing way" as they like to call it. I'm not just completely overwhelmed and confused. I sure have liked running into old coworkers and surprising the heck out of them.

Of course, I miss my babies like crazy. Farrah did pretty well in her first ever week of daycare. I definitely love seeing her face light up at the end of the day when I pick her up. Our time is limited these days, so I'm doing everything I can to make the most of it. I am waking up at 4:30am now to squeeze in my 45-min Body Beast workout, just so I don't have to worry about it at the end of the day because that is my time with my kids. It was a bit of an adjustment getting up so early, but I think my body will be fully adjusted in another week or so. I definitely felt tired by 7:00pm every day, but powered through!

On Friday night, I went to an essential oil class {party} and I got coerced into buying the whole startup kit. I have actually been curious about this sort of homeopathic care, so it will be interesting to see how it goes. Anyone else use essential oils? Got any good testimonials or recipes to try? I am using the Young Living brand, so I guess since I bought the starter kit, I am automatically turned into a distributor. Let me know if you need anything, haha. 

Anyway, that's it for the major updates of the week/weekend. I plan to get back organized on this blog soon...hoping to throw some outfit posts your way very soon. Thanks for sticking with me during my adjustment phase. Have a great week!

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Lately

Wow...it's been over a week since I last posted here...sheesh!

Well, some of you may know this already, but the reason for my absence is that I was laid off unexpectedly from my job last Wednesday. It was a shock...and definitely a big stressor...but ultimately, I wasn't that upset about it. I really had begun to hate that job and was only seeing it through to the end of my pregnancy anyway. That being said, I had still planned on working throughout pregnancy as we definitely needed the income. So I was off applying to a hundred jobs. I got very lucky though...I got a job interview the very next day, and then on Friday was offered the job and I started this Monday. So I really didn't skip a beat in my paychecks, which is nice. The new job is laid back, and perfect to finish out pregnancy. I believe everything happens for a reason...and I'm just so thankful to God that even though I got knocked off my feet briefly, I was able to get right back up.

So nonetheless, I've been training this week and really haven't had the time to even think about posting on my blog...my apologies for that.

BUT ANYWAY...Here are some other updates:

I'm 11 weeks pregnant tomorrow...I've been good...breaking out like a teenager, but other than that, the nausea has been fairly mild. I'm to the point where I can only still button a few of my skinny jeans and that's only because they are a tad stretchy...but I normally choose to do the hairband trick anyway, for the sake of comfort. I'm in that sucky phase of not having enough tops to wear because I look too fat in some of my regular ones and the maternity ones are still a bit large. As soon as I'm pretty well "bumped-out", I'll start posting some of my maternity style pics on here.

Speaking of maternity, I just ordered a couple pairs of maternity skinny jeans from ASOS and they just now announce a 10% off sitewide sale! Grrrrr...hate when I miss it by a couple of days! But you can get the discount on their site by using the promo code: 10XTRA. I think I'll have to find some more things to order now...

The boys are now a week into their new shared room situation and it's working out pretty great. There's a little bickering here and there, but that was the case even when they had separate rooms, so oh well. I plan on posting pics of the room next week.

Have a great rest of the week!

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Friday: Week's Recap

Happy Friday, y'all! This week has been interesting.

I started out Monday by quitting my "buffer" job because after analyzing the daycare vs. take home costs, it just didn't make sense to bother with the job. I still have my business license and insurance for my cleaning business, A Modern Cinderella, so I figured I could keep the kids out of daycare starting next week if I didn't find a job and just do cleanings instead of the 8 to 5 grind. {If any of y'all in the Charleston area are looking for a housecleaner - I'm your gal!}

On Tuesday, I had an interview with a company based in Dubai that went really well. I had the 2nd interview on Wednesday and landed the job! That was quick, right? I start sometime between February 15th and March 1st. It's a nice downtown office by the aquarium and I basically get to run my own show there as the Office Manager/Logistics Coordinator.

Other than that, I've been spending my "time off" doing a lot of the following {if you follow me on Instagram, these might not be new to you!}:

Walking my girl, Tundra. {Isn't this a nice place I can walk to from my house? So serene.}

 

And by the way, totally enjoying the Roxy Outdoor Fitness Collection items I was sent to try out via Skinny Mom. How awesome are these pants? Such breathable and comfy fabric for all workouts - outdoor and indoor alike. In LURVE with the color.

Getting a lot of time playing with these two handsome little men.

And I've also been cleaning up la casa a lot and trying to get some of those lingering household projects out of the way. And of course hitting the gym...and I also started Insanity again on Monday...gettin' ready for bikini weather!

Speaking of bikini weather, I've been pinning a lot of cute summer-weather outfits on my Fashion & Style Pinboard on Pinterest...and this week, this get-up really piqued my interest:

{source}

This outfit has everything - sexy bare legs while keeping it classy up top, cute sandal heels, a colorful necklace and even a pop of the Pantone Color of the Year - Emerald. It's comfy, yet not too casual. This could easily go from day to night. Here are some items I found that can help you recreate this look:

{Shorts - Target}

{Tank - Piperlime}

{Blazer - Forever 21}

{Necklace - Kohls}

{Michael Kors Heels - Zappos}

Have you been pinning any summer outfit inspiration lately?

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Moving On...

I realize I haven't posted much this past week...my mind has definitely been elsewhere. On Saturday, I was laid off from my job at Boeing. I had been a contractor there for about 15 months. I've done my best to keep my head up about it, though it came as a shock, I haven't shed a tear. I'm doing my best to keep my faith in God's plan for me. I know I'm an intelligent, worthwhile person, and the right gig is out there waiting for me. Boeing emotionally drained me in many ways. I gave so much of my time and energy into all that I did there...I worked many overtime hours and weekends...I took every new task thrown my way in stride and just kept running with it. It hurts to feel like it was all for nothing. I made friends there that I am missing dearly...not seeing some of them every day is a definite bummer. But I'm trying not to focus on that...and just...move on. {At least I can hope that the friends I've made will still be there, even though my job isn't.}

The good news is that I have already found a new job and I start Monday. The pay SUCKS...but at least it's something to get me by until the next opportunity comes along. I've had 2 other interviews since that one that seem promising and I have one tomorrow as well. I am crossing my fingers that the right job with the right salary will happen upon me.

But anyhow...enough about my job situation...I'm confident that will get better.

Now onto more important things...I had a chance to stop by Target today {though I doubt I'll be making any extravagant purchases any time soon, a girl can dream...} and I found a few cute new items on their shelves.


This could be a great candy bowl {not too small of candy!}:

via

This tray was so chic in person. I love the woven pattern, so unique:

via

And is this not the most fun vase ever?

via

This pillow is just too cute:

via

And this graphic has been very popular lately, not a bad price here:

via

And last, but certainly not least on my list - this table. I'd love two of them as our master bedside tables:

via

Hope y'all have a great week...here's to hoping I'll be back to the normal grind soon. xoxo.

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Thankful Series: Bread & Butter

I am continuing on with my Thankful series for Thanksgiving today... I am so thankful my husband and I both have a jobs...and a decent-paying ones at that. With our current economic state, there are so many people out there struggling to put food on the table, pay their mortgages or are just barely getting by. Some have lost their jobs and are still looking for new ones...which are slim pickin's at the moment.

Sometimes it feels as though we'll have a couple months where we're living paycheck to paycheck, but for the most part, we have plenty...with a little leftover for non-essential items...such as home decor and my wardrobe {hubby considers non-essential, not me}. We can be ungrateful at time and complain that we don't have enough for this and that...but truly, we are in such a good position compared to many...and I like to sit back like this and actually gain real perspective on it...to realize how blessed we truly are.

My job can be a drag sometimes...and I know my husband's job requires a lot of hard labor at times...but I am so glad we have paychecks coming in on the regular. It's nice that we know where are next meal is coming from, as I know some aren't so lucky, and my heart hurts for them.

So today, I know it's Monday and you are probably sitting at your desk with a case of "the Mondays", but try to instead be grateful for having that desk. xoxo

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How Did This Happen?

I'm sitting here looking at my schedule for this week (and a little beyond), as well as trying to prepare things for our new childcare-giver that will watch the boys in our home on the days that I work...and I see that I'm working 13-hour shifts on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday AND Friday. Due to my employer being a little short-staffed this month, I've picked up an extra day this week (as well as picked up an extra shift in each of the last two weeks) Don't get me wrong, the overtime pay will look nice on my next couple of paychecks, but I just got to thinking about what my plans were a year ago when I decided I would be a stay-at-home mom once Breckin was born and work solely on my cleaning business. But no, here I am again, working full-time.

When I had Breckin, I started getting more into my cleaning business, A Modern Cinderella. It was going pretty well those first few months, but then became very slow over the holidays. Our savings was beginning to run out as Jake was trying to keep up on all of the bills on just his income rather than two full-time incomes. So, we sat down and decided that I should at least look for a part-time job - maybe something evening and weekends so we wouldn't really have to worry about childcare. So I started the job search and applied to various part-time positions. My old supervisor randomly called me one day to tell me about a new company she was working for and wanted me to come on as a front desk person. I had thought it would be part-time, but found out in the interview it was only 3 days a week, however it was 13-hour shifts, so it added up to full-time hours. I thought it would still feel a little part-time being that I could be home with my boys 4 full days out of each week as well as have open days to fill with cleaning jobs as needed, so I could still work on my cleaning business. (And I would also have a full-time salary I could count on in the meantime!)

Now here I am, pulling 48-52 hours a week in the last few weeks and looks like the next few as well. Not to mention, still have a couple cleaning jobs scheduled in there somewhere.

So much for being a stay-at-home mom. I went from stay-at-home mom/self-employed to thinking about working a part-time job to now working full-time. I'm right back where I started.

Oh well, I tried.

UPDATE: Life hasn't been Mommalicious Lately!

It's been a couple weeks since my last post! I know you must have been just hanging on the edge of your seat awaiting the moment I would stop by and dish out the exhilerating details of my Mommalicious life! Or not - whatever.

Anyway the last couple weeks have been a little crazy and I have been busy adjusting to the changes and trying to keep my and my family's lives in balance. So that is the reason for the absence. I started a new job. I had been looking for a part-time gig for nights and weekends just to have some steady cashflow while I build my cleaning business and help hubby out a little bit with the bills (the bane of our existence!) After weeks of searching for said job, I received a call from my former supervisor from the position I held prior to having Breckin. She had just started working for a new company and was looking for front desk people. However, the job required 13-14 hr days at least 3 times a week. So really, it was a full-time position. I pretty much got hired without a real interview (considering she had already interviewed me for the last position she supervised me in!) The hours are long, but since it's only 3 days a week, it still feels a bit part-time and leaves me 4 full days to spend with my boys each week (and take on cleaning jobs as I get them), while still taking home a full-time paycheck. So financially, it's even better that what I had been looking for. It's been a bit of an adjustment though...because on the days I work, I only get to see my boys in the wee hours of the morning while rushing to get them ready for daycare and then I get home at 10pm when they are already in bed. It especially sucks when I have to work 2 days in a row. But all in all, I feel blessed to have the position. It's also in the medical field, which I had no prior experience in, and I know it can be difficult to get into this field without prior schooling for or experience with it, so it may create many opportunities for me in the future.

In other news, Breckin has gotten his first cold. One of the benefits of my new job at the urgent care center is that they will see my family for free, so I took him in to test him for strep, flu and RSV - all of which are running rampant around town right now. I feel bad because I'm sure I probably brought home the sickness with me since I'm around sick people all day, even though I'm religiously applying hand sanitizer and Lysol-ing my work area throughout my shifts. Luckily it turned out to be just a chest cold. However, I just took him to his pediatrician for his 6-month well visit today and turns out he now has an ear infection. Poor little guy. So now he's got some antibiotics - hopefully we'll be rid of this soon! He's still being his happy little playful self though. I love that it's not getting him down.

Some other great news is that thanks to this new job - I have a gym membership again! HALLELUJAH! This ends my 8-month gym hiatus! One of the job's benefits is a discounted gym membership at East Shore Athletic Club (the gym I used to go to!), so I can finally truly get back into the swing of things with my workout regimen. I've been loving Insanity and the results I've gotten, but I am so ready to hit the weight room again - and the elliptical! Summer is near and my beach boys and I are going to be out there looking good! (They look good with little to no effort. Me - not so much.)

Oh, and some major news from the last couple weeks - THE PACKERS ARE THE SUPERBOWL XLV CHAMPIONS! Jake had been waiting for the day for a long time. GO PACK!

Well, that's the last couple of weeks in a nutshell. Hopefully it won't be that long between posts again! But until my next post, I'll leave you with these adorable pics: