Jesse Coulter

If you didn't know I now have a new tab at the top of my blog titled INSTAGRAM SHOP. There you can see all the outfits I post to Instagram because sometimes those outfits won't make a full blog post. P.S. This scarf is seriously the BEST! It's uber soft, big and comfy, has pom poms on the bottom and is only $24.50. Get it HERE!

When Turner was 4 months old I joined State Farm as an auto claim rep. I trained for many months to become a licensed adjuster, and learned a ton about insurance, cars and investigating accidents. My goal was to join the marketing department, and about a year and a half later I did as the Marketing Coordinator on the Customer Strategy Team. Over the years I've met some amazing people, had some insane claim experiences, traveled quite a bit to Bloomington, Illinois (State Farm's headquarters), and learned a lot about myself.

Going from a start up like Republic Tequila (which was my first job in Austin) to an extremely large corporation was eye opening. I learned that each type of company, small or large, have their pros and cons. It was hard saying goodbye to State Farm as it was a very comfortable and stable job, but I desired to move up and to be honest the competition was extremely tough. I applied and interviewed numerous times over the past year with no luck. Some roles over 700 people applied!

I realized that I had to start looking outside of State Farm. I desperately wanted to use my skill sets more, and began slowly job hunting (which can feel like a full time job at times). I used Indeed, and loved receiving notifications when new roles in my area were posted. I applied and interviewed many times, before one opportunity stood out. I've accepted a position at Big Red, Inc. as the Associate Marketing Manager for XYIENCE, an energy drink owned by Big Red. If you haven't heard of Big Red, well you're probably not from Texas or the south. It's a soda that goes great with tacos and BBQ!


I'll have more of a commute and less flexibility, so this will put a bit more stress on our family but I'm looking forward to the opportunity!

Hitting a milestone birthday today...the BIG 30! A couple of years ago I dreaded this birthday, but I can honestly say that I'm perfectly fine with leaving my 20's. I've learned so much about myself over the years, and I'm excited for what's in store for my 30's! In a decade I've studied abroad, graduated with my BBA and MBA, created life long friendships, married, started a blog, moved to Austin, was diagnosed with vaginismus, found a career, bought a house, had THREE children and many things in between. Yep, just like that a decade has gone by.

I thought I would share a few things I've learned about life and myself.

- Family is everything. When I was young I dreamed of living abroad or being a big wig marketing exec in NYC, but after studying abroad I learned real quick how much I missed my family. I missed them so much it hurt, and I never want to be that far away again. So...I will never leave Texas and I hope my extended family never does. Kids, you're going to an in state school...fingers crossed.

- Stand up for yourself. This is something I'm still working on, but I learned the hard way what it feels like when you don't stand up for yourself. I was pretty much bullied at my first job in Austin. Every day was hell, and for some reason I let it happen. I let the person ( a woman) walk all over me. I may be outgoing and LOVE to talk, but I hate confrontation. I've learned that confrontation is going to happen, and you need to be brave and stand up for yourself even when everything inside of you tells you to back down and hide in a corner.


- Jesus has never left me. Over the years I've been very close with the Lord and very distant. He is a constant in my life, and I pray that in my 30's I could draw closer. Alex and I have found a church we like, and we hope to put roots down over the next few years.

- I'm a writer. When I first started blogging and for many years after I never considered myself a good writer. However, over the years I feel like I've been able to tell stories through writing in the same way I would in person. I'm still horrible with grammar, but I enjoy typing out my thoughts and feelings.

- I'm an open book. Being honest and vulnerable is the key to connecting with others. I've been asked hundreds of times in job interviews what my greatest qualities are, and many times I respond with my ability to connect with people. Communicating and relating with others has always been something I've enjoyed, and through my 20's I learned that those are the traits I want to bring to my job, marriage and friendships. You could ask me anything and I would answer it. Money, marriage, faith, motherhood, you name it.


If you read this blog, thank you! Thank you for reading my words, and following me along on life's journey. Cheers to 30!

I love this shot of the babies because you can see all three of their hemangiomas. Thanks Laura for these beautiful photos!

 Last week I had a virtual presentation to give, so I wanted to dress up but I also wanted to be comfy. I created what I call my MULLET OUTFIT. Business on the top, party on the bottom! I rarely wear button down shirts or blazers, but I really loved this outfit. One of my managers in the office walked by and said, "Do you have an interview or something?" and then he looked down at my jeans and I could tell he was very confused. Haha!

Oh goodness, it got me all stirred up again. Most of the comments made me feel guilty and selfish for working, but then I had working moms and even stay at home moms stick up for me.

Photo: Laura Morsman Photography

SIX MONTHS! We've made it halfway, hallelujah! Time has not flown by...it's slooowwwlllyyy krept by BUT we are happy, alive and grateful. 

Life lately: 

• Sleep deprivation is still a very real struggle due to Walt waking up at least twice a night.

• We started buying diapers and formula this month and WHOA! Talk about a budget buster. Our new phrase might be, "Put it on the credit card."... kidding and kind of not kidding.

• Work and planning my local blogger event has kept me VERY busy, and by Tuesday of every week I feel like it should be Friday. Most nights I don't get to bed till around 11pm, and I'm passed out in less than a minute. 

• I'm so excited to have 6 month photos of the babies taken by my good friend and Austin photographer, Laura Morsman, next weekend!

Tomorrow I'm officially heading back to my full-time marketing job. I was beyond blessed to be able to stay home with Walt and Whitney for 12 weeks and be payed for that time off. It's sad that is rare in our country. I got to spend countless hours holding, feeding, rocking and playing with my babies and I'll forever be grateful for that time. I didn't sleep much, received tons of help from family and friends, went on many afternoon walks, cried a lot and took lots of weekend trips to my parents. I will miss their sweet faces, naps on my chest, newborn smell, smiles and giggles.

I'm a tad anxious about heading back to work, not so much about leaving the kiddos, but being able to perform and be on the ball. Lack of sleep is very real, so I don't want it to affect my work or business decisions (Walt still wakes up every 3-4 hours). I also know that I will have to take more time off due to sick babies (it's inevitable), Walt's laser treatments for his hemangioma, and monthly check-ups. Not to mention I will likely be getting sick more often (I was sick a ton the first year I put Turner in daycare). I think every working mom worries about the push and pull of motherhood and work and keeping a good balance.


When my maternity leave ended with Turner I was devastated about leaving him, but I'm much more ready to get back to work this time around. I'm looking forward to having a hands-free lunch everyday, socializing with other adults, and putting my marketing skills back in to action. I'll also be able to work out during my lunch break, and I'm so ready to get back in to shape. As a second time mom, I know my babies will be fine at daycare. They will be loved, and at the end of the day won't hate me for leaving them. Now, don't get me wrong I would love to spend some days of the week with my babies, but financially that is not an option for my family. I wrote about my decision to go back to work on Austin Moms Blog months ago, and it was the most controversial article I've ever written. The comments from stay at home moms were nasty, and made me realize how real and RIDICULOUS "mommy wars" are. To each their own is what I believe. We all parent different and that's OK! The post barely scratched the surface of why I was going back to work, but if I had known what a reaction it was going to cause I might have done a bit more explanation...but then again, I don't owe those judgmental women anything.


I think the hardest part in the beginning will be getting everyone ready and out the door in the mornings. Wish me luck with this new transition. I know it will feel a bit rocky at first!

I've recently started contributing to LiveMom, a local blog for Mom's in the Austin area. Check out my recent post about how I find balance as a Mom, working professional, and blogger! In what ways do you try to find balance? Note the word "try", because I don't think life is every perfectly balanced.

Photo: Lindsey V Rivera Photography

Photo by Lindsey Rivera Photography

Sources
(left to right: clockwise)

1. Globe: Target, Gold Frame: Target
2. Magnets: Target, Photo Frames: very old, can't recall where I bought them
3. Be Kind & Work Hard Print: Elm & Gray FREE here, Lamp: Target
4. Gold Tray: Target, Clear Organizer: Target, Black & White Frame: Homegoods

P.S. They just opened a Homegoods 2 minutes from my office. I'm in trouble.