And just like that, our baby is one…
It has been a beautiful, emotional week (at least for mama) celebrating our sweet girl. I don’t know how my heart could be any fuller, and yet each day I love her even more. Does it ever slow down, or will this overwhelming love continue to grow?
She’ll never fully understand this unbreakable bond (except maybe once she has her own children), but her dada and I wrote her a letter so she’ll always know what she means to us. Cue the sappy video…
As this milestone birthday passes and summer draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect back on this past year and where we are now. 2020 has been a strange, challenging and uncertain time. It has given us pause to re-evaluate both our daily lives and the bigger picture, focusing on our goals and what is most important.
Since settling down in Florida 2.5 years ago, life has thrown us a few curveballs and didn’t exactly unfold in the way we had planned. Our real estate goals have shifted, timelines adjusted and our focus has become clearer. We never imagined we’d be living in a home we dreamed up and built from scratch. We also didn’t think it would take us two years to finish our first investment, and that Covid would shut down the travel industry just as we were launching two AirBnbs.
Through it all, Lucas has also held down a full-time sales job. Our real estate and renovation hours are largely nights and weekends, and we don’t have a team of contractors to rely on. We were prepared to dedicate our lives to this from Day 1, and that’s what we’ve done. Apart from taking a week off for our wedding and babymoon we’ve been here working non-stop. Two trips in 2.5 years compared to a different city every two nights for the better part of a year… that’s quite the adjustment!
But there’s one thing I know for sure—change is good. Change is necessary to live a full and rich life, and challenges are catalysts for growth. This year has brought challenges for many of us, but with that comes an important reassessment and shuffling of priorities. For us, that meant prioritizing what was best for our family, and what truly made us happy.
We realized it was more family bike rides, more beach outings, more morning snuggles, more time to DIY and finish projects around the house, less stress over work deadlines…
And so we’ve made the decision for Lucas to leave the corporate world (hopefully for good this time) to focus on our real estate goals and family life. To be completely honest, this was not something we thought would be possible at the beginning of this year, especially after Covid hit. There’s still a lot of uncertainty, and no one knows how the markets will be impacted in the near future. It’s risky to walk away from a full-time career right now, but we’d rather live a full life instead of predictable one.
After ten years of blogging I feel like I’m finally at a good place in my career, and I’m really finding my niche. I stay up at night dreaming about new projects, wake up excited to work on and share them with you. Lucas has also found a passion in DIY and would love to spend his days in the garage building, and spend more time with his daughter. Success is measured by happiness, not money. While it may not be the “safe” choice, we know it’s the right one for us.
Have the events of this year brought any big changes to your life? Have your priorities shifted? As difficult as may be to see through the fog right now, this year will become a blessing for many of us once the dust settles. All challenges are opportunities if you allow them to be. I hope you seize the ones that come your way this year ❤️
Kathryn says
In this time of world turmoil, chaos, negativity, uncertainty, and deception the most important thing we can do is to fortify our family relationships. We hold our loved ones and our values sacredly close. I’m glad that Lucas knew the value of you being home with Esme as a full time momma instead of working outside the home. He is stellar. So now it’s awesome that you put your trust and faith in your togetherness to bring him home too to move in this direction. It will all work out. Even better than you now know.
Blair says
I worked with Lucas at FC. I’m sorry to see him go but what the two of you have created is something really beautiful. I wish you three the best of luck. I know you’ll only continue to grow and be successful.
Tiffany says
Happy Birthday and congratulations! At 54, I wish I’d had that wisdom about living life in the present rather than “after” some predetermined milestone. You enjoy what you do and you enjoy one another and most importantly you express gratitude for the opportunity to do both. That is amazing!
I look forward to watching your journey unfold as I start my own. (It’s never too late!)
Missy says
So happy for you!!!
Clutching_Pearls says
What wonderful news! I’m so looking forward to all the creative and inspiring projects you’ll be sharing.
Happy Birthday, Esmé, you were born to wear a tiara!
Becky Jackson says
So so happy for you and your family! You are such a bright light ❤️.
sarabeth says
What a sweet way to remember your daughters first year of life and a gift for her to have, especially when she is older. Excited for you all on this new adventure. COVID has definitely been life changing. Some good changes have occurred because of it, like families being able to spend more time together. Many blessings on this new season of life.
Raesha says
I’ve been following your journey for many years and seeing your happiness and joy brings me such happiness and joy! I’m so excited for Lucas to be home full time and for Esme’s 1st birthday!!!! Sending lots of love and good wishes from New Mexico!!!
Lisa says
Incredibly inspiring and heartfelt- thank you for sharing. You both are talented beyond measure! So happy for your family- what an adventure! ????
Jenna Sue says
That is so kind of you to say Lisa! Thank you for making my day ❤️
Hallie says
Exciting!!!!!
Jenna Sue says
? ?
Crystal says
If it doesn’t work out, jobs will always be available. Follow your dreams!! I love that you are telling your daughter you don’t need to follow the path well taken, make your own.
Lara J Dicus says
Congratulations to all of you and Happy birthday to Esme!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you so much Laura, we truly appreciate the love ❤️
Lilly says
The video is a treasure she will love from years to come…..I am in tears of joy for your family! I am happy you chose you, family time and following your dreams…. that is the right decision for your family in this stage of life. I look forward to the many more projects you will share with your audience. Happy birthday little Esmé ??
Jenna Sue says
Thank you so much Lilly! Life is too short to be unfulfilling. Having a baby really puts time into perspective, doesn’t it?
Amélie says
Oh how this makes my heart swell!!!! I have always stayed home full-time with the kids and we even homeschooled for a few years. My hubby was always working and had a busy travelling schedule for work, although he was fully dedicated when home. This pandemic has meant he’s worked from home and hasn’t travelled and he’s still planning on doing so for the foreseeable future. Life has been so much more relaxed and we have loved the quality family time it’s given us. No more wasted time commuting to and from work or weeks spent away from us. I am so happy for you guys…you won’t regret this!!!!
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Amélie (love your name, by the way, it was on our girls name list!) This pandemic has given many the gift of time, and it’s something we will be eternally grateful for one day. I’m so glad it has had a positive impact on your family <3
Danielle says
I love this decision you guys made! You won’t regret it.
My daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder at 6 days old and while she will be fine, germs are her enemy so we decided I would quit my full-time job to stay home with her. It is what I wanted to do all along but didn’t think we could afford to do that. My husband works from home so we get to spend so much more time together and we love it! It is amazing how much happier life can be when you are focused more on family and less on acquisitions. I wouldn’t change any part of my life now for the world.
I hope you guys love it as much as we have!
Jenna Sue says
I’m so sorry to hear that Danielle, but what a blessing to have that time with her! It just goes to show that when you want something badly enough in life, you can find a way to make it happen. Family and relationships are all that matters in the end! So happy it all worked out for you <3