Halloween was a blast. I can’t find Funk’s pumpkin pic, but this is a really cute one from about a month ago– when it was 95 degrees in early October…

So, my big news is that I have resigned my position at Washburn University, and I begin a new position at KU on November 13th. For those of you who know me well, you know this something I struggled with quite a bit before I made my final decision. If you know me, you know that pretty much since I became a mom, my career goals and my mothering goals were in direct opposition with one another. I want to be there with my kids, maybe not on a full time basis, but definitely more than a few evenings a week and in between weekend work commitments. This fall, I worked nearly every weekend for three months in a row. I have spent a lot of time in the past two years making peace with the idea that I would not be a stay at home mom. If you had asked me for many years, being the Director of Student Activities was something I really, really wanted in my career. However, in the end, I had to consider what I would regret most. Will I regret walking away from this position and the money more? Or will I regret more the fact that I wasn’t there for so many of my kids’ special moments? I think probably the latter. So, I decided to rearrange my whole life. I have never had a “normal” 8-5 type job. This new position is as an academic advisor, and it is largely a 8-5 gig. The staff seems great, very family friendly, and supportive. This is the third time I have started new in Student Affairs—first in res life, then in activities, and now in academic advising. But the final thought that sealed the deal was one I think Covey said—what good is climbing the ladder if it’s up against the wrong wall?!? My ladder was misplaced. So, before I sweat climbing any higher, I am going to move it to a different wall. It only took me 2 years to figure out…

As I prepare to depart, there is much political shifting and maneuvering, people forming opinions they didn’t bother to have for the two years I was here, and, frankly, some snottiness. It’s not personal, people. It’s more like that line from “When Harry Met Sally,” “when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” I want to spend the rest of my life living more in line with my personal priorities and convictions. And, for now, that means purposefully tanking my career a little. I am totally cool with that.