Thursday, April 15, 2010

Runnin From The Law!!!


OK, bear with me, this is going to be a long one!  (and the pictures will be random :)
(just another day in the life for geeps and her creative wardrobe)
The past five years have been full of big changes and big decisions--marriage, moves, grad school, babies, more moves...but today we're announcing one of the biggest ones yet: we're leaving the law! Rich has decided to call it quits as an attorney and pursue a career in education. 
 Practically ever since graduating from high school he has thought about going back to it. He loved the men who taught him and the spirit of the school. Shortly after he graduated from college and we got married he very nearly decided to go teach at his old high school, but felt that it wasn't the right time. We had just found out that we were expecting our first baby, and he had just been accepted to law school, so we put that plan on hold and off we went to Notre Dame for law school. Those years were some of the best and the worst. We met some of the best friends in the world (we MISS them!!!), had two babies within 17 months...with super tough pregnancies, and grew really close as a family. Rich worked like a dog the entire time, and ended up rocking out and landing a wonderful job at a huge firm with its main office in DC (where we wanted to end up).
 Despite all the nightmares we heard about being a new attorney at a big firm, Rich found a great practice group and worked on some awesome cases right off the bat. He's had great mentors, and a lot of encouragement. Some of the people we admire most in this city are ones we've met through his firm. Externally everything has worked out for us. God has been good, and we've felt taken care of and secure.
 But cliche as it is, something was missing. Something huge: time with each other and the sense that we were doing what we we supposed to with our youthfulness and our lives. Big firm hours, not surprisingly, are really tough. There were weeks where we would barely see each other at all, and most weeks where we would only see each other only at our worst, most exhausted times. It was tough and confusing b/c in some ways we felt really successful, and in others we felt like total failures.

I decided to leave my job and decline a very nice new one in order to pursue my own design and writing projects that would allow me spend the most time with my girls, and Rich decided to reevaluate his career path. We both felt called to live more simply. Ultimately we knew that life was short and we needed to spend more of it together. And just about that same time, his old head master (who is a really good friend and a living saint :) called and offered him his dream job at his old high school. We gave it some serious thought and lots of prayer, and we decided to go for it!
(this is us freshman year of college...told you the pictures would be random!)
I'm sure a lot of people think we're nuts. At first I wondered if it was too crazy--leaving a promising career with great financial benefits for education, which isn't known for getting you rich. But these past few years have taught me that money really isn't that thrilling if you don't have the time to get to spend it with the people who are most important. A few months ago we actually found ourselves talking about the things we were going to get to do when we retire--we're still in our 20s!!! It was depressing.

But as soon as we made the decision to take the new job (which he'll begin early this summer) we felt like a cloud lifted. I know that there will be a lot of new challenges, but right now I'm enjoying the feeling of relief and freedom, and reveling in daydreams about all the time we'll finally be able to spend all together.
So wish us luck as we embrace this new path!

19 comments:

  1. Leah, this is really exciting! Congrats on making such a big decision. it take courage to take risks, but doing so brings rewards and new opportunities and blessings. Hope the transition is smooth and peaceful!

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  2. Joan Claire GilbertThursday, April 15, 2010

    Go Mosses!!! Leah, what an inspiring story -- courageous and exciting! I'm so happy for you guys and you will be in our prayers as you embark on this new path. I can see you all smiling from 3K miles away . . . Love from the Gilberts

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  3. Inspiring! Only many many blessings can come on the path ahead...one chosen with only the best of wishes! Congratulations!

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  4. What an amazing story and I'm so happy for you both! Where is this taking you -is it in the DC area? Are you picking up and leaving us all?!

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  5. Yay!! Congratulations to all of you - God is good. Best of luck as you jump into this next adventure!

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  6. THAT IS AWESOME! PROUD OF YOU KIDS! Hopefully see you in June!

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  7. YEAH! This is the best decision you two could have made-not withstanding the difficulties along the way-they are there on any path- this path will bring you the time to enjoy your kids and each other- simple is good!

    glc

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  8. oh leah- i'm so happy for you guys!!! time is so precious and you will never regret this decision.

    i really couldn't be happier for you.
    xoxo,
    lauren

    ps- dave's a teacher too and we just love it!!

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  9. Oh, Leah!!! How exciting!! I can hear the joy in your voice and it makes me so happy for you guys..! We've been doing a lot of re-evaluating and re-prioritizing as well, and simpler does make more sense. And time together - it's simply priceless.

    We left DC for many of the same reasons, and even though life has taken a few unexpected turns, we don't ever regret it - it was the right decision for us. It feels to me like this is the right decision for you guys.

    Congratulations on following your heart, dearest. I can't wait to hear about your new life, running from the law! ;)

    much love,
    -maria

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  10. Leah,
    I'm thrilled for you ALL. I only wish you the best and I'm sure you're tough decision will be so worth it!!! But, please tell me that you're not moving?

    Kim Moss

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  11. YEEEEAAAAAHHHH!!! What a blessing and a gift!!! I am so glad that God has given you peace and relief!!!! We look forward to spending more time with ALL the Moss clan!!! So happy for you guys!

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  12. Oh, Mosses, this is just awesome. You all are a beacon to the world, valuing the things that truly matter--God and family! Rich is going to be such an amazing leader at the school. I can just see you all flourishing in this decision. Who knows? Maybe the Gasperinis will have to follow suit in a few years. Geoff would be on cloud nine. Tell Rich to put in a good word. ND Law reunion in education? How cool would that be?! :) Many, many blessings as you pave this new path. You know you always have our support.

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  13. Rich and Leah, that is really just awesome! Congrats on finding your true path. You all are always such an inspiration.

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  14. What a beautiful opportunity! Big changes are always complimented with great growth. This new plan will help you navigate this crazy terrain of life even more happily!

    “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” - Paulo Coelho

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  15. I'm so happy for you and your amazing family. You and Rich have always and will always be such amazing witnesses for me! I will pray for your continued peace of mind! LOVE YOU GUYS!

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  16. Wonderful news! This will be much better for family life than a big firm (and, in my opinion, a much more enjoyable job!). Good luck to you all!

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  17. Wow what a great decision. And look how the universe provided straight away!
    I am so happy for you.
    It must have been extremely tough for you to go through those two pregnancies so close to each other, let alone be a mother to two little ones so close when Rich was working so much.

    It has clearly paid off and your family looks adorable. Well done and hope you all have a wonderful journey on your new path.

    x Charlotta

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  18. Leah,

    That's wonderful. I'm sure this must be a bit of scary. But you know what they say when one door closes...

    BTW. I love the pictures of your girls. Such cuties.

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  19. Leah, I think this is really cool and brave of you guys. Family time is so important. Zach is actually going to be teaching next year too and we are really excited about it. I can't wait for him to have a normal schedule and summers off!!

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