And just like that….my "reign" at Medical is over.

My days as a manager: over 

My days as an emerging leader: over.

I had a good last day, especially considering I was there for 12 hours. I was taken to lunch by my store manager, given a ridiculous (but hilarious) cake from Yvonne, got just about everything done I needed to do, and didn't get yelled at by anyone.   

All day long I was more excited that sad. Excited to feel the full release of responsibility. Excited to not have to fight morning traffic anymore. Excited to not have the phones ringing off the hook during my entire shift. 

It wasn't until the end when my beloved staff started telling me that I how I was the best Pharmacy Manager they've had did I start to get sad and think maybe I shouldn't leave.

I thought for a second, "I am a good Pharmacy Manager…should I keep on doing it since I'm good at it?"

But then as I held my Pharmacy license in one hand and the pharmacy door in the other, Catherine looked up from her long line of customers and said, "Enjoy your family."

Exactly what I'm going to do. That simple. I will enjoy being with my family. Every night for dinner. Every night at bedtime. Every moment I'm not at work…..

I will enjoy my family.

As for the Medical Walgreens, I will miss it.  The staff that is. James (whom I consider one of my best friends), Will (my weekend-turned-weekday lover),  Molly (even though you used to call me Cancun Barbie behind my back), Alejandra (whose broken English made me laugh everyday), Ey (who kindly changed her name from Kelley to -Ey to avoid confusion), Marlena (for indulging me as I read Twilight-talking about it non-stop with me everyday), and Yvonne (the former Manager and Emerging Leader turned overnight pharmacist who gave me the inspiration to do this).

I will not be missing: the daily "stack"

The overflowing "river"

The phones ringing constantly, the drug seekers, the Parata breaking, the schedule making, and the customers complaining.

Nope. I won't miss those things. But mainly because I will most likely encounter them at my new store as well.

Tonight to celebrate I went to Coco's and had a glass of wine and dessert with Julie (my boss). I feel so blessed by her support and understanding of my big move. 

It was a great day.

They may be 2 of the longest days of my life.

You wouldn't think that leaving Medical and management would be so complicated.

Well, that's what I do best. Make things more difficult than they are.

It doesn't help that flu-season is in full force and Monday we filled a record number of prescriptions: 847. Not to mention the crazy weekend I had filling over 500 Rx each day, a major drug being on back-order and having to call on each and every Rx to get the drug changed to something else, an insurance audit, and technicians calling in sick. 

Regardless of all that, I've given myself a "before I leave" to-do list. Lots to do in order to feel good about leaving. Lots of loose ends to tie up so I don't leave anyone hanging or with a problem I should have taken care of. I feel I've put my heart and soul into this store for 2.5 years…I don't want it to turn to crap when I leave. 

I'm still feeling awesome about the decision though. I am immensely excited to start a new chapter of my life.

The chapter that includes 7 days with no work.

I'm also trying to plan for my 7 day stretch of working nights that begins on Friday. I'm hoping to prepare some meals ahead of time that can be frozen to make life easier. Cooking gluten/soy-free poses challenges when it comes to fast and easy meals. I need to be prepared.

I need a visit from one of the Moms.

And, most likely, I will have to find a way to deal the amount of light that pours into my bedroom during the day.

No. I don't make my bed.

Tonight after dinner we decorated Valentine's Day cookies.

I couldn't find a heart shaped cutter so we settled for Texas, airplane, and flower shaped cookies.

E got a little crazy with the sweetness. 

He couldn't shove the cookies and sprinkles into his mouth fast enough.

Luckily, he only napped an hour today at school so he was still relatively tired come bedtime!

E praying before eating his M&Ms.

Very uneventful weekend as I had to work. Should be a hectic but exciting week as I finish off my job at Medical.

If there was an award for "Best dressed member of the Newcom family"

it would go to X.

When I saw what she was wearing I totally put pig-tails in her hair to finish off the school-girl look.

Stinkin' cute.

Currently on my table by our bedroom recliners:

Bottom: Jesus 90 days with the One and Only by Beth Moore (I've been doing this bible study for more than 90 days, however)

Next: My Bible

Next: The 5 Love Languages of Children (our current small group study)

Top: Harry Potter, book 1 (I started it and like it so far but not captivating enough to keep me up till 3am)

Let's say that, hypothetically, I had a brother/sister (in-law) that were expecting their second child.

And that it was born today.

Hypothetically.

A healthy little girl.

That would be pretty cool, huh?

It is official.

Thursday January 29 will be my last day at the Medical Walgreens.

It will also be my last day as a Pharmacy Manager.

Friday January 30 I will begin working 7 days on/7 days off  as an overnight Pharmacist in Boerne.

Huge change.

I started management in August 2003 and while I truly enjoy being a manager I feel I need a break. As many know, for the past 3 years an Emerging Leader for Walgreens (basically meaning that I was offered interviews for Pharmacy Supervisor posistions across the country….all of which I turned down knowing I would never leave San Antonio) so with this decision I'm letting all of that go.

I'm interested to see how I will handle being a Staff Pharmacist instead of the one "in charge". I feel confident that it will be a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Luckily, I am going be working under a Pharmacy Manager whom I consider a friend. I'd like to think it will be mutually beneficial.

The reason?

I am desperate to see my family more. End of story.

This will allow me to work while they sleep (the hours are 10pm-8am), sleep while they are in school, and be home every single day for homework, dinner, and bedtime.

When Ryan and I began thinking and praying about this the only negative aspect we found was that he would be getting 3 kids ready for school by himself every other week…..not to mention having to fix X's hair in the mornings. In the end, this was a small price compared to the huge benefit of having every other week completely off work. 

There is also the issue of the pay-cut. But now that I have every other week off this:

1. Allows Ryan to work more (=earn more money) while I run the errands and play taxi driver for all the kids appt's 

2. I can pick up overtime at other stores on my week off

And really…I never want to look back on life and see that I chose money instead of time with my children.

Oh and did I mention how God beautifully orchestrated this all? Boerne was my #1 choice for stores from the first moment I thought about going overnights. There was no open position there, however. I was willing to drive to Kerrville (45-60min away) and even toyed with the idea of staying at Medical on overnights. In the beginning of January, howver, one of the overnight pharmacists in Boerne turned in their 2 week notice. Sweet. Thank you, Jesus!

The drive is only about 15 minutes. It's a compounding pharmacy. And it's in a very nice neighborhood.

I dearly love my staff and friends at Medical. You have been a blessing to me….keeping me sane through all the chaos. I will miss you.