My Dream Job

I always wondered what I was going to be when I grew up. It was constantly changing... I wanted to be a singer, teacher, flight attendant, speech pathologist, public relations director, attorney, non-profit director etc... And the truth is, I never really knew what my dream job was--until I got it.

Being a Communications Director for a Congressman on Capitol Hill was the perfect fit for me. I got to build relationships and network, write, design, be involved in the political process, meet famous people, manage multiple projects at once, etc. I loved it. I was passionate about it. I thought about my job when I didn't have to think about it.

Then I became a mom. And my passions slowly started to change.

Not too long ago I was with my boss for an interview with one of the major news networks. I was sitting there watching him do the interview, and I could see the Capital out the window. It was one of those moments where I just stepped back and thought, "wow, this is seriously so amazing. I love my job"

But later on I was feeding Eva late at night when she fell asleep on my shoulder. Hearing her breathe deeply and feeling her cuddle up against me as she slept was the sweetest feeling in the world. There were no lights or cameras or monuments in the background. It was just my baby and me. And I stepped back and thought, "This is so much more amazing. I love being a mom."

Things were different when I went back to work after having Eva. I didn't think I would change like I did. My passions changed. While I enjoyed the nice break that work gave me, and remembering what I used to be like, it was different. I was different. Instead of thinking about work I would think about my baby when things were slow.

Just like before, I never knew what my dream job was until I got it.

Being a mom became my dream job.

Bragging About My Wife

I just wanted to share this article about my wife from The Hill Newspaper. She is awesome.

Inside the Office of Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah): Alisia Essig By Debbie Siegelbaum - 10/19/11 06:47 PM ET Title: Communications director Age: 27 Hometown: Centerville, Utah Education: B.S. in communications and political science from the University of Utah, master’s degree in public administration from The George Washington University Last job: Financial counselor at a nonprofit organization in Utah Most memorable communications disaster: I was in New York with my boss. He was getting ready to go on Neil Cavuto, and we were in the Fox News waiting room. The booker emailed me and asked for my boss to meet him in the green room. Since I wasn’t sure where that was, I went over to the kitchen and tapped someone on the shoulder who was getting coffee. I immediately asked where the green room was before the person had a chance to turn around. As soon as he did, my face turned bright red. It was Neil Cavuto himself! I quickly introduced myself and told him I was with Rep. Chaffetz. He was incredibly kind and even showed me where the room was and added, “Looking forward to having Rep. Chaffetz on the show today!” Passion outside of work: I have an adorable baby girl who is 4 months old. My husband and I can’t get enough of her. Alisia Essig didn’t just follow her love of politics to Washington, D.C., in 2008, she followed her heart, too. Her then-fiance was already in the area attending law school. “I was definitely scared, but I knew it was right,” she said of the decision to leave Utah. “I’ve always been a political junkie — loved watching the news.” Essig has no plans to leave her new home anytime soon. She and her patent-attorney husband just put an offer on a house in Virginia. “We are putting roots down,” she joked. One thing Essig takes very seriously is her love of Pilates. She is so devoted to the stretching and strength-training exercise that she teaches it three days a week and has even convinced her co-workers to attend her 6 a.m. classes. “Pilates is the best thing for post-partum,” she said, crediting the core-centric workouts with getting her back in shape after the recent birth of her daughter. “It’s kind of symbolic for life,” Essig said. “If your core is strong, if your values are strong, then everything else kind of falls into place.” http://thehill.com/capital-living-archive/188675-inside-the-office-of-rep-jason-chaffetz-r-utah-alisia-essig

Baby Hungry Anyone?

Iceland

Lincoln had to go to Iceland for a meeting with a client. Since work was paying for his flight and hotel, we decided that Eva and I should tag along. I had no idea what to expect in Iceland, but I fell in love with the country while we were there. It was so beautiful. It was like a European Yellowstone. (The water even smelled like Sulfer... just like in Yellowstone)

I loved Reykjavik. Such a cute and hip little town.

The first night, we went to the Blue Lagoon. It was way better than Idaho's Lava Hot Springs...

Eva was such a great sport.

The next day we toured the Golden Circle.

We started with Kerið -- a volcanic crater lake.

Then we saw the world-famous Geysir geothermal area, a geothermal field where hot springs are in abundance, geysers explode and pools of mud bubble.

The magnificent Gullfoss waterfall

They don't call it Iceland for nothing...

Þinghvellir national park, the original site of the oldest existing parliament in the world.

And when Lincoln was working, I toured Reykjavik and really enjoyed myself with baby Eva and another attoney's wife.

Eva was a gem the entire trip and during all the flights. She is such a great baby, and at the perfect age to travel.

We loved Iceland, and highly recommend it for a little getaway!

Firm Retreat

I look forward to Lincoln's annual firm retreat every year. It is seriously amazing. They treat us like rock stars. Is it always at a resort, and the food and entertainment is always incredible.

Although, this year it was not as relaxing with a baby around. The poor girl got her first cold, so to be honest we were up all night for the couple of nights we were there. BUT we still had a great time.

Highlights of the trip include the "treat room." It was a room filled with every kind of treat you could imagine. From chips to candy bars and everything in between. Then they had bags for you to take whatever you wanted---and believe you me, we did take whatever we wanted.... We were like kids in a candy store--a free candy store that is.

The resort was beautiful.

They also took us to Sea World! It was fantastic. We had our own behind the scenes tour.

We got to see the seals and even pet the sharks

(PS has anyone read the book Unbroken? I was reading it on the trip and visiting and petting the sharks just made that book way too realistic.)

We saw Beluga Whales

And of course, Shamu.

Eva loved it.

And we got to feed the penguins.

Not pictured were Laura and Logan and company, who we also made sure to visit while we were in town.

We love our annual trip to California.