Game Weekend

This was a pretty good weekend! My father-in-law came to visit and we played a lot of games and ate some good food. Here are a few pictures of the events:

Keith and Josh playing ping pong. Glad to see the dining room table get used for something!

My first game of Small World. Getting my geek-on.

My game choice: Life.

Amber and Tyler came to play on Sunday.

Me and Josh

Bojangles is making heart shaped biscuits :)

My father-in-law brought me the cutest little heart and star shaped cupcake maker. We did make some today, but we ate them too quickly to get a picture of them. I'll try to take some pics next time. As for running, that didn't happen this weekend!

It's been a year already?

I have celebrated my one year anniversary at my new job in a new state ... whew! A year already? Time is absolutely flying by! It feels like just yesterday I was sitting in NC working at RMIC ... and then bam I was transported to VA! I cannot believe it.

I am still really liking my new job. It is such a different atmosphere. I think I can totally make it challenging and rewarding for years to come. I know so much more today than I did a year ago and that's just the tip of the iceberg. That's a bit exciting and intimidating at the same time.

We are starting to get settled into the house now. Josh's family has even come in for a visit. It was so much fun having people in the house! Having a one year old crawling and walking around is challenging, but boy was he fun! It was very sad and quiet when they left last Sunday. I enjoy the quiet but it's nice to have commotion every now an then!

Otherwise, things are the same for us. Work, home, sleep, repeat. I find comfort in the routine. It is very interesting as I keep seeing NC post where kids have started back to school and I can tell that my mind and body are longing for fall. Here in VA, most schools don't start until closer, if not after, Labor Day. I don't want to wish my life away, but I am looking forward to fall. I can tell the days are getting shorter as it is getting dark by 8pm and not the 9pm I was enjoying a month ago.

Running??? Oh, how I have fallen off that path! This past year has not been an exercise year for me. I'm hoping to get the motivation to change that, though it's not looking too good as I dream of pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, and Thanksgiving dinner :) But being as we still have some summer left, I think I'll go enjoy another delicious Chocolate Eclair ...

SOLD!

We sold our NC house today! I thought this day would never come! Papers are signed and the house is no longer ours! We are so thankful and so thrilled to no longer have that debt hoovering over our head! It's sad to let go of your first home, but in this case, we couldn't be happier! We put the house on the market the end of July 2011 when we knew that we were moving to Mechanicsville, VA. Josh didn't move up here and join me until February so the house was only "empty" for about 3 months. You can read a little about all that in some of my previous blogs including this one. We got a real offer on the house (April) and closing was set for today May 31.

Here's a look at our first house:

Front View of House



Back View of House

First Floor:


Tiny Kitchen :)



Yep, it was small!

Living Room

Additional view of Living Room

 

Formal Living Room



Formal Dining Room

Second Floor:

Game/Exercise Room

Master Bedroom

Guest Room

Office

I'm only missing pictures of the three bathrooms (well, 2 full, 1 1/2 bath) but who really wants pictures of that anyway?



It was a great first home and I hope the new homeowners have a great time there. We had awesome neighbors beside us. We will greatly miss Constance and Jerome. We couldn't have asked for sweeter neighbors! Jerome even mowed our lawn for FREE this spring. I wish them the best!

Our Realtor was awesome too. Cathy answered so many of our questions and never got impatient or fed up with us, even when we asked the same question over and over and over again!

Thank You Lord for putting this great home and these great people in our lives. Thank You for helping us turn this page of our lives together! What an awesome God we serve!

What have I been running for these days? I am loving some Nutty Buddys! Maybe it's summer time calling my name? I don't know and frankly, I don't care. They are so good! Especially those that have the chocolate in the bottom tip :)

Reunited and it feels so good!

Trophyhus is back! Today was his last day in NC! He is officially home now! We have been apart (except weekends) since August 1st ... just over 7 months. God is so good! I cannot wait to see how this new chapter of our lives will play out! After all, Virginia is for Lovers ... and my lover is home!

I am currently running for butterfingers. Crazy! I know! I never really cared for them before because there wasn't enough chocolate/peanut butter combo. Someone brought the bite size to work and I can't get enough! I've got to stop this though if I am going to keep up with my Trophyhus!

VA to NC Trail

During this transition time, Josh and I are burning up the roads between VA and NC. I remember the 4+ hour trip to Richmond and how much I hated it years ago. Now, I've kind of come to enjoy it. Could be cause I know Josh is at the end of the trip :) I thought I'd share some of what I see on my trip. I've "discovered" a new way to get to NC from work. It involves taking smaller, mostly non-interstate roads and is about the same time as taking the interstate without the hectic of traffic. Plus, if you've ever taken 85 through VA, you know how utterly boring that stretch of highway is! Don't get me wrong, the first rest stop in VA is quite a beauty ...

Work is technically in the Glen Allen area and I head through Amelia, South Boston, Danville, Greensboro, and end up in Winston-Salem. I'm not sure where most of these pics come from but I find them interesting nonetheless :)

This little pond is right after I pass Amelia. I don't know what it is, but I think this is one of the most beautiful spots I've ever seen. The broken down pier, the way the sky is reflected in the water ... I don't know. This isn't the best picture as it doesn't capture what I really see. I even pulled over to take this picture. It's definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me.

The next two pictures are of the Drive-In theater in Keysville, VA. The big white blob is the screen and the blue building is the projection house. I love the drive-in!

 Below is a fire tower between Amelia and South Boston, I think. I've never seen one of these until now. Apparently, people still use this one to make sure there are no fires in the area. I would hate to climb up those stairs to the top though!

I usually stop in South Boston as this is about an hour and a half into my trip. I like to stop at the Sheetz for gas since prices are usually better than NC. I normally stop and get dinner too and actually missed this sighting a few times. Brace yourself ... the picture below is a UFO!

Did you see it? If you look closely, there is a shiny gold UFO in someone's yard. Here's a close up:

Seriously, who puts a UFO in their yard????????????? It is very clear and very obvious in person.

Ok, back to the tour. I think we are just past South Boston but not quite to Danville yet. The house below has an orange tent in their front yard. This tent has been up since August. At first I thought, how cute! Someone's kids are enjoying the summer ...then, I'm wondering if someone's husband is in the dog house ... and has been for quite sometime.

This picture is of a house with two different tin roofs - one red and one blue. The front of the house has a red tin roof and the back part has a shiny blue tin roof. I'm not very sure why you want a roof with two different colors.

This last picture is no where near as nice as what I actually see. Depending on the time of year, this is either 5:15-5:30 or as late as 8:30 - Twilight. I believe this is heading into Danville, VA.

I'm so familiar with Greensboro that once I get through Danville I feel like I am already home so I don't take many more pictures. Plus, it's dark by then now. I'm not sure if I have the locations correctly labeled.

You can see that the photography is not award-winning - I like to think it is the device and not the photographer. I wouldn't recommend Blackberry as a professional photography device.

I don't mind the drive too much as it gives me time to see the sights and listen to music and sing till my mouth is dry or my ears hurt (whichever happens first). I just hope I don't have to do this drive too much longer or Josh either for that matter! Until then, I'll try to look at the fun side :)

What am I running (or should be running) for these days? I'd have to say my most recent obsession has been cookies - Danish Wedding cookies that Carrie makes, oreos, chocolate chip - really, any kind. I haven't met a cookie that I didn't like recently. This is turning into a bit of a problem ...

Time is flying by too quickly!

I cannot believe that November is already coming to a close! So what did I do this November?

Celebrated Mom's birthday:

Ran an 8k with Josh and Sam and got some hardware :)

Watched Katie be a ballerina:

Watched Elijah be ... Elijah :)

Packed up the house:

well, almost. Left Josh to be a squatter ...

99% of the house is empty. The main thing it contains is my heart :) Cannot wait till we get settled in our new life together.

I would have more pictures or at least different pictures but my camera has not been available due to the moving. I'm hoping to have this taken care of for December. What's a blog without pictures? Got to keep you interested some way.

I am currently running to work off the peppermint mocha Starbucks is serving up this season! Thankful for the "skinny" version! Also, thankful they have a Starbucks on site at work :)

Nothing new

Well, I had hoped that I would have an update by now but I don't. We did close on the house we were buying. We have had a few showings on the house we are selling but no offers yet. Trying to stay patient and let God move is way difficult!

What else have we done? I ran a 7 mile run with Trophyhus in September and a 5k in October. Not great times running-wise but I did get some exercise in which is good. We are running the Richmond HCA 8k in November which should be a nice run. It is the same day as the Richmond marathon that Josh did the past two years. It will be nice to do this one together. Plus, we will get a medal! Love those perks. He is going to his first NFL game in a few weeks with my brothers (included bro-in-laws, let's face it, they are here to stay:) and that is a good thing.) I went to the Cheesecake Factory with work again - just as amazing as before . . . Drooling. I went to the sweetest baby shower for a dear friend. I cannot wait to meet her baby! If she is half as sweet as my friend, I'll have a toothache at first glance. Other than that, it has just been work, play with kiddos, travel to NC, repeat.

Sorry if I bored you with this post but I was worried I wouldn't get one in for October if I didn't post something today.

I am currently running off the cheesecake I just ate! This could take a few weeks!

Here are a few picks - taken by Blackberry so I apologize for the quality or lack there of and if they are duplicates from Facebook:

It's a new season . . .and I'm NOT talking about Fall.

Currently, I am in a new season of life as God is doing some mighty things right now. He's given me a great opportunity in a new workplace and moved me a little over 200 miles away from my husband and closer to my family. I know that He has a great plan for us and that He is at work, it's just so hard for me to wait. . . wait for my Trophy Husband to find a job up here and join me, our NC house to sell, our new house to close, get a new church family, get a new routine/schedule, . . . wait on life to begin again . . .

Ok, if you know me at all, you know that I am impatient and that I can't WAIT! So, the only way that I am going to get through any of this is by His mercy and grace. I don't want my plan, I want HIS plan cause it's perfect and I am NOT. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

On my way back to work on Monday, I was listening to this song and it really spoke to me. I think it's worthy of sharing!

Freefall by Royal Tailor:

Two steps beyond the edge I can’t undo this leap of faith Takes my breath away So high above the ground You’ve got me hanging in mid air Between here and there Now all I have is You I’m not afraid I know I’m safe It’s a chance but my choice is made I’m not alone You won’t let go And I know through it all You hold me in the freefall If I just believe my eyes I’d see I should be terrified But I’m so alive I don’t know how or when But I believe that You’ll come through Lord, I’m trusting You Can’t wait to see what You will do I’m falling, I’m falling, I’m falling You got me falling from the sky with no parachute Thinking I can fly but I know it’s You Got me up here, no fear, no tears Mind’s clear ‘cause I know You’re here Can’t wait to see what You will do

I highly recommend this band. They are very rock/pop-ish but have a great beat and even better message. You can hear this song and more on their website: http://royaltailoronline.com/

I know this is a scary time but I will be safe through it all because Jesus is my Lord. He has a great plan for me and He will not let me fall. I cannot wait to see what He will do!

Hope it inspires you to take that leap of faith. You'll be amazed at what He will do when you let Him.

Oh, if you do check out the band, I'd love to know what you think of them. While Freefall is my current favorite, the song that brought me to buy their CD was Hold Me Together. It's a great song to belt out riding down the road by yourself :)

Currently, I am running for the fun-da-middles I made! They are cake mix with fudge icing in the middle . . . talk about delish! The only downside is the only make 12 per box instead of 24. You can also view that as an updside :)

I'm still alive!

Life is kinda wacky here lately so it's been difficult to blog. So much has been going on and yet, so little all at the same time (as you will see . . .).

I've successfully started my new job (8/1) and I think I am really going to like it. I am amazed by how nice and big the campus is. It feels like going to school! I'm sitting in on meetings and doing a lot of computer based training modules to learn the lingo/company. There is a lot to learn! I got my blackberry today so I've been distracted. The newness will wear off soon.

I've moved in with Carrie and the family so that is taking some adjustment time. They set me up with a nice room and big closet. I've got most of my clothes here. Probably means I should give the clothes I left at home away. I mean, if I can go for two weeks without them, I probably don't need them! Would make the final move easier too!

My first week here I had a horrible cold. My throat was really sore so I couldn't/didn't want to talk much (I know, right! Hard to believe that I didn't want to talk.) and I was tired. That must have been fun for the family and new co-workers. Sometimes I felt like a complete space cadet. Not the first impression I wanted to make, but I do feel better now. Then Mom, Daddy, and Tyler also got sick with something similar, but different. They are all feeling better now, thankfully.

I'm loving the time with the kiddos. Katie and Elijah are a ton of fun (and work). I hope to post some pics soon. That would require me to unpack/charge/carry my camera with me and I haven't been able to do that yet. They say and do some of the cutest stuff! Katie likes to call me a snickerdoodle (actually, she wants to say stinkerdoodle but mommy and daddy don't think that's nice so we changed it). Then, I found out that she likes to call Josh and everyone else that. I thought I was special! We'll work on Auntie Awesome or something of that nature. When Elijah gets scared (usually a car/plane/truck/loud noise) and no one else is around, he'll run to me and want me to pick him up. Not that I like him being scared, but I like it when he wants me to pick him up! This morning he was at the breakfast table and very sleepy. His eyes were heavy and he was staring into space. He let me pinch his cheeks and little neck and didn't even flinch. He was so sweet! I could eat him up! Then, he ran around like a wild man this afternoon. Go figure.

There is so much to do but all I can do at this point is wait. It's like I'm hurrying to wait. This time will pass so quickly but feels like it is standing still right now. 

Enough avoiding bedtime.

I am currently running for the Baby Ruth loaded ice cream Amber brought over Sunday and away from dirty diapers (I haven't done one yet and I'm hoping to avoid it as long as I can!).

Happy 1/2 Birthday to me!

So, I hinted recently that I had some big news to share but that I couldn't mention it yet. Well, here it is:

We are MOVING to Richmond, VA!

We've decided to move up there so we can be closer to my family. Carrie, Amber, and Tyler already live up there. Mom and Daddy moved up there last month and Ingrid is pretty comfortable in Maine so we were the only ones left around here. I have a job waiting on me in Richmond and we are still waiting on Josh to find a job and sell the house. . . so there is a lot left to do! I'm trying to not worry or stress cause I know that God is in control. He has been leading this whole progression and I can't wait to see what He has in store! God Rocks!

More on the move later . . .

This was my last week at RMIC. The outpouring of friendship has been so great! I've enjoyed wonderful lunches all week with very special people! Big shout out to Amber, Dale, Max, Jamie, Heidi, Crystal, Julia, Tina, John, and all of Accounting Transactions for making me feel so special and completely full! I even skipped dinner one night! I received over 40 emails in response to my "going away" email within 2 hours of sending it. You never know the impact you've had on people. I just hope each one of them knows that they have truly touched my life.

On Wednesday, instead of giving me a going away party (so sad), my wonderful co-workers decided to throw me a 1/2 birthday party instead since I'll hit the big 3-0 in December. It was a very successful surprise party! I've always wanted to celebrate my birthday when it's not related to Christmas and I've always wanted a surprise party! Below are a few pictures:

The food cube and my cube were both nicely decorated by the crew. You can't tell by the picture, but I had to "limbo" to get to my seat. Great reminder all day :) It's not in the photo, but there is a Ray Original (Happy Birthday Emily in nice lettering. He's the greatest at this - very crafty!) on the giant whiteboard too!

 They signed a Big 3-0 banner for me to use again in December. This way, they get to party with me twice!

 That's one big cupcake! Thank you Tina! Confetti was courtesy of Dale. He's really good at spreading randomness :)

 Here's me and Amber (she's the tall blonde if you are new to my post) - one of the masterminds behind it all.

 Look! Balloons! I had to go up on my tip toes to get a clear shot over the cube wall.

Inside shot of the cupcake - delish! Oh, and John made homemade, fresh salsa - to die for! Not to spicy, just right!

It took us about 3 days to eat the whole cupcake. I think I could have done it in less if it wasn't for all the other good foods around this week. I'll do better next time.

I cannot thank my co-workers FRIENDS enough! They have all been so understand through this whole thing. They did not make me feel guilty one bit! In fact, some days they were more optimistic about all of this than I was! I really don't want to leave such a good place, but I know what's in store and I can't wait. . . A sneak peak at what I'm moving for/toward:

Katie and Elijah need to have their cheeks squeezed on a regular basis by their Auntie Awesome (thanks Robin!). I think that's a good superhero name for me. It should catch on quickly.

 You can see the adoration building already . . .

I need to work off all the good food I've had this week. Not the best way to do this as I should run off what I've just eaten, not a weeks worth at one time!

So, I am currently running for Willow's chicken sandwich with avocado, Mooney's pita #10, Burke St.'s awesome garlic knots, and Xia's seasame chicken . . . and the cupcake, salsa, and baby shower food, and Kernal Kustard. . . they don't call it RMI-EAT for nothing. I've been well feed.