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 :)

Why I currently like my new job . . .

Well, I can't believe it is the middle of September. Time is flying! I'm still learning a ton at work but don't feel like I am contributing much, yet. I am sure that will change with time. I really like the group I am working with and I cannot wait until I feel like I can make a difference. Here are a few things I love about my new job that I don't want to forget once the newness wears off:

• The bathroom doors close completely - no cracks! You know how most public restrooms have those cracks between the panels? Well, ours don't! The wooden doors and walls give total privacy(remind me of dressing rooms).
• While I am on the bathroom topic, free feminine products in the bathroom. It is so nice to not have to put a tampon in my tank top anymore :) I can't believe I just shared that - but it is so awesome I don't want to forget it!
• Flexible work schedules - truly flexible. The other day I was in a meeting where my manager's manager's manager (yep) said that we are too cramped and the most logical and productive response is to work from home more. That's awesome! We have open work spaces so it's nice to be able to work from home in the quiet and get things done. Plus, there is no commute when you work from home. That can save about an hour a day and no need to brush my hair.
• Onsite cafeterias including Chick-fil-A, Dunkin Donuts, and Starbucks. 
• Riding the shuttle bus Monday - Thursday to alleviate the parking issues while collecting $4 in cafeteria money. I can eat lunch for like $1-$2 when I have one of these vouchers! The bus driver already knows us as "the sisters" since we carpool whenever we can. 
• Being known as "the sisters." I love having my sister in the same area as me. It really came in handy during the earthquake a few weeks ago. We were in no danger, but it was very comforting to know that someone who loved me was close by. The phone chain that happened shortly there after was nice too cause we could divide and conquer. Also, Mom is joining us soon! Yep, she got a job there too! She will be in a different location but will still belong to our organization! Oh yeah!
• I am beyond thankful that I have a job!

Please do not take this post as a bragging session. I just want to remember these good things so that when things get tough, I will know that there is so much to be happy about. How easily we forget how great our surroundings are when one little thing is out of whack. So, what do you enjoy about your work? Your co-workers? I'm sure if you take a good look, you'll see that there is more good than bad :)

Currently, I am not running . . . I should change this blog from Runner for Cupcakes to Eater of Cupcakes cause that's all I have been doing. I just joined a challenge at work though and I'm going to change my physical status! But, if you are looking for a food recommendation, I suggest trying Cheesecake Factory. I had a welcome lunch there a few weeks back. This deserves it's own blog! I had never been there before and I don't even care that much for cheesecake - but these people know what they are doing! I highly recommend it. The portion of chicken tenders (called chicken littles, I think) is huge and could easily be shared. I did share my cheesecake with my sister. I don't really recommend that though!Of course, if you can't find one close by, Feeney's or Sweet Frogs should suffice. Happy eating!

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!).

A Photo by Ashley

I love Groupon! I've gotten some great deals through groupon or living social over the past year. One of these deals was a photo session with a local photographer. Her studio/website is A Photo by Ashley. She did a great job. In only 30 minutes, she captured some very nice shots of Josh and me. I love how she captured us the way we are . . . you'll see :)

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.

Downhill at Dawn . . . really? Dawn? That's early!

Just thought I'd share some pics from my second 1/2 marathon (and so far favorite). The race started at dawn . . . do you realize when that is? 6am! I am not morning person so this was a huge feat in itself!

Here is a before picture. As you can see, it's DARK outside. I should be in the bed for at least another hour, maybe two!

I think I officially woke up around mile 3. Since the race was downhill, mostly, it was a really nice run. There was an uphill patch at the beginning and then again at the end. You run from Ridgecrest down to Old Fort in the mountains of North Carolina. It's a great place to get a personal record.

I think you can see from this picture that it's slightly downhill. There are tons of beautiful trees, a little stream, and the sunlight peaking out of the trees is very inspiring. The only part I would warn you about is at the bottom of this hill: there is a house as you turn off from the gravel onto the paved road. There is a DOG there and they do no have leash laws like I am used too! As I rounded the turn, I saw him. He looked like a bulldog with longer legs or something . . . I had to run past him cause I wasn't about to run back up the hill! This was around mile 8 or so! I'm all alone and this dog starts nipping at my heels . . . so I tell it to go home and it doesn't listen. Why not? I was being nice! Luckily, two girls come running behind me and they distracted him long enough for me to get away. Once I got to the other side of the house, I saw a nice "Beware of dog" sign - um, might want to get one for each side of your house people!

Kind of hard to run and take pics at the same time. Need to work on that.

I finished! They gave us a towel and a medal which is really cool. I had a few minutes to catch my breath then we were off to Josh's 12 hour race a few miles away. Quite a day!

I loved this race. My legs hurt for a few days after due to the downhill running. Highly recommend it if you want to run a half marathon (13.1 miles). It's cooler cause it's in the mountains, so keep that in mind!

I ran this race for a McDonald's Rolo McFlurry. It was really tasty. I might have to take a break from Feeney's and make this my next run!