Happy Birthday to me!

Who knew turning 30 would be so fun?

I am so thankful for my loving family!

Yesterday was my actual birthday. It started off with a delicious breakfast with my husband and father-in-law. I don't think I have ever seen so much gravy! Then, I checked in at work for a little before closing up shop for the year. We had a lite lunch thanks to Customer Appreciation $2 subs at subway. Opened gifts with Trophyhus and his dad - can't wait to wear my new "Virginia is for Runners" shirt! Then, I sat and watched junk tv while they installed programmable thermostats for the new house. Josh made reservations at a very nice restaurant where I had the best lava cake ever! Funny that it was a steakhouse and the steaks were extremely good but I can't stop thinking about that lava cake with ice cream.

I saw most of my family yesterday but didn't really have time to hang out due to various reasons. Below are pics of the party I missed at my sister's house:

So today, I got a pedicure with Carrie. Actually, she was "babysitting" me while the rest of the family was secretly at my house decorating and cooking. We pulled up to my house just in time. There was caution tape warning that a 30th birthday party was occurring at the curb, pink flamingos (affectionately known as Boris and Doris) in the yard, a palm tree cooler in the dinning room with pink flamingo drink holders, everyone was wearing leis, and I wore a grass skirt. So thankful they didn't have a coconut bra! That might have been overkill ... it looked like Hawaii collided with Virginia. I loved every bit of it! Apparently, my sweet Trophyhus has been planning and working with my family to get this together for a while. I was very excited and blessed for all their hard work. Mom made so much food and Amber even made me purple cupcakes! I am so thankful for my family. They made me feel so special and loved.

Cupcakes Amber made just for my party - PURPLE :)

The last 30 years have been great! I cannot wait to see what the future holds! It just keeps getting better and better! Thank You Lord! Funny that I used to cry on my birthdays because I didn't want to grow up. I even delayed getting my license till I was 16 and 1/2. All this changed when I found Jesus! Now, I keep getting better and better - ok, so it isn't me. It's Him in me. I'll gladly take it! I want more of Him and less of me.

I am currently running for meatballs, cocktail weenies, cheese ball, chicken salad, pizza, cupcakes, spinach dip, and the rest of the food Mom made for my party. Good thing tomorrow is New Year's Eve - Mom made enough food for at least 2 parties!

Who rides a Party Bus to work??? I do!

At work we have this really cool perk - since our campus is overcrowded, they offer "cafe cash" if you ride the shuttle in from one of the really far back parking lots instead of parking in front of your building. I am all for this as I love lunch and what's better than a free or partially free lunch? They give me $4 in cafe cash Monday through Thursday just for parking far away! I can eat a good lunch for like $.50-$1.50 - um, sweet!

Usually, the bus is your normal mini coach bus. Nothing fancy. Tuesday was just an ordinary day. Kind of rainy so no one was enthused, until ... here comes the Party Bus! Carrie and I caught the last two seats on the bus. The driver warned us that this wasn't an ordinary bus and she was right! We sat down on the comfy leather couch-type seating and couldn't help but snicker. Everyone else on the bus was pretty serious so we kept it to ourselves until after the first stop in front of building 2 where 75-90% of the passengers got off. We only had a few minutes before our stop so we took the opportunity to take some pictures ...

Did you notice the zebra print pillow? The running lights? Did I mention the music playing? It was something Zumba-like ...

Ok, so it's a horrible picture of me but a very funny story that started our day off with a laugh :) As one guy stepped off the bus he commented - "It's all downhill from here today." It was a sweet ride, even if it only lasted for 5 minutes :)

I am currently running to work off the delicious cookies from the Ladies' Cookie Swap I just left ... dozens and dozens of delicious cookies ...

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 :)

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!).