Allow Me To Introduce....

My new blog design!!!!!


Remember when I posted about wanting new design?? That very same day I entered a giveaway for a blog makeover from Jenn at Munchkin Land Designs and WON!

I’m so thrilled with the results! As you well know, I’m not exactly a creative or tech savvy girl. So when Jenn asked me about my vision for my blog I basically said, “I love pink and I’m thinking Carrie Bradshaw.” I can’t believe that she was able to put this blog design together with so little instruction and direction. It was such a pleasure working with her and I’m just ecstatic about the new look for blog. If only I were this glamorous in real life!

My favorite part might be the header she created or the icons for Twitter/FB/Email.  Feel free to look me up!  :)

So as some of you may have noticed, I tweaked the title of my blog slightly. I started this blog almost two years ago as a way to chronicle my life with Steven and our journey as newlyweds. I never would have imagined at that time that my blog would have grown so greatly and that I would enjoy blogging as much as I do.

Steven and I are approaching our third anniversary (June!) and it’s becoming apparent in more ways than one that we aren’t exactly newlyweds anymore. Our marriage has blossomed and I feel as though we are entering a new phase in our relationship. So I want my blog to reflect this transition. Hence the cute little not so insert. We’re still as in love as ever…just not exactly as bright eyed as we were three years ago.

I hope you all are having a great week! I plan to spend some time catching up on blogs this evening before Grey’s! Can’t wait to read what everyone has been up to.

Be sure to check Jenn out if you feel the need for a little update as well.  I swear she's a blog design genius!

Miscellany Monday

{one} I spent a couple hours catching up on my favorite blogs this weekend. It felt so good to be back! I seriously hate that I have had literally zero time to read through blog over the past two weeks. Here’s hoping I can correct this soon.

{two} I’m enjoying the new job. It’s slightly overwhelming, I won’t lie. But I truly think that once I get acclimated and have a better understanding of this new position I will really enjoy this job. It could turn out to be a great move for my career – so fingers crossed!

{three} I’m addicted to Twitter. I knew it was going to happen – and it did. Seriously. Check that thing like 20 times a day. Is it sad that I’m actually getting most of my updates on current events and breaking news on Twitter? I mean – I’m purposefully following key politicians and leaders to hear what they have to say –but still, I always learn something new on there!

{four} I won a blog makeover from Jenn @ Munchkin Land Designs and I’m so excited to be working with her. Jenn has been so amazing to work with and she’s a truly talented blog designer. She is really trying to create the vision that I see for my blog and I’m loving her ideas. Can’t wait to show you guys the final product!

{five} My little brother got engaged this weekend. Wow – I feel ancient just typing those words. I was his age when Steven and I got engaged (22) – but still, a part of me will always think he’s a little boy. Can’t believe how quickly he’s growing up.

{six} I hope everyone has an amazing week! I’ll be doing my best to make my rounds and catch up on your blogs. Be patient with me – I’m still trying to adjust to this new work schedule (50+ hours a week) and finish this semester of grad school. Lord please help me survive these next two weeks!

So Much For Grey's Anatomy

As some of you (those who follow on Twitter or FB) may already know, hubby had a kidney biopsy and overnight hospital stay on Tuesday. No need to be alarmed, just running some tests to try and determine why his kidneys are currently underperforming. Doctors have told us not to be alarmed so far – and I’m trying very hard to follow that advice!

Unfortunately, with me just starting this new job I’m a little overwhelmed (noticed how I haven’t been blogging lately??) Thankfully, my wonderful MIL volunteered to take Steven to the hospital Tuesday morning and stay with him for the procedure. I went straight to the hospital after work and stayed with him for the night.

I must admit, hospitals aren’t exactly what they seem to be on Grey’s Anatomy. I was so excited as I entered the empty elevator on my way to the 6th floor. My heart skipped a beat every time the elevator cart stopped at a new floor. I was secretly hoping that Presbyterian’s own McDreamy or McSteamy would step into the elevator – sadly no such thing happened. As a matter of fact, I didn’t see a single hot doctor (male or female) the entire time we were there.

I felt a little jilted as I walked down the hallways of the hospital and didn’t see a single nurse or doctor sneaking into an on-call room for a little rendezvous.

I was also incredibly bummed when the nurses didn’t burst into song every time they came to check Steven’s vitals. (Still not so sure how I feel about the recent musical…..)

I didn’t even hear any juicy gossip as I purposefully strolled by the nurse’s station multiple times.

I figured if I was going to pay some huge hospital bill for Steven's procedure, the least the doctors and nurses could do was entertain me.  Apparently the doctors and nurses at Presbyterian Hospital actually do work. Imagine that…. 

And here I’ve been feeling like I missed my calling as a doctor….come to find out they are just as boring as accountants.

Thanks to all those who have offered well wishes & prayers for Steven. He’s doing just fine and we are praying that the results will come back positive early next week. Stay tuned!

It's A Big Day!

First day of the new job today.  Boy is my stomach in knots!  I was up super early this morning putting on my big girl face for the new corporate job!

Thanks again for all the well wishes.  I'm hoping this week will be the start of great new things in my career.

Here's a picture of me on my first day....almost like kindergarten all over again!

Excuse the camera phone quality.  You get the idea....

Have a wonderful Monday lovelies!  :)



Friday Confessional

So it's been a while since I've joined up for Friday Confessional - but I feel I'm feeling a doze of honesty this morning!  (Rissy this is the conffesional I link up with sometimes!)

I confess that I took a drug test this morning and I'm terrified that I might fail.  No....I'm not a drug user. In fact, I've never done drugs in my life.  I'm a little too paranoid for all the jazz.  But still...the anxious control freak in me is terrified that the lab might mix up my test results with someone else and my new company will pull my offer because I failed my drug test.  Yes...I'm the kind of person that worries about these things.  Plus...there were some *sketchy* looking people in the waiting room at the drug test center.  Oh and the name of the center I tested at is STD Testing Center.  (I kid you not!)  Fail.....

I confess that I'm a little emotional about today being my last day at my job.  I've had such a great 13 months here.  I've learned so much and been blessed with amazing mentors.  I've developed some true friendships.  It will be sad not to see these people everyday.  Despite the fact that I am thrilled about this new opportunity, I'm a little sad to walk away from my current employer.  I keep trying to remind myself when one door closes.....

I confess that I'm super nervous about my first day at the new job on Monday.  I've got my outfit picked out, got the quickest route to work mapped out, got my game face on - but still, I've never been great at change.  I have tried to kid myself my entire life that I can "roll with the punches" but the older I get the more comical that little white lie becomes. 

I confess that I do not have a perfect marriage.  GASP!  SHOCK & AWE!!! I know that comes as a surprise to many of you, but it is true, my marriage is not all rainbows and butterflies.  I feel the need to confess this for multiple reasons - mainly, just to be real.  I have had numerous conversations with bloggers lately ranting about those bloggers who just seem *so perfect*.  We all know the kind.  And I'm not judging them.  If anything, I'm jealous of them.  But I just truly wonder how some people can be so flawless.  Literally seems like rainbows and butterflies. 

After careful review of my blog, I realize that I tend to blog about the good stuff in my marriage and not the bad.  To be honest, I'm not a big fan of airing my dirty laundry for the world to see.  Also, there really is significantly more good than bad in my relationship.  Three years in and I'm still madly in love with this man.  He makes me laugh.  Makes me feel protected.  Makes me feel treasured.  I'm so blessed.

However, my marriage has it's imperfections, insecurities, and communication issues.  We don't fight often, but when we do, we bring the good stuff.  We often joke that we could sell tickets to our fights because they are definitely a "main event".  That's just a product of our personalities.  We are both incredibly passionate, emotional, quick tempered people.  We get pissed easily but we forgive even more easily.  It's a blessing and curse all in one. 

So there you have it.  I've been honest.  It may seem like rainbows and butterflies - but I've got my flaws.  I'm somewhat high maintenance and demanding.  I'm slightly neurotic and overbearing.  And I won't even get started on my husband's flaws.  :) :)  We aren't perfect - but we are 100% in love and committed.  That's as good as it can get folks!

Time For A New Me

First I want to say (once again) thank you so much for all of the well wishes and congratulations regarding my new job and this exciting time in my life.  I'm becoming more and more excited each day and it's so encouraging to hear all the positive things each of you have had to say.

As you can see, I've got a lot of big changes going on around here.  New job, new wardrobe, new body, a general new outlook on life.

So I'm thinking it may be time for a new blog design.  I've loved my current blog design for the past year.  I got it as a present to myself for my 25th birthday.  I learned so many challenging and difficult lessons during my 25th year.  I would definitely say it was the most difficult year of my life to date.

I'm looking forward to seeing what 26 has to bring.  I feel like I'm getting better with age.  Learning how to appreciate my friends, family and husband.  Learning how to dress for my body, apply makeup and style my hair.  (I'm serious...I've never been fashionable or trendy.  I've made leaps and bounds in my personal style and appearance this year!)  My faith has grown immensely during this past year.  Most importantly, I'm learning to be comfortable in my own skin.  I'm proud of the woman I'm becoming.  I'm proud of my accomplishments.  I'm even strangely proud of my failures because without them I wouldn't truly be able to appreciate my triumphs.

With all this personal transformation going on, I just feel like it's time for a blog design that accurately depicts the new me.  The move away from a young twenty something struggling with her identity into a mid twenty something gaining confidence with every passing year.

So that's where you all come in.  I need suggestions for great blog designers.  I'm a complete believer of referral business and I will feel so much better about working with a designer if I know someone who has used her (or if that designer is one of my readers!)  I don't have a ton of money, so please let me know if you are or know of an affordable blog designer that can help me create a blog design for this upcoming year.

Thanks again for all the support.  :) :)

The Many Reasons I'm Smiling Today

Do you ever just feel happy?  I mean like really happy?  A happiness that you can't quite pinpoint - but are so delighted to feel?  That's how I feel today.  On a random Wednesday I'm bursting with happiness.  It's a good feeling ladies....a good feeling.

I have been pondering the source of this happiness all morning long but can't quite determine where this is coming from.  So I figure I'll just list a couple of the many reasons I'm so joyful today.

The biggest reason would have to be this sexy man - the hubby.  He's just so good to me.  Tells me I'm beautiful when I'm feeling fat.  Reminds me of my talent and intelligence when I'm worried about starting this new job.  Knows exactly when I need a hot fudge sundae.  He's just good.  Like real good.  I'm kind of headsprung on his awesomeness these days.

I'm also pretty pumped about learning to shoulder atlas stones last night.  I got a 94 compact ball of concrete from the ground, to my lap then over my shoulder.  Kind of felt like a beast throwing around heavy balls with the big boys.  :)  Please excuse the fact that I look like a mountain woman in this picture.  I swear - I'm generally more attractive than this....but I was doing serious work!

I've been doing a bit of shopping this past week.  My current job allows me to wear jeans to work everyday so my closet is lacking in the business professional department.  My new job is going to be a more business professional environment so I've been collected a few key pieces this week.  I'm *super* excited about my outfit for my first day on Monday.  It's the pant and vest set from NY&Co above.  I have a lavender ruffled shirt to go under the vest.  Feeling like a big girl.  :)

My girlfriends.  Oh thank the Lord above for these women.  It's so nice to have three or four women in my life who I could call at the drop of a hat for anything.  To have friends who I can say, and I quote, "I need to vent.  I'm going to say horrible, hateful things and I need you to forget I said them when we are done with this conversation.  I need you to still believe I'm a sweet, nice person."  And they always do.  I feel so blessed to have women in my life who I can be 100% real with 100% of the time and know that they will love me despite of all my imperfections.  Love them.

So I guess it should come as no shock to me that I am so happy today.  For as you can see - I have much to be happy about!!!  :)



Here's To New Beginnings

I guess it's time to spill as to why I have been such a sketch ball these days.  Please forgive me for my absence and mysterious explanations but you see, I received some rather shocking news on March 7th.

My boss called a meeting with our corporate staff.  Long and short of the meeting, our company is experiencing downsizing and corporate restructuring as a result of economic performance.  End result - my position was being eliminated effective April 8th.

Four days before my 26th birthday and one day before celebrating my 1 year anniversary with the company, I found out I was losing my job.  Wonderful.

Surprisingly, I didn't cry and I didn't panic.  I went home that evening, told the husband the bad news and promised him I wasn't going to lose my cool over this.  Got in a bubble bath and called the BF.  As I explained my situation to her, I began to feel the anxiety and panic sitting in.  Thankfully, she talked me off my ledge and convinced me that everything would be okay.

And that was the height of my panic.

The past four weeks have been spent meeting with three different recruiters, interviewing with five different companies, working full time to finish my current position and going to grad school.  Not to mention the countless hours of prayer I've spent asking the Lord to reveal Himself to me through this experience.  So as you can see, I've been a little busy.

I remember saying to Steven on March 7th, "God already has this worked out.  He already knows where I need to be.  I just need to get of His way and let Him do His thing."

And those words couldn't have been more true.

I accepted a fabulous offer with a new company last Thursday.  This new position will be a great step in my career.  I will be working as a senior accountant for a publicly traded company that is headquartered in Charlotte.  Such a blessing.  Such an exciting opportunity.  Such a God thing.

I had to cancel four interviews when I accepted this position and I turned down another offer.  Looking back, it's just so apparent how the Lord was working on my behalf through this whole experience.  How when I just truly trusted Him, he answered my prayers.  He didn't just give me a job, He gave me a great job and is already opening doors to new opportunities for my family.

So that's the story.  That's my panic.  Like I said, looking in the rear view mirror, it truly wasn't all that bad.  So amazing how the Lord has turned a bad situation into a huge blessing. 

**And just so you know, this isn't my style.  The "trust the Lord everything is going to be okay" has never been my strong suite.  I'm an anxious, overbearing, worry freak.  When things don't fit nicely into my little plan, I tend to go off the deep end.  I'm not saying that I didn't worry at all during this period, but every time I felt myself begin to panic I just focused my thoughts on prayer and asked for strength and understanding.  And BAM....less than four weeks later the Lord has this all worked out.  I know this was a God thing and not an Amber thing - because, well I'm just not that calm cool and collected!
I'm finishing up my last week at my current job.  It's definitely bittersweet.  I have worked with some amazing people over the past year and I have found valuable mentors in this position. 

But here's to new beginnings.  Here's to what the Lord has in store for us this year. 

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement.  I really appreciate it!  :)