29 Years Young

This past week I celebrated turning 29. The common response has been...ooohhh you are getting close to the big 3-0, getting old, etc. etc. In all honesty though, I am SO excited for my 30's and not the least bit dreading it! I am looking forward to all the exciting things that will happen in my 30's- Pat and I will hopefully become parents, we hope to build a new home, my career is at a much better place, and the list goes on. I feel that each year I have learned more about myself and the true importance's of life. I am all about my 30's, I say bring it on and I will embrace it!

Since I have just started a new job, the last few weeks have been pretty hectic so my birthday kind of snuck up on me this year. One of my good friends Tessa's birthday is the day before mine, so we celebrated last weekend with a coffee date and manicures. We then went to one of my favorite restaurants, Firebirds with some of our great friends that night. This weekend we had family celebration at my Grandma's (tradition for all birthdays), and lastly got to celebrate with Pat's Mom and James yesterday. They took us to see the new movie Black or White, which I loved! Please go see this movie if you have the chance, it was so good and heart-warming. Beforehand I wanted to take them to a new coffee shop in Maize which is called Moxi Junction. If you haven't been, please go check it out. I love the concept of it!

All in all it was another successful birthday and I am so blessed to have such amazing family and friends in my life!

Love both of these girls SO much!

A turning point..

As some may know 2012-2014 were rough for me....in multiple ways. I got myself into a terrible job situation that took a toll on me mentally, physically, and emotionally. One thing lead to another and it began to affect all areas of my life and I became depressed. There were also some other personal struggles along the way and I just didn't understand why? I pushed the people away that cared the most, yet they still continued to love me, that of which I am forever grateful. I didn't know which way my life was going or which direction I should go and pursue. I felt such pressure to know what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and slightly felt like a failure because I didn't "have it all figured out quite yet."

I looked for jobs for two long years and had over 11 interviews along the way, but none of them "felt" right. I contemplated going back to school. I began to sell myself too short. I had always been extremely career driven but began to feel that maybe this career stuff just wasn't cut out for me. My husband and I discussed several times the idea of me quitting my job and then focusing on finding something I was more passionate about. But every time we had this discussion, we came to the conclusion, we didn't want the financial stress and it didn't feel right in our hearts. Job searching is exhausting, absolutely exhausting and overwhelming to add to it. Working full time in an extremely stressful work environment, then coming home dang near every night and spending time searching for jobs was tiring, especially since I had no idea what I was looking for other than a way out.

During this time I did however turn to God, in a way that I never have before. Pat and I both did. I have always been a Christian, a Church goer, and a God follower, but I'll be honest, a lot of times he got placed at the end of the line. I hit a breaking point though and I knew there was absolutely no one else who could get me through than him. I knew what I had a passion for- the health and wellness industry. This is where I wanted to be. Hands down, no questions asked. But I didn't think it was possible. I didn't have a degree, or any credentials for that matter, so how on earth would I get my foot in the door? Almost anyone that knows me, knows my love and passion for this industry. I began to work with a few people on the side, health coaching, and I knew then, this is what I want to do with my life. I wanted to help people learn how to take better care of themselves, eat the right foods to nourish their bodies, and live an active lifestyle. Pat and I prayed together every night, my family prayed, we prayed and prayed and prayed. I was patient (patience is definitely not my forte), but I was and knew that it would all be in God's timing. I'll be honest though, there were definitely times of tears, lots of tears due to doubt, anger, hopelessness, sorrow, envy, you name it I felt it. But I also prayed that God would take away my stresses and worries, that of which he did.
Phillippians 4:6- Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.   

The time finally came and I knew in my heart I needed to quit my job. Pat and I talked and decided together it was time. I still didn't have anything lined up but I was at peace. It was so strange, I just knew it was right. I would take a bit of time off and figure out what to do with my life. My last day at my job would be December 26th. I had such a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders. I was more than grateful to be able to enjoy the Christmas season with my family. It truly was so strange, I wasn't the least bit concerned about finding a job or even slightly stressed.

I'll never forget this day, it was Christmas Eve morning, I was getting in a quick workout that morning before the days festivities began. I got a call from a phone number from South Dakota, how strange I remember thinking. So I let it go to voicemail and finished my workout. After finishing I listened to the voicemail and my mouth seriously dropped. It was from a company that I had applied with back in September! I honestly had forgotten about the job. It was for a Manager position with a weight loss management company coming to Wichita. I had applied, but never thought too much of it, because I honestly thought I had NO chance of even getting looked at. I returned the phone call and got an interview set up for December 29th. I remember hanging up the phone and being in total disbelief and shock. Seriously?! How on earth did this happen? I remember hanging up the phone and looking down, and there sitting was my daily devotional that I had just gotten, it read on top "God is Faithful" and I instantly had a huge smile come across my face.

I had the job within two weeks, and much to my surprise I would not only be the Manager of the new location, but also health coaching part time, and responsible for business development for the Wichita location. I flew to Sioux Falls with my new team and became certified to coach. Two weeks later we opened in Wichita. I still feel the need to pinch myself to see if this is really happening. This job is truly a dream come true for me, I couldn't have wished or hoped for anything better and the opportunities are endless with this company.

Looking back at the last two years, I see the many blessings now that are so apparent but were hard to see at the time. Pat and I have a stronger relationship and have learned to lean on each other more than ever before. We also have a much closer relationship with God which is the most important part. Not only as individuals but in our marriage as well. It truly brings tears to my eyes to see how God has worked in our lives and our marriage the last two years. I truly believe God brings us through difficult and challenging times so that we learn to give it all to him and put it all in his control. I am a person who likes to have control, so this experience has been extremely eye opening and humbling to let it all go and give it to him. I know that we will have many more trying times in our lives, but I know whole-heartedly we will get through absolutely anything life throws our way. He does answers prayers and truly does want the absolute best for us, something I will never forget.

I am looking forward to this new chapter of life and am forever grateful for this opportunity. I will take this path and follow my heart until I am guided in a different direction.

A Year in Review..

Happy 2015! So hard to believe that 2014 has come to an end, it seems that each year goes by quicker and quicker, while we get older and older. 2014 was a year of ups, downs, highs, lows, twists and turns. Happiness, sadness, tears, frustrations, laughter, blessings, and so much more. I truly believe God sends us through hard times, so we learn to even more appreciate and be thankful for the good times. Pat and I have learned to work more as a team, grow our relationship with God together, and for that I am so very grateful.

How is it that I only updated my blog 7 times in 2014?? That's not even once a month... pitiful. If I recall correctly my 2014 goal was to update more often and I obviously went in the wrong direction. SO for 2015, I again hope to be better about updates. I truly do enjoy blogging and it is so nice to be able to look back and reminisce.

February was a busy month. Pat was in his good friend Tyler's wedding, we headed to Oklahoma to take some of Pat's clients to an Oklahoma City Thunder game and then I headed to Kansas City to have our annual Chi Omega Reunion. I also celebrated my 28th Birthday. I received the best news on my birthday this year, I was going to be an Aunt!! YAY!!!!

OKC Thunder Game

Chi Omega Reunion - Kansas City 

During our reunion weekend we decided we were going to make plans for a girl's trip in May down to Scottsdale. I couldn't turn down this offer! My friend Holli's parents have a timeshare in Scottsdale so we headed down for a long weekend get away in May. It was so much fun and definitely needs to happen more often!

I also learned that I LOVE Scottsdale and want to retire there:)

Scottsdale Girl's Trip

Side note- I desperately need a nice camera I have realized while looking back on these pictures. Sheesh!

Also in May we sold my car and we upgraded to a 4-door finally, "officially a Mom car" I like to say. No in all honesty it's not really much of a Mom car at all and I really like it:)

One of my good friend's Caitlin and I ran the Color me Rad Run 5K in May and then the River Run 10K the first week of June. They were both HOT and HUMID runs. Darn Kansas weather is crazy!

Color Me Rad 5K

June is the month of birthdays in our family and my baby sister Paige, turned 21. I can hardly believe she is 21, she is growing up so fast and I couldn't be more proud of the great woman she is and continues to become. We surprised her with a party bus. I think she was completely caught off guard and surprised!

Officially the oldest two on the bus..

Birthday Girl!

Cort was 6 months preggo on the bus, she is much more of a trooper than I could ever be!

We headed to Bull Shoals for the 4th of July with some friends. Our good friend Sean has a lake house down there and we try to make a trip at least once a year. It was such a relaxing weekend and perfect weather!

Relaxation station as we like to call it! 

I attempted wake boarding for the first time. 

Cheers to you!

As July was coming to an end Pat and I headed out on our much anticipated vaca to Costa Rica. It was the most amazing 7 days. One of those vacations that you just don't want to end. I definitely had enough "adventure" to last me a lifetime as well:) Thanks to my hubby for pushing me to step outside of my comfort zone! I will forever remember this trip with him!

After we returned home we packed up our bags again and headed to Kansas City for my friend Tuyen's wedding, visit my best friend Ashley, and celebrate our friend Sean's 30th birthday!

August was such a busy month. Filled with birthdays, weddings, parties, and ended with my sister Cortney's baby shower for baby Wyatt. It was so fun planning the baby shower with my sister Paige and my Mom. We had such a great turn out and she left with just about everything she needed!

Ships Ahoy It's A Boy!

September rolled around which meant BABY month. Pat and I also celebrated our 3rd Wedding Anniversary, gosh really?! We all thought Wyatt would come early, but little did we know he would make his appearance on his ACTUAL due date, September 26th! It has been so fun watching her and David as parents, it melts my heart. And that little boy, gosh he is so, so loved! He has stolen all of our hearts and Pat and I love being an Uncle and Aunt!

If you recall we Pat finished our basement just after the first of the year. It has been so nice to have the extra space and take a break from house projects. Pat then got the great idea he wanted to build a new deck before winter rolled around. I of course was a little hesitant that he'd get it finished so quickly. I was pleasantly surprised though! He tore down the old one and built a new one which is about double the size, it is so spacious- I absolutely love it. Once again this guy amazes me!

November came around extra quickly this year which meant Patty boy would be celebrating his big 3-0! One of his good friends Chris' birthday is the day before so his wife, RaeAnn and I decided to throw a joint surprise party! We put a lot of work into the party and it was sooooo hard keeping things a secret. I am a terrible liar and was convinced he knew I had something up my sleeve. He swears he didn't though, so I guess you could say things were a success!

Photo collage with ages 1-30 of each of the guys!

Happy 30th Pat!

Love him!

We wrapped up the year with a great Thanksgiving and 7 different Christmases. We are so blessed to have most of our family so close to home.

Grandma, Mom, Paige, and Me on Christmas Eve

The hubs and I on Christmas morning. 

What a year it has been. I am more than ever looking forward to the New Year and hoping and praying for the best. Cheers!

We'll be starting the year off with a bang as we head to Tulsa next weekend to see Garth Brooks!!! AAAHHHH, SO EXCITED!!!

Cortney's Babyshower

As many of you know, my younger sister Cortney is pregnant with her first child, a baby boy. It seems like just yesterday her and David were tying the knot. You may remember this POST when they got married two years ago. She is due 9/26/14, and our family could not be more excited for Cort and David! This will be Pat and I's first time to be "Aunt and Uncle", this is also the first grandchild for my parents and first great-grandchild for my grandparents. I CANNOT wait to meet this little one, oh did I mention it is a BOY?!?! Yes- Wyatt James Richmond. Our family has pretty much zero boys, so this also brings everything to a whole new excitement:) We are just overjoyed and can't wait to meet the little guy in only a few short weeks. I cannot wait to see Cortney as a Mom, I have always thought she'd be the best Mom (she is one of the most caring, laid back, and patient people) and it makes me smile just thinking about her and David raising a family. I think Cort will have him early, my guess is September 13th, we'll see how close I am!

This past weekend my Mom, Paige, and I threw Cortney her a baby shower. The guest list was quite hefty, so we had it at St. Francis Church in one of their halls. It worked out perfect. We had an awesome turnout and Cortney and David are now pretty set for Mr. Wyatt's arrival!

My friend Tessa designed the invites (check her out over at Royalscript.blogspot.com)
The whole shower was based around a Nautical Theme

We made the cake table the focus table and then food on each side. My younger sister Paige made the Wyatt banner, my Dad made the fence, and I found the onesies to hang at Old Navy.

We added nets and sea shells to all of the tables to go along with the theme. I also had some lanterns at home that I incorporated.

My Mom and I found this cute boat for $10 at a craft fair, how cute is it?! We added some baby's breath in mason jars, sea shells, and a net on top.

I absolutely loved the cake and thought it turned out perfect! It tasted as good as it looked too:)

I found this cute anchor at TJ Maxx and then borrowed the chalkboard signs and crate from a friend.

I found these cute free nautical printables online. Printed and punched them out and glued to toothpicks for sandwich toppers.

These fruit kabobs were a hit! So easy- take skewers and add sliced strawberries, blackberries, and donut holes, then drizzle with caramel sauce. Easy and delish! 

Welcome table. I ordered this buoy off of amazing that says "Welcome Aboard." We then had all guests sign the buoy as they arrived for a keepsake.

Made a photo collage of a mixture of baby pictures of both Cortney and David

Momma-to-be

My amazing Mom, Momma to be, little sister Paige

What a crowd! My Mom also made diaper cakes for all the tables which will now be great for Cort to use.

The quilt my Mom made for Wyatt, it turned out so great!

And we're done! What an exhausting and HOT day! Now the fun begins:)

Auntie Amber can't wait to meet you Wyatt! I pray for a healthy delivery for Momma and you. I pray for you as you enter this crazy world we live in and that you will be loved, are healthy and kept safe, and that you grow up to be a wonderful young man some day. We can't wait to be a part of your life!