First Date Night of 2012

We have been soaking up as many date nights as we can before the season gets started. Last week was Queen's Feast in Charlotte or better known as Charlotte Restaurant Week. I have wanted to try Epic Chop House for months and our schedule never worked out. So, when I saw it was listed as one of the participating restaurants I immediately made reservations.

The restaurant was very crowded and it took a long time to get our food, but I would highly recommend it.

I snapped a quick picture of us before we headed out for dinner. I didn't realize how dark my hair was until I looked at it - Yikes!

I Will Take Another Shot Of Espresso Please

1. This past week I realized that I function best when I have about 45,000 things going on at once. Call me a multi-tasker.
2. Two weeks ago I was charged with leading point on a pretty big project at work. Walking outside your comfort zone is one of the scariest and most rewarding things you can embark on. I highly recommend trying it.
3. We live in what I like to call semi-country. On my way to work on Monday a large cow - not on his fence- was standing on the side of the road near our house. Thankfully, he did not jump out in front of the Camry. That would have been a mess.
4. I talk to myself a lot. I realized just how much last week when I had to share a cube with a co-worker at our downtown office. Poor Jennie.
5. Today, I got caught in one of those rotating doors at a local bakery. (Laura, Rachel and Hailey can stop laughing now)
6. Last night Bo was up three times with an upset stomach, but Jon only remembers him being up once. That is because he slept through the previous two.
7. I think I forgot to mention we adopted another dog - Bo. He deserved a post all on his own.

The Big Picture

I have never been big on New Year's resolutions. I am sure it has something to do with the fact that I never keep them so what is the point -right ? And the weather does not help at all. It has been so cold in the mornings that I have to make myself get out of bed. Not wishing the days away, but I am already looking forward to spring. Maybe I will get motivated then - maybe.

But before we are to far into 2012 I want to write down for my memory one important weekend that defined our 2011.

I do not write much about our jobs on the blog. I always struggle to find a balance, but I am making an exception this time around.

Early in the season - February to be exact -Jon's team failed to qualify for the race. I would go into detail on how it happened, but that would take an entire post of its own. It was a complete shock and appeared to be a season ending blow to a pre-season championship favorite. I will never forget the emotions of that day - the highs and lows.

Fast forward to nine months later with two races left in the season .. his team sits second in the championship hunt. They were poised to do the unthinkable.

The weeks leading up to final races of the season I wrote Jeremiah 29:11 on the chalkboard in our kitchen to serve as a reminder .. that no mater what happened it was in his plan.

They ended up finishing third, but became the first team in history to finish within the top-three and only compete in 24 events.

When we are going through trails in life we cannot always see the light at the end of the tunnel or understand the way ?

But when we have the chance to see the full picture we realize that ... he always has our best interest at heart.

... plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Christmas Is Just Around The Corner

I just returned from an extended trip to Tennessee to visit family and friends. More details to come on everything I was able to jam in four days, but I can assure you my love tank is full.

Something about being in Tennessee around the Christmas Holidays always puts me in the Christmas spirit - a good thing considering it is just days away.

For the first time since moving to North Carolina (almost) three years ago we will be celebrating Christmas at our NC home. Yahoo!

I find myself kicking up our decorations and traditions up a notch.

I am extremely interested in starting a Christmas Eve tradition for our little family.

Does your family have a special traditions or a meal you always serve?

29 & Counting

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  I hit the big 29 on Monday. Y'all, I am one year from turning 30 and I am a little freaked out about it. I remember how OLD 30 sounded when I was younger.




• 
  
  No big outings to celebrate my birthday. A quick dinner that night then spent the rest of the evening relaxing at home. I am a big homebody right now.




• 
  
  Some favorite birthday gifts: Tory Burch flats, Happy Everything plate, flowers from the hubby and gift cards from my favorites - Target and Itunes.




• My BIG gift from the hubby was a dishwasher. You have NO idea how excited I am about that gift.




• I like to think back to where I thought I would be at this age .. I am never where I thought I would be, but always happy with where I ended up.

2 Years Of Forever & Ever Amen

The other day I was enjoying girl talk with a friend over lunch and the subject turned to love & relationships.

And how even though you never believe it till it happens to you ... that when you meet the ONE .. it is like a hammer falls out of the sky and knocks you down.

And in that moment you are saved from all your past bad decisions, you have permission to dream again and any reservation you had about falling in love goes out the window.

Jonathon Parker Ellis .. thank you for saving me, allowing me to dream & for making all my dreams come true.

The past 2 years have been my best.

It's Been A Long ....Time

Hello ... Are you still there ? I accidentally took a break from blogging. It was totally unplanned and if you are still checking in bless you.

The good news is that during my absence we have been living life.

November is here which means we are nearing the end of the season.

I am looking forward to slowing down and enjoying time with family & friends during the Holidays.

Check in tomorrow for an update on what we have been up to ...