Woah!

It's been a while since my last post. Real life is starting to get in the way of my love of posting (well I'm not really in love with it, but I do like it). Things have been very busy for me lately. I feel like all I do is go go go and rarely have a break. Maybe that's what this whole adult thing is about!
My career has been a source of trial for me these past few weeks. When I was offered the position to move to our corporate office I was told I would be doing things that are very different than what I'm actually doing. I have had quite an internal conflict over being here. Needless to say, it's effected my attitude quite a bit. I have never had a negative/bad attitude since I've been at this company, so it's been a little difficult to deal with. I've never worked somewhere that I didn't love. I've been fortunate in that respect. But these past several days I haven't loved being here. I had a really hard week last week and started talking it out with Jimmy and my parents. Sharing my feelings (and my anger) about things really helped. They all were so encouraging and hopeful for me. The fact is that by working here I'm getting an education that I could never pay for. I'm experiencing things that I wouldn't be able to anywhere else. I'm learning about the right way to treat people in a professional setting and a lot about tolerance. Once I heard all their advice I began to think about it in a different way. I am the only one in charge of my destiny...my happiness depends on me. I am fully capable of doing a great job at whatever project I'm given...and excelling at it. It's what I've done here from the start. I wake up every morning with a choice. I can choose to see an obstacle as a negative thing, or I can see it as an opportunity. Since I began to think this way, I've been much more upbeat about things and hopeful for the future. The bottom line is that we're a start-up company. There are growing pains EVERY day. I'm part of the solution. I have the unique ability to say what I want and what role I want to play and then to be given the chance to do it. I am fortunate to be here. I've been given an opportunity that no one else I know has. I'm part of something huge...I just need to figure out how big of a role I want. Phew! It feels good to write that down!
So today is my birthday. I'm getting closer to 30 every day. I never thought I would be the type of person to be upset about getting older. And I'm not. But I do feel a little uneasy about it. The good thing is that I get better with age. I get smarter, more empathetic, more giving, and I like myself more every year. I remember when I was younger, in high school. I didn't like anything about myself. I was always trying to prove to myself, my family and my friends that I actually mattered. I never truly felt that way, though. I'm thankful that now I do. I have come a long way in the past few years. My personal evolution has been amazing to me...a real blessing. And I have so much more to learn!
My little sister Elizabeth gave me an amazing gift for my birthday. She gave me my Senior yearbook from high school. I never got one back then because I didn't have any money back then...and I've wanted one ever since. It was an amazing surprise. It made me cry. She knew that it was something I had wanted and she went to great lengths to get it for me (she says it cost her some of her dignity!). She even signed the inside cover. I look through that book and realize how much I have grown as a person. It was a little hard to look at, actually!
Last weekend I celebrated with my parents. They got me a 'beach bag' which will actually be a 'lake bag'. It's full of beach towels and tanning lotion and a hat and a raft and some jewelery. It's perfect because I plan on spending a lot of time at the lake this summer! Every time I step outside and I feel the sun on my skin I get excited about the time when it's warm every day! I can't wait.
Jimmy and I celebrated this past Wednesday together. We'll be together all weekend too, but it was our 'adult time'. We have been so busy with our careers and the kids that it was nice to have some alone time. We went to one of our favorite restaurants and had an amazing night. We revisited the place of our first kiss for the first time since that first kiss. It was very special. I know I sound so cheesy, but I've become very happy with the fact that our relationship is ridiculously cheesy and romantic and full of more love and affection than I ever thought I'd have with a partner. He gave me a FREAKING AWESOME watch...it's so beautiful. I love it. Jimmy is a watch man...he loves many things but one thing he can't get enough of is a great watch. He'll spend months looking for one for himself. This one is so me. It's so much nicer and better than one I'd buy myself, though. I think that the best gift is something you know the person you're giving it to would want, but would never get for themselves. He's an amazing man!
I hope everyone who reads this is doing well. I hope you're all happy and fulfilled.