Big News...a little late

I have a new job. I've already been working there for 3 weeks...I've been a bit of a blog slacker. It's completely crazy how God put all the pieces into place. I was starting to think there was a chance that I might want to eventually go back to working in tax. I wasn't thinking anytime soon, just sometime out in the future. I even talked about it with my boss one day. The next day I went to lunch with my friend Amy (who I worked with at PwC), and she got in the car with a job description and asked me if I wanted a new job. That is the short version of how I find myself working at Brinker (the company that owns Chili's, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, and Maggiano's). It all happened so fast and has been so crazy that I have barely had time to process the fact that I've changed jobs, but I know that God's hand was undeniably in it and that it has been a good change.

One of the greatest parts of my job is the comp card I get to eat for free at Chili's and half off at all the other restaurants. The funny part is what I have to do to earn it. This Monday & Tuesday I will be working at Chili's. One day in the kitchen (yes, they are going to let me cook), and one day as a hostess. I think it will be an adventure for sure!!

Other than the new job, the last month has been pretty full. Amy, Kami, Erin and I drove to Amarillo for Billy & Katherine's wedding, we had D-Town (our disciple now), had a birthday party for PapaDub's 75th, and celebrated LB's birthday.

Erin, Kami, Amy, me at Billy & Katherine's Wedding

My girls at D-Town

Sisters & Cousins at PapaDub's Birthday party.

Celebrating LB's Birthday at the kitchen table at Buca di Beppo.

I'm moving next weekend, and then headed to Brazil the next Friday. Needless to say, my blogging is probably going to stay sparse for a while!

I Am a Nerd!

I'm a nerd. This is something I've always known, but has somehow seemed more apparent lately. The first and most defining thing that makes me a nerd is that I love to do tax returns. It's not normal. When friends need help with their taxes, I get excited (almost elated) to help them figure it out. I will spend hours of my free time in the spring helping people with their taxes.

I think that I should have seen from a young age that maybe I was meant to be an accountant. I have always loved filling out forms. Yet again, not a normal love of most children. I think forms are a little bit like tax returns...definitely should have seen the signs. I also like reading manuals. If anyone in the family gets electronics for Christmas, it is usually me reading the manual figuring out how everything works...I love it. And let's just polish it off with one of my biggest quirks - I love Excel. I'm honestly fascinated with everything that it can do, and I am thrilled whenever I figure out how to do something new. How to set up a new formula, how to make a simple spreadsheet more functional, even how to make it look more appealing, I love it all. So there you have it, my nerdiness in all its glory.

On another note, I went to dinner with some coworkers last night. We had gift cards to Houston's from Christmas that we hadn't used. It was so fun to hang out with them outside of work. Here are a few pictures from our evening.

Me & SarahBeth

The whole group. Becky, Julie, Veronica, SB, me, Brooke

Me & Brooke

Since I last blogged...

Wow - it's been a long time since I've been on this thing. A lot has happened...I guess. Here's a brief update.

Christmas & Its Parties:

Community Group girls at the Student Ministries Christmas Party.

Work Christmas Party

I had the week between Christmas & New Years off, which was such a blessing. My family was in Granbury with my grandparents before Christmas and then in Amarillo for Christmas day and the rest of the week. It was a great time to rest & relax after a crazy December. I enjoyed getting to hang out with my family. Unfortunately, I have no good pictures of my time at home.

Shawn Turned 25:

Ski Trip:

Shawn & I went skiing. The trip I planned dwindled down to the two of us. We ended up having a ton of fun since we ski at the same pace. Taos had great snow just for us!!!

Winter Chill:

This weekend we had a Jr. High girls retreat. It was great hang out time with the girls & getting to talk about stuff they are really dealing with. I can hardly believe they are in their last semester of Junior High - how time flies!!!

The girls - aren't they grown up?!

Me & Laura - gotta love her!!! I think this was the 8th picture we took to finally get a decent one!

And...I have roommates:

Julia is doing her externship next year at the Mayo clinic in Arizona, so I knew I was going to have to start searching for a roommate soon. It just so happens that two girls I work with (and love) have a roommate getting married at the same time my lease runs out. I love God's timing! Today we all dressed alike (on accident), so we decided to take a picture.

Me, Brooke & Julie - They are so fun!

And Sarah & Jeff have started a blog - it's the link section. Visit it & see their exciting news!!!

We Finished!!

I am so excited to say that the half marathon is over! I don't have much to say, other than it was hard. Very hard, but I feel a very big sense of accomplishment. Dad ran with me, Deborah was supposed to, but she had to go back to Oklahoma to avoid the ice storm. Mom walked it and finished not too far behind me. She was amazing! Lisa & Kyla finished too - a good bit in front of me. Here's some pictures to summarize the experience!

Me & Lisa at the expo

Deb the morning of the race. Before she had to head back to Oklahoma.

Me & Lisa before the race.

Mom & Dad before the race.

Me in the car after the race...I finished!

I don't have any pictures from during the race. I think Shawn took some, so I'll post them when I get them!

Every Good & Perfect Gift...

So, I've been thinking a lot lately about how thankful for all the things that God has given me. I know it seems kind of cliche at this time of year, but it's almost like I've had to remind myself that God has given me good things. I have set my sight so much on the things I don't have or the things that I think aren't fair in my life. So, I've been making an effort to write down the things that God has done in my life lately and all of the things that He has blessed me with. It's amazing what looking at those things does to take your mind off of the little petty things. Here's a few of things things that I am SO thankful for:

• My Wonderful Family - I mean, really, I couldn't ask for a better family!



• The chance to go to Brazil and get to tell some great kids about Jesus. And the chance to go back in April!!
• GREAT FRIENDS!!!!! God has provided me with great friendships in every area of my life. These are just a few of the amazing people He has place in my life.

LB & Julia - here being my triathlon support. Everyday just being wonderful, consistent friends!

Lisa - my running buddy! Without her, I would most certainly not be in shape and I probably would have walked out of student ministries after the first week except for the fact that she talked to me and let me sit with her & her girls!

And my favorite girls!!! I can't imagine what my life would be like without these girls! My parents prayed for great friends and roommates in college, and boy did God deliver. These girls are without a doubt the people who know me the best and that I know will always be around!

• Some amazing 8th grade girls who I'm pretty sure teach me more than I teach them. It's hard to believe that they are in 8th grade already. Being their small group leader for the last 2 and a half years has been such a huge learning experiences and one of the greatest blessings in my life. I can't wait to see what the Lord does in them in the next 4 and a half years!

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows. James 1:17