Aftermath of Thanksgiving

Well... it's passed us by. We made it home from Orlando and I had yesterday to unpack and do laundry. I'm back at the job this am and I brought along a nice chest cold from the beautiful Florida weather... that's sarcasm in my voice.
It was nice to see Dave. I can do without all the drama surrounding holidays and stressed out family members. The highlight of the trip was our day at Universal Studios. We hooked up with our pastors and their fam. It was a blast! And the new roller coaster is AH-MAZING!!! It was so worth the hour wait in line...
I can't believe Christmas will be here before we know it. Now to get those Christmas cards done! :)
A group shot from our day in the park. We are missing quite a few people but it's super cute.

Here's a pic of me and my little brother... except he's not so little anymore

I will be resuming my blogging about the intricate workings of my brain... but first, coffee!!!!!

Ponderings...

How is it that Thanksgiving is in one week? Does anyone else get frustrated at the accelerated rate time is flying by? Seriously, we'll be celebrating the New Year and wondering where did 2009 disappear to? It really is crazy how we are about to embark on a new year... time to start thinking about those resolutions!
I know it's too early but I think we are pulling out all the Christmas decorations tonight. We have NO TIME over the next few weeks to get it done and I don't want to watch weeks of December roll by without enjoying our tree. So it's for sure getting pulled down from the attic. I hope to get most of it up and then I can work on the little things once we get back from Thanksgiving.

Aaron and I are registered for a 5 mile race on Saturday. We also have people coming in town over the weekend and Aaron will be in planning mode as they sit down to talk about the next IGNITION conference. Somewhere, I have laundry to do, packing and a little bit of cooking. (my work is doing their Thanksgiving dinner on Monday) We are driving out of Nashville on Monday night after I get off work and heading to Orlando.

I get so frustrated at all the things Aaron and I cram into our busy schedule. I'm truly hoping that after the New Year, we can come up with a better system of time management.

I got my H1N1 vaccine yesterday... no side effect. Everyone really should go get it when you can.

Looking forward to a very busy 3 day weekend.

So now it begins...

The website is up. It's temporary but it's up. It took me a minute to broadcast it to the whole Facebook and Twitter world. I guess I wanted it to be perfect or I wanted everyone to take me seriously or I was nervous people would think I am crazy. But, this is me, this is what I love doing and I'm not going to let the opinions of others hold me back. No boxes!! So I got over that uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach and updated the info. And it was freeing!!
The website is www.sarahricemakeup.com
Last week was the first time I announced to someone that I was a makeup artist... and it keeps getting easier to say. I like the way it sounds. I don't mean that in a "I think I'm awesome way." I simply mean it in "I'm proud of what I decided to do... I'm proud of what I have accomplished... I'm proud of me!"
I'm really excited for all the things that are about to happen. Being self employed is not an easy thing... I watch my hubby do it and I think the Rice's may need a personal assistant one day soon. LOL!
We had a busy but enjoyable weekend. I got to catch up with an old friend over lunch... that was great! I FINALLY got my hair done... whew that had just been way too long! We had a birthday party to go to, we went for a run which ended up being a pretty funny experience, we had church, hang time with friends and closed out the weekend with our awesome life group. Mondays always seem to come way too quickly but before you know it, Thursday night is upon me and my weekend has begun!
I keep contemplating how forgetful I am. I attribute it to the fact that we are too busy. I can't accomplish anything without lists. Grocery lists, to do lists, Christmas cards and gift lists... if it's not on the list, it doesn't get purchased or completed. "Making a list... checking it twice..." My poor dog needs his nails cut.. i keep forgetting to put on a list so it never gets done. And now that the Holidays are here... well you know how that goes. I always think of things to put on my list and the most ridiculous times and my list is out of reach or somewhere i can't get too and so things never get done. People say it's a sign I'm getting old... I certainly hope not. :)

And so now it begins... another week, a new career, another beautiful day. Even through all the craziness of my schedule, I plan to find time each day to be thankful for the many, many blessings in my life.

Never ending thoughts... about the Holidays.

Wow, so the Holidays are upon us. Aaron and I are trying not to go crazy this Christmas with the gift giving... this is so hard for me as one of my love languages is giving gifts. (And I like to receive them!!) I love everything about Christmas from Christmas parties, to putting up the Christmas tree, to my family tradition of opening Christmas pj's on Christmas Eve, to playing board games with Aaron's family all day long.
I started making my Christmas card list...I'm actually going to send them this year... and find I have more people than the beautiful cards I purchased. I don't like this delima. Doesn't everyone like receiving a little Christmas joy in their mailbox? My husband thinks I'm crazy. So, do I go buy another box of cards or cut people off the list? How do I determine who is card worthy and who gets the cold shoulder... lol. Like I said, Aaron thinks I'm crazy. Boys just don't understand!! The easiest solution to me is simply buy another box of cards... we'll see what my hubby thinks. My argument is that we are cutting back the gift giving so the least I can do is mail a simple Christmas card! I hate not being able to buy gifts so much that I refuse to apply that to my adorable husband. I told him that we are going to set limits like last year and just do stockings again. And let me tell you, my stocking from him was over the top! I was so impressed!! The reason we are cutting back is because of our big 7 day cruise with Aaron's family in January. We are all trying to save up for excusions and shopping. I cannot wait to go on VACATION!!!
I know in talking about Christams, I'm skipping over Thanksgiving and that's not fair. Each Holiday deserves proper attention. Thanksgiving is just not as big of a deal to me. I don't love all the "eating too much" and I really don't like pies. It's the pie crust... unless it's graham cracker. I enjoy the family time but I don't know. The one thing that excites me the most is the shopping on Black Friday and the fact no one thinks you are weird if you put your tree up the day after.
This year for Thanksgiving, we are laoding up the car and driving to Orlando, pups included, to spend it with my Mom. My brother is flying in as well. It'll be good to see them and hopefully we'll get to sneak away to Islands of Adventure or Disney World. I promise we are putting up our Christmas decortions as soon as we get home! (Aaron doesn't know this yet...shhhh!)
Side note, Aaron found out he is having surgery on Dec. 7 for his deviated septum. PRAY FOR ME! Men can be such babies. I love my husband dearly but he does not handle stuff like that very well. At least he will only be down for about a week and this is right before we start our training program for the half marathon. Please, just pray for us! :)
I'm really trying this Holiday season, to remain stres free... to enjoy our blessings...and to remember what's important. As much as I go on about gift giving, it really doesn't matter. :)

THANKSLIVING

I don't know why I ever complain. I am spoiled. That's all there is to it.
I am a bit embarrassed at how unsatisfied I can be with all the blessings in my life. Sure, we all want the bigger house, the nicer car, that fatter bank account... I would say this is normal? I don't know. But I also am realizing that if God didn't shake us away every morning, we wouldn't even be here to enjoy these things. So instead of the hustle and bustle to have more, I've decided to be thankful for what I do have.
For example... I love running, as you can tell. For the most part, I get shin splints which is devastating and discourages me. At least I have legs to walk on, to run with... I should have been killed 3 years ago. I mean I broke my neck!! Time to start giving thanks for everything! I have been in serious need of an attitude check!
It's time for some THANKSLIVING!
I was pondering how spoiled I am at last night's SESAC Country Music Awards. I have married a very talented and special man and so now, I get to attend fun events where I get to dress up all pretty and just sip champagne and mingle with other super talented folks... I mean I got to go to the GRAMMY Awards... really???? I am blessed beyond measure and I have no right to complain about a single thing. Yeah, I don't like my job and wish I could be doing what I love full time. But, in today's economy, at least I have a job!
On a side note, Aaron has taken over managing my makeup artist career and he is doing an amazing job. It's a bit scary to think I'm going to be doing makeup for photo shoots and magazines. I want it so badly!
I have also decided, the things we want most in this life are always the things that don't come easy. We want it, we have to work for it! It takes sacrifice, dedication and focus.
I know this post is full of random thoughts but that's how my brain works... randomness!
Live out today with a thankful mindset... we get so wrapped up in what we don't have we can't see the blessings we do have!

Marathons and such...

This little bit has nothing to do with running but I'm throwing it in here because i don't want to do 2 posts. Last night my good friends Britt and Scott came in town. They live in Huntsville, AL, and we don't get to see them that often. Britt and I have been friends since 3rd grade... a long time. We were in each other's wedding and it makes me so happy that are husbands enjoy each other as well. They had an early morning flight out of Nashville to go on a much needed vacation. We were able to have a good dinner with even better conversation. They are truly some of the special people in my life.
That being said, onto the subject of running.
So it's been 6 months since I ran my first half marathon. I've always wanted to do it but various things interfered. So for my big 30th birthday, I finally did it with my husband, my best friend and my husband's best friend. It was the first "race" I had ever done and of course I had to choose the one with 30,000 other runners and walkers. Needless to say. it was insanity. But I love to run, despite suffering from shin splints. There's just something about running, setting the goal, watching your body do things you don't think is possible, staying focused and the having that internal pep talk... I think I can, I think I can. I love it.
We ran a few times over the summer but the weather just got too hot and humid. So, after a few months off, we've decided to pick it back up, with the ultimate goal of finishing the Country Music Marathon 2010 with much better times. Let's just say, we learned a lot last year.
We started running this week (with some new recruits) I'm trying to take it slow really focusing on my posture and listening to my body. After only 2 runs this week, I ran a 5K today. It was interesting. I certainly wish I had done better but it wasn't bad. Aaron did it with me and he beat me by like 3 minutes. We both only slept like 4 hours last night and I'm battling with some major chest congestion. But the important thing is that we got out there and did it. The next race on my mind is in 2 weeks and it's a 5 miler. Will I be up to that by then... probably not. It's crazy to think the longest distance I ran without walking was like 11 miles and now I can barely do 3. I have to get better at the whole, I'm letting uncontrollable factors influence me and so I'm gonna quit. I quit running today way too early and let myself get defeated. And it's hard to run in a large crowd of people. I am trying to gain more experience at that.
I am pretty hard on myself. I want to finish the half marathon this year in 2:25. I have a long way to go but I'm ready for the challenge.
There are some amazing principles from running and the training involved that can be applied to our lives. I cannot give up as easily as I do... I must stick it out. I am a fighter and I will not the pavement and the miles get the best of me.
I am a runner!!!

About me...in case you were wondering.

So to start it all off, why a blog? I guess I just need some sort of creative outlet to express my thoughts and feelings. Will anyone read this or find it even remotely interesting? I'm not sure. But I do hope if and when someone does read it, they will like what they discover about me and maybe feel encouraged. We all in different stages in our Life Journey, and we can each learn and share what we have learned by listening to those around us.

That being said, here we go:

I love God. I am 30. I am a wife. I like to paint and to read. I LOVE to run! I also love to shop, travel and bake yummy goodies. I am passionate. I struggle with confidence. I can be a bit selfish. I am committed. I, like most women, don't like my body. I love helping people. I like to encourage. There are so many things will discover about me as you continue reading. I'm just giving you a few things upfront so you can understand where a lot my thoughts flow from.

I feel like my 30th birthday was a more of an awakening than anything else. (I got my nose pierced to slap turning 30 in the face!) I've been 30 for 6 months and I must say, I like it. I don't like what the past 30 years has done to my body (I haven't even had children yet) but I do like feeling that I'm now a grown woman. My motto since turning 30, "Life is too short not to be happy!" and I stand by that motto. This summer, I watched a friend from high school die of cervical cancer and it flipped a switch in side me. There's nothing more heartbreaking than watching a beautiful 31 year old wife and mother of 3 battle it out with the horrible cancer eating her up on the inside. She was a fighter and she is an inspiration. It was an honor to speak at her funeral. Her family is so very dear to my heart.

It is because of her and that motto that I've decided to make some changes in my own life. I've been an RN for the past 7 and 1/2 years. I have tried so many areas of nursing but the bottom line, it doesn't make me happy. It was shortly after my 30th birthday that I decided I had complained long enough and I sought out something that I really wanted to do. I went back to school and just recently graduated with honors as a Certified Professional Makeup Artist. I love fashion. I love makeup. (OMG, to do makeup for NY fashion week... that would be AH-MA-ZING!!) It only makes perfect sense that this is what I want to do. I know people don't quite understand. But my amazing husband has been my biggest support and I love how he pushes me to do what I love and what I dream about. I couldn't have done it without him and all my special people... you know who you are!

So since we are now talking about the man of my dreams, let me fill you in on that.

We are made for each other. He is my best friend in every way. I love him with everything in me. We've been married for 18 months and I feel like our fairy tale love story continues. I honestly was unsure what God's plan was for me when it came to being a wife. I truly did not expect Aaron to walk into my life and he did so when I least expected it. We dated for all of 4 months before we got engaged. We just knew this was it! To be honest, I thought people who fell in love that quickly were a bit messed up in the head. God surely does have a sense of humor. We were engaged for 6 months and had the most beautiful wedding on May 2, 2008, at Union Station in downtown Nashville. It was truly a magical day.

One thing I have learned in 18 months of belonging to each other... Marriages is hard work. But, it is SO worth it. We are both stubborn and we both have tempers, which makes for some interesting moments. But we love each other so passionately and so deeply. I thank God daily for blessing me with someone who constantly reminds me of how much He loves us.

We don't have children yet... although my biological clock is somewhat ticking. We keep planning things that make me say, I don't want to be pregnant then... Who knows when we will ever feel ready. We are at the point that if a "Surprise" did happen, we would be OK with it. At least, I would try to be ok with it. I don't know if I want to let a baby take over my body for 10 months only to ruin it forever. I know it's selfish but that's just me being honest.

We adopted a dog 2 months after we got married and he is our child right now. It's quite funny watching Aaron try to parent him. Kingsley is such a great puppy and a wonderful addition to our family. I of course, spoil him rotten. For example, the dog dug holes in our carpet...I mean, really?? But one look at that face and I completely forget the reminders of his ridiculous and unnecessary actions. I am proud to say we have made significant progress in his separation anxiety issues.

Now if we could just get the holes patched up.... ahem!

I keep thinking about all the things I could say about myself... but there really is just way too much. I could talk about the huge accident and the miracle it is that I'm sitting here typing this blog. I could talk about the fact I've always wanted to run a half marathon and last year for my 30th, we did it, and now I'm addicted to running. I could talk about how much I have learned about God's love and how much I've grown spiritually. I could talk about the joy that comes with leading a life group of 20 somethings.

There are so many moments in my life that I am very proud of and there are moments I'm not so proud of. But this is what makes me me. I'm a perfectionist but pretty aware of how imperfect I am. Thank God for His grace and mercy and most importantly, His forgiveness.

Like I said, there's much to talk about... but I have decided if I share it all up front, it'll make the rest of my blogging a bit boring. So, we'll start off with this and see where my creative outlet takes me....