Miraculously blessed!

So I have been slacking, yet again, on the blog front.  I can't believe that it has been 9 months since I updated, but I am suffering from insomnia so I figured why not blog.  Things have changed a lot for my little family over the last 9 months.

My job, that I enjoyed so much, unfortunately led to a layoff in June... so that was crappy but being that I am an expert in downsizing I took it in stride knowing that God has better things in store for us.   Back in January, just a few days after my last post actually, my husband and I went to the Linkin Park concert in Atlanta.  He is a HUGE fan and got me on the bandwagon during the course of our relationship and marriage.  I will say that they put on a fantastic show!  We had a blast and will have lifelong memories of that special date night because we are pregnant!   We conceived our miracle baby that night (miracle because I was told I could not have children as a teen)... so this blessing is so special!   We are due on Halloween, just 1 day after our 2 year anniversary and it's a girl.  Baby Linkin Rose should be joining us any day now.   I am actually in the hospital blogging right now... unfortunately my weekly doctor appointment did not go so well today and my awesome/cautious doc wanted to monitor me for 24 hours for Toxemia/Pre-Eclampsia, so straight to the hospital we went.  This little mama is a light sleeper and isn't doing well in the hospital environment (let alone coping with my husband's snoring... poor thing has a cold but is still here with me).

Let's see, what else... my husband started a new job about a month ago and seems to be loving it, although the hours are grueling and the work is taxing, I am so proud of him.. even if I'm a little selfish and would like him home more I know he is working for our family.   My step-daughter started high school this year.... crazy as that is, and is doing well although focused a little too much on socializing, but what teenager isn't, right?

Other than that we are just gearing up for this baby and excited about the upcoming holiday season.   My perspective has changed a lot this year.  Trivial and minute details really do not seem to matter too much anymore and I am really just focused on my family.  My husband is my rock and I love him so... and I just cannot wait to start this new chapter in our lives by welcoming our first baby.  Blessed is the perfect word for us right now... and I hope you find yourself blessed as well!

A New Year...

Have you ever been anxious for something and have no idea what it is?  I don't know if it's the start of a new year or the optimistic possibility that good things are happening but I am so anxious lately!  We had a busy holiday season, tons of family time, and the loss of a dear friend just before Christmas that really put things in perspective for me.  I am blessed.  Sure we may not have enough money, and the house may be messy, but we are blessed.  I really enjoyed the time with our family over the last couple of months and now that things have calmed down I just have this anxiety... like a change is coming soon.  Who knows what that may be, but things have changed so much for us, gotten so much better, in the last year that I honestly don't know how things could possibly get any better!   Combine that with the fact that I have the sweetest husband ever - seriously it's ok to be jealous- and I am one happy lady.  He is just the most amazing guy... I love how simple we are, that an evening on the couch in our pj's is the perfect date night.  That he still thinks I'm gorgeous with glasses on and a messy ponytail.  That he listens to me, even when I don't think he is.   For example, we are going to the Linkin Park concert this weekend and all I have been talking about is that I need to have OPI's "Lincoln Park After Dark" polish to wear to the show (yes, I am aware that I am a big dork for that).  We were going to go get it the other day and he told me to wait and we'd get it later, no biggie.  So imagine my surprise when I come home from a LONG day at work and he hands me the polish.   Now this might not seem like a big deal, but the store where you buy it is no where near where we live or where he works, so he seriously went out of his way.  Little things like that just make me so proud and grateful to be his wife.  

I hope everyone has someone or something in their life that makes them feel that way.  Blissfully blessed!  So here's to a glorious new year, and all the possibilities and blessing it may bring! 

Happy holidays to you!

I'm in a bit of a blogging mood... not sure why.  Maybe it's this cold winter snap we got today and I'm all snuggled on the couch with my sweet husband.  We've been super blessed this month!   I started a new job shortly after my last post and I love it!  I am so glad to be back in the corporate world and this company is AMAZING!  We've done a lot of traveling in the last couple of weeks...  2 trips to Mississippi to celebrate Thanksgiving at my mom's gorgeous new home!  My dad, step-mom, brother and sister even joined us at Mom's and we had such a wonderful time!  I seriously have the coolest family ever!!!  With Christmas rapidly approaching, the hubs and I have been on mission budget-crunch....  tightening down on our finances so we can enjoy the holidays.  I know that Christmas is not about the gifts or spending money, but I have always enjoyed giving gifts to friends and family and I am so thankful to have a job for the first Christmas holiday since 2008!!!!! I feel a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders... even my husband, who's usually a bit "bah-humbug" about the holidays is all geared up... he even cleaned and re-arranged our living room for the Christmas tree yesterday!  In an effort to help ease our finances, I've been trying to make little cuts here and there.  I always come home for lunch, can't remember the last time I went shopping, and for the first time in 14 years I removed my acrylic nails - I have to say I'm kind of digging the natural look.... even though my real nails are super brittle, I have pretty navy blue polish on them and I love it!

Well, I'm outta here for now... time to watch Glee and snuggle some more!  Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!!!!

Life is good....

Wow,  I didn't realize it had been 4 months since I last blogged... talk about slacking!  I can't remember the last time I made a youtube video... some partner I am!  Ha!  Life has been crazy, wonderfully busy lately.  David and I have both been working a lot and when we are home it's domesticated/parental duties.  If you know me at all you know my love of a domesticated life, so things have been going so well!  My husband and I recently celebrated our 1 year anniversary!!!!  I cannot believe that it's been a whole year.... it seems like yesterday I was  dressing in my wedding gown and sneaking a peek out the window to see my handsome groom.  Even harder to believe that I love him more now than I ever thought possible...  he never ceases to amaze me.  That gorgeous man flipped my world upside down when we met, nearly 3 years ago..... but enough of the mushy stuff!  Still working for Estee Lauder, although the hours were somewhat of an issue so we have changed my schedule... so far its ok, just not enough hours... so we will see what the future holds.   Hope all is well for everyone out there!

~Nichole

A break in the monotony!

It would seem that my prayers for guidance have been answered!  I am so happy to report that as of last Thursday I was offered a position with Estee Lauder!!!!!!  

Can you believe it?!  Of course I accepted the position and am so happy!   Not only has God provided me with a job, but doing something that I am so passionate about!   I started on Monday and have loved every minute of it!  My bosses are AMAZING, the job is wonderful, and the knowledge and training that I have been given thus far is priceless!!!  I am so excited to be using their products (a first for this cosmetic lover!) and cannot be more impressed!   I can't help but think how proud my Nanny would be and that maybe she had a little something to do with this... a former model and a lover of cosmetics it was she who taught my mother about makeup and my mother taught me. I used to love sitting and watching my mom get ready in the morning and the happiest day of my year (as a child) was the day of the dance recital!  We would wear awesome costumes and makeup all day! Halloween is also a favorite because you get to dressup.  I digress......  I get compliments daily on my eyeliner - every single day and I have to thank Nanny for that.  She taught me how to do the perfect "cat" eyeliner and also how to shape my brows "they are the frame to your eyes and the highest point of your arch should be just next to the center of your eye".   Daily reminders of how influential she was to my life and I know she is proudly looking down at me fulfilling a dream!  

Go for your dreams! Even if you think you aren't qualified and there is no way you will get the job - go for it!  You never know who is willing to give you a chance!!


and in addition to all of this happiness, my husband is home for a visit!  4 long weeks since we had seen one another and he shows up at 2am to surprise me!   The blessings are so abundant and I am forever grateful for every one of them!   

Jobs, jobs, jobs...

It's no secret that I have been unemployed for nearly 2 years.... and although I have been looking for a job (unsuccessfully) I have been looking more at salary and benefit requirements than job fulfillment.  I have recently been interviewing for several different companies, 1 being the normal "corporate" job and 2 others have been in the field of cosmetics which I absolutely adore.  I interviewed for an awesome opportunity at MAC Cosmetics here, but found out today that they decided to go with another candidate.  I have also had 3 different interviews (2 in person and 1 phone) with Estee Lauder, to which I am still a candidate for. I also spoke with a company today that found my resume on Monster and sounds very promising, to which I successfully scheduled an interview with on Thursday at 1pm.  I don't know if its the economic conditions or just my own insecurities, but it seems like getting a job is so much more difficult than it used to be.  It is absolutely terrifying to interview now, especially when stakes are so high and there are so many people competing for the position.  I had an interview in Atlanta that was a mass interview with 23 people for 1 position, after completing a 3 HOUR assessment and a mock day at work they called and said that I was "placed" second and while they wanted me for the position, their policy would not allow for me to be offered said position unless the first place holder declined (which he did not).  

Seems to be prayers and help from family are the only things getting us through these difficult times and I know that we are not the only ones struggling.... it would just be so wonderful to be able to breathe again, to enjoy a date with my husband (when he's in town from working), to be able to go to the movies or on girls nights....   I miss the days when you didn't fear what would happen if you lost your job because there are no indications when you might get a new one.   To be able to turn on the news without hearing the words UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS, FORECLOSURE, or BUSINESS CLOSINGS.  Makes me wonder if the Great Depression might have been a little easier to deal with because there was no TV, internet, and other media and technological portals that we have now.  

So to anyone else who is struggling to find work, pay bills, or manage their household.... I recommend a good amount of prayer and laughter to get you through.  Also, be open to changes in your field, pursue your dreams and find something you are passionate about.  That's the one thing I have learned in all of my time as an unemployed woman..... being passionate about your job is absolutely necessary.   

Good luck!

Are you lonesome tonight...

Well, my husband has successfully made it to Tennessee... he has been there for a few days and is settled nicely.  He's working hard, learning lots, and is tired a lot.... he even says he misses me a little.  I guess I never truly realized how much I love him... I know absence makes the heart grow fonder but it's almost as if I cannot breathe without him home.   I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but I have just never felt so strongly for ANYONE before and after a couple of years together and nearly a year of marriage I guess I am just now realizing how completely I love him.  So we have a rough couple of months ahead of us... I'm sure that this will make our marriage even stronger, but I don't have to like the idea of the separation.  Let's hope these weeks pass quickly and I can be  back with my honey again soon!  I am super proud of all that he is doing for our little family, and so proud of the wonderful husband he is...  we are so very blessed!  Love truly conquers all!