Many Celebrations & A Leap



3 reasons I'm sippin' on the bubbly this week:

First things, first...Beau and I celebrated our two year wedding anniversary over the weekend and though it was plain and simple, it was exactly what we needed. (And I am still in absolute SHOCK that it's been two years already!) At our first anniversary, we decided we would take a trip every year and I vowed I would put my wedding dress back on (because who doesn't love wearing their wedding dress around the house?) Well...things change, 12-week old puppies take over your life and injured shoulders make putting on a wedding dress less than exciting. So-no trip this year and no wedding dress...[insert teeny sad face]...but we did indulge in a fabulous dinner, incredible drinks, yummy desserts, a couple of movies (even though I fell asleep #typical), took Oakley on extra long walks and just enjoyed our time together celebrating two years of Mr. and Mrs. Howard. :) Sometimes it's all about the simple things in life y'all, however I DID get ten types of crazy by going slingless to dinner. There's just something so un-sexy about a big, black arm sling... ;)

If I look completely uncomfortable in the picture above, it's because without a sling on my left arm, I was...



I'm a lucky, lucky girl to call him mine! :)

Second, and quite possibly the best news of all...I do NOT have to have surgery on my shoulder! The doctor said it is healing GREAT but it's very, very weak and extremely tight to the point that I can barely even lift it. A few weeks of physical therapy are in my near future and then hopefully I'll be back to my old self in NO time. Oh-and I'm also SLING-FREE! Thank goodness...it was getting hard to coordinate that stupid thing with my outfits... (And thank ALL of you for your sweet thoughts and prayers! They definitely worked!)

The third, and the most exciting/bittersweet, celebration in my life right now comes in the form of a new career! Some of you may or may not know that for the past 4 years, I have poured every ounce of my heart and soul into my current job. I have been able to fulfill my passion for health and wellness in so many ways possible that it's still a little surprising to me that I'm taking this leap. However, I have been presented with an incredible opportunity with a brand new company to fulfill the other half of my passion, which is marketing and social media. There comes a point in time where you have to do what's best for you and right now, I am 100% sure that this is what is best for me, my career and my family. It's also not everyday you're given opportunities like the one I have been given and I don't ever want to live a life of "what if's" so I'm taking the leap. And it's a huge, bullfrog-sized leap of faith but I know it's the right one. I am forever grateful for my current (soon to be "old") job for the knowledge I have gained, the books I've read (which is over 100!) the people I have met, the experiences I've experienced, and for the skills I've learned but as hard of a decision as it was, I have to close one chapter and start a new one in this so called "Book of  Life" I'm writing.

I stumbled across this quote the night before I accepted my new position and it spoke to me in a way that no other quote has ever spoken to me before. I hope it does the same for you.

To my friends, family and co-workers: thank you for your undying love and support during these past few days. The overwhelming amount of love and encouragement is appreciated more than you all will ever, EVER, know. I am very grateful that God has surround me with such good company. I love you all!

[Wipes tears of happiness.]

So there we have it. Two wonderful, incredible, sometimes challenging but always fun years of marriage, no shoulder surgery (heck to the yes) and my big leap of faith!

Even our baby bird is celebrating with us! :)

Gotta start 'em early on the booze, right? ;)