I got a promotion!

So as a lot of you know, I work for a pretty large company. I've worked for said company for almost a year and when I started I never really imagined myself doing it for long, let alone loving it. 
So about 2 months ago I took a course that is supposed to give you more insight for going into leadership and I had already thought that it'd be a good idea for me to do it and then my manager/lead told me to do it. 
In this course I was able to speak my mind, let my colleagues know who I am and where I plan on going.. about 2 hours in I had an amazing manager walk up to me and just blatantly ask "why are you here?" and I had no answer.. I'm a level 2 employee at this point, I'm just getting a feel.. but I feel like I have things to offer. I honestly thought he was going to tell me I was too inexperienced and to leave.  I walk away for a few minutes, come back, there's 3 more managers/leads who are running courses for this program and they are talking about me. 
I had a mini-freak out inside, but sat down with my bagel and was quiet, until said manager came back up and said something that literally changed my life.
"You should look into leadership, you've been here 8 months and you're outshining those who've been here for 5+ years. Please come to me if you need any help with interview prep." 
WHOA.. this guy, whose been with this HUGE company for 12 years said that I should look into leadership? Yeah okay, and then I'll become a rockstar. *sarcasm* But when this was brought up to my manager, coaching and then to other leadership who I didn't really know -but somehow knew me- I decided to do it. 
In August I applied to be what we call a "coaching lead" which basically means I'm a step under the manager and i work solely with the people on a team. I build them up and work with them for their success. I didn't think I'd get it, my interview got all messed up and my emotions were high due to the crap going on in my personal life... 
Then September 4th I was called into an office where I was sure they'd say "Acacia, you're a great candidate, but not experienced enough.. try again next year" instead I got:
"You're passionate, you care and we could tell in your interview that you truly will go places" 
My manager and lead were not surprised, nor was Mike, but I was.. I never think I'm good enough, and here are a bunch of people saying I am. I have a lot of work to do, I have my own team for the next 6 months I have to prove myself day in and day out in order to remain a lead. I'm confident enough to say that I think this will only be another stepping block. I honestly am setting a goal to make it as far as I can and to maybe transfer away from NoDak. 
So there you have it, a wonderful story on getting a promotion in just 10 months of work with a huge company. Now comes the fun of being in charge of people who've been there for 3-4 years and might look at me like I'm a doofus.   
PS: I should add that I totally love my job and my new position. ALSO! Mike works for said company as well and got a new promotion too, to say we're doing well is an understatement and this has been a huge blessing in our life together. 

I moved..

Well we both moved.. technically three of us.

We moved across country to North Dakota.

Our last picture in front of our first house together. It was bitter sweet, I left my sister and some pretty amazing friends. I feel as if I'll never meet their dopple gangers in North Dakota, but we'll see. 

We hoped in our cars on August 25th and went to Montana that night. We decided after that initial night out that we would go camping so we found a place about six hours away and drove about six hours. Boulder River in MT.. its a little north of Yellowstone. 

Our family picture after Brutus dug out about twenty rocks from the creek. 

We managed to drive through to Miles City the next day -after a short stop in Billings, MT- and then to Fargo, ND

It was a weird feeling when we finally crossed the boarder to North Dakota. I was really doing this, moving with A and we were going to figure it out as we go along. Then again .. I have this crazy guy who I'm lucky to call mine (my boyfriend and my best friend) and while a lot of crazy things have happened.. I am comfortable saying that this is going to work out no matter what. 

Our first night in North Dakota we realized that 1. we left Bru's favorite toy in Miles City (moms bad) and 2. that this place isn't nearly as bad as everyone said. We went to Granite City Brewery and they were so gracious to allow us to come in a few minutes before the kitchen closed, but it was worth it! Delicious flat bread pizza, great beer sampler and a brucheta chicken salad. If you're ever in Fargo.. GO THERE! 

The next day we go to Grand Forks, we get in and literally start looking at houses.. see the tricky think about this city is that they aren't too keen on big dogs and you all know we have a 95lb bundle of love. We had discussed buying a house when we found out about the house situation, but didn't expect for things to move so quickly... I got a job Labor Day weekend and A bought a house.. yeah in one weekend. 

Oh well this is a little update and we hope to be getting into the swing of things in the near future, maybe a give away from my work and of course letting you all know how the move goes! 

I do hope that Oct 10th gets here soon.. our king sized bed and my FULL closet is calling my name. 

-Acacia 

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what to blog...

what to blog... oh what to blog...

should I tell you about how A left? Yeah, he was home about three months, now he's gone to GA for the beautiful weather, golf and did I mention that beautiful weather?! Also, it looks like for the next 5 months I wont see him :( whomp..tickets are just too expensive. 

I can tell you that my best fried is getting married, she's marrying the love of her life and guess what else.... SHE ASKED ME TO BE HER MAID OF HONOR!!!! This is extremely exciting since I'm normally behind the camera, not in front of it, and also I get to witness these two love birds getting hitched :) I'm a fan. A big fan. 

I can tell you that my relationship with Christ has gotten stronger, I've been able to just sit back and embrace everything that He is and that He has planned for me... whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed, sad or even incredibly happy I'm able to sit and pray.. just being thankful and steadfast in Him has caused my life to be more still.. I used to be so frustrated, but now its kinda like I take a step back, deep breath and thank God for everything I have and for giving me the trials and challenges that come with my life/job. 

My job is insane, people are so, so rude on the phones! Seriously. You would think that when you call customer service that you would A) be polite and B) would be understanding when I can't actually do something about a situation they caused.. i.e. if you drop your phone on the toilet seat and it falls in.. therefore breaking the screen AND having water damage, but you didn't add insurance on it.. I cannot get you a new phone.. sorry.. you have the opportunity to buy insurance 30 days after activation.. BLAH! -yes people do that, but worse than that are the creepy guys who call in.. doing the (you know what) and ask how big your chest is.. swear to God, this job is interesting/gross- 

So now that A is gone, Bru is crazy and my job is kinda.. well.. nuts AND while we're waiting for orders -A says perhaps April!- I'm getting back into fitness. Taking my booty to the gym by 6AM Monday thru Friday and starting to have more boldness in my fashion. I'll be attempting to link up to blog hops and fashion things. I'll be talking about those things that I'm sure you don't want to hear about, sharing my opinion on some things like the clarisonic, almond milk and my dog gaining all his "big boy" weight ... my baby is growing up! :( Any ways, thanks for sticking with me, have a fun day!!! 

-Acacia 

what to blog...

what to blog... oh what to blog...

should I tell you about how A left? Yeah, he was home about three months, now he's gone to GA for the beautiful weather, golf and did I mention that beautiful weather?! Also, it looks like for the next 5 months I wont see him :( whomp..tickets are just too expensive. 

I can tell you that my best fried is getting married, she's marrying the love of her life and guess what else.... SHE ASKED ME TO BE HER MAID OF HONOR!!!! This is extremely exciting since I'm normally behind the camera, not in front of it, and also I get to witness these two love birds getting hitched :) I'm a fan. A big fan. 

I can tell you that my relationship with Christ has gotten stronger, I've been able to just sit back and embrace everything that He is and that He has planned for me... whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed, sad or even incredibly happy I'm able to sit and pray.. just being thankful and steadfast in Him has caused my life to be more still.. I used to be so frustrated, but now its kinda like I take a step back, deep breath and thank God for everything I have and for giving me the trials and challenges that come with my life/job. 

My job is insane, people are so, so rude on the phones! Seriously. You would think that when you call customer service that you would A) be polite and B) would be understanding when I can't actually do something about a situation they caused.. i.e. if you drop your phone on the toilet seat and it falls in.. therefore breaking the screen AND having water damage, but you didn't add insurance on it.. I cannot get you a new phone.. sorry.. you have the opportunity to buy insurance 30 days after activation.. BLAH! -yes people do that, but worse than that are the creepy guys who call in.. doing the (you know what) and ask how big your chest is.. swear to God, this job is interesting/gross- 

So now that A is gone, Bru is crazy and my job is kinda.. well.. nuts AND while we're waiting for orders -A says perhaps April!- I'm getting back into fitness. Taking my booty to the gym by 6AM Monday thru Friday and starting to have more boldness in my fashion. I'll be attempting to link up to blog hops and fashion things. I'll be talking about those things that I'm sure you don't want to hear about, sharing my opinion on some things like the clarisonic, almond milk and my dog gaining all his "big boy" weight ... my baby is growing up! :( Any ways, thanks for sticking with me, have a fun day!!! 

-Acacia 

what to blog...

what to blog... oh what to blog...

should I tell you about how A left? Yeah, he was home about three months, now he's gone to GA for the beautiful weather, golf and did I mention that beautiful weather?! Also, it looks like for the next 5 months I wont see him :( whomp..tickets are just too expensive. 

I can tell you that my best fried is getting married, she's marrying the love of her life and guess what else.... SHE ASKED ME TO BE HER MAID OF HONOR!!!! This is extremely exciting since I'm normally behind the camera, not in front of it, and also I get to witness these two love birds getting hitched :) I'm a fan. A big fan. 

I can tell you that my relationship with Christ has gotten stronger, I've been able to just sit back and embrace everything that He is and that He has planned for me... whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed, sad or even incredibly happy I'm able to sit and pray.. just being thankful and steadfast in Him has caused my life to be more still.. I used to be so frustrated, but now its kinda like I take a step back, deep breath and thank God for everything I have and for giving me the trials and challenges that come with my life/job. 

My job is insane, people are so, so rude on the phones! Seriously. You would think that when you call customer service that you would A) be polite and B) would be understanding when I can't actually do something about a situation they caused.. i.e. if you drop your phone on the toilet seat and it falls in.. therefore breaking the screen AND having water damage, but you didn't add insurance on it.. I cannot get you a new phone.. sorry.. you have the opportunity to buy insurance 30 days after activation.. BLAH! -yes people do that, but worse than that are the creepy guys who call in.. doing the (you know what) and ask how big your chest is.. swear to God, this job is interesting/gross- 

So now that A is gone, Bru is crazy and my job is kinda.. well.. nuts AND while we're waiting for orders -A says perhaps April!- I'm getting back into fitness. Taking my booty to the gym by 6AM Monday thru Friday and starting to have more boldness in my fashion. I'll be attempting to link up to blog hops and fashion things. I'll be talking about those things that I'm sure you don't want to hear about, sharing my opinion on some things like the clarisonic, almond milk and my dog gaining all his "big boy" weight ... my baby is growing up! :( Any ways, thanks for sticking with me, have a fun day!!! 

-Acacia 

Time moves swiftly

Seriously. 

I picked A up from his squadron... about two months ago and he leaves again for his new job (YAY!) training in March. Its a little bittersweet for me, I'm not going to speak for him. We were sitting there thinking about how we can spend more time together -hi there full time job, photography AND gym - and we came to the conclusion that we really should look at me moving with him. I've been pretty steadfast in saying no, but then we calculated out the actual time we've spent together in three years.. subtract 3 deployments (1.5 year(s) then about 3-4 TDYs during that six month "down time" and also in some other schools that he's done, vacations to his parents, which unfortunately I don't always get to go on.. we've been together for about six months. Yeah. So to all those pushing us to get married or for him to "man up" maybe take a look at it from our side? 

So this is my semi-kinda informal way of saying that A & I will be moving to his next duty station together! 

Any ways, some awesome big things happened for myself, well and A.. I bought a new car -can't remember if I told you guys.. - its a red 2005 corolla named Lola -thank you Vicky!- and I just shot the most adorable maternity session, but am waiting for baby E to make his arrival to write about it -any day now baby!!- I've made it to being the #2 spot on my team at work, the person in front of me only has about 200 calls on me.. so I'll get there. 

Oh I've found She Reads Truth which is an AMAZING community of women in Christ! Seriously, this last devotional we did was AH-MAY-ZING called Fresh Start... I was able to lay it all out there, not be judged and just revel in the fact that God chose to save me, of all people, and that I need to scream this from the roof tops!! But for realsies, check them out, even if you just want to know more about God, about the Bible.. check them out :) but be prepared to have all of yourself changed by His awesome word. 

Well, I suppose I should run off to work now, its insane how time flies in the morning hour. I will be blogging on a more regular basis now that I have my schedule back on track.

-Acacia