icymi.

....I took a 2 month hiatus.

While that may be considered slacker-esque, it was completely necessary.  It wasn't burn out.  It wasn't writer's block.  It was me trying to balance my new job workload, plus M's softball schedule, PLUS my work on the Relay For Life Committee. 

Whew.

Now that all of that is off the plate, I'm back!
What have you missed!?

My mom and some awesome friends went with me to celebrate my birthday at my 3rd Color Run!

Being a rebel & wearing my Yoda shirt instead of the "uniform". :)

....Because neck tattoos make me feel hardcore.

Game faces...activated.

By the way...my mom is more awesome than yours.

No idea who this is, but I thought she was super rad for rockin' the Color Run.

My obligatory "aftermath" shot.

 One month later, I participated in my 8th Relay For Life event.  I'm so proud to be involved and on the committee.  We had an awesome time!  7pm to 7am....and it felt like it.  
I'm getting old.  

I was the proud Team Captain of The Crushers!

Downtown Sulphur Springs during Relay.

I was the host of the "Man Pageant".

4AM at The Crushers camp....and going strong.

4AM called for the Mohawk.

Last lap at 7AM!

My team, The Crushers, were named the Most Spirited team. :)

 That following Sunday, I made my very tired body crawl out of bed and attend my very first Comic Con in Dallas!!  It was worth it!

This is the face of a very tired Amber. (But my shirt is awesome...)

Thanks to my friends, Chris & Brad (cameraman), for going with me!

I was a kid in a candy shop.  Seriously.  I'm sure Chris & Brad were ready to drag me out of there far before we ever left.

So, my hiatus definitely hasn't been all work and no play.  But, I have to admit, I am so ready to get back in the groove of blogging again.  I've missed you guys. 

Did anyone else make it to Dallas Comic Con?  Let me know!

my birthday request.

In honor of my birthday, I want to take this time to talk about something really important to me.

Relay For Life. 

I got involved in my first Relay event 8 years ago.  I was instantly hooked. 
It's amazing to think that millions of people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. So many close to me already have. 

Relay For Life is not only a way to join my community to fight back against cancer, but it is also a way to inspire hope by raising funds and awareness to help those facing the disease.

I know I can and will make a difference in the fight to end cancer.

This is my 4th year as a committee member and I still bleed purple.  
Why do I volunteer my time? 
My reason for participating in my Relay For Life event is personal. We all participate  because we’ve been affected by cancer in some way and because a Relay For Life event gives us the power to make a difference and fight back.
This is my opportunity to honor cancer survivors like my cousin, Lori Weygandt.  It's also an opportunity to remember all the amazing people I have lost :  My great-grandfather, JB Thomas.  My grandfather, Marshall Whitlock.  My aunt, Barbara Whitlock.  My uncle, Don Whitlock.  And most recently, my grade school friend, Hollie Morrow.   
I want to help raise funds for groundbreaking research, information and services for people fighting cancer.

I could talk about it, or I could actually do something.

I support Relay For Life & the American Cancer Society because every day, the American Cancer Society helps people take steps to reduce their risk of cancer or find it early when it is easiest to treat. They provide free information and services when and where people need it throughout their journey to get well. They are investing in groundbreaking research to find, prevent, treat, and cure cancer, and are working with lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and rally communities worldwide to join the fight.
What does this have to do with my birthday?

Well, the American Cancer Society is the official sponsor of birthdays.


I am hoping that all of my friends (old and new) will consider making a donation in support of my efforts as a birthday gift.

Please use the link below to make a secure, tax-deductible donation.

 

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/amberhenry

Together, we have the power to help create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone’s life.  The ACS is creating more birthdays each year...and celebrating more birthdays, means eating more cake.  Who doesn't want MORE CAKE!  Do it for the cake, people!! 

I appreciate your support.  Let's finish the fight against cancer!  ...and eat cake. 

this year i...

Yeah....I've been slacking.  I've been holding off on some posts until after the launch of The Shiny Happy, but there has been some delay.  Then I just got in a funk of doing other things.  But, I'm back!!!  This post is a little late, but hey....it's still January! :)

Kaylah over at The Dainty Squid has an annual post that she has done called, "This Year I..."  Once I read it, I was motivated to create my own post to document the things I've done this year.  Big & small.  So thanks to her, I present my 2013 list.

This year I...

-started off the New Year as a newlywed in a new city with a new job.

-enjoyed the "I Love You Because..." board from my little sis.

 -bought new furniture with the mister.

-loved finding all the mister's random love notes.

-was thrilled to become Matti's "bonus mom."

-recorded an album with my good friend, Rita.

-enjoyed my fair share of coffee.

-rocked at being the super rad family that we are.

-participated in my very first 5K on my 33rd birthday.

-took my mom to her very first Rangers game.

-made sure to get plenty of pool time in at Mom's.

Matti & her friend, Taelor.

-got the most awesome running shoes from the mister.

-went kayaking in Broken Bow.

-took a road trip to Houston with my mom.

Starbucks.  Everyday.

-took Mattison to the Tyler Zoo.

-went bowfishing on the Red River.

-consistently found stuff like this on my phone after leaving it alone for just a second.

-added the cutest 4-legged furbaby to our family -- Jackson Kane "Jax"

- got myself involved with the local Relay For Life committee again as the Promotional Chair.

 

 

-participated in my second 5K/second Color Run in Dallas.

- marked my third 5K with the Ho Ho Ho Run in Tyler.

-made new friends in my new city.

-celebrated my first and happiest Christmas with the love of my life.

I hope your 2013 was a happy one...and I wish you and yours an even happier New Year!