Wedding Bells

I was so thrilled to be my friend Laura’s maid of honor last month! Her wedding was so beautiful at a garden in Rockford, IL. She was a stunning bride. Congratulations Laura and Brian!!!

Roots and Wings

There are days that I get homesick for Arizona…I miss the cactus  and the mountains, my family, friends that I have grown up with, and yes…even the 100 + degree weather sometimes. There are also times that I love Cheyenne and it feels more like home to me now. I love making new friends, experiencing four seasons, enjoying small town living without traffic or waits at restaurants…and of course, ERIC! My sister gets really upset when she realizes that I won’t be moving back to Arizona again. It breaks my heart when she tells me how sad she is that I am gone…mainly because my sister does not have “heart- felt” conversations very often.  I thought really hard about this the past few weeks…I was having a hard time explaining to Sara how I felt. Then, when I was talking to my mom one night she gave me some great insight. She said that it is ok to have roots and wings. My roots will always be in Arizona but my wings took my on a new adventure to Wyoming!  I will always love my family and friends in Arizona…it is where I grew up and made me who I am! Moving away doesn’t have to mean that you are leaving people. Sure, you may be further away but your relationship can stay just as close as ever…you just have to put in a little more phone time! Thanks for the insight, Mom! It really eased my heart! <3

Fall is in the air!

The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are changing, and my house smells like cinnamon! Fall is officially here and I couldn’t be more excited! There is something about this time of year that takes me back…to high school football games on Friday nights, driving home on college breaks to see my family, carving pumpkins and buying ridiculous costumes, sipping hot apple cider, and indulging in Thanksgiving dinner!  It is my favorite time of year; I hope everyone has a blessed fall season! XOXO

Some things get better with time...

Today is my 26^th birthday! I don’t know where the time from 18 to 26 has gone but it has FLOWN by! I was a little sad this morning thinking that I am now closer to 30 than 20!  I read an article today that was titled 53 Things That Get Better With Age…here were the top 10:

1.    Wisdom: Sure, it's a little fortune cookie-ish, but consider this: You can acquire knowledge from a book, but only by living can you acquire wisdom

2.    Life stories: The longer you live, the more stories you have and the richer they become.

3.    Body image: You finally start appreciating the body you have

4.    Self-awareness: You become more attuned to both your mind and body. (The good and the bad!)

5.    Patience: You've learned that all good things come with time. So what's the hurry?

6.    Self-esteem: The longer you live, the more things you accomplish (big and small) and the more you have to be proud of.

7.    Common sense: It keeps developing as you survive the dares and risks you take throughout life.

8.    Admiration: Not only do you admire the accomplishments of others, you also garner their admiration.

9.    Humor: Your sense of humor gets better with age. And what's a long life without a lot of good laughs?

10.  Family: Families continue to grow with every generation, bringing in new members and extending the family line.

I am going to embrace this new year in my life and appreciate the qualities in myself that get better with age. Bring it on 2-6, let’s make it the best year yet!

Book Worm



Emily Giffin is my all time favorite author. Giffin’s novels revolve around relationship and change. Her talent lies in making her characters believable and relatable.  There are five books in her series: Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You’re With, and Heart of the Matter.  My sister, my mom and I all read Something Borrowed a few years ago and were hooked instantly! If you’re looking for a good read this Fall I would suggest getting started on this series…it's my favorite!

It's a love-hate relationship.

Since moving to Wyoming I have taken on some new eating habits…battered, fried, buttered and salted! It makes for a tasty meal BUT an unfavorable number on the scale. I’m turning 26 this week and realizing that I am not a spring chicken anymore! I find myself having to spend more and more time on the treadmill. I have begun to develop a real love hate relationship with it! I love the way I feel after a good run but hate huffing and puffing on the dreaded machine staring at the same wall for 30 minutes at a time. I feel the best when I am the healthiest that I can be, so I made a commitment to myself to get there.  Mixing up my workouts keeps me motivated because I don’t get so bored. Running, spinning, walking, and jumping rope is a good mixture of cardio. Having some self discipline...easier said than done but I have to realize that I can’t eat the same way as my fiancé’. That’s not to say I have to starve myself but littler portions and adding some fruits and vegetables in there doesn’t hurt. Setting small goals: I have always been very athletic and I love to compete, even if it is against myself.  Signing up for a run, even a 5K is a great way to give yourself a goal to work towards.  Living a healthy life style and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of cancer, and heart disease by up to 80%, that’s huge!  So here’s the challenge…be the best you! Get motivated, take charge and reach your goals! J

Welcome to the world, James Daniel!

My beautiful and amazing friend Heidi and her husband Josh just welcomed a new baby boy into the world. James Daniel (JD) was born this Tuesday September, 21^st.  Everyone is healthy and doing great! I can’t wait to meet this new little guy! Congratulations to the Gladden family!

CPA or bust!

I sat for my CPA exam for the first time right out of college. I just started working for a CPA firm in downtown Phoenix. I think we all tend to think we are on the partner track and have the world at our finger tips our first month of work. I went into the exam thinking it was no biggie. This exam has a lower pass rate then the BAR exam mind you…needless to say, I FAILED….miserably! I was humbled real fast when I started working 65 hours a week, trying to study, and had a two hour commute every day. On top of all that I was beginning to question what the point of that college degree actually was because I was at my first client and I didn’t know jack diddily! Once I started to get into a routine I realized that I actually could live on a coffee and granola bar diet and 6 hours of sleep a night is much more refreshing then 3 so I was thankful when I could make it home from work and to bed by 10! I got a little boost of confidence whenI started figuring things out on my own and actually get a “good job” from the managing partner! Anyway, long story short it is so easy to give it a try, get discouraged by a failing score, get busy with work, move on with life and give up on the CPA exam. So here I am 2 year later gearing up for round two. I am hoping with a more relaxed governmental accounting job, normal working hours, and the love and support of my family and friends I will be able to say goodbye to normal life again and get this exam done once and for all. No more Teen Mom and Jersey Shore for me after work…Becker study materials are my new way of life!  I am sitting for the first section in November…wish me luck! J

Gramie's Mac n' Cheese

I have realized that at almost 26 years of age and a soon-to-be wife, frozen pizzas and Top Ramen just isn’t cutting it anymore. I have been slowly taking on the cooking world one recipe at a time. Here is my favorite so far…curtsey of the best cook I know, my gramie!

Baked Mac n’ Cheese:

2 Cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Chesses

8 TBSP Butter

8 TBSP Flour

1 TSP Salt

1 TSP Pepper

2 Cups Milk

16 Ounces Elbow Macaroni

Mix Butter, Salt, Flour, Salt, Pepper, and Milk in a sauce pan until it is a creamy sauce.  Layer sauce and cheese over cooked macaroni and bake @ 350 for 35 minutes.

So easy and so good!

Happy Birthday, Kim!

Today is Kim's birthday! She is such an awesome example of a mother and wife...AND I am so excited to say my soon-to-be mother-in-law too! Love you Kim, have a wonderful birthday!

Cheyenne Bound

A year ago today I was putting my last couple of boxes in the U-Haul and saying goodbye to my family and friends. When I left Arizona, I had no idea I was about to embark of the biggest journey of my life so far. I was moving for a job...I had been laid off from the CPA firm I worked for in Phoenix and had a tough time finding a new job with the bad economic conditions. Long story short I  had been recruited to a local firm in Cheyenne, WY. I moved with the intention of staying for a year, waiting for the economy to recover and high-tailing in back to AZ the first chance I got. All my family, friends and everything I had known for the past 25 years of my life was being left behind in my rear view mirror. I moved into this little apartment that was literally built in the 20's. I spent the next 36 hours cleaning, crying and planning the fastest escape I could back home. I buried myself in my work for the next few months. Eventually I started making friends and feeling less and less homesick...well until the snow fell that is. I learned quickly that a Mustang GT isn't the best means of transportation in 2 feet of snow. Right before I left to go home for Christmas I went of my first date with Eric, I was amazed myself but I was actually kind of excited to get back to Cheyenne after the holidays. It is so funny today to sit here and think of how drastically my life has changed in just one year. I wouldn't change it for the world. Sometimes you have to take those crazy chances in life...see where it leads you! You might be pleasantly surprised...

Step Up!

When you live with someone battling a disease, you in turn have to battle that disease also. Eric, my fiancé', is a type 1 diabetic. It can be very scary for me when he has sugar highs and lows. I have done everything I can to learn more about Diabetes so I can be there for him in every way possible. When someone you love has a disease , rather you are a family member, loved one, or friend do everything you can to support them and be a positive person for them to have in their life.

Cheyenne Hills Church

I finally found my way back to church this Sunday. I went to Cheyenne Hills and I felt so at home there. It is a wonderful church that is so filled with the spirit. I joined a women's bible study too! We met Tuesday night and it was so great to have fellowship with such amazing women. I felt as though a huge part of me was missing when I did not have a church to attend. It is so easy to stray away from the one person that will never stray from us. Thank you, God for your unconditional love.

Happy Birthday Hunter!

Today is my newphew's first birthday party. It is amazing how quickly he is growing up. I moved to Cheyenne 3 weeks after he was born and eveytime I see him he has grown and changed so much! The day Hunter was born my dad, mom, and I had been waiting in the hospital for his arrival over 24 hours (my poor sister)! When we saw him for the first time the waterworks began, we all cried! He was so beautiful and it was so awesome to think this tiny little person had been growing inside my sister for the past 9 months. He has brought so much joy and happiness to our family! Happy Birthday Hunty!

Fabulous Friends

I am so blessed to have such amazing friendships in my life. Women need other women to share laughter, gossip, and all those fabulously fun girl things with! Sometimes a glass of wine and hours of conversation is just what you need for a little rejuvenation! Fellowship with other women can be so inspiring and motivating. Thanks to all my wonderful girlfriends for your love and friendship. I cherish you all!

Working for the Weekends

The best part of the week is Friday...not because the weekend is so close I can almost taste it, because I know my favorite guy is on his way home! The best weekends are the sleeping in late, wearing our PJs all day, biscuts and gravy kinda weekends. It really is the simple things in life!