2009...

First of all, I cannot believe it's already 2010. I guess it's true that "time flies when you're havin fun." 2009 was an eventful and exciting year. So much happened in 2009. SO many blessings and answered prayers. God is GOOD, and I could not be more thankful for everyone in my life.

The most life changing thing that occurred was on August 1, 2009 when I married my soul mate and my best friend. I cannot explain how grateful I am for that day, for everyone who was apart of that day, for everyone who helped out and most importantly our parents support. That day could not have been more perfect for us. I'm looking forward to celebrating many more New Years together! And my hope is that God will use Eric and myself in this upcoming year.
I also had the big 21 birthday celebration which was very special, finished my last season with the Phoenix Coyotes, had a wonderful experience working for the Arizona Diamondbacks, I finished the last of my classes at ASU, Eric got a job with the San Antonio Spurs, we had our first Christmas as a married couple, and we moved to Texas just a few days ago (I already miss my parents like crazy)-- but we're really loving SA already and almost all unpacked--we're a great team :)

It's been awesome to see how much I've grown and learned throughout this past year. God has my heart this past year more than any others. I've learned so much and I look forward to learning even more in this upcoming year. It's also been really neat to watch my man grown in his personal life and career wise. I'm so proud to be his wife and to be his team mate for the rest of our lives.

With everything that went on in 2009, still, the best is yet to come! 2010 is going to be an even better year! I'm really looking forward to seeing how God uses Eric and I this upcoming year. I'm so excited to see how much more we grow and learn individually and together!

Happy New Years everyone! Be safe and God Bless!!


Please pray with me for Kate McRae and her family. During 2009, their lives were turned upside down.

Gifts...

Throughout this busy, stressful, rewarding, overwhelming, hopeful, encouraging yet saddening (as we move away from my family) holiday season I have been pondering the thought that was presented at the ladies Christmas dinner I went to with my mom, "what should I give to God this Christmas?" I have never thought this way before, but I know God's timing is better than I can ever know or imagine. I feel like God's been knocking at my heart this season unlike others. I've constantly been reminded to trust in Him with all things and constantly thank Him for all the many blessings. This Christmas I have had the joy of buying more gifts this Christmas, because I'm not only buying for my side of the family but now Eric's! Side note: I love the holiday season, because it brings out the giving/loving spirit in a lot of people :)). Since I'm doing all the purchasing this year, because Eric's in Texas :( I've had some alone time while making/buying the gifts, I've had a lot of time thinking. In the past I've got caught up in all the craziness of the holidays, but like I said before God has really been knocking at my heart.

So what does God want for Christmas from me/us?
I think he wants us to give Him our BEST. To love Him the BEST we can. To love others the BEST we can. To spend intimate time with Him to the BEST of our ability. To take moments to thank Him. To give all Glory to Him in all we do. To do our BEST in everything we do.
The woman who shared that question with all the ladies gave the analogy of the Drummer Boy song (an old Christmas Carol). The song says: I am a poor boy too, I have no gift to bring, that's fit to give to the King. It's so true, we have no gift compared to the one he gave us, His Son. This Christmas I am going to give Him my BEST and look to Him in ALL things.

Colossians 3:23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for me.

I think that's one of the many things I can do for the King this Christmas.

Guest House

This picture above is my inspiration for our guest house in San Antonio. I love the style. The apartment is modern like our guest house is, but the decorations are eclectic and chic. Love it. The colors we have already don't necessarily go but I can sure change the style up a little.
This is the rug I want for the down stairs because the flooring is all stained/glazed cement (we need a rug :)...at least I think so!) I can't wait to get out there and settle in.

[photos via apartment therapy & overstock.com]

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, MOM! I love you!

December...

I'm so ecstatic that it's December. So many great and exciting things going on this month! My amazing mother's birthday, crafting, decorating, visiting Eric in Texas, celebrating the birth of Jesus, family, giving and moving.
I normally love to decorate for Christmas and just love Christmas time in general but unfortunately with the move and all I won't be decorating our place for Christmas this year :( there's just no point decorating when I'm suppose to be packing everything up for the move.

I hope everyone enjoys the month of December, decorating and family.

Happy December :)[photo via Etsy]

Apart...

If you don't know me that well, I'm a very emotional person. So during emotional times of my life I tend to cry more often. As I'm writing this in our apartment (knowing Eric won't come home to me tonight), I'm fighting back the tears. I love change, and I know change is good for people but right now there's so much change it's a lot to take in.

I drove out to San Antonio with Eric Friday. We got in late that evening so we just went straight to bed. Being exhausted from that long drive the day before, we slept in a little bit. Saturday we explored the city. Seeing where all the shops are, different neighborhoods, what neighborhoods we liked, went to the mall and explored downtown. Saturday evening we went to the Spurs game. Eva Longoria Parker was there...that was fun! And we had incredible seats. Fun night. Sunday morning we woke up and visited Oak Hills Church. We enjoyed the church but we'll probably search around a little more. A lot of Sunday we looked around for a place. We think we found one that's a good fit for us (we're just going to pray about it for a week or so). Overall it was great weekend and I didn't want to leave my love.

Today was his first day and I can't wait to hear how it went! I'm so proud of him. I know he's going to do big things where God has placed him. I praise God everyday for the Godly man he placed in my life.

I'm trying my hardest to look to God in all of this change. I know he'll be there for me and everything will work out just fine.

Balance...

I love these black and whites with a touch of color
[images via style files]

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

[via Southern Living]

[via Bath & Body Works]

A NEW CHAPTER...

Wow, a lot has gone on within the past few weeks.
First, my father-in-law came in to town a few weekends ago. We had a good time chatting over dinner at Spinato's Pizzeria (one of our favorite pizza places).Then we headed up north and spent some quality time up at the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff. Along the way we stopped at a pumpkin patch along the side of the highway.We saw some amazing views. It makes you feel so small. It makes you realize how big God is. We really enjoyed having John visit us. It was great spending quality time with him and for myself getting to know my father-in-law more!
My mother-in-law and sister-in-law (that's weird, but I like it) :) came in the following weekend for a concert Sarah wanted to go to with some of her girl friends! We didn't get to spend much time with them but it was still nice to see them for a brief minute!

Now for the craziness that has gone on for the last couple weeks....
Eric was presented a job opportunity with the San Antonio Spurs. And now, it's official! We'll be moving to San Antonio. I'll drive with Eric out there on the 13th then head back to finish up my semester till December. It'll be hard being apart for over a month...but I know we can do it! And I know it'll be hard not seeing my parents as much as I do now (at least once a week), but I know I can do it! I can't wait to explore this new journey and new chapter with my love and best friend!!
SO...we'll be living here:
And now I'll be watching a lot of this team:

Stenciled Cupcakes

I was browsing online as I often do when I'm procrastinating with homework and I found this quick and easy-to-do cupcake idea. I'm going to try this soon and potentially make them for my future classroom; how much fun :)[Recipe & photo via Martha Stewart]

Sophisticatedly White...

So I've always loved chandeliers. Often dreaming of owning one of those great big crystal chandelier in a big entry way. I've started to love black and white one's even more. The wonderful thing is they're cheaper :) (always a plus when you love things that are less expensive!) Well I stumbled upon this boutique and this pillow caught my eye!
I would love to have a white house some day these are my inspirations...

New Look

We had a great weekend full of fun and rest. Eric was sick and out of the office all last week. So it was great to have a relaxing weekend. I thank God for restful weekends like this past one. Now is a new week and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. I've been anticipating my hair appointment for quite some time. I'm going with a new look. Bangs. Never done this one, a little risky for me but I'm gonna do it. I guess you could say I'm going with the whole Kate Hudson look! I'm excited :)

Top 5 Fall Favorites!

With it being Octover 1st and all...it's actually starting to feel like the fall with our weather dropping here in AZ. So I decided to share my top 5 fall favorites!

1. I love fashion. And with every new season comes new fashion! Here are some of my favorite fall fashions

Leather Jackets

Adorable pink rain boots for girls

Knee-high Boots

2. All the holidays & football! YES! I said it...football. I know, I know, coming out of a girls mouth is weird. But I actually enjoy all sports and by the time a different sport is in season, I'm ready for that change. So with fall season comes Football. Oh and it helps to have a husband who gets really into it, but doesn't obsess over it like many men do!

Eric's favorite, the Bengals

Cardinals

Christmas!!

Halloween.

Thanksgiving.

3. With cold weather comes more cuddling.

I love it when it's cool, then Eric actually enjoys cuddling with me :)

4. Pumpkin Spice Latte. I don't normally like things that are pumpkin flavored. But I tried some of my friend's towards the end of last season and really wish I would have tried it early. I love it. Doesn't have too much of a pumpkin taste so if you don't like pumpkin...try it!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

5. Giving. It's great that people give all year round, but I think it's especially meaningful when we give to people who don't have anything around Christmas time and many are getting gifts and what not. Just very meaningful near Christmas!

New Beginnings!

So I had to create a blog on this website for one of my classes. Previously, I've been using wordpress but I've actually really enjoyed navigating this site. So I created a personal blog through this site. Here is my old blog in case you would like to view my old blogs :)