Big Girl Job.

 I can honestly say I feel like a real grown up now that I've been on a work trip! Some of the girls and I in our dental office went to a training in Vegas for a few days back in November. We each had our own rooms, which was so nice! 

I had to document my first morning before we had training for 9 hours! I thought it was going to be miserable, but it was surprisingly really good and entertaining! 

 Our one night there, we went to the Strip, spotted this beauty right outside of Caesar's Palace,

 took a few touristy pictures (even though I've been to this place so many times), 

 and enjoyed a delicious meal at Serendipity for dinner. 

 And you can't forget the unbelievable Frozen White Hot Chocolate that was to die for! I felt so disgusting after eating the whole thing, but it was so worth it!

 Immediately after training we headed to the airport to catch our flight back to Arizona! We saw this group of guys while we were waiting to board, saw one dancing, and determined they have to be some kind of dancing group. Thanks to Southwest, we picked our own seats, and they just happened to sit right by us. Come to find out, they were America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 winners this past summer! They are called the Elektrolytes and are from Gilbert! Such nice guys and fun to talk to on our way back! We tried to get them to come to our dental office, but I'm still waiting for them to show up! 

It was a fun, but quick trip to Vegas. It was weird going there for work when I normally go there for vacation. But it was a fun time with some great ladies I work with! 

Fall in Arizona!

Everyone always complains about how hot Arizona is, but no one ever RAVES about the Fall. Seriously people, it's a DREAM! In October and November, I was in heaven with the perfect weather. We've gotten some chillier days a couple times, but I'll take that any day over the Snow for months (sorry Utah). 

These are just some highlights of my first Fall in Arizona!

I finally got to meet Juliana's adorable little girl, Blakeleigh! Juliana's in-laws are from Arizona so we were able to grab some lunch at BJ's and catch up! It was so fun seeing her!

I've become soul sisters with this lady, Mackenzie. We both have a love for baseball so we went to one of the last Diamondback games of the season! Her parents have season tickets right behind their dugout. Heaven. I'm excited I'll get to go to more baseball games next year!

Mackenzie and I took a trip one day to the new Gilbert Temple. They had a cute little visitors center in a trailer, but I loved it! I'm so excited that I'll get to live by another beautiful house of the Lord! 

The Tempe Singles Stake played softball every Tuesday night until Thanksgiving! (That's where I first met Kenz) So I played a couple of times and had a blast! It was a hopping place every Tuesday night! I'm sad the season is over, but I'll start prepping for next season in hopes of going to the championship game! 

In the middle of October I went to the lake and was in HEAVEN! The weather was absolutely perfect! No one Arizona people never want to leave this place. If I could, I would go to the lake every day! 

I went to the Mesa temple to do baptisms one afternoon, walked into the visitors center, and ran into this cute little lady from my home, Kelsey Hamstead! She is so happy to be there and it was so fun to see her! 

Since my dear friend, Ross, is becoming a Doctor and studying his life away at Midwestern, which is an hour away from me, we decided to meet halfway in Scottsdale! We walked around the mall for a little bit, then took a stroll outside and devoured some delicious Sprinkles cupcakes. I wish we lived closer, he is one of my few Provo connections these days. 

I attended my first ASU game and was reminded how much I love (and miss) going to college football games! Even though we lost that day, it was a blast tailgating all morning with Kenz's family and friends! 

Halloween snuck up on me way to quickly, but I managed to whip up a costume . The weekend before Halloween, Kenz and I went to a Halloween/Birthday party that ended up being pretty fun! There was  a photo booth, dancing, and lots of people. The birthday boy decided to be Gumby all night so he was a mystery all night. His loss. 

And to end such a great night, we went to Waffle House and I was in heaven! Thank goodness Arizona can provide me with some of the things I love from Georgia! 

Brother Bear came into town the following week for his interview at Midwestern! He was only here for a few short days and since I had to work, I only got to see him a few hours each night, but it was fun to be with him! 

We spent Halloween Eve at the families house carving a pumpkin, and eating chili and roasting halloween shaped s'mores by the fire pit. It was a perfect fall evening! And as always, I love spending time with these cute cousins of mine! I'm so lucky to live nearby some incredible family! 

And I love when the family comes in town! We went to lunch at a japanese steak house then went swimming at the JW for a few hours. I love that place. And I love seeing my family! 

The day Provo got a TON of snow, I went on a hike with my friend to the Wind Caves. I haven't been on a hike in forever so it was fun to finally get to go again and enjoy the view! 

The roommates and I became Home Improvement ladies and put together my bookshelf! My room is slowly coming together and looking like a home! I love it! 

Fall flew by, but I enjoyed every minute of it! I honestly can't believe I have been living in Arizona for over 4 months now! Time has gone by so quickly, but I continue to feel blessed and happier as each day passes. 

Rojas Wedding!

[before i begin...I know that I have been the WORST at blogging these past few months. I've gone through spans of being completely over the whole thing and spans of wanting to write just for my sake. So, it's back to the blogging world (hopefully).... ]

Almost 3 months ago, Miss Rachel Huey was married to Bryce Rojas in Oakland! And she was a beautiful bride for sure!

Have you been to this temple?! It has now become one of my favorites! The grounds are absolutely GORGEOUS and the temple is just breathtaking. I loved it!

Rachel was STUNNING! I'm so happy for her! It was so fun to celebrate a wonderful day for one of my closest friends. 

 And not only that, but 3 of my other best friends were bridesmaids with me! This is a friendship product of EFY. I'm telling you people, EFY does WONDERFUL things. I'm so blessed I've gotten to know and love these women that are in my life! 

Sidenote to this picture, we've taken so many pictures like this at EFY, it was a must! And it turned out so perfect!

And we were happy to welcome Bryce into our "cul-de-sac" family! We all joke (but in all seriousness) say that one day we will all live in the same cul-de-sac with our families. So we definitely have the approval stamp for Bryce!

The day was perfect and it was a fun time to reunite with some fabulous ladies I haven't seen in quite some due to the fact that none of us did EFY together this year and I have moved to Arizona. I have really missed this people in my life! 

And we can't forget Mr. Alejandro Miguel in the mix either! This kid can brighten up anyone's day with his laugh or his witty comments. I've missed seeing this friend of mine. So happy he's with Kaycie forever so I can still see him. 

The reception was the following day so the gang hit the streets of San Francisco for some exploring. So we all took our first ride on the BART. It started off great when we realized after 20 minutes we were going the wrong way. Win. But after a 45 minute ride, and 45 minute walk... we made it to Pier 39! Just in time for everything to close. haha. 

And made it over to where all the sea lion's gather and Kayc was in heaven. They were also very entertaining to just observe and listen to. We loved it. 

And in all honesty, I just loved being with my fabulous friends! So it was totally worth it!

The next night was their reception at Bryce's Aunts house, which was GORGEOUS! 

There was the most tender Daddy/Daughter dance that left no dry eye in the house. Her parents were so tender and I loved getting to spend time with them too! I can see why Rachel is the way she is, because she was raised by such wonderful parents!

And look who is getting married next?! But for real.. they weren't engaged yet here, but Wedding Bells are going to be ringing in Orlando in May! So excited for Nina and Ricky! I'm glad we could all meet Ricky before we invited him to our cul-de-sac. (and we weren't joking around)

The trip went by way too fast. But what a wonderful weekend we had in California celebrating the wedding of another incredible couple! I am so happy for them and their adventures that lie ahead! I'm so grateful to have met such amazing people who have now become some of my closest friends thanks to EFY. 

And not to mention, the sister and brother-in-law made a little stop in! After the reception, I stayed the night with them and they took me to the airport the next day! I'm glad I could squeeze a little family time in on this short trip! 

Congrats Rachel and Bryce! I'm so happy for the two of you! Love you both! :)

thankful.

today was a great day.

i was able to spend it with people that I love more than anything and be home in Georgia. couldn't have wanted a better day. 

I reflected today on my life and realized how lucky and blessed I am. 

I am so grateful for so many things I have in my life....

My Family. including my awesome extended family. 

My incredible Friends.

My puppy, Becker. 

Georgia.

A Job I absolutely LOVE.

Belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Having a Heavenly Father who knows and loves me. 

My Health.

BYU. 

My new life and adventure in Arizona. 

The Atlanta Braves. 

EFY.

All the experiences, the ups and downs, that I've had to go through to get where I am today.

the list could seriously go on forever; I have so many things I am thankful for. and it was a great day to reflect on those things. I'm on blessed and happy girl. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving :)

jobs.

hunting for jobs is the WORST. 

it was just as bad as I remember it from searching last year in Provo. 

After 4 weeks of living here and not getting a single interview, I was definitely feeling discouraged. if i felt SO good about making the decision to move here, why weren't things falling into place yet? i was thankful i didn't pay rent yet as my money was slowly disappearing with other finances. 

After a very humbling experience, i finally had 2 job interviews!  the first one didn't go well at all and the second one was more what i wanted, a dental assisting position! Not only was it an interview, but it was going to be a working interview. i was slightly nervous, but ready for the challenge. I didn't know a single thing when it came to dentistry besides what anyone else would know going into a dental office.  And let me tell you, it was HARD. I had a lot to learn. i felt like I was back in school again, the dental field has this whole other language. so i was definitely learning a lot and working as hard as I could. to make a long story short, i wasn't getting enough hours and wasn't getting paid enough to really enjoy what I was doing. Not only that, but the office wasn't even that busy. Once the doctor told me she took another job that would be Monday-Thursday and I'd only work Friday and Saturday, I knew that was the final straw. So i started looking for another job. 

After a week, I hadn't applied for any jobs yet because I was so frustrated. I was back to square 1 again. job hunting. and i hated it just as much. but I decided one morning to apply for a few jobs before I headed out for the day. and to my surprise, I got a call a few hours later to come into a dental office for an interview! I was so excited! The office is in Phoenix, which is about 30 min from home, but they would be opening a new office in Mesa not even 10 min from my house! This dental office had such a great vibe. It was a Dad and 2 Son's who would work there, and a staff of about 10 other girls! It was a much busier, friendlier, and BETTER office than the current one I was at. Not only that, but the dentists are Mormon! Not that I need to always work with members, but it was so nice to know that these men shared my beliefs. And I felt so comfortable around them! I prayed so hard that I would get this job. It was better pay, better hours, better people, and a better atmosphere. And I'm happy to report, they offered me the job! In about a month the Mesa office will open and I will be the Office Manager there. I'm pretty excited to start up this office and help it succeed. I know it'll be challenging, but I'm really excited for it! So for the time being, I'm working in the Phoenix office (which can be killer when I have to be there at 6:45 am) and learning as much as I can before I head to the new office. I only had to go to my old office one day before I was completely done there. Although it wasn't what I wanted, I was grateful I had the opportunity and time to work at that office. I learned and grew a lot. I was grateful I was given the opportunity to train and learn about something I was interested in! 

 But it was such a relief to get out of that place. It wasn't making me happy. 

But this new job is. And I count my blessings every day for it. I feel like I won't be in that job hunting process for quite awhile now, and for that.. I am extremely grateful.

baby girl is turning 14!

Seriously, what?! I honestly can't believe my baby girl is turning 14 today! 

i just wish time would stop so she doesn't grow up anymore! we watched some of the most hilarious home videos a few months ago when she was just a little girl and have never laughed so hard! she is so entertaining and was the cutest thing ever! and she still is! it's fun to watch her grow up into this lady she is becoming!

Happy birthday to this darling, funny, energetic, selfless, dedicated, caring, beautiful, adventurous, considerate, stlyish, and loving little sister! And just a reminder, take a look here to read some other great things about this baby girl. 

Thanks for being such a loving and fun little sister and one of my best friends!! I remember the day you were born and was so excited to have another sister! I have watched you grow into this beautiful young woman and I am SO proud of you and all you have accomplished to become the person you are today! I wish I was in Georgia to celebrate with you today, but know that I am thinking of you! Thanks for being an amazing person in my life! I am so blessed to call you my sister and best friend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL! 

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!