I’m a quarter of a century ahhhh!

It’s that time of year again aka MY BIRTHDAY!!! As always, I had to come up with a new birthday slogan for a new year.

First of all…how crazy that I’ve made it to a quarter of a century?!? Like WHAT! I remember thinking I’d have it all together by the time I was 25 haha. Guess you never know what life’s gonna throw at ya!

Coming off 24 – the year to soar, I only found it fitting to continue into 25 with a positive outlook for the next year. So now that I wake up every morning as a 25-year-old, I figured I better start each day ready to thrive. This year’s birthday slogan is (drum roll please)…

I feel like 25 is going to be a great year. Not only do I get to rent cars on my own now (WOOHOO haha), but I’ve made it to the mid-twenties. Sure, it’s scary…but one thing I know for sure is that you have to enter a new year with positive energy so you’re ready to take on each day as a new adventure. There’s so much potential for my 25^th year.

I finally feel somewhat stable with a fun job, great friends and a supportive family! Definitely blessed!

And how fun to come into work to find my desk looking like this:

It’s covered in pictures of two studly country men – Chase Rice and Sam Hunt. Y’all should definitely check them out…and I got a pretty cake and breakfast from my bosses too! It definitely made coming to work on my birthday fun!

I actually think with this birthday that I feel the most relaxed going into it, which is strange. I’ve finally somewhat made it into the phase where I can feel relaxed about what’s currently happening in my life and feel excited about what’s to come. Believe it or not, I’m a lot less stressed than expected! 

I’ve already had such a great birthday celebration. I had a wonderful bday dinner Friday night (sportin' some neon pink) and all of my friends “went around the table” (you know I love that) and said a memory they have shared with me. I cried…I laughed… You know me – way too many emotions!

I really do have so much to be grateful for I can't even handle it!! 

So cheers to another year! Time to set some new goals and MAKE MOVESSSS people!!!

25 – the year to thrive!!

Always have faith!!

The stages of life... and where do I fit in?!

A LOT has been happening lately...

News of engagements and upcoming nuptials, babies-a-comin, and college spring breaks.

It all made me take a step back and think about the stages of life. Oh how things change!

My sister just had her college spring break and her and a friend made the trek out to Southern California for a few days! What a blast! We went to the beach in March - 80 degree weather. You can't beat that! We also went on a Starline tour to check out all of the celeb's homes...talk about inspiration! Shew...those houses were GORGEOUS!

It was a fun trip for sure and made me experience other parts of LA I had yet to see - like Saddle Ranch Steakhouse with the mechanical bull and Hollywood hotspot and eatery, The Ivy.

The whole trip made me think about my spring breaks and how different life was back then. We sure did have a blast in Cozumel and Cancun... I remember complaining about school work and worrying about grades. Now, I look back and think, "Man, I had it good back then." Good friends and a fun college atmosphere. Next thing you know, you're living in a big city chasing your dreams and making plans to celebrate your friend's weddings!!

And boy, am I a sucker for a good wedding, that's for sure!! I just flew home to throw my bestie her bridal shower! - Southern style!

We had a blast! I was in my element, hosting a party! I just can't even describe how happy I am to share in this special time with Hannah (see pic below...weren't we just livin' the dream)! And with all of my other friends who are in the same stage in life...

The news just gets better and better too!

Yay for another baby coming into the family!! My Godsister found out she's preggers! WOOHOO!!! Who doesn't love babies?! It's going to be one packed house come holiday time!!


When I was younger...
(all fresh faced and youthful)

...I definitely had no clue what life would be like at 24. But you realize you're so much more aware of what's going on with friends and family and you're mature enough to see the stages of life in all their glory! Boy, it puts things in perspective.

I definitely used to think - "Wow, when I'm 24 years old, I'll have my life together - I'll be settled and stable and married..." haha WHAT?!?

What you assume you'll be doing at a certain age when you're a young girl never really turns out the way you thought it would. And that's what life's all about!


It's an adventure!

It can't be planned. That's when you realize the stage of life you're in right now, is exactly where you're meant to be! Sure - I'd love to have my dream job and dream man right now ;), but if I had everything figured out, then I wouldn't be learning so much about myself on this wild ride to find my purpose in life.

So now, I vow to enjoy the present! It's time to sit back and enjoy this roller coaster called LIFE.

As my Momma always told me..."Patience is a virtue." And that's one virtue I've got to work hard at upholding! ;)

Who knows what's in store tomorrow or a year from now... but isn't that what's exciting?!?

The best thing you can do is:


Always have faith!!

The Holidays and Looking Back at 2012

Wow how time flies!!

I remember when I was growing up and adults would always say, "you've gotten so big," or "you're so grown up." I told myself back then that I would never become one of those people.

Well, guess what?

I've become one of those people.

I don't know what it is about coming home for the holidays, but you see so many familiar faces, yet manage to associate those people with certain times in your own life. Like for me...I went to church and saw the "kids" I used to watch in the nursery or play with as babies. Now - they're in high school and driving! Ahhhh is this real life?

I can't believe how fast time goes by. It forces you to look back and remember your past, which can be both good and bad. Regardless, there are plenty of memories when you return to the place that you lived for the majority of life.

This holiday season was no exception. One of the best parts of my trip home was seeing all of my friends from high school. What I realized was how at this point in life, it doesn't matter what year you graduated or even if you really hung out with these people all the time in high school. You all end up hanging out together now and acting like you've always been friends and known everything that's going on in their lives. I hung out with people that were seniors in high school when I was in 8th grade. When I was that young, I only knew names, but never hung out with the seniors. Now it's like we all know each other and we've always been friends. I guess it's just the small town of Abingdon that brings us to the same places where we can chat and catch up for hours!

The holidays are the best. It's the perfect time to relax with family, see people you haven't seen in what feels like years, and reminisce about the past year.

2012 was a tough year. It brought a lot of adversity and really made me put things into perspective. It's hard when people close to you go through trying times. Cancer, deaths in the family, and other worries plagued this year. That's when you start to think about what other families are going through when it hits your own. You never know what's happening in people's lives or how they handle disappointments, but it sure does make you appreciate a lot that's taken for granted sometimes.

Although 2012 was a tough one, I grew a lot. My faith in the Lord became an even bigger part of my life. When people close to you are going through tough times, how can you not believe that God will help you get through it. Without my faith, I don't know how I could have handled everything this year. And it gives me hope for a better 2013.

A year is a long time. Even though it was a tough one, there were still a lot of great things that happened in 2012.

If we look back to this time last year, there was so much excitement surrounding the new year. It was deemed 2012 - they year to delve...into what you love! (Me and my catchphrases...get excited for 2013's!)

The year flew by, but a lot of positives resulted. I started my job at Paramount in 2012, and I met SO many amazing people. I know I'll have friends that last a lifetime from this job. I also started writing for Spotlight Country and realized my passion for wanting to be a country host/correspondent. And, I also began hosting at AfterbuzzTV, which has been an amazing experience as well. I've gotten to meet even more great people and even managed to interview some pretty cool celebs!

Let's see...I went to Vegas for the first time this year. And then I went two more times after that! ;)

Three of my besties married the loves of their lives and I got to celebrate that with them. And a bunch more of my friends got engaged, so we know what that means for 2013!

I can't forget all the fun and new experiences I've gotten to have in the big ole city of Los Angeles. New restaurants, new people, celeb spotting, sightseeing, beaches and more. It's definitely been a year of firsts for me! We can't forget that I also turned 24 - the year to soar!

I'm thinking there's gonna be a lot in store for 2013! Watch out for my new year's blog. Shoot...there's not much time left!

Make the rest of 2012 the best it can be!!!

I hope y'all had a great holiday season and are ringing in the new year in style! :)


Always have faith!!