The Big Picture View...

There is no way to possibly catch up on all that has occurred in the last eight months, so let’s start with a post including the MAJOR highlights (and lots of photos – because let’s all be honest, THAT is why people read blogs).

FALL 2012

• Carrie Wright (one of my favorite roommates of all time) got married and became Mrs. Carrie Sanchez. It was SO MUCH FUN coordinating their wedding and getting to dream with her through the entire process. It was a TON of work, but for such a dear friend, it was DEFINITELY worth it! Almost our entire LifeGroup was there and we had a BLAST drinking and dancing the night away!

• I said goodbye to Ev. Free Fullerton and embarked on an entirely new career trajectory at AkinsParker Creative. AP has been quite the adventure thus far…but we’ll save THAT story for another post entirely.
• Life with roommates has been tumultuous for me. I have had good ones (iloveyou Rachel, Shalina, Carrie) and I have had some hard ones that I do not miss. In December I got two new roommates that have been such a joy. Rebecca MacKenzie and Sarah Oliver are now permanent fixtures in my home – we have gone on two roommate dates and have enjoyed many an evening together in front of the television. They are WONDERFUL women and it is a delight to share my home with them!
• Kevin and Jamie won free tickets to Disneyland on the radio and we surprised Madeline with a day at the Happiest Place on Earth.
• On December 19, 2011 Izzy Mae Sanchez was born to proud parents Joe & Carrie Sanchez. I got up early that morning and headed to the hospital with Starbucks in hand (for the daddy to be). I stood next to Carrie’s bed as she labored and realized what a TOTAL rockstar she is. Later that day she welcomed Izzy to the world and I literally could not WAIT to meet her. Izzy Mae has had quite the journey thus far…but again…we’ll save THAT for another post.
• Christmas with my entire family was relished as I watched with a heavy heart knowing it could potentially be our last Christmas together. My older brother Kevin is in nursing school at SDSU, but upon his graduation will be an Army RN and will be leaving for training and a new life as a military man. I honestly cannot envision coming home without Kevin, Jamie, and Madeline there. It is going to be terribly hard – so I soaked up the moments we had together and enjoyed them all.

Spring 2012

• In January, Emily came to visit from Missouri! It was GREAT getting to spend some time together (even though her stay wasn’t nearly long enough). Megan happened to be in town that weekend too, so we made it an adventure. Em and I had dinner at Bruxie’s Wiffle, shopped in Santa Monica, went to Disneyland, met up with World Changers friends for dinner at Downtown Diz, had breakfast at Old Vine Café, attempted to ride a hot air balloon, went to the Carlsbad outlets, had dinner at CrowBurger Kitchen, enjoyed hot tub club, and said goodbye all in less than 65 hours. It was a whirlwind, but it was WONDERFUL having her here!
• Baby fever has OFFICIALLY hit my group of friends. I remember when they all got married – now I’m watching as they all have babies! In early spring I went up to Visalia to celebrate with my dear friend from college Krista (Machado) Piper at her baby shower. I am also looking forward to celebrating friends: Kimie, Amber, Christina, Stacey, Krissy, Jenny, and Tessa who are all having babes in 2012.
• In March Megan, Rebecca and I jetsetted to San Francisco for girls weekend. I will probably do an entire post on THAT adventure at some point – but here are the highlights: breakfast for lunch at Dottie’s True Blue, shopping for vintage letters, a beautiful city view, dinner at Foreign Cinema (OH MY GOSH DELICIOUS!), hot tub club @ the hotel, breakfast at the ferry building, blue bottle coffee, seeing the iconic San Francisco bridge, a bike ride in the rain through Great Park (ps, did you know renting bikes is only $5 / hour, CRAZY CHEAP!), dinner at Zuni Café (seriously the food in San Fran RUINS you!), a quick stop at Gap and Anthropolie, and MORE COFFEE (all good trips with my girls include a LOT of coffee!). It was AMAZING to actually get away and enjoy some new scenery for a change. LOVED IT.
• I turned 27 on March 12. CRAZY. I officially feel old.

Other than Easter with my family that about brings us up to speed…at least from the big picture standpoint. It still feels GOOD to be back…I should have made this a priority a LOONG time ago!