Where did 2013 Go?

What a year? I have been thinking about everything that has happend since January and it has really been an amazing year filled with a ton of first and more joy and happiness than I have felt in a long time.  In January I started into the biggest adventure of my life so far. I went off to basic training.  While I was there I sprained my ankle twice, got really super sick twice, did a whole bunch of confidence courses, learned how to shoot an M-16, marched all damn day and I really learned how to take care of myself.  After I finished up that rope course, I climbed up then rappelled down a 50 foot tower...Woo... By the time I graduated in April, I was a completely different person. Those few months of 2013 have shaped my character in ways that I never would have imagined. I was one of the few Soldier in my Battery that had the privilege of being promoted at the end of Basic Training. Luckily, my family was able to be there. My mom even got to "Pin" me. 

Also on this day, I got to meet my niece for the first time. She was born in March while I was in training. I was so sad that I wasn't able to be there, but it was truly a magical moment to hold that sweet little baby in my arms for the first time. 

I came home from all of my training a changed person. I made awesome friends and truly felt like I had made a really great choice for myself. I really love the military.  I think the best part of it is all of the great relationships I formed. 

 That's my AIT bestie.  Since we graduated our last school we have gotten together twice! I love that I have friends all over the country now. 

After I finsihed with my training, I spent a couple of weeks at home before I started into my first semester of college.  I bought a car that is my own name. I feel like such a grown up for having a loan all by myself.  I got two tattoos.  I lived in Las Vegas in college dorms. I drove to Arizona for a my first Bluegrass festival solo.  I went to the Marine Corps Ball.  I drove to and from Salt Lake and Las Vegas a countless number of times. I put nearly 10,000 miles on my car that I have only had since August.  I welcomed a few friends home from a 7 month deployment.  I cut my hair and I flushed my car key down the toilet. I can't believe that in 12 short months I have done so much dang stuff!  It took me forever to put all of these picture together! 

An Understatement of the Fact

Right before Christmas, I got my first "Vox Box" courtesy of Influesnter. To say that I was excited about it would be a gross understatement of the fact. I could not open up that box fast enough.  I'm going to be complete honest with you right now, I didn't expect to really get anything that was of use to me. I expected to be disappointed.  I was so wrong.  Here is what I got in my box:

Skinny Cow │Puffs Plus Lotion │NYC │Ducklings │Rimmel London

I expected the Skinny Cow "Divine Filled Chocoloates" to taste like a regular old Peanut butter cup. I'm not the biggest fan of those, but it was so good! I gave a package to my dad who instantly wanted to know where I got them. 

Most people think that a tissue is a tissue...but they are so wrong. I have a dust allergy. Or a dog allergy or something that makes my nose run and makes me sneeze. All the time.  The lotion in those tissue really makes a huge difference when you're constantly blowing your nose. They are my favorite tissues by far. 

The NYC make up really makes for a funny story. I got the make up in the VoxBox right before Christmas. I was excited to use it on Christmas day. It's a neutral palet of colors. My favorite! Well, When I was diggin in my stocking on Christmas morning, I found the exact same make up in my stocking! I was so excited! Now I won't run out forever! I'm wearing it in this picture with my cute Christmas Day Sweater. 

The Duck brand of tape has never failed me, but I never even knew that they came in the little "Ducklings" type sizes. I can't even count the amount of times that I have split one piece of duck tape into multiple pieces, so when I saw this stuff in my box I got all excited to use it. I haven't had an excuse to yet, but I know it will be useful eventually! Plus, it came in a cute olue color with flower patterns on it! 
Last but not least is the Lip Lacqure. The color, although I really liked it, did not look good on me. It just seemed to clash with my skin tone, but I did like the make up its self. it went on smooth and it looked really nice on my lips. I just couldn't wear it because it didn't look good on me, but to each their own, I suppose!
I was really excited about this "Vox Box" and I hope that I get more in the future. It has made me feel so much more confident and I finally got some experience in reviewing a product. That is pretty okay with me! 
Until next time :)

Such Christmas

Christmas is a very stressful time of year. In all honesty, I'm just excited for 2013 to be over.  It's time for new! And because I like new...

contact me ASAP to reserve your spot!

Christmas went pretty well if you ask me. I got a lot of really great gifts.  My family always over does it at Christmas with the presents, but I am so grateful for everything that I get every year. I suppose this year was a bit smaller than most because we're getting older and more expensive, but I was not disappointed in the least. In fact I think that everything I got this year is really useful and awesome. These are a few of my favorite presents. 

That bottom right picture is an ice scraper that plugs into the cigarette lighter! It melts the ice!  One of my favorite things about living in Vegas was the lack of frost, so I was a little bit overly excited about that little electric scraper thing. no more of this stupid business.

I think the best part of Christmas though, was having a cute little baby around to spoil.  She has enough cute outfits and toys to last her to her third birthday. She isn't even one yet! I just wish that she knew about Santa and could understand why were all so excited. She was mostly just mad that we woke her up early to do present before they had to go to the in-laws. Poor baby Kallie. She did look quite adorable though. Even though she was pretty dang grumpy!
After we did Christmas at my house, we went over to my aunt's and did the whole family gift exchange. This year we drew names instead of buying for everyone. Our family has just gotten too big to do it any other way. I think it worked out pretty well, but I'd be lying if I said that it was a perfect exchange. Some people didn't really get a fair amount of gifts, but that isn't what Christmas is about anyway.  
I got to wear a very cute outfit and I had a really great time with my family. I'm in love with this sweater and I'm a little bit worried that I'm going to try and wear it every day. It all of my #OOTDs start to involve a mint sweater, someone please call an intervention!

Well, it's done! The Christmas recap is complete! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Don't forget about the half off ad space!

A Vacation

I've decided to take a blogger vacation until Monday.  I need a minute to regroup and get ready for the next few weeks of beyond awesome blogging.  Please be sure to head over to my sidebar and check out all of my amazing sponsors.  They all have unique blogs that I always enjoy reading.  While I'm away, don't be shy! Head over to and make some new blogger friends. They don't bite I promise! I'll be saying goodbye to them in the next couple of days, so be sure to stop by and say hello to them while they're still here!
Want to sponsor me in the new year? Check out my sponsor page to be part of my blogging family! Until Monday, have a wonderful and safe weekend!  Oh yeah, and #backthatazzup because it makes life more fun to have a some Friday jams...

I Will Hold Myself Accountable

First and foremost, I would like to say merry Chirstmas Eve. I could not be happier that this Christmas season is coming to a close. It is all so stressful. I will be so happy when the waters are calm and I can just spend time with my family again. 
***
Every year about this time, I start to think about my New Years resolutions.  Usually, I don't even right down what I resolve and it allows me to get out of really giving my goals a fair shot. This year, I hope to keep that from happening with a simple little blog post. I will work to hold myself accountable. 

1// Get fit. Seriously fit. No more excuses. No more half way. 
2// Read Books.  Grown my brain. 
3//Save every possible penny.
4// Grow my blog. Focus blog goals. 
5// Fix my smile. 
6// Organize, downsize, and optimize.
7// Quit drinking soda. For real this time. 
Every goal I have made has an extensive explanation to go along with it. I figure that if I resolve to do things that are extremely important to me, I will be successful.  And, let's be honest, I like to be successful.  2014 is going to be a big year for me. I can feel it. 
I hope everyone has a safe and ever so Merry Christmas. I won't be posting tomorrow as I am going to be spending time with my family!  That 5 posts a week blogger in me wants to, but I think I can make an exception for Christmas!

Reserve you ad space today! Grow your blog with me in 2014!

Utah Isn't Just Right Wing Extremists

A couple of days ago, I was chatting with one of my Army buddies. The thing about Army buddies is that they come from all over. This particular friend is from Flordia. Something that is pretty common when you meet people from other places, is to share about the cool thing there are to do in your town.  Personally, I feel like I have to defend living in Utah a lot. People from other places really think that there's A) Farms, no running water, and polygamists B) Mormons who hate everyone that isn't like them C) Rich right wing extremists D) Absolutely nothing cool to do.  E) All of the above.  So when someone says what is there even to do in Salt Lake?! I go on a 5 minute rant about all of the great things that The Wasatch Front has to offer.  It makes me feel like I can never say "I'm bored" ever again.

Of course, there is always the trip to Temple Square. Every year at Christmas time, the lights go up in the trees.  Plus there are Nativity Scenes from around the world and a hot chocolate stands on every corner.  That picture was taken back in my Senior year of highschool...I don't just wear my letterman around anymore... There's outdoor ice skating at the Glavian Center. I haven't ever done it, but I reallly think I need to this year. There are two huge, beautiful shopping centers in Downtown Salt Lake with high end retailers and a big movie theatre.  There's also two outlets malls. One in Park City and on in Utah County.  With in about 30 minutes of my house I can get to at least 3 ski resorts.  There's the "Candlelight Christmas" at This Is The Place Heritage Park where you can see carolors and pioneers wandering the streets. You can also square dance in the school house to authentic period music on the weekends.  Jazz Games...even though they reallly aren't worth watching this year at all :(   There's a fantastic production of the Nutcracker every year performed by Mountain West Ballet.  I've had friends dancing in it for years. It is always an amazing show.  You can run around Gardner Village and see the elves. This is also something that I've never done, but I read about it in Aubrey's blog and it looks like a ton of fun! You can go Celebrity scouting in Park City!  I want to get a job up there just to run into famous people...I've never really met anyone that's famous, so I always thought that would be pretty cool.  There's seriously so much to do. I can never ever complain about there being nothing to do ever again. There is always something to do...  What have you found to do where you live?

Give Me the Freaking Time of Day. Please?

I'm not sure if this is a link up anymore, but I'm going to write some Friday Letters.

Dear Employers,

Don't post that you have all these job openings then never ever respond to my emails, resume submitions and applications. I am a qualified individual! Give me the freaking time of day...

Dear Family,

You better appreciate my snow shoveling, dinner cooking, dish doing, diaper changing, and overall charming personality. This is freaking exhausting...Execpt, I will say, I cook a damn good...everything.

Dear Facebook, GQ, A&E, and...everyone else,

Phil was asked a controversial questions and gave an answer that was--wait for it--Controversial. Why are you all so surprised that a "God-Fearing" man responded honestly about his opinion towards homosexuality? He also said something about how he would never love anyone less because of it. The people hating on him are the ones exhibitting bigotry and intolerance, not him.  It goes both ways ya know?

Via

Dear Kallie,

I love you and your cute little cupcake bum pants, but holy crap, you are confirming my suspicions that I can never ever be a stay-at-home momma. Ever.

Dear Army,

I have never been so happy to be a Soldier as I was yesterday. When I decided to go out and shovel the snow, I had gortex boots, a fleece cap, a waffle top, and work gloves. My feet were dry and warm after hours of shoveling and my hands were protected...hooah...just hooah.

Dear December,

What the heck happened to you?! Where did you go? I have no presents, no money, and I'm so not ready for Christmas to be a week away...