About a month ago on Instagram I asked you guys what you wanted to see from me on this space. And boy did you guys show up. I love hearing what you're looking for from me! It's exciting and encouraging that I'm helping create a space that can help you!

I got a LOT of questions about relationships - requests for advice, specific questions, tips, etc. I did what I always do, I asked questions too. I reached back out to YOU and asked for your relationship tips!

I hope this post encourages you - answers your questions - and gives you some great ideas and tips on how to strengthen your marriage or your relationship.


Be intimate, both physically and mentally. You heard that, intimacy doesn't always mean sexually. I mean intimate in a way that is different than just your routine. Plan a date night with no phones, no TV and actually talk to either other. Ask each other questions "How are you really doing?" "What could I do to make our relationship better?" Talk about your first date! Talk about the first time you said I love you! Sometimes it's easy to get in a groove with your spouse. We wake up, do the same shit, go to work, come home, eat and go to bed. it's easy to get lost in the mundane.

Be physically intimate. Sex is how we connect to our partners. That is why it is so special! Kiss, have sex, repeat. And enjoy it! I think a lot of the time, we're conditioned to believe that sex has to be a certain way. But guys, news flash, it's fun! Enjoy it. It will strengthen a bond that you ONLY have with your husband/partner/spouse. Don't negate the power of it.

This weekend was a weekend full of celebrations. From our 5-year wedding anniversary to Mother's Day, Adam was nothing short of a party planner (as much as he could be in quarantine). He started the celebrations first thing Saturday morning and continued them until last night. He spoke sweetly, we reminisced over our wedding, and he made me breakfast in bed. Husband of the year.


Even with all his spoiling, I couldn't help but feel sad throughout the day on Saturday. I couldn't pull myself away from the thoughts of "what we should be doing if it weren't for the fucking coronavirus." Please excuse my french, I was pissed and disappointed.

All I wanted was to be in Vail with Adam and Quinn celebrating five years. Five years is a big freaking deal and I wanted to celebrate for real! I wanted to go out to dinner at Mountain Standard, like we have every year since we got married. I wanted to stay at the Four Seasons, like every year and celebrate our marriage. Five years is a huge deal, and I wanted it to feel like a huge deal. I wanted it to feel like more than a typical quarantine Saturday.

Guys, I threw myself a full blown pity party on my freaking five year wedding anniversary.

I let the fucking coronavirus steal my joy.

I couldn't see what was right in front of me. I couldn't see my husband and babe sitting right in front of me. I couldn't see that everything we vowed to each other five years ago was literally staring me straight in the face.

And then, my superhero husband reminded me.

He stood in front of me and reminded me that everything we dreamed up over the last ten years and promised to each other five years ago, we have, right now. He reminded me that our bond and our connection is even better today then it was when we got married, and to just imagine how strong it will be in another five. He reminded me through sickness and in health, we're here, and we're healthy, and we're together. He told me how much he loves me. He told me that even though our plans are not ours, they are better, because we're here.

He pulled me out of my coronavirus funk.

I am grateful. I started out the weekend sad that the way I pictured this weekend was not how it was going. But, my husband is a dreamboat and continues to offer further proof that God knows better than anyone because he placed Adam, my joy, in my life.

Dear Adam,

Happy 5 years, FIVE YEARS! Doesn’t that feel like a big deal?

Like 2 kids in 2 years big deal?
Like surviving a global pandemic together, big deal!
Like being quarantined for over 7 weeks alone together, big deal!

Little Adam and Kristen had no idea what year five of marriage would look like when we walked down the aisle together 5 years ago today. But I also don’t think we imagined it could be this sweet.

I don’t think I quite envisioned that I could love someone so deeply, so honestly, and so truly. I didn’t know that kind of love even existed. You have shown me that real love, the kind we work for every day, is the purest form of love known to man.

The love you show me every day is the kind where you show up daily. You pour into me and to our family. You give me grace, and joy, and a steadfastness that has helped us both be our best selves.

Adam, you are every bit the man I dreamed up all those years ago as a little girl in my room, and so much more. You’re kind, slow to anger (God knew I needed this trait in a spouse because I can be a little devil), hilarious, kind, warm, calm, wise, sweet, the best dad, insanely handsome, and so loving.

I am so blessed to have spent the last 5 years calling you my husband. I am so proud to be yours.

This life we have built together is nothing short of amazing and honestly Adam, the next 5 are only going to get better. I can't wait for our adventures and travels, life experiences, and for all those little in-between moments that add up to the big ones.

Thank you for keeping me sane in all this coronavirus madness.
Thank you for indulging my Oreganos craving because you know that being pregnant in quarantine is hard.
Thank you for making me mocktails every weekend so we can pretend like we're both drinking together.
Thank you for encouraging my dreams, listening to my vent sessions, and always making me feel heard.
Thank you for loving Quinn with a love so fierce.
Thank you for talking me off a ledge when we found out we were pregnant, again!
Thank you for being you.

Thank you for being mine. Thank you for choosing me every day.

I love today more than I did 5 years ago, and I didn’t know that was possible. Happy Anniversary my love, you're my greatest adventure.

Holy cow friends, it's been ages. To be honest, life has felt too busy. Too busy in the very best way but still. Blogging used to come very natural to me. Words used to fall out of my mouth and topics came easily. But lately, it's felt the very opposite. But also, I've been craving the time needed to blog.

I'm trying to find the balance between being a mom, wife, podcast host, full time job, wanna be instagram influencer, helping with interior design for friends on the side, cooking dinner, etc. We all know the struggle. We all know life is busy and it sucks because this space has taken a full on back seat.

My life is very scheduled and my goal for 2020 is to schedule more time for The Everyday Grace.


Disclaimer: Links in the post may be affiliate links if you click them and purchase something it costs you nothing but I make a little percentage. Thanks for supporting brands that support EG.

Quinnie Update: Quinnie is almost 15 months old! She's walking all over the place, chatting, babbling, saying mama, dada, Lola, nana, papa, please, toes (random, I know). She gets excited over everything, loves to eat, loves music, dancing, her dogs, and is sleeping like a champ. She's my favorite little human. I'm so obsessed with her, it's crazy.

In November, as most of you know, she went to the ER with croup, and it turned in to pneumonia. This sweet little babe can't catch a break. Luckily, we are 15 days past pneumonia and she is doing better than ever. Thank you for all your sweet calls and messages. She's on the mend :)



The holidays: We spent 6 beautiful days in Arizona with my family. Sweet Quinnie decided she didn't want to sleep while she was in Arizona, probably because she was having too much fun, but other than that, we had a blast. We had so much Nana and Grandpa time, she just lights up around them. Plus, Quinn loves her big boy cousins, so it was extra special to spend so much extra time with her cousins, Aunt and Uncle.

We're heading to Omaha for Christmas for more family time with her other cousins and family. While we may not live where family is, we're blessed with the best, so traveling is part of our gig. What are you guys doing for the holidays?


Fun Things:

Dear Adam,

Can you believe it? We've made it a year as parents. We successfully lasted 365 days and we did it with the happiest, sweetest baby.

Isn't it crazy how this time last year, we were one week in to the parenting game. Honestly, I knew then that you'd be the most incredible father. Wanna know why? Because until Quinnie was about 2 weeks old, I never changed a diaper. If there was pee or poop, you jumped up and grabbed her quicker than I could get off the pillow I was sitting on. (Labor is a beast people).

You woke up with me at every feeding just to sit with me because you knew how lonely the 3 am darkness got. You brought me coffee (and still do to this day) every morning because you knew without it I wouldn't survive. You walked Quinnie when she cried, sang to her when she fussed, learned all about breastfeeding so if I ever felt lost, you would have some answers. You learned about diaper rash, bottle feedings, and how to suck boogers.

And now, you get up at 6am, get Quinnie up and go to work every day for us. You check in every day all day with me to ask for pictures of Quinn, get updates on me, how work is for me. You help me take Instagram pictures, you are late to work for birthday breakfasts, and you leave work early for doctors appointments. And then, you come home at 6pm and don't even act tired. You kiss me, grab your sweet baby and jump into dad mode without skipping a beat.

I see you mow the lawn, pay the bills, take out the trash, clean up the house, pick up groceries, grab me wine, order and make dinner all so I have just a little less on my place. I see you give Quinn baths, read her books, rock her to sleep, and then have time for me. I see you schedule date nights so we don't lose our spark. I see you pursue me, love, and cherish me. I see you work late because you're working hard for us. To build us this amazing life, to create a future for us, a future for Quinn.

All of that isn't lost on me.


These may seem like little things Ads, but honestly, they're huge things. These are the things I tell people when they ask, "How's Adam doing with the parenting thing?" I tell them parenting was actually made for you. I tell them about how Quinnie lights up when you walk in a room and that the love you two have for each other is intoxicating. I tell them you are dad goals and I won the lottery with you.

Ads, I'm sorry if I don't tell you daily how amazing you are rocking this dad thing. I'm sorry if sometimes I compare my "tiredness" to yours just because I was with Quinnie a little bit longer than you were. I'm sorry if some days you walk in the door and I feel like running out. Parenting is hard, but you make it so much easier.

Thank you for not only being on this journey with me, but sometimes carrying me through, letting me carry you and making it so dang fun. Your hard work is not lost on me. This parenting thing is hard work, coupled with more hard work, but so much more love. I am so so grateful.

Adam,

Happy four year wedding anniversary, my love! It's been the fastest (and most amazing) four years of my life. How has it been four years? Besides the fact that I'm less tan, less skinny, and more tired than I was then, it's like no time has passed! :)

Remember four years ago? When we stood in front of our friends and family and made promises to each other? And then we danced and drank champagne into the wee hours. I can still taste the cold bubbly Veuve. Remember the toasts, and the pictures, and all the hugs. Remember how happy everyone was? Remember that feeing of all of best family and best friends being in the same room at the same time? Remember running through bubbles as we made our way to the limo? Remember how we ate Oreganos after our wedding because we were starving.

Remember how that was the greatest day ever.

When we first started dating, I told my gfriend I knew I was gonna marry you. We had only been dating for a month. People told me I was crazy. But ya know what? I knew immediately. I've never been so sure of anything in my life.

Callie calls you my guardian angel, which you are, but honestly you're so much more than that to me. You're my strongest sense of support, the funniest person in my life, the kindest, hottest, smartest man I know and that's just the tip of the iceberg. You're my person, my husband, the father of our sweet baby and my best friend.


I remember when I was a teenager, I used to dream of my life and what it would look like when I was older. I always knew I wanted to be a wife and a mom. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine being those things would be this good. With you, we've created the most amazing baby girl, the best life, and a home that is safe. Not one day goes by I don't thank God for blessing me with you and this life. I'll be forever grateful for you.

You're my favorite human, the greatest husband, and the most magical dad. These last four years have been a dream, I cannot wait for the next 100. Thank you for loving me so well, I promise to always love you in the purest way and to be your home, wherever we are.

Year four babe. Now come home, its's time to celebrate.

Always yours, Kristen


Ps. Look back on year one, two, three, and our wedding!

This past weekend my husband, my in-laws and I ventured up the mountains to Steamboat Springs to celebrate Adam's birthday! It's always so fun jumping in the car and driving 2 hours to an entirely new place.

Before this weekend, I'd never been to Steamboat, so I was super excited to explore and see what this mountain town has to offer. We did it all. Even at (almost) 34 weeks pregnant, I didn't let that slow me down. Sure I wasn't hiking the highest peaks, but I loved walking around the town.

Have you ever been to Steamboat? Tell me your favs!


WHAT TO DO // There is so much to do in Steamboat. From cute shops to great restaurants, I promise you won't be bored. Steamboat is the cutest cowboy mountain town, it's totally different from the other mountain towns I've been too, but its full of fun stuff.

• Ski 
• FM Light and Sons // It is this classic western shop with the best western gear and so many boots. I bought baby girl the cutest pink moccasins. 

• Rodeo 
• Farmers Market // We ventured down to the Farmers Market Saturday after brunch and it was amazing. There had to be over 150 vendors of all kinds of goods. Fresh fruit, clothing, leather goods. It was so fun perusing all the shops. 
• Soak in the Hot Springs // I mean it' s called Steamboat Springs for a reason.
• Mountain Tap Brewery // Can't go to a town and not visit the local brewery!

• Hike 
• Storm Peak Brewing Company
• Shops at the Gondola and Ride the Gondola // Get a view of the entire mountain and town.

WHERE TO STAY //  We wanted to stay all together, so we rented a VRBO, but Steamboat has a ton of darling hotels. These are some of the cutest I found:

• The Steamboat Grand  
• Dulany at the Gondola  
• Steamboat Mountain Lodge  
• Hotel Bristol 

WHERE TO EAT // I was super surprised at all the amazing restaurants Steamboat had to offer. You gotta seek them out, but they are there. These are a few of my favs.

• Creekside Cafe // Creekside is this darling little spot for breakfast right on the creek (hence the name, obvs). I had the best oatmeal pancakes of my life. 
• Cafe Diva // Such a delicious dinner. This place is a little fancier, but its Steamboat, so no-one looked twice at my converse.
• Smell that bread bakery // The cutest little bakery with homemade breads, cookies and pastries. Get their early, they sell out fast! 

• Truffled Pig // This restaurant is in the shops by the gondola and has the best outside patio! Make sure to get the key-lime pie!

Today, Adam and I are celebrating 3 years of wedded bliss. While that time doesn't seem long enough to encompass life and the things we've been through, it also feels like time is flying. Three years ago we were just fresh-faced little buns ready to start their life together. We had no damn clue what we were getting ourselves in to, but we knew whatever it was, we were going to do it together.

I love wedding/anniversary recaps. They are all so special to me and I love recapping the love we shared three years ago and the love we're living in now. If you're interested, year one and year two are here.


This year feels extra special. Over the last last year we've grown in our love in a totally different way than I thought possible. With the anticipation of a new baby in this year, it makes everything feel different, in the best way.

This year it's all about things I want Adam to know.

Even though you joke about knowing nothing about babies (like giving them water to drink), I know you’re going to be the best dad because you’re literally the best person I've ever known and you love bigger than anyone.   

I love you even though you turn the toilet paper roll around and make it come out underneath. And even though you're not the best at loading a dishwasher. I appreciate you for helping me. 

When our daughter is 15 and we fight, because we're mom and daughter, promise you'll have her back while reassuring her that I really am a cool mom.

I promise to put our marriage above it all. Before our baby, before our dogs, friends, family because it's you and me babe. We made this enormous vow before God and if we’re strong, all those other things in our life will be even stronger. 

I hope our daughter gets your insane work ethic, kind spirit, gentle sarcasm, enormous capacity for love and full head of hair (even if its blonde!).     

I cry at everything. Thanks for handing me tissues or laughing at me because I'm laughing at the dumbest Apple commercial. 

I love that you love country, so to borrow some words from our boy Jason, 'You're my sunshine in the darkest days. My better half, my saving grace. You make me who I wanna be. You make it easy.'

Watching you paint our daughters room pink, all day on a Saturday, when playoff hockey was on, made you even sexier. And, watching you build her crib was the cherry on top. 

We've had some scary moments in this thing called parenthood and we're not even to the scariest part. From the miscarriage, to 8 weeks of bedrest, thank you for being the rock. I know this has been so hard on you too, but thank you for letting me fall into you time and time again. 

We're always going to have dogs. I know they make our life crazy, but I love that you love our dogs so much.  

Being your wife is one of my greatest honors, but thank you for not letting it be the only thing that defines me. Thank you for encouraging me to chase my dreams, work harder than ever and find my passion. You've been the best source of encouragement, even when it's scary and unknown.  

Thank you for not judging my love of weird TV shows like American Idol, obsession with Carrie Underwood, needing to talk to my best friend for hours on end or my Snoogle. Instead you embrace my weird and I love you for it. 

You are damn good looking. 

I love our basic life. Let me explain. I love that we cook dinner together every night and go to bed together every night. I love that we would rather do things together than apart. I love that we love doing mundane things together. I love that we have our routine that works for us. I love that we have found our basic life, but it doesn't mean we have basic love, because our love is one for the books my love. 

The quiet moments we share are some of my favorite moments. Laying in bed right before we both fall asleep or when we're reading on the couch, or both singing in the car. These are the moments I know I found my heart. 

Happy 3rd Wedding Anniversary my love. I can't possibly describe how much I love you so I'll tell you. You're the best human and husband and you see this world, including me in a way that no one else does. There's no-one in the world like you. I'm the luckiest all because you asked me to be yours. 

The Details: 
Photography: Stephanie Fay Photography
Planner and Coordinator (and basically my life coach): Ashley Gain Weddings
Videography: Serendipity Cinematography
Venue: El Chorro
Flowers: The Flower Studio
Band : Shining Star Band
Makeup : Glam Lounge
Linens : La Tavola Linens
Cake : Ruze Cake House
Dress : Mariee Bridal 
Paper : Alexandra Bruch / Fleurish Letters

Happy Friday friends! It's FRIDAY. Thank the stars above. When Adam woke up this am, he looked at me and said we made it. And yes, siry bob, we made it.

You read that title right -- P A L E O cereal, cinnamon toast crunch to be exact. Adam has been begging me to make paleo cereal for years and I've never done it because it seemed too hard.

Let's get a little back story shall we? Prior to paleo, we used to keep at least 3 different kinds of cereal, skim milk and extra large bowls in our house at all times. And we wonder why we couldn't lose those last 3 pounds. You name it, we had the brand in our house at all times. Frosted Flakes are a personal favorite of mine while Adam tended to lean towards Honey Nut Cheerios and, you guessed it, Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

After perusing Pinterest for a while, I found some delicious paleo recipes. I made the mistake of telling Adam and now he's been requesting it for months. One lazy Sunday, I did it. Cereal.

Warning, this only makes about two-four bowls depending on bowl size. If you enjoy your bowls like Adam does, it makes one bowl. This recipe is so incredibly easy, but it takes a while. I may not make this every week, but Adam loved it so much, it's totally worth making for a treat.

This recipe was super delicious, crunchy and the best snack ever. Let's get to it.

Ingredients:
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour (you may need more if your dough is too soggy)
3/4 cup + 2 teaspoons coconut sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
1 large egg white
2 tablespoons coconut oil melted

How to Make: 

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and line two baking sheets with a silpat. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the almond flour, coconut flour, 3/4 cup Coconut sugar, salt and cinnamon until well mixed.
3. Add in the egg white and melted coconut oil. Using your hands, press the mixture together until it begins to moisten and you can pack it into a ball.
4. Place half the dough between two large pieces of parchment paper and roll out until VERY thin, about 1/16 inch thick.
5. Cut the dough into 3/4 inch squares and gently transfer to the prepared sheets. * Repeat with remaining dough **
6. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tsp of Coconut sugar over the squares and bake until they just turn golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. 
7. They burn very quickly so watch them closely in that last minute. Mine were perfect at 3.5 minutes. They will not be crunchy when they come out of the oven. Let them sit.
8. Let the squares cool on the pan completely and then enjoy! 

Happy Friday Friends! Cheers to delicious breakfast and longer weekends!

Before we get to Arizona, can we please talk about Bachelor in Paradise?! As a verrryyyy loyal Bachelor Nation fanatic I have to say I am pretty damn bummed. Yes, BIP is middle sibling of Bachelor nation, often ignored. Not as many people appreciate the humor and  pure entertainment  BIP provides. I for one, am obsessed. Half drunk bachelor castoffs prancing around the beach pretending to be in love? Sign me up.

Here's where I'm struggling with this news. I'm about to get a little deep/preachy. Skip to Arizona if you want. For those that don't know what I'm referring too, there was an incident being investigated. From all the sources I read yesterday, there was some "sexual misconduct" filmed and then brought to the attention of the contestants. The contestants in question are Corrine and De Mario. Here's my thoughts on Corrine from a previous post and De Mario's is here.  

It's not secret I do not like Corrine. I didn't like the attention she brought to Nicks season and while I think she's hilarious, I kind of found her to be a sad character to watch. However, this sexual misconduct  Warner Bro's has referenced in their statement is what many of us refer to as rape, drunk beyond control, not able to consent rape. I sure hope this investigation actually occurs and instead of blaming Corrine, we get to the bottom of what happened and provide the poor girl some justice. And while we're at it, leave the girl alone. 

Whew. Alright, let's get back to our regularly scheduled programming, shall we? Arizona.


I've been an Arizona girl since I was 3 years old. I grew up there, went to school there and it's still, to this day the place I call home. When Adam asked what I wanted to do for my 30th birthday, we discussed a lot of options. Should we take a big trip? Grand Cayman? The Mountains! Go somewhere new? Fiji? Telluride?

At the end of the day, all I wanted was dinner with my family and best friends and it's exactly what I got.

My actual birthday was Thursday. It was full of presents, pure barre, work, chick-fil-a and a late flight home to Arizona. We were greeted with my parents and some chilled wine. We sat around and chatted until late. The perfect end to the best birthday. 30 is pretty damn awesome.

30, the number made me nervous. I won't get in to those details, see here for that. But I was nervous about what 30 meant to my life. But I realized, if 30 is me, surrounded by friends and family, eating delicious food, then 30 is the best year. There is nothing to be nervous about.

Friday, we slept in, brunched with my dad at the cutest breakfast spot, Hash Kitchen, I got my hair did and then we enjoyed the best pizza from Oreganos, Friday night with my family, Coti and Matt.

My family has come to expect when I come to Arizona, there are two things I want to eat. Oreganos pizza and In-n-Out Burger. I'm a fairly simple girl.

Saturday, I got to spend most of the day with my adorable nephews. My oldest nephew Tomas is the baseball king, and my younger nephew Leo, crawled for me. It was a huge morning in our house. I spent the day watching baseball, throwing fake ones and bouncing Leo. Add in some champs with my sister-in-law and it was my favorite day.

Saturday night, Adam planned a nice dinner with my best friends and family. Complete with a limo to take us to dinner. We went to El Chorro, the place we got married. It was so special. I got to go back to the best place in my world with my favorite people. Call me lucky.

After that, the youngins' went out for some cocktails, dancing in a limo to 2Pac and the best of dive bars. Sunday was complete with breakfast and the airport. I always tell my husband how much I love Arizona and I'm so lucky we had the chance to go back.

To my hubs, you are the best human, thanks for planning my special day and being the best husband ever. 

To my family and friends, thanks for letting me take your entire weekend to celebrate and thanks for being the best. 

I love you all. 

PS. Tomorrow on the blog, all the details on my top favorite Denver locations and a West Elm Collab! Happy Tuesday friends!