Happy Monday friends! I am still riding the post-weekend high. This last weekend, my husband planned the best birthday weekend in Arizona. We ate great food, spent a ton of time with family and just enjoyed a hot Arizona weekend. It was perfect. My 30th birthday recap will be on the blog tomorrow. It's gonna be so great and I cannot wait to share it with you!

In the meantime, lets talk about dads. If you're like me, shopping for my dad is the hardest thing ever. He's the man who's got it all and if he doesn't have it, he'll buy it for himself. Every year it's the same thing, I call my mom and ask for ideas. She has none.


The one thing he uses and always needs - razors. Razors are an interesting thing to buy, but Harry's changes the game. They are not your ordinary razors.

• Harry's was founded from the frustration of going to the drugstore to pick up razor blades and realizing you're paying a small fortune and getting taking advantage by the big razor companies. We believe that you shouldn’t have to choose between overpriced razors that disrespect your intelligence, and cheap razors that disrespect your skin. 
• We own the factory in Germany where our blades are manufactured and sell them directly to our customers online, cutting out the middleman and selling our razors for half the price of leading razor companies.
• We donate 1% of our sales and volunteer up to 1% of our time to organizations that prepare people for personal and professional success. We call it Harry’s 1 + 1.

To the dads, grandpas and all the good men in this world, Happy early Father's Day. I hope you get this gift set in your life!

Last week I had my first ever unofficial blog photo-shoot. My girlfriend Erica, is such a bun and spent literally 6 hours with me, taking pictures, telling me my arm looked awkward and fixing my hair. I changed in the car and she hung up clothes on the window so strangers wouldn't see my whoo-ha. That is a great friend.

I bought her wine and apps after, but I'm pretty sure I owe her a puppy or something. We had so much fun. We ran through traffic (more fun than it sounds), took pictures in the street, watched as people stared at me and spent the whole day laughing.

This whole fashion blogger thing is so new to me. Let me rephrase: I am not a fashion blogger. I love clothes and recently I noticed some of you commenting on my Instagram when I post clothes pictures. Maybe this is the start of fashion blogging, hell if I know, but what I do know is that I loved spending the day with a friend taking pictures and I love clothes.

Here's hoping you all do too.

The pictures I post on Instagram are the pretty ones. They are the ones where when the sun hits my face I smile, instead of squinting. That is not that post. This is all the awkward pictures. But ya know what, the clothes are cute and that is all that matters. Instagram can be deceiving, this post will not be. I promise next week I'll start sharing the good pictures so you can see how awesome some of these pieces are!

I hope, if nothing else, this makes you smile. Happy Thursday friends!

One person with a dream is equal to 99 people who only have an interest. When one person with a dream trusts God for the outcome they will experience great things in their life. 

What is up friends. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I have been the most MIA blogger in the world. Can we just chat about that for a minute? Last week was seriously my nightmare. At work until so late every night (we are talking 830pm), at work early (like 730am) and I'm pretty sure I didn't put a dent in any of the piles on my desk.

Add that to a 5 month old puppy who can never get enough exercise and I'm pretty sure I thought to myself at one point that it was going to stay that week forever.

It's been a long time since I filled ya in on life! I feel like lately I've been trying to sell ya on stuff, which let's be honest, it's been some cool stuff. But let's chat. Grab a coffee, I got a lot to tell ya, it's been a while.


In case you missed it, about a month ago, I had some girlfriends in town and we did Denver big! It's so fun exploring the city you live in with people who have never been. I have always loved Denver, but showing it off to new people makes me fall more in love with it. PS. if you are even in Denver, hit me up! I love buddies.

[side-note] you should probably add something a little stronger to your coffee at this point, we're not even half way there. I suggest baileys.

Speaking of Baileys -- Do you guys watch RHOC? Did you see they went to the farm in Ireland where they make the cream for baileys? I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't want to milk a cow, but I'm so down to try the cream they make! I'm obsessed with Baileys. You will find me come Thanksgiving sipping on it, every night. Ok, maybe not every night, but a lot.

Whew, anywayyyss -- After the girls trip, my brother-in-law and his future wife came in town! They are so fun, we just have the best time hanging out with them. We went to the Great American Beer Fest, which is pretty much beer heaven. Did you know it's the largest beer convention! It's incredible. And the funniest part, you can only eat what you wear. Think pretzel necklaces and even chipotole burritos on string. I wish I was lying. Oh and to top that weekend off, my future sister-in-law asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding! Let's get them hitched!

Oh, Chipotle. I went there last week to grab burrito bowls for Adam and I and the line was horrendous. I would have thought that whole salmonella thing would have turned people away. Instead it seems to be encouraging it! I mean.. I guess it didn't deter us. If you go to Chiptole today dressed in costume, you can get a $3 anything! Enjoy!

Have you ever been to a four-year old mermaid birthday party? It is pretty awesome. My niece turned four and we made the road-trip to Omaha to help celebrate. It is so amazing how smart four year olds are! At one point I asked her why Elsa (one of her new dolls) had combat boots on and she looked up at me and told me it was because that was how God made Elsa and she is perfect because God made her perfect. Heart melted. Ovaries melting.

This last weekend my parents were in town and it was amazing. They came in Friday and delicious wine and food was enjoyed all weekend. We took them to our favorite, Breckenridge Brewery which is just the coolest. For dinner Saturday, we ventured to the Highlands and went to Old Major for dinner. If you are in Denver and haven't been, you must go! It is so delicious. Sunday was the grand finale --  the Broncos game and a Broncos win!


Today, I am starting the day, busier than ever but with a much lighter heart and feeling. It's amazing what a weekend with your parents can do for the soul.

Cheers to a better week, delicious candy and it only being a month and a half away from Christmas!

Brutal honesty. I am burnt out on the gallon challenge. Yes, I feel great, but the 3pm chug session and the 3am pee sessions are making me lose it.

Brutal honesty #2. I've been kind of burnt out on blogging. So please excuse the lack of - but I have some great recipes coming this week andddd some great dog food recs! Get excited. Sometimes breaks are good for the soul and I know this mini-break was good for mine.

But hey! I am LOVING all the lovelies out there participating in the challenge! You all rock and really are the reason I push myself to keep chugging at water at 3pm so I can post my results on snapchat.

We only have ONE week left! Can you believe it. Let's talk about week 3 and let's chat about the weekend!

PS -- If you are new to the blog, we are in the final week of the #everydaygracegallonchallenge where we drink a gallon of water a day! There are so many amazing benefits and you can read all about those here! 

• Loving: How my body feels. My joints & muscles don't hurt and I just feel lighter on my feet. Digestion finally on point! Yes! 
• Feeling: Good! I am still craving sugar though and I would hope that would go away! Great! I went through an entire hot power yoga class without having to chug water. No thirst! 
• Anticipating: It being over. That's negative, but I am anticipating implementing the water challenge into my normal life and seeing if I can keep up. 
• Enjoying: Writing this post :) Inspiring others - other teachers and my fiance are doing it! My fiance even wants me to get him a jug! 
• Working on: Callie and mine are the exact same - finish earlier in the day. 
• Hating: How much I pee and how water full I get. That it seems harder to get it done this week.
• Struggling with: Getting it done before 6pm. I get lost in the day and forget! Peeing while teaching, but thank god I'm used to peeing on a schedule!

Today my parents have been married for 44 years. Let that sink in for a minute. In a world where we celebrate 72 day marriages, "making" it to 44 is quite amazing. I don't take for granted for one minute that I am able to live in a world where my parents are married.

My parents started dating when they were 16 year old little buns, which not to age them, marks 50 years together. To say they've set an impossible standard for a relationship and marriage is an understatement, but together they've proven that life can be done, happily, with a partner.

When I was 16, I looked at the person I was dating and under the impossible standard of my parents thought I had to get married. Thank the lord that wasn't the case, but I knew I wanted what they had. A love that would span my entire adult life. Someone to walk hand in hand with through all the amazing times and through some pretty bad times.

My parents have successfully (think what you want) raised three kids, a grand kid, lots of fur babies and have given everything for their marriage and their kids. They've moved to 4 different states, different houses, schools, and here they are.

I've learned a lot from my parents both individually and together.

My mom taught me how to be kind and compassionate and to love everyone. My dad taught me to be strong and independent and that I should never stop striving for greatness.


I'll be forever grateful for those things, but the greatest of those, are the things they taught me without them knowing, just by watching the two of them together.

• I learned that life is so much better with a partner. 
• I learned that a marriage isn't just romantic, but it's work. It's strength. It's encouragement. It's laughing. It's traveling. It's growing independently and dependently. 
• I learned that if you both like Fox News, you'll be set. 
• I learned that you can still have inside jokes from the past, even if the past if 44 years young. 
• I learned that married people love to dance. You should see my parents on the dance floor.
• Traveling and having your vacation spot is important. (See, Lake Tahoe in 3 weeks). 
• I've learned that if you love like they do, people gravitate toward you. My parents are loved by so many. There is nothing better then your friends telling you how much they love and respect your parents. 
• Bickering is actually a form of endearment. 
• I've learned that sometimes when one person is going through a tough time, the other automatically becomes stronger. It's like a beating heart. One side takes the reigns when the other is struggling. 
• I've learned that raising kids was a part of my parents lives, but not their whole lives. They're still their own, even though they would do anything for us.
• 1970's weddings were way cooler. 
• I've learned that putting God first in your marriage is the only way for it to thrive. 

This one is dedicated to my parents who taught me to find the one I love and never let him go. To keep fighting for love everyday and to work at it every day. Marriage is a day in day out kind of thing, not something you let coast. Thank you for inspiring and supporting Adam and I in our marriage. We're at year one, but cannot wait until we're at year 44.

I hope you are celebrating with sushi, mom a glass of wine and dad a gin and tonic. We cannot wait to cheers to you in Tahoe in few weeks.

Happy Father's Day to all you amazing dads out there! Especially my dad, my brother, my father in law, my brother-in-law and Adam (the best dog-dad ever, no pregnancy announcement here). You dads are rocking this dad thing and I'm so thankful to a part of your life and all the littles you raised/are raising.  Today we celebrate you!

I am super excited for this today's post. In light of fathers day, I thought, what is a better way to celebrate this day then have a dad write the post! Today, my amazing brother-in-law Joe is sharing his life as a dad and all the many adventures it brings. He is the dad to my amazing little nieces, Izzy and V, and such a good one at that.

Without further ado.
Now the weekend is a mini work week where my bosses, who are three and one years old, seemingly call the shots, demand the impossible, and keep me on my job from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm . Two 14-hour work days and the pay is lousy. It all starts with a wake-up call from my three-year old boss an inch away from my face. 


I don’t dare turn over in bed or ignore this request because the volume will only increase. If the volume increases my second boss, the one-year old, may also wake up. I begrudgingly roll out of bed to start the day. Before we even get downstairs I get the first snack request of the day. There will be a 100 more such requests today. “Daddy, can I have a snack and watch a show?” “Yes” I say and I proceed to turn on some Peppa Pig and get her a snack, which is really just the first of many breakfasts. I pour myself some coffee and get into my chair to watch that sweet British Pig for what I hope to be a 15 minute break, but five minutes in I hear the cry of the lil boss. She is awake, now the job really gets tricky.

Lil Boss is different than Big Boss. She doesn’t say much and will act likes she’s my best friend but I know better. Her demand for 1 breakfast is persistent and she won’t stop until she’s in that high chair with a banana. Big Boss sees that Lil boss got a banana and that is not acceptable to her. She WANTS a banana. Let the competitions begin. The day will be filled with mine vs. yours or in their minds, mine vs. mine. I will be their diplomat. 



My wife comes down stairs and that signals to the Bosses that it is time for 2^nd Breakfast! I will be their cook today. I whip up some pancakes and all are happy for a time. Meals are good for the family, it gives us all something to do. It’s when they are done eating when things once again get complicated. 

Now it’s the tough decision of what are we going to do today? Its only 0900, what are we going to do for the next 11 hours. On this day we decided to kick off summer right and go to the pool. Going to the pool before the Bosses was so simple. Pack a hat, sunscreen, towel and you’re good to go. With them it’s like packing to go out of town for a few days. Snacks, drinks backup diapers swim diapers sunscreen baby hats, baby goggles swim toys etc.…… Oh and forget relaxing in the sun, the Big boss wants go down the waterside. I get to the top of the slide secretly hoping she doesn’t like the water slide because if she does I will be going down this damn slide 25 more times in the next two hours. We go down, she loves it! Face palm!! I will be her lifeguard. 

The rest of the time at the pool its alternating snack and slide requests. It’s finally time to go, how do we know? Well I know it’s time because Big Boss is so excited slash tired she is spinning in circles and screaming and Lil boss is out of cheerios. The wife and I are tired. So are the Bosses. We plan to get home for nap/break time. It is 3:00. Still 5 hours left in this work day, we NEED a break. Big Boss has different plans though. Once we get in the house, “Can I have a snack and watch a show? I stand up to her and say no to the snack (shes had about 12 today) but give in to more Peppa Pig. It is quiet time in the house. The Lil one naps and the other watches a Pig jumping in muddy puddles. 

It’s time to gear up for the evening push. The neighbors have invited us over for a BBQ. Again, sounds fun right? Well the wife and I are already running on E and I will have to go to the store. But hey, maybe I can have a couple of beers and adult interactions. Plus the Bosses need time with the neighbor’s Bosses. I will be their social coordinator. 



We arrive at the neighbors and apparently I have a new employer and he wants me to play baseball, then soccer, then football. I will be his coach/teammate. 

At least I don’t have to cook again as the neighbor takes on the grill. I have to feed the Bosses, the Lil one on my lap. I eat last. Then we play with all the new toys in the neighbor’s house until it’s time to leave. Big boss does not want to leave. She never wants to leave a good time. She is a party. Lil one however is delirious and has a full diaper so its time to wrap up the work day. I won’t go into the bedtime process but just imagine pulling out every negotiating tactic you’ve ever used and cramming them into a twenty minute period. Big boss tries her last few attempts at pulling rank with more requests. The last being that she wants to go to outer space. I say, “But we would need a space ship” She says, “Well Peppa Pig went to outer space?! You can just by a space ship!” Damn British Pig! I lie and say that I will look into it and see if I have enough money for a space ship. I kiss her on the head and say good night. Then switch with my wife so that each boss can get adequate time with their staff for one final review before they fall asleep. I will be their Daddy.



So one day down and one to go. This weekend job is more tiresome than my M-F. As much work as I have done today, my beautiful wife has done more and we are drained. It’s been a long day. I anticipate what tomorrow will bring and it make me even more exhausted. Then, after 10 minutes of time without the requests and the laughter and tears, I start to miss them. 

I pull out my phone and look at my photos of the day (which are posted here) and am once again reminded that I have the best job in the world. I said that the pay is lousy but I lied. It doesn’t fill my bank account but it fills my heart and soul. My wife and I will work for them for the rest of our lives and I couldn’t be more pleased with our choice to take on this job. 

Best Bosses, rather babies in the world!

Weekends are just the best. I wish they could they all be 5 days and then work weeks, 2, but since they can't why not just talk about them always!  My favorite thing about weekends is the ability to slow down and move really fast all while doing fun things, usually drinking delicious cocktails and they're always spent with great people. 

When I wasn't working weekends were just another day in the week. Sure, Adam was home but for me life didn't really change. Now that I work all week, counting down the days until Friday night is one of my favorite pastimes. 

I haven't done a weekend recap in a long time, so brace yourself, this is going to be a long weekend recap with tons of fun things and a bunch of weekends!

Since Everyday Grace is semi-new (again) and I still feel like I'm getting back into the swing of things, I thought I would continue to reintroduce myself to my new and old readers. One of my favorite things bloggers do is weird facts that help readers really get to know the girl behind the blogger.

But, before I start I just want to say thanks to everyone who's reached out and welcomed me back. It makes me feel so happy to know so many people read my blog. I love this space and I'm so glad so many of you do too. So thanks, you all know how to make a girl feel good.

As you read in the reintroduction of me, I'm a 28 year-old Denver dweller, wife, dog-mama & blogger finding my way through this life. But that's all the boring stuff about me, let's make this interesting. 



10 facts about me that most people don't know. I did this awhile ago and it was so fun! 

1. Currently my favorite show on TV is Hard Knocks on HBO (I can watch re-runs right?) and every episode of Law and Order SVU. I mean what's better than a night spent with JJ Watt and Mariska Hargitay?
2. I used to hate cold shrimp but recently it's all I want.I legitimately crave it.
3. If I could be anything in the world I would be a professional singer. Preferably Mariah before her butterfly stage. Think one sweet day with Boys II Men
4. I haven't missed a night of flossing in more than a year.
5. I'm totally obsessed with the UFC.
6. I sleep with my eyes partially open.
7. I hate cake.
8. I've never seen Armageddon but I know all the words to "I don't want to miss a thing"
9. I get the hiccups every time I drink alcohol and aside from drinking probably about 5 times a week.
10. I'm allergic to all types of melon.

I'm really lucky to have such an amazing dad. Not only is he the smartest man I know, but he's loving, encouraging, forgiving (when you've had 3 car accidents before you're 20, forgiveness is huge), hilarious, witty ect... Yes, I could go on about my dad forever.

But, this post is dedicated to my dad, the man who loved me first. Thanks for teaching me so many things, thanks for being there when I didn't deserve it. Thank you for loving me when it was hard. Thank you for giving beyond measure and for being my dad. You're the greatest one out there and I'm so lucky you're mine.

Remember like 4 seconds ago when I told you he was the smartest man? I wish I could write out everything he's taught me over the last 28, but that would take me forever. So, here are the top 12 things my dad has taught me.

1. Work harder than everyone else. 
2. You can sleep when you're dead. 
3. Get ski lessons when you're not good (really wishing I listened to this one)
4. Save your money. 
5. How you react to the things that happen to you in your life is a great reflection of who you are as a person. 
6. Pray constantly, go to church, love God and know God. 
7. Sometimes it's okay to stay up until 4am with your friends, just remember the next day is going to be a long one. 
8. Some decisions have a bigger effect on your life than you realize. Think things through. 
9. Everything in moderation. 
10. Be grateful, say thank you.
11. Laugh. 
12. Love what you do, like is too short. 

Also, this year, I gained a father-in-law and a really great father-in-law. I really lucked out when I married Adam. Not only did I gain an amazing husband,  but I married into such a wonderful family. Since day one, they took me in as their own daughter.  My father-in-law is such a wonderful dad. He raised 5 amazing kids and continues to be such a great blessing in my life.

I'm so lucky to have all these amazing dads in my life that I get to celebrate today and everyday. Make sure you tell your dad you love him today, it's important (another lesson from dad).