Dear Readers of Everyday Grace,

First, thank you. You guys rock. You're the best and most loyal readers I could have ever dreamed of. You have made my little space, yours. You've loved it, nurtured it, given suggestions and helped me grow.

Second, thank you for challenging me. Thank you for pushing me to be better. Thank you for helping me be a better blogger. Thank you for giving me productive advice. Thank you for being kind and not mean. Thank you for realizing that this blog is bigger than me.


Everyday Grace readers, thank you for making me feel welcomed. In this big bad world of blogging, you make me feel like I matter. In the midst of the competition, you've made me feel like I can succeed. You comment on my posts, you like my posts on Facebook and Instagram, you pin my Pinterest posts and you "love" me on Bloglovin.

You, readers of Everyday Grace, are my inspiration.

The funny thing about this blog is when I started it, I was afraid to tell my mom and my best friend. I was afraid to write about things that mattered or things that made me hurt. Today, I'm writing about my failures, my injuries and my dreams. This space makes me feel inspired. It makes me feel like I can share my thoughts and feelings with people who appreciate my words.

Thank you for giving me the desire to keep blogging. You are the reason I sit, computer in my lap, figuring out things to interest you. You are the reason I reach out to people so that I can create content that you like. You're also the reason I'm up at 11 pm with thousands of blog topics swirling around, but I forgive you this time :)

Thank you for not judging me when I talk about my love for red and white wine, beer, ten pieces of pizza and all things sweet. Oh, and for failing 30 days of paelo - thank you for not judging me, but encouraging me. Thanks for not judging me when I don't blog for a week or for when I take a 3 month hiatus.

You are the reason I tell people my dream is to be a professional blogger. You are the reason I fight for sponsors, ad space, affiliate links and more. You are the reason I set goals, hope to achieve them and continue to spend hours upon hours on this little space. My husband thanks you for turning him into an Instagram husband  - he might not say that out loud, but I know he's thinking it.

Thank you for loving Everyday Grace even more than I do. Thank you for loving me.

This one is easy for me because I truly have the greatest friends in the world. I've been lucky to live in a lot of different places and because of that, I have friends from lots of different places. People always say quality is better than quantity and I agree, I guess I'm just lucky enough to have both :) I feel so lucky to have this large group of woman in my life. They've been my rocks, they keep me grounded, they're all hilarious, gorgeous, smart, compassionate and wonderful. #blessed.

My friend group gets thrown back to high school/junior high. Yes, I'm 20-something years old and I'm still best friends with my friends from high school, how cool is that?! Two of them are my maids of honor and another one is a bridesmaid (and I was her MOH!). They loved me through my awkward high-school years, which wasn't pretty people, so that is saying a lot. They're the greatest humans.

My mom always told me the friends I made in college would be my best friends for life. Boy was she right. In college, I met some amazing girlfriends who became my roommates, sorority sisters and law school comrades. We grew up together. They're the girls who saw me at my best and worst. I'm so lucky to have them.

Next, guest where...off to law school. And what figures, I found 3 more girls who complete the circle. Law school would have been unbearable without these girls. They were my study group, my wine drinkers, TIVO watchers and friends. If you can get through law school and all the stress and crap it brings, along with multiple bar exams and come out with friends, hold on to them, because I haven't found anything more challenging and friends are a necessity. I'm so grateful for them.

Lastly, I'm lucky to have sisters as friends. When my brother married Camila I instantly gained three incredible ladies to call my family. And when I marry Adam I will have two more sisters to officially add to that group. They're all so strong, smart, independent and amazing. 5 sisters? How'd I get so lucky.

I know this sounds braggy and oh my gosh my friends are great but hey, they are, and I'm thankful for them. They've made me a stronger, better version of who I am. Who are you grateful for?

Sunday afternoon, my two gorgeous MOH's and my mom's best friend hosted for me the most beautiful shower I could have ever dreamed of. It was complete with custom napkins, lots of mimosas and amazing, handmade quiches, frittatas and cakes. I had the best day catching up with old friends, taking 100000 pictures and opening lots of fun and thoughtful gifts. I had friends from every stage of my life at this shower and those who couldn't make it sent gifts, their love and sweet notes. This shower made me so excited for the wedding day.  I can't imagine the feelings I will have when I walk into our reception surrounded by all of our friends and family. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful woman in my life. I'm so thankful to Coti and Whit for the shower and to everyone who came out to help Adam and I celebrate.

Day 19: What makes me happy.

1. The Broncos.
2. My steaming cup of coffee in the morning.
3. Friday date nights with Adam
4. Laying in bed with the fireplace on.
5. Denver.
6. This verse, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ's power may rest on me."
7. Red wine, white wine, champagne, I don't discriminate.
8. Cooking.
9. Planning our wedding.
10. Finding new songs.
11. Pure Barre.
12. Texting.
13. Real Simple, the magazine.
14. My kindle
15. My DVR.
16. Painting my nails
17. My sister, Erin. (you can read more about her, here.)
18. Blogging.
19. These people, I'm the luckiest and happiest lady in the world because of them.

My 10 days in Arizona were anything but boring. I said yes to the wedding dress, had an engagement party and to top it all off, I became an aunt to the most beautiful little boy ever. My older brother and sister-in-law had their first little boy & the first grandkid of the family! He's basically the most perfect child ever to be born and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Happy (very late) Thanksgiving! I was able to spend an entire week in Arizona with my family and friends and because of that, this blog was neglected. While I was home I went to thanksgiving church with my dad and it was so awesome. The pastor used 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 for his sermon, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." It was such a great reminder of what Thanksgiving is all about. I basked in the glow of my family and friends for 7 long days and now its time to get back to school, finals and Nebraska. I hope everyone had a wonderful break with lots of family, friends and food.

I was really grumpy today after my torts final. 4 finals down, 1 to go and I'm exhausted. For some reason this semesters finals have been super tough. Mentally, physically, everything. They really suck. So, today when I got home from my final, what did I do to get out of my slump? I took Henry for a walk, painted my nails, watched American Idol, had a beer and skyped with Coti and Natalia. They knew what to say, what jokes to tell and exactly what to say to make my finals weeks grumpiness go away. So, thanks you two, you pulled me out of my slump. Now it's time to go, study for Con Law, and finish this week out. I'm ready to be done with my first year, I'm ready to be a 2L. Let's do it. 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7