Lean On Me

When I moved to Utah in 2009, my eyes were opened to all the amazing natural attractions in the western region.  One of these places was the gorgeous Havasupai Falls in Arizona.  It is extremely difficult to get permits to, but we were fortunate to tagged along with another group this last weekend.  So, after five years, I finally visited this little paradise in the desert!

This trip was memorable one.  We met some awesome new people and had some good conversations.  It was a unique opportunity for us to step back and truly remember what matters most.  Too often we get tied into work, school, and technology, that a weekend in pure nature really reminds you of how incredible our world is.  Beautiful places like Havasupai make it really hard to deny God.  He truly has an artistic hand that continues to leave me in disbelief.

I was also grateful for the opportunity I had to try out our new camera.  Ever since I was in high school, I wanted to get into photography (actually considered art school for a while), but never did.  This is just another avenue to take my creative imagination and Havasupai was a perfect place to start!

I wish the pictures could justice for how incredible the falls really were.  There were four different sites we visited and it was the most refreshing, blue, clear water I've ever seen inland.  It is difficult to describe it in words, so I will in pictures instead!

(Video Courtesy of PJ)

When I describe the infinite beauty we experienced, it didn't come without a cost.  After our 6-hour drive, it was an 8-mile hike to the Havasu village and another 2 miles to the campground.  We carried our 3-day packs in the whole way in.  Once we arrived to our campsite, we still have shorter hikes to each waterfall.  In all, we hiked a little over 30 miles in 3 days...  Crazy!!  Riley and I learned that we are not quite the backpacker type haha.  It took a few days to get over the blisters and soreness.

Throughout the weekend, we grew more convinced we were to take the 10-minute helicopter ride out.  We were tired, sore, and hungry.  We were supposed to stay until Monday morning, but decided to leave on Sunday because it started storming.  When the time came to leave, we had all the opportunity in the world to leave in the chopper, but instead we decided to make the 10-mile trek back out.  Luckily, we were able to fly our bags out for $20/bag (best $40 ever spent!!).  

We left with a two friends we met on the trip who happened to be a couple of Hulks that booked it along the trail.  I am concerned that they didn't even break a sweat during the final mile-long vertical up the mountain ha!  I'm so happy we had them with us because they really pushed us and got us to the car in half the time as when we hiked in! 

Despite how difficult it was, I wouldn't have changed a thing.  More than the physical, it was such a great experience for Riley and I as a couple.  Not only was it a completely new and crazy adventure, but we also had to rely on each other more than ever before.  I remember telling Riley while we were hiking back to the car about how happy I was because it was something to say that we did.  It would only hurt for a short amount of time, but in the end we would be grateful we pushed through it... together.  Thus, are some of the trials we face in life.

This trip was truly symbolic of the strength we have in our marriage.  Although it is not ideal, living away from our homes is seriously the best thing we could have done.  Over the last four years, we have learned to rely solely on one another.  If we need a ride, a favor, etc, we have to allocate our own resources to execute whatever we need done.  We have spent a lot of holidays without our families, missed important events, and spent a lot of nights missing the little things.  However, the lessons we have learned about responsibility, hard work, accountability, and independence are worth more than we could have imagined.  The trials we face living on our own can be difficult, but it makes the successes at work and school that much sweeter!

I am sad to see some of my good Omaha friends moving away this year, but I could not be more anxious for them.  If there is one piece of advice that I (I can speak for Riley on this too) would give to a young person/couple, it would be that they need to move away for at least a brief period of time.   My time at Utah State and beyond has allowed me to reach a new level of maturity that I would not have been able to reach otherwise.  All my sisters have lived or are living away from home and I think they would all agree with me on the subject.  I have grown to truly appreciate my home, friends, and family.  I am proud of where I come from and it is always so exciting to go back to visit.  

I think we all need experiences every once and a while that make us step back and examine our lives.  Every now and then, do something that takes you away, reminds you of what truly matters in life.  Something that reminds you of your belief in a higher power and the beauty that we have been blessed with.  I've noticed myself stepping away more from social media this last week and focusing on school, work, etc.  Needless to say, I've been very productive!  I am so grateful for Riley and the loyalty and strength that he has shown me over the last four years.  We have been fortunate to travel together and experience the world together.  As our four year anniversary approaches on the 21st, I can say that I love him more every day and I look forward to more adventures to come.

I shot this at the very end of our hike back to the car.
Remember: No matter how rocky the road, there is always something beautiful about it.

Home Is Where Mom Is

This Mother's day was pretty special for me.  No, I am not pregnant haha.  BUT I did get to finally spend it with my beautiful mother.  I had a great time with her here in St. George.  I live too far from home, but it is moments like that that I really cherish.  Not to mention, she did a GREAT job cleaning our place haha :) I wouldn't mind having her live with us!

Got a triple pedi with Jersey.  Riley loved having her there haha.

Took a beautiful hike overlooking St. George

Mom helped me plant my veggies and decorate the back patio.  I love it!

Cooled off and relaxed in the pool.

Went to Vegas for the weekend!  Hit up the Paris for some swimming and $15 drinks haha!

Mom stayed up until SIX AM at the casino the night before Mother's Day haha.  She loves her slots!  She did win $300 on one spin, so I'd say she did pretty well for herself!

We went to see Rod Stewart perform at Caesars- AMAZING!  I didn't realize he sang so many classics!  We had a lot of fun seeing his outrageous outfits, dancing, and watching his old lady groupies rocking out haha!

The week was extremely refreshing especially when I cannot see my family very often.  I've started realizing that home isn't much of a place anymore, but it is where my mom, my family, is.  Loved having a little bit of that home here with us!

Mom, I love you.  Thank you for all you do.

My Mister

Three years ago, at the age of 21, I married my sweetheart.  Riley was one of my best friends for about three years leading up to when we started dating.  Nearly everyone back home thought we were crazy and my father, above all, pretty much looked Riley in the eye and told him he would fail...  Not exactly how we pictured it!  Despite the concerns, we tied the knot.

Now I am not going to lie, I was still scared as hell to be on our own.  No matter your age, I think every woman has that worry that perhaps her or her spouse will not be adequate when it comes to supporting their marriage and family.  Being as young as we were, we definitely were not living the high life.  I was just finishing up school at USU and working as a waitress.  Riley's first job was doing window-washing with a buddy in Logan.  Due to the winter season, Riley was forced to look for work elsewhere.  Due to a random sequence of events, he landed a job as a banker at US Bank.  The rest is history and I could not be more proud of this husband of mine.

I cannot begin to explain what a blessing his job as been in our lives.  Riley has been fortunate to work for the top performing branch, district, and regional managers in the company.  Coupled with their amazing guidance, Riley has had some amazing success with the bank.  Not only has he strengthened his sales abilities, but he has also developed as a leader earning the respect of those around him... This includes his wife. :)

In the three and a half years that we have been married, we have been fortunate enough to travel many places together.  Three of these trips have come from Riley's hard work at the bank.  We visited New York City, San Fran, and, most recently, New Orleans.  It has been so amazing to travel with him and to experience these adventures together.  We have made some amazing memories and have seen some beautiful places that we have to look back on.  

New York City 2012

San Francisco 2013

New Orleans 2014

I am so proud of who Riley is becoming and the example he has set for me and our future family- at home, at work, and at school.  Despite his reluctance towards school, he knows how important it is to have an education.  I am looking forward to his graduation by the end of the year.  Riley is one of the hardest workers I know, which I know comes from his parents.  I can't thank them for raising such an amazing companion for me.  Above all, Riley is honest in his dealings and isn't willing to sacrifice his integrity to get ahead.  He has an amazing ability to connect with those around him because they know they can trust him.  I see it every time he interacts with his clients and associates.  Riley is going to think this is super cheesy because he is very modest about himself.  Some call it bragging, but I call it being a proud wife. :)

Riley has been an amazing support for me in my endeavors, and I will do so in return.  He continues to exceed my expectations as his spouse and I cannot wait to carry on with him through this journey we call life.  What a ride it has been!

Here's to another chance to get it right.

"A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are."

Over the last year, I have been extremely touched by some profound events happening in my life which has created a burning desire to record them.  This past year has been full of some amazing experiences with my sweet husband between traveling, enjoying the company of friends and family, and taking care of our energetic puppy.  

Riley is continuing his work at the bank and despite some discouraging moments, he is really enjoying some of the changes that have taken place.  It is incredible how things just tend to work out.  Not necessarily in the way we imagine, but we have learned to accept that everything happens for a reason.  We are forever grateful for the people he has the opportunity to work under and side-by-side as Riley continues to grow as a banker and a leader.  He is the hardest worker I know and I am grateful for his example.

There is nothing more important to me than education and I am grateful for my family's support as I started my masters program in 2013.  I had been seeking out the Global Energy Management program in Denver for almost two years, so to be accepted and have the opportunity to be among some extremely intelligent and accomplished individuals has been a rewarding experience.  The best feeling when you are sitting in your first day listening to the professor's overview of the course and just knowing this is where you need to be.  The energy industry is in a pivotal moment right now and I want to be a part of shaping its future.  My courses have pushed me to limits I never thought I was capable of and I look forward to the next year.  Most of all, I am so very grateful for the support that Riley provides while pursuing my goals.  

This isn't to say that 2013 didn't pose just as many challenges.  Over the last couple years, my faith as been tested to the extreme.  Slowly, we are learning to overcome certain challenges that have come our way, whether it be with work, school, family or friends.  I am so lucky to have married the man that I did.  He is my rock and my voice of reason, while also the supporter of my dreams.  Riley continues to amaze me with his optimism, even in the darkest of days.  Not to mention, the constant support from my sweet mother, sister, and in-laws.  In particular, my father-in-law.  With the absence of my father for the last three years, I have been so grateful for my relationship with Rick and his advice.

Unlike 2012, I was blessed to have the health that I did in 2013.  Many of my close family and friends understand the extreme difficulties I went through with my chronic staph infection.  Due to my fight with this infection, I can truly say I hit moments of my life that I would consider rock bottom.  They are moments that I pray I will never have to go back to ever again, nor would I ever wish it upon my worst of enemies.  I am grateful to have so many angels in my life who provided strength and encouragement, as well as never giving up on finding a cure.  I have my mother-in-law to thank for discovering the treatment that has broken what I would call "the curse."  I am currently preparing a post about my experience with my staph that I will post at a later date.  

There is so much more I could share, but overall, it has been a great year.  So many things are changing around us, but I know we are right where we need to be.  I am looking forward to continuing our journey into 2014.

Happy New Year!