...And they lived happily ever after!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

My New Year's Resolutions

Here comes the start of yet another new year... it seems like they keep flying by faster and faster! In my wise old age of 25, I've had many years to ponder the truly important things in life, and from this knowledge, I have compiled my 2009 New Year's Resolutions--

**I WILL work out atleast 3 days a week, and this will last atleast 3 months!
**I WILL get good at snowboarding- or alteast keep working toward my
goal!
**I WILL only eat out 2 times/month-- 3 if it's a birthday celebration LOL
**I WILL stop putting cheese on EVERYTHING I eat and limit it to only 90%
**I WILL only use splenda in my super sweet tea- no more real sugar for me!
**I will try to let my hair keep growing- but this probably won't last long!
**I'm going to do more yard work, get back into a routine of walking our dogs daily, and wash my car more often than once every couple of months!

Other than that- I plan to get rid of my POS Jeep Cherokee and get something that doesn't make it's 2nd home the repair shop. Time to build up that savings account because it probably won't be too long before we decide to make a Baby Steppe ;o)

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a great New Year!!!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Life, Love, & Happiness-- Oh, and work too :o)



I am a LUCKY girl! I have an amazing husband that loves me so much- he doesn't just say it, he shows it every single day! I have amazing friends that are always there and will always provide, even if they are giving all that they have left! I have a family that is so incredibly strong that I still wonder if anything could ever be too much for them to handle... especially my super hero of a mom! I have a career that allows me to hold hands, hearts, and lives in my hands- and make a difference with them! I have a beautiful home where I can relax and forget about the outside world. I have 2 dogs that bless so many with smiles, kisses, and love every second of everyday. I have a strong, independent outlook on life- I have goals and dreams and I will achieve every last one of them. I'm happy- I'm smiling- I'm positive- I LOVE life! I try to find the best in everyone, everything, and all situations.

There aren't many people that can say that their lives are great- but I truly can! I think attitude plays 95% of the role in how one's life turns out--bad luck plays the other 5%! You can't change everything, you can't even change a fraction of the bad or negative things that we are faced with! BUT, you CAN change how you approach every person, or situation! Just thought I'd throw that out atcha ;o)

Sunday, September 28, 2008

CrAzY Bachelorette Party!!








So last night was my bachelorette party and let me tell you- it was everything I had hoped for and so much more!! My night started off by getting pretty, with penis cookies and lots of wine! From there I am surprised by a firefighter stripper who decided to rock my socks! LOL!! It was the most hillarious and embarrasing experience of my life- but it MADE my bachelorette party!! From there we went to the Tortilla Factory! Great food, an awesome 'horny margarita', and some interesting gifts! WoW girls, WoW! We followed dinner heading to Martini Ranch where the night flew by!! I drank way too much, danced, and got so many drinks and shots bought for me! I've decided that everytime I go out from now on, I'm going to wear my magic veil that attracted every single male in the house! I don't know what I'd do without my girls- and Deja did such an awesome job making sure everything was perfect!! Sure it was a little wild and crazy- but it was the one night that wild and crazy is ok! Nick loved hearing the stories when I finally made it home-- I'm sure his will beat mine in Vegas though ;o) Just wanted everyone to know that I have some of the greatest friends ever!!!!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

The Perfect Storm



Kinda crazy.... we bought an electric trimmer solely for the trimming of our large front tree. It was time for a healthy tree hair cut- compliments of Stylist Steppe. It was a masterpiece in the end, and the tree truly did look great... until the perfect storm hit and decided to split our poor tree into 3 pieces, and scatter it's remains across our front yard! I thought it was pretty cruel myself, and the dogs really had a hard time figuring out what was in their front yard LOL Needless to say, someone is coming to chop it up and haul it away and now we have to go tree shopping... not my favorite kind of shopping, but oh well :oP Just thought I'd show you what some crazy winds, lighting, and hale can do in crazy AZ!!!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Oh Life!

I think back to a day when I was young and the biggest debate on my mind was to play 4-square or kickball at recess! Call me a small town girl, but there are many days I wish I could just go back to that!!

I never realized how hard it would be to actually be an adult! I assumed everything just 'fell' into place, people were much more respectful and mature, and issues were not just tossed around but confronted. I think that I expected too much :o/

As for life- I absolutely couldn't be happier! Things have fallen into their perfect little places as if they were a puzzle meant to fit together! There isn't a single thing that I would change about any aspect of my home life- except for maybe the addition of a maid.... hmmmm ;oP

My career- well, a job is a job! I wish that everyone loved their career every day, but that's just not a reality!! I've recently applied for (and from what I've been told I've gotten???) an ICU position at the hospital I work for. I just need a change- any change- something different! I love most of the people I work with, but I'm just falling into that rut where there aren't enough questions to be asked! That means it's time for Rach to move on :oP

As for people- friends- BLAH! This is a subject that seems to lead to a lot of drama, and I'm still unsure why?! I'm not a person that tends to have drama following close behind, but it seems that lately, this is the case!... I'm just not sure how easy it is to come to a new place and find true friends! Don't get me wrong, there are a few people here that I will have a lifelong bond with, I'm sure! The thing is, that it seems when you come into someone's life at an unexpected point, there are expectations, and concerns that other people may have for you. That's just not me- I'm the 'don't worry about me, I've got my life under control' kinda girl! It's tough to have a stalker, behind you back talking, and immaturity that just is uncalled for! As I matured into an adult I assumed (yes, we all know what that means LOL) that people would all be mature and handle situations in a respectful manner. I've learned that I'm wrong, and I will certainly learn from my mistakes!!

Life is a great and mysterious thing- one in which we all deal with and also something that will come to an end for all of us!! I just hope that in my life I can be the person that I wish others were- upfront, honest, caring, and respectful. Maybe that's just not the nature of many people here in Arizona, but that's how I was raised. I keep telling people that it's hard to convince myself that the world isn't this perfect little happy bubble that I always thought it was- and it's so true!! I guess it's just harder to deal with these things than I had expected :o/

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

http://arizonaweddings.com/brides/RachealandNick



Check out a little wedding website I made for Nick and I a little while ago! I like to think it's kinda cute :oP

Wedding Bliss

It's all set- the minister, the location, final head count (at 94 BTW). Bouquets are made, dresses are ready! Now just tying up some loose ends and finishing up a few more centerpieces (since we had to add a few tables due to the large RSVP) and the day will be here before we know it!!

It still seems like yesterday that Nick was a nervous guy pacing around our rental home, beads of sweat resting on his reddened face, and at an unusual loss for words while he was preparing to propose! Down on one knee, then both knees- it was evident that I meant the world to him and everything had to be just perfect!! Now with life, I never imagined my home life could be so great- it's actually my place of refuge when the rest of the world wants to hang it's gray clouds over my head! I truly am such a lucky girl to have found someone that makes me a better person- inside and out!!

As we're passing our 4 year mark as a couple, its funny to reminisce on the days of being apart for weeks at a time, the butterflies, excitement, and new experiences we've encountered. I've traveled to many parts of the country that I wouldn't have seen without Nick and I'm so grateful that I've gotten to experience these great journeys.

My life is just beginning in so many ways- and before you know it, there will be many more 'new beginnings' to enjoy!! 10/4/2008.... I can't wait :o)