Sedona Girls Trip

My college besties.... Where do I begin?  You know the friends who have seen you at your worst, but love you anyway? The ones who support you, love you, laugh with you and cry with you?  These girls are my squad, my tribe, my people. 

The four of us flew to Phoenix on April 10 and spent the weekend in Sedona, AZ.  We stayed at the Enchantment Resort and it was perfection.  This resort was tucked away in the Boynton Canyon and absolutely dreamy.  Upon landing at the airport, we had a limo pick us up to take us on the 2 hour drive to the resort (smartest idea, as no one wanted to drive).  We enjoyed a meat and cheese board, wine, and snacks as we traveled to the Red Rocks. We laughed, jammed out to our favorite ‘old school’ tunes, and soaked up just being together.

We were upgraded to a suite with a beautiful view when we got to the resort. We had a late dinner at Che Ah Chi and turned in for the night. 

Thursday, we woke up and had the best breakfast.  My go-to every morning was the salmon and cream cheese bagel. The chocolate croissants were to die for too.  We went on a guided hike Thursday morning and hiked the Ridge trail and the Secret Slick trail. We had beautiful views of Cathedral rock and the weather was perfect.

We ate in town at a little restaurant called Creekside and then went back to our resort to lounge around.  That evening we ate dinner at Tii Gavo and it was delicious.

Friday, we spent the entire day at the spa.  Swedish massages, hydra facials, and lunch at Mii Amo. We soaked in the hot tub and sweat in the sauna.  After our perfectly relaxing day, Lauren, Amanda, and I went exploring. We couldn’t talk Kim out of her nap.😉

We went to dinner at Che Ah Chi again Friday night. Every restaurant on property was SO good.  

Saturday, we hiked on the Boynton Canyon trail.  It was a 7 mile hike to a beautiful lookout, and well worth the time.  The weather couldn’t have been more gorgeous.

We were worn out afterwards. We had lunch at Mii Amo again (the ahi tuna bowls and kale chips were amazing) and then went back to our room for naps. That night we voted to go back to Tii Gavo. It was authentic Mexican food and delicious.  We drank margaritas, laughed ourselves silly, and then went back to our suite and spent the evening under the stars in the hot tub.  My time with these girls is never enough.

I am so thankful that God has put these three Christian sisters in my life.  What else is life if not rich relationships nurtured over decades?  What else matters besides meaningful connections that hold steady through wins, losses, changes, and sorrows?  This is what will last.  I will never regret for one minute investing in these relationships. Our seasons of life ebb and flow, as they have done for 20+ years already, but here we still are, loving one another, supporting each other, and making time for each other. Thank you Lord for time with these 3 beautiful souls.

Alabama Concert

We had the best weekend with family in Little Rock. Our little crew drove down on Friday night. We stopped in Morrilton to eat at Colton’s (super random...I know!), and then went on to Kyndall and Blake’s house. We were so excited to see Evie and Garner!!

Saturday morning, Kyndall and I got up and went shopping at Chenal.  We had the best sister time and it’s one of the things I value most in this world.  She was able to do a little birthday shopping and then we treated ourselves to margaritas at Local Lime.

Saturday night, we had 2 sitters to keep ALL the kids while the 8 of us adults went to grab drinks and go to the Charlie Daniel's Band and Alabama concert. We had the BEST time!!

Deep thoughts by Landon :)

Ran into some of our favorites!!

Sunday morning, we enjoyed being lazy and cooked a big breakfast for everyone.  Since Kyndall's birthday was March 25 (Monday), we also celebrated her with a big cookie cake.  

I'm so thankful for family and all the memories we make!!

Blessed and Grateful

This past week I was in OKC for our Area meetings.  This session of meetings was more stressful than usual for me.  Tuesday night, I presented the Journey Awards at our awards ceremony in front of our Area (12 districts, close to 175 people).  I also had a Director's Council breakfast on Wednesday at 7:00, led one of the product sessions from 8-12, and then had a product champ lunch after that.  To say that I was excited for Wednesday night dinner and drinks with my team, is an understatement.  

I am not complaining of all the things I had to do, because I have prayed specifically for these things. I have prayed for opportunities to excel in my career, to be able to do things to bring recognition to my position and territory.  God has answered those prayers by giving me these opportunities and then giving me the courage to take advantage of them.  

I was able to successfully do the presentation on the Journey Awards before our ceremony started, and God blessed me with a wonderful year with my company.  There were two reps chosen out of our Area for the "Above and Beyond" award, I was one of them. 

At the end of our program, the Platinum Performers are recognized.  These are the top 10% of reps in each area.  You have to have great sales numbers, but also exude behaviors that go above and beyond those that are done every day in the field. I was beyond excited to be chosen!!  Matt and I will be going on a trip in July to celebrate. 

Again, I feel so blessed and grateful to be able to celebrate such an awesome 2018.  I give all the credit and the glory to God.  I feel that I am so blessed to work in this industry and with this company.  It's not lost on me all the blessings that have come our way in the past 12 years.  God has always provided and I know he always will.  My prayer every day is for the Lord to give me opportunities, and then to give me the courage to act on them.  I think this applies to my sales role, but also in shining His light in all I do.  I want Him to show me the opportunities to help others, to encourage someone, and to always put others first.  If I listen to His Spirit, then I will undoubtedly act.  He is so much bigger than I am!  Thankful for verses like Jeremiah 29:11 that remind me every day of his plans for me...for all of us!

Ready for Spring....

I'm going to be really honest... I am OVER the gloomy, cold weather and even more so all the sickness that this season has brought.  Reese had pneumonia about a month ago and Brooks recently got over the flu.  Matt and I have both been sick with horrible colds this week as well. 

We are all ready for sunshine, flowers, blue skies, and warmer temps.  

There was one weekend when Reese felt well enough to go to Ellie's birthday party one Friday night.

We also had one snow day on March 4.  The ice was pretty thick and the temps were below freezing with the wind chill, so naturally the kids spent the day wishfully thinking. 

If only we were at the beach....