How is it already the end of another year??? I can’t believe 2021 is over and 2022 is already here!! 2021 was a big year for Sean and I…

It included…

-Getting accepted to the Master of Speech Language Pathology Program at ACU Dallas 

-My 24th birthday 

-A birthday stay at The Grand America in Salt Lake – dreamy, 10/10 recommend 

-My mom coming to visit at the end of March 

-Getting my wisdom teeth removed – ouch, 1/10 recommend 

-A trip to McCall, Idaho in May to attend Brady (Sean’s brother) & Ariel’s gorgeous wedding 

-Finishing my last school year as a Speech Language Technician

-Celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary at Sundance

-A trip to Lagoon with the Crumbl Crew 

-Being a bridesmaid in one of my best friend’s weddings 

-Celebrating Sean’s Golden Birthday (28 on the 28th of July) 

-Purchasing our own washer and dryer – you know you’re adult when this makes the list 

-MOVING TO TEXAS 

-Visiting the Magnolia Silos – also dreamy, 10/10 recommend, especially the cupcakes 

-Welcoming my brother home (for the last time) from his mission 

-STARTING GRADUATE SCHOOL 

-A trip to the State Fair of Texas – an interesting experience to say the least 

-A fun visit from Sean’s parents that included a Luke Combs concert – amazing!

-Celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year with my family in Florida 

-A cat fiasco – if you know, you know 

-Finishing my first semester of graduate school with a 4.0 – we’ll see how long that lasts 

This year included many leaps of faith, followed by tremendous blessings. Since moving to Texas we have made so many new and incredible friends, it’s seriously unreal how many amazing people we have met here. We have also been able to explore this amazing new place that we are excited and grateful to call home. There are so many fun places to go, lots to do, and restaurants galore, our favorite!!

I have also grown more than I could have ever imagined through my first semester of graduate school and I have met so many incredible women who will be forever friends. I thank God everyday for the opportunity to attend ACU Dallas, the calling to be an SLP, and for bringing us to Texas. My next semester will include my second practicum, this time in the Frisco ISD and I am both anxious and excited. Sean and I also have BIG plans for 2022, including a trip to New York City, potentially building/buying our first home, and beginning the process of starting our family!! 2022 is going to be busy (x1000000) and very exciting so stay tuned!! 

In retrospect, 2021, while exciting, also produced a lot of anxiety for me and more often than not, I felt very high strung and stressed the heck out, to be completely honest. Instagram is 100% my highlight reel and I keep all of the many imperfect parts of life to myself, so just know that you are not alone in your anxiety, fear, or whatever it may be. Those plagues are very much real for so many others who try to keep it hidden like I do. I think one of my words for 2022, despite the two major life changers (hopefully) coming our way this next year, will be ‘serenity’.  There were many, many times this year where I realized that I needed to just breathe, relax, and not get so worked up about things that didn’t matter. One of my goals for this next year is to remain calm and find peace, especially in troubling or stressful circumstances. I’m sure my husband will appreciate that one! 

I hope you all feel refreshed at the start of this new year, that you have made a few goals for yourself, and that if you have felt a little bit out of sorts or not yourself, like I have, that you are able to “return to your roots” and find what brings you joy and serenity. 

All my love,
Elizabeth