Mid-Year Happenings...

Wow has the first half of the year just flown by or what?! I can't believe it is already the end of June! This year has been quite the whirlwind thus far and it doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Here's a quick update of what we've been up to lately:

Matthew: between podcasting two shows a week, working, and helping me out he has been pretty busy. Recently (2 weeks ago) he was able to sit on two different panels at Comicon in Phoenix. This was a pretty exciting deal and since they had a decent turn out, he is hopeful they'll get asked back next year. 

Embree: she has finally learned the value of sleeping in!!! We no longer have to take turns getting up with her on the weekends which is really nice! Other than that she is a happy and healthy pup!

Megan: between work, school, and the gym I feel like I'm always going a mile a minute these days! I'm almost done with my second grad school class and am excited for a week off before I start the next one. I've also been really concentrated on my fitness (update on that in a different post). 

Our year thus far in pictures (a lot of the reposted from Instagram):

In Januray we said farewell to Rojo and bought a new car! This one has AC which makes me a very happy lady!

We went to Greer AZ at the beginning of the year. It was a nice weekend getaway with friends.

Matthew went snowboarding for the first time while we were in Greer.

Of course we went to a Suns game :)

I got to see Miley Cyrus in concert which was actually a lot better than I thought it would be.

We spent a day at the horse track with the Jolkovski family. Isn't Ryann a cutie?!

We played in our first Sloshball tourney. #wegottheruns

I went to CA on a work trip and got to visit this cutie and her family!

We played in our second Sloshball tourney. #titsburgfeelers

We spent Memorial Day at the lake with Matthew's family.

Matthew learned how to paddle board and is pretty much a pro now!

We got to see some of Matthew's favorite comedians, Matt Mira and Jonah Ray. He also got $5 for telling an awesome joke and both of them signed it.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year and can't wait for the rest of the year. We'll be going to Georgia and South Carolina, Matthew's turning the big 3-0, Thanksgiving, My birthday, Christmas, and hopefully more trips in between!

xoxo,

Megs

Memories & Hopes...

2014 is here! Kind of crazy another year has flown on by. 2013 was a great year for us...we finally moved out of an apartment and into a home, took many summer trips to visit family and friends, saw two amazing concerts, celebrated birthdays, and rang in the new year with friends.

I have a lot to look forward to in 2014...starting my Masters program (wait?! What?! Haha still can't believe I'm going back), taking a trip to Myrtle Beach, celebrating Matthew's 30th birthday, celebrating our 3 year anniversary, and I'm sure many more things that aren't even planned yet!

xoxo,

Megs

The Big 2-5 and Concert Shenanigans...

I can't believe I'm 25!!! My birthday has come and gone for this year, but I was definitely spoiled. Matthew finally bought me my kitchen aid!!! I love it and I have been baking up a storm since I got it. This year for my birthday, we went to dinner with some friends and then to a comedy hypnotist show. It was a very good birthday....even though I'm another year older (boo!)

In November, we got the opportunity to see the lovely Kate Nash in concert (again). She did not disappoint. The venue was pretty small which is always really cool. We hung around after the show to get a photo op and have her sign a couple of things. Matthew was so excited to meet her.

In December, we FINALLY got to go to the Justin Timberlake concert. I had been looking forward to it ever since we purchased tickets back in June! If you have the chance to catch this show, it is SO worth it! He such a talented musician and performer. We enjoyed every minute of the show and are even considering going back in August when he comes through again.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall...

I can't believe it is already Fall again. Seems like just yesterday we were celebrating New Year's Eve with Matthew's Family. This summer seems like it was full of trips. I was fortunate enough to visit home several times this summer. Matthew and I also made our yearly trip to California. It was great spending time with loved ones and friends. As the holidays approach, I am looking forward to many more family gatherings. Fall truly is my favorite part of the year. Unfortunately for me, Arizona doesn't realize it is supposed to be Fall yet! haha! Guess that is what I get for moving here. I'm ready to break out my boots, jackets, and scarfs. 

Here are some pictures of things we did over the past few months...sorry for the overload. PS: if you follow me on Instagram, some of these are repeats :)

Ladies Night 

This summer we made our first trip to an amusement park together

Roadtripping to CA...

...making random stops to take pictures with Dinos

We were able to go to our first Pro Football game this summer

Lights of Vegas...taken on my way home from one of my many trips to UT this summer.

Sunset in UT

Family reunion trip to the rodeo

We went to a cult classic movie showing of Neverending Story

Sienna being a sunglasses model :)

Laura and Aria

Summer fun with these kiddos...water fight

Diamondbacks game

Jess and Laura playing the Michael Jackson dance game on Wii...I'm pretty sure Matthew still holds most of the records.

Ladies night ended at some crazy biker bar...this is one of the bands that played that night

Cute baby Aria...I helped pick her name...sort of :)

Jess and Sienna making Dixon's fathers day gift

Late night hangs with Parisa and Evan

Matthew and I in Vegas this summer

We witnessed a plane "crash"...more like a fender bender. It only crashed through a fence but we were stuck on scene for 2 hrs waiting to be told we could leave.

xoxo,

Megs

The Weight Loss Chronicles: Sometimes doing everything right...

...gets you no where!

After four months of working out 4 times a week, I was hoping my progress would be right on track. Unfortunately, my genetics decided against that plan. From my initial weigh in to August 15th I gained almost 10 lbs. Gaining weight while working out doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong. Muscle does weigh more than fat, so it is possible. All would've been great except some of my measurements went back up to their original size. This mixed with other symptoms made me wonder if something else was going on with me. 

My mother has a history of hypothyroidism (under active thyroid). Some of the symptoms include itchy skin, brittle nails, tiredness, and weight gain. Knowing this, I met with my doctor and explained everything I had been doing during the last three months. She decided it would be best to have my TSH levels tested, along with a few other things. I had my blood drawn the following day and two days later made a follow up appointment with her to review the results. As I thought, it was under active thyroid. She prescribed me medication and ordered a follow up blood test for two months down the road. I've been taking the medication for a month now and have seen some improvements. My hope is that by the time I see the doctor in two months I've lost the almost 10 lbs I gained.

On another note, I also switched personal trainers. Long story short, mine decided to quit. She was almost 7 months pregnant, in school, and working. I don't blame her for focusing on other important things in life. My new trainer has had me doing some interesting things. For example, he had me switch up my cardio routine. I do a total of 30 mins of cardio every time I go to the gym. Lately I've been doing the treadmill. I walk at a 8 incline and 3 speed for 5 mins and then turn around and walk backwards for 3 mins, same incline but I bump down the speed to a pace I feel comfortable with. I alternate back and froth until I hit my 30 mins.  Doing this will allow you to burn more calories and work muscles that don't normally get worked during cardio.

xoxo,

Megs

Thankful Thursday...

I've been meaning to post this for a while now but haven't had the time to sit down and write it. Lately I've been thinking about all the things I have been blessed with and how lucky I am to be where I am in my life today. I have A LOT of things to be thankful for but most of the time I dwell on all the things that seem to go wrong.

Today a few of the things I am thankful for:

Source

My job!...I recently switched positions at work (with high hopes it is a permanent position by December) and love the team I am a part of.

Embree...she may be a pill some most of the time! But I could never EVER give her up. She challenges me daily but makes up for it with all her cuddles at night.

My husband...I don't think I could ever tell him enough how much he means to me! I am so grateful that I found a person who understands me and loves me just the way I am, flaws and all!

My friends...they are the family I got to pick!! I don't know where I would be with out them. These girls have been through thick and thin with me and after 6+ years I couldn't have asked for better women to be examples for me! I love them all more than I could ever express and I can't wait to see some of them in June!

My ability to learn and ambition to succeed...I am grateful that I was able to finally graduate and move on to a career. I am grateful that I am a quick learner and have an amazing memory.

My family...my parents and siblings have always been a strong support system for me (even if they don't know it). I thankful for the good examples they are to me.

My bonus family...I couldn't have asked for a better family to marry in to! Being far from my family and friends is VERY hard at times but knowing I have people who love and support me as if I were their own means a lot to me!

Source

My health...even though I am not my ideal weight, I am grateful that I don't have any medical conditions.

xoxo,
Megs

Life Lately...

Wow...it's been a minute of two since I have updated the old blog! 2013 started off kind of rocky for us, but I am happy to report that everything took a turn for AMAZING after a few days into the new year. As most of you know, I graduated with my BS in Communication (yeah that is right....I went to college to learn how to communicate...haha) and was left jobless at the beginning of the year. On top of that, we had to decide if we wanted to rent our apartment for another year or if we wanted to look for a house to rent. Being jobless, it was hard to make a decision and we had very limited time. Fortunately, I was offered a job in my second week of unemployment. It's close to home and everyday is a new challenge  which if any of you know me, I LOVE to be busy and challenged! 

With the job offer, we made the decision that we wanted to rent a house for a couple of years before we go down the road of home ownership! We want to know what we are getting ourselves into before actually buying. After searching and hoping nothing would be rented by the time we were able to make a move, we finally found a house that we are putting in applications tonight! Cross your fingers! I really, REALLY, hope we get it! :) 

On another note, since I am finally finished pursing my degree, it is time for Matthew to pursue some of his dreams. He FINALLY started his own podcast....so everyone should go check it out....like right NOW! haha! I am so proud of him for finally starting something that he has been wanting to do for a while now. Hopefully he will be able to finish his degree sometime in the near future and get a job doing broadcasting. 

Other than the few hiccups at the beginning of the year, life has been treating us quite swell. We are enjoying the nice weather that is also known as Arizona winters and we have been spending a lot of time with his family, which is always nice! That is all for now!

xoxo,

Megs

Graduation

I did it! I FINALLY graduated! Although I don't feel any different, it was one of the best feelings ever to know that I had accomplished something so big! Walking across that stage and hearing my name called was amazing! I'm so thankful for the support of my family, friends, and the best husband anyone could ask for. There is no way I would've been able to do it without any of them by my side.

{Class of 2012}

{Getting my diploma}

{I did it}

{Matthew and I}

{Luke & Lisa came to support}

{My parents}

{ASU 2012}

{Sarah-Jane and I}

I'm excited to start the next chapter in life....I'm just not sure what that is yet! haha! For now, I am finally enjoying some time to relax and reflect on the goals that I have accomplished. 

xoxo,

Megs

*All personal photographs*