Moving On...

This week is going to be a busy but exciting one! Graduation is on Friday and on to Montgomery I go to start my career (finally!), after a weekend of celebrating at the beach of course!

I cannot believe this time has flown so fast. I feel like I have made a life in little ol' Troy Alabama and am somewhat sad to leave. I have made some of the best friends here and made so many memories.

Moving on to the next chapter, moving on from my friends, and literally moving. Overwhelming how blessed I am. God is so good!

New Obsession!!

I finally got my camera! My amazing parents bought me a Nikon for graduation and I haven't put it down since! I don't plan on doing anything professional with it, but it is such an awesome thing to have. Expect many more pictures : )

Can't Seem to Have one Without the Other

So the past month has been pretty hectic and I am glad to have it over. It has been full of packing, studying, successes, and failures. Tears and laughter...
As I have probably mentioned before, I am currently taking the CPA exam. I have passed 2 of the 4 parts and sat for the Audit section on November 30. I was praying that I would pass it and have 3 parts under my belt before I started work in January... but lo and behold, I made a 74. A 74!! Seriously, failed by 1 point. What a huge blow to one's confidence. I felt so discouraged and seemingly hopeless!
After talking to my roommate some, my mom, my best friend Matthew, and Chase, I took some time to talk to God. I put this burden in His hands and prayed for the weight to be lifted off my shoulders. I know that while I wanted/expected the results to be in my favor at this time to work with my "plan," that God's timing is perfect. I also know that while I lay this worry to His hands, that it is also my responsibility to continue to push forward and not to give up. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," words so simple and used so often, but also such an amazing reminder that we don't have to go through anything alone. And for that, I am grateful.

So, two hours after I received my failing 74, I had to take a final. My last final for graduate school to be exact...the last exam I will EVER take in school. While I should be excited about this, the CPA exam clouded my joy. But after taking a day to let defeat settle in, I can now rejoice in the fact that I am DONE! Exams are over and the only thing I have left to do is walk across that stage next Friday and receive my degree. I hope that while I struggle to get my CPA that my parents are still proud of me. 5 1/2 years of hard work to get my bachelors and now my masters degree. It seems a little surreal that it is over.

Can't seem to have one without the other. I guess with every failure also comes a success. With every tear also comes a smile. With every broken heart comes love worth more.
Story of my life... but what a great story at times!

Fall 2011 Recap

I guess I had high hopes in this blog thing...only to completely fail! Unfortunately finishing up grad school, sitting for the CPA exam, marrying off best friends, finding a place to live, Auburn football games, and finding time for the boyfriend and new roomies has proven to be very time consuming. I have had somthing planned every single weekend this semester and it has flown by! With that being said, I am going to put my best foot forward and give this another try! And waht better way than to do a complete update on the fall semester?!

Let's see...
First we will start with football! I have the pleasure of my littel sister attending Auburn University for school. She is a smartie and got a ful ride!! I love Auburn football (win or lose) and love even more going with her!
Here are a few pictures from the games this season so far:

Dad went to his first Auburn game! He sat in the student section with us! I think he had a really good time!

The firm I will work for in Montgomery, Jackson Thornton, also tailgates at Troy, Auburn, and Alabama games.

This is at the Auburn tailgate before the Ole Miss game

This is before the UAB game at the Jackson Thornton tailgate in Troy with some of my co-workers and the next year's interns...and of course Jim Pope

my roomies at the Troy vs. UAB game. I am going to miss them!

Jaime and I also went to the Auburn vs. Georgia game in Athens with Dad. He went to school in Athens many years ago so we got to experience what he did...and might I say it was quite an experience! Athens is nuts, but so much fun!

We also had Beth and Anna's bachlorette parties this semester. This is from Beth's at the beach house in PC. We had SO much fun!

I got 2 new additions to my Alpha Gam family...that makes me a great great grand big. Wow, I am old!

Love my gams though!

Amy and I carved pumpkins! They were pretty legit if I say so myself!

I dont have much roomie time since I am always gone, but I love them!

These are my best friends that got married! Arent they beautiful? They will always be my best friends and roomies. I am so blessed to have them in my life and to be able to share in their special days!

Anna's wedding

Mr. and Mrs. Kelly

Before Beth's wedding

All the Alpha Gams

Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery

As you can see, I have been blessed to share in some wonderful times! The adventure has just begun. The semester is wrapping up and graduation is right around the corner. I cant believe how fast almost 6 years has gone by! Soon I will have my MBA (and hopefully my CPA soon after) and be a big girl in the working world... I cant wait to see what God has in store for me next!

Spur of the moment = tons of fun!

This past weekend was the 4th of July weekend. I originally planned to head home to 'ole Millbrook to write a paper, get ahead on some schoolwork, and begin some Becker... but of course that didnt happen! Chase and his family were heading to Pensacola, Florida to spend some time with Molly Kate before she left for school in Connecticut in the fall. VERY last minute, Chase asked me to come along (this kind of timeliness, or lack there of, is not uncommon for this sweet boy). It was Thursday night, and I hadnt even began writing my paper that was due Monday, so the chances of me coming along for the trip didnt look promising... but I hit the books all day Friday and completed 90% of what I had to do, so I decided to enjoy the weekend! And did I ever!

First of all, I had never been to Pensacola before, and it is one of the most unique towns Ive ever seen. I loved the atmosphere there! Secondly, I had the best time with Chase's family and meeting everyone. His aunt and uncle were so welcoming; I felt right at home! As was everyone else I met!  We had the best time at the "bayou" where we played on the jet ski, tubing and wakeboarding (which I hadnt done in MANY years). That night we went to Chase's dad's old high school, which was an old hospital way back in the day that is now a pizza place on the bottom floor "the O zone", a theatre, and several offices occupy some of the second and third floor. Many of the locals "sneak" in and look around the upper floors at the old artifacts and pictures of the hospital. It is kind of spooky, but very interesting to say the least. It was also fun to reminise with the alumni as they mentioned what each room had been and the trouble the got into.

Here is the old highschool/hospital. Such a cool building to go to school in!

The last day, we spent some time at the beach. The beaches there were beautiful! We brushed off the sand and headed back to Troy...

After a weekend full of "not so good for you," but amazing food and family, it was good to be back home with my babies!! They missed their mommy : )

Arent they cute??

Cant wait for another weekend like that!! As for now...hitting the books for the remainder of the summer semester! Only one left after that until I am a big girl!!

- Ryan

Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end...

Hello all! I am officially jumping on the blogging bandwaggon... should be an interesting ride. : ) Enjoy!
- Ryan