Cannot even believe I am about to write this...

I have a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology! What?!

My family and I had such a wonderful time celebrating this past weekend. It couldn't have come at a better time and I am so excited that I no longer have to study for tests, do homework, or go to class (except for continuing education classes of course ;)).

Before graduation there was a reception at the UNT Speech and Hearing Clinic so everyone's families could get a tour of the clinic where I spent the last 2 years and where they could meet the supervisor's who gave us so much knowledge. It was also a great excuse to take pictures with all my classmates and friends!

I feel so honored to have been part of such a wonderful group of girls (and guy!). I went into the whole process very closed off with the mentality of wanting to get in and get out. I just wanted to do my work, do my time, and finish with a degree so I could start working as an SLP. I had no idea that I would get so much more out of it...friends who are going to last a lifetime. I thank God each and everyday for the friendships I made. These girls got me through grad school. They always knew what to say when I was feeling burned out, they were always willing to lend an ear (or a glass of wine) when I just needed to vent, and they gave me some of the best memories that I will never forget. Now, time to plan our girls trip!!

After the reception, my family and I went to eat then before you knew it, it was time for graduation!

It is still surreal to me that this whole grad school journey is over. I am in shock that I actually did it! It was all worth it!

Of course after graduation, we had to go celebrate!

Thanks babe for all your support the past 2 years. I love you!

Now on to the next journey...a new job which starts at the end of June!
Here I come world, watch out!!

This year for Christmas, we went to Breckenridge, Colorado to spend time with family and hit the slopes.

View from the plane.

I have been to Colorado a few times before, but never to Breckenridge. This is by far my favorite place so far to ski/snowboard in Colorado.

Eric, me, my mom, my dad, and Eric's dad flew into Colorado Springs then drove the 2 hour drive to Breckenridge while it was snowing like crazy. Apparently, we got 28 inches of snow in the first 2 days we were there. It was beautiful.

The first day there, my dad and I took snowboarding lessons. I am an okay skier, not great, so I really wanted to give snowboarding a shot. I AM NEVER SKING AGAIN. I loved every second of snowboarding...even when I would fall on my butt or face plant, I was so ready to get back up and keep at it.

Getting fitted for our snowboards

Day 1 - Lessons

After about 2 days of snowboarding, I was finally able to feel completely comfortable on the board. It is such an adrenaline rush just flying down the slope (without falling), knowing it's just you, your board, and your balance keeping you moving. I keep telling Eric that I want to go back right away and keep doing it.

And what AMAZING views! I loved every minute of this trip.

When we weren't out on the slopes, we were hanging out at the beautiful rental house or walking through the town of Breckenridge and doing some sightseeing. FYI - Breckenridge has a FABULOUS candy shop. My niece & I were in heaven.

Christmas morning was spent just relaxing, while Christmas afternoon was spent on the slopes. Another fun fact - almost no one skis on Christmas Day. So we were able to get right on the lift and we had the slopes to ourselves for the most part.

Christmas Eve 

We had such a great time spending time with family, loving on our nieces, sking and snowboarding, and enjoying such a beautiful city and the great outdoors.

Until next time, Colorado. We will meet again soon!

Well fall has pretty much come and gone and I have yet to write a blog post. Thanks, grad school.
So without further ado, here is my semester update for Fall 2014.

I had my last first day of class ever in August. And, I had my first day at my new offsite at an outpatient pediatric clinic in Dallas.

Some of my girlfriends in the program started having weekly wine/TGIT (thank God it's Thursday) nights...pretty self-explanatory. We drank wine, watched Grey's/Scandal/How to Get Away With Murder, and sometimes Salon la Megan would make an appearance. These nights were the highlight of my weeks.

Salon la Megan

My girlfriends and I tried to have as much fun as we possibly could this semester because it was the list semester we would have ALL together. And I think it's safe to say we accomplished it.

Carving pumpkins for Halloween - mine is the middle one!

Eric and I drove down to Conroe to have a birthday dinner for my mom's 50th birthday. I mean, her 40th birthday. (Sorry, mom.) And for some reason, I didn't take a picture with her, just Eric. (Sorry again mom.)

This year for Thanksgiving, my mom, dad, uncle, cousin (Tearyn), my papa, and Eric and I decided to go to Possum Kingdom Lake. This has been a tradition in my family since before I can remember. My family celebrates Thanksgiving there every 3 years. And we always have such a great time! Camping, hiking, sitting fireside, looking for arrowheads, going out on the boat, and just relaxing.

Colbie didn't want to get her fur wet in the shower.

After Thanksgiving break, I hit the ground running to finish up the semester. Literally hit the ground running...I was also training for another full marathon.
I had my last day at my offsite with such a great supervisor!

I also had my last day of class EVER!!!!

Then it was time for my last FINAL EVER!!!

Bye, clinic!

Around this time, my friend, Betty, celebrated her birthday so we took a break from all the madness and enjoyed the weekend celebrating her!

Birthday girl!

Sadly, the semester came to a close, meaning we were all moving away from each other. Because of how our program is set up, we get the opportunity to go wherever we want for our last off site placement since we are done with classes by this point.
My friend, Lauren, moved to Michigan, a few people moved to Houston (including myself), and others were scattered around Dallas.

Such a sad day.

If finals week wasn't crazy enough, I decided to run the Dallas Marathon the Sunday after finals ended. It has been on my Dallas bucket list, seeing as how Eric and I weren't going to be in Dallas much longer, so I finally got to cross it off!

Another event on our Dallas bucket list was to go to the Cotton Bowl. So 2 days before we moved (4 days after our Christmas vacation...which is in another post!), Eric and I headed to the Cotton Bowl to watch our Baylor Bears play! I won't talk about the outcome of the game, because I still get sad thinking about it. But we had a great time...we saw old friends, cheered on our Bears until our voices were hoarse, and enjoyed being in the amazing atmosphere of the AT&T Stadium.

Little & Big :)

Love this lady so much! Julie you are so beautiful!

2 days later, Eric and I packed up our tiny one bedroom apartment and our 2 dogs and hit the road for Houston. I have an amazing offsite placement in the area that starts in a week, so we are officially H-town residents.

Bye, Dallas...you have been so good to us!

All packed up...almost.

 Now that we are settled in, next up is studying for/taking/passing the PRAXIS (my licensure exam), and passing COMPS (my exit exam for UNT). Please pray for me! These next 2 months are going to be intense, but in the end, it will be SO worth it. I also start my LAST offsite on Monday, so here goes nothing! I am so excited...graduation is only 4 months away!

Have a wonderful week!