Phoenix Vacay Recap

My Phoenix trip couldn't have come at a better time. I really needed a break from the "Psych Experiment" that is my job. Nora came up with that and I think it's hilarious and sadly, a bit accurate. February was a difficult month, but I am feeling better about things lately. I am trying to remember that we grow the most when we are being tested. I know the year ahead of me is going to be challenging, but when it's all said and done, I think I will look back and be sort of glad that I went through it because I will grow as a result - and it is forcing me to figure out what I am good at, what I enjoy doing, and how I can apply my talents.

That said, I needed a break from Minnesota. I needed a break from my employer. I needed to go south to Phoenix to see some sunshine, my sister, and a best friend from college. Here is how the weekend played out!

On Saturday morning, my friend Heidi treated me to a pedicure as part of my birthday present! I haven't had a pedicure in ages so this was quite a treat! Plus it was lovely to break out some flip flops!!



Heidi also knows that I am a bit nutty about knitting - so she took me to this little gem of a store called "Knit Happens". It was so cute inside! And what a clever name for a shop. If I ever write a book, that just might be the title!


My sister Abby & her husband live in Tucson - it was Abby's birthday on Saturday so they came up to celebrate! I am so glad I was able to be there to celebrate on her actual birthday! I think the last time that happened was when I was in college!

Here's a little flash back for you to show you how much I have changed over the last year! Here is a picture of us from my trip last January.


And this is us this year! Abby is wearing the apron that I gave her as part of her birthday gift!


I am nearly 40 pounds lighter!! Thank God!! I am not quite at my goal yet and sometimes get frustrated about that - but then I look at photos like this & realize how far I've come!

We celebrated Abby's Birthday by going to a local Mexican restaurant. It was probably in the mid 60s so a little cool for Phoenix, but fantastic weather for this hearty Midwestern girl! My sister had a winter jacket and I wore a light cardigan, which I took off for this photo since we thought it'd be funny to show our different tolerances for 'cold' weather.


Here's a picture of Heidi & I as well!



We capped off the night with a game of "Loaded Questions" - great board game & a fantastic way to learn really random things about people!

All in all, it was a wonderful getaway! And in a few short months, I'll be back down in Tucson to celebrate my brother-in-law's graduation from his engineering program. Can't wait!