As I enter this new decade, I thought it would be interesting to look back on my life these past 10 years. The 20s are known for finding yourself, entering adulthood, and probably some bad choices. I definitely had all those moments. I'm sure I'll pull up some embarrassing photos....but those are the fun ones!
before the iPhone, there were disposable cameras and perhaps digital cameras. You're welcome for this #trio circa 2006 tailgating at a Tech game
2006 Tech games
2006
a great guy friend I made in college....Cody, the "tough" guy who is really a sweet heart. I remember many movie nights he and I had. The first real guy friend I ever had-2006
We even went to a Tech game together 2006
One of many Pat Green concerts we attended 2006
I even took in a Kenny Chesney concert 2006
turning 21....that whole year (le sigh)
The twins turn 21....don't even get me started on the girl on the left (not my favorite person) #toolazytocrop
selfies before the iPhone front facing camera...summer 2007
My ever changing hair 2007
2007
not sure what year this is, but it proves the point of "ever evolving hair"
summer vacation with my sisters in San Antonio 2007
my first rock concert in Amarillo 2007- Papa Roach
More Tech games during my graduating semester 2007
2007
a night out 2007
I don't think the term "frenemy" was invented yet, but we started out as that (because when you date the same guy in high school that's what happens), and became great friends...Trina!!!! 2007
another trio I was a part of: Trina and Tammy 2006/2007
my last game as a Red Raider vs. OU and we won!!! 2007
2007
2007
it was a big win for us...like, storm the field big 2007
college grad 2007
if this doesn't capture my personality, I don't know what does??? 2007
celebrating my 22nd bday before I move off to DFW 2007
The girls 2007
Misty had a ring by then, Christy and I did not (SPOILER: we have since gotten rings) 2007
In 2008 I had just moved to Arlington for grad school....they came to visit
because I believe I'm a karaoke diva in my living room 2008
visiting home in 2008 for Misty and Adrian's wedding-me and mom
me and dad 2008
with my sisters 2008
our evolving style and fabulousness is evident throughout the years 2008
a friend I lost touch with who I said I would marry if I didn't get a husband by 30 (at least he's off the hook) 2008
Here are some photos from Misty and Adrian's wedding 6/7/08
my excessive tanning that year and black hair may or may not have let me blend in better with the 2 Mexicans rather than the 2 white girls.....
My sweet dog, Raider, who was my companion from 2006-2011. My first dog!
I wouldn't do my mid to late teens and early 20s justice if I didn't include Jim! Big part of my life. We've since lost touch, but both appear to be happily married to our respective spouses and enjoy careers in education here in DFW. 2008
My first friends here in DFW, Sherri and Debra 2008
I worked at Market Street in Colleyville and met this beauty, Lisa! We became fast friends. We may or may not have gotten into some trouble together....#the20s 2008
I can't forget our spur of the moment road trip to Oklahoma to try and catch the Tech vs. OU game. We walked forever and froze to death (so it seemed) just for a Tech loss. We didn't even see the game! 2008
Living in the hood of Arlington means your car will probably get shot at. I kept the bullet hole for the life of the car to keep my "street cred" here in the city 2008
More hair changes:
I do love Jason Witten (I may or may not have danced every time he scored at one point in my life)
my first apartment was decorated with Tech stuff (this is another friend, Ashley, who lived here in the metroplex...we met and worked together in LBK and were also "frenemies" before the term was real)
I'm including this only to prove my point of "bad decisions" in your 20's. That's all I'll say about that.
Yet another Trio I was apart of in my 20s....
Here's to 2009.....
Student teaching in the spring
My childhood bestie from down the street got married March 28, 2009-I caught the bouquet and was engaged 8 months later to a guy (Mr. B) that I didn't start dating until May
The boyfriend....the guy I dated before Mr. B-Ali was a sweet guy who introduced me to some great people. He was really good looking. I remember meeting him on Valentine's Day and immediately hitting it off. We dated a few months before we broke up (different cultures make for a hard coupling). We're still Facebook friends and he has since moved back to his home country.
Some people I met through Ali:
I think early 2009 was one of my favorite looks of my 20s. I had a personal trainer and was at the gym daily. I lost a lot of weight and dyed my hair blonde. And I totally met my husband!
From here on out, Mr. B is now a part of my life!!!
Our first ever picture together
Our first official date was at Olive garden. This is us going on our first date to Sundance Square in down town Fort Worth. I also met his Aunt Kathy this day, too. Sundance Square has since become one of our favorite spots to have date night. We will forever remember this date because we couldn't remember where we parked our car and how to operate the parking garage. We still laugh about it all these years later when we are parking in our same parking garage.
We ate many times at CiCi's Pizza
That October he took a week long trip to Boston and left me lonely for a whole week. He got back just in time to celebrate his 24th birthday. I made him a cake, made him a rock n' roll puppy from Build-A-Bear, and bought him the leather jacket he'd always wanted.
I met the rest of his family on the 4th of July. This was my first time meeting Beckham, born earlier that year in April. July 4th, 2009 was also when we first told each other "I love you!"
I start my first teaching job at Allstars Learning Center teaching Pre-K in the Fall of 2009
November 28, 2009 Mr. B proposed after dinner at P.F. Changs and a horse and carriage ride downtown
2010....The half way point in our 20s and the year we got married
Engagement photos April 2010
I graduated from University of Texas at Arlington with my Masters in Education degree in May!
Bridal photos June 2010
This we had blown up for the wedding
had to get one with baby's guitar
and my cowboy boots
Our wedding shower in LBK June 2010
The twins made my dress....I have an original!
a long time friend of my family and my high school marketing teacher comes to our shower!
All 3 of the Sellers girls had Mrs. Tallman (now Mrs. Allred) for 3rd grade!
Our wedding: July 17, 2010
all my girls
all the guys
my favorite
and we're married!
We honeymoon at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas...my first time to leave the country
Our nephew Dylan was born in August 2010
And he turns 25 first 10/21/10
We also started attending North Beach Church of Christ in the Fall of 2010 where we still attend today!
Then I follow suit in December
We celebrated our first anniversary in 2011 and started the "Anniversary Selfie" tradition
and eat the top tier of our cake
We welcome our Dixie girl
In the early Fall of 2011 we became home owners
a house warming gift from Mr. B's parents
Harley joins our family
2012
We celebrate our 2nd anniversary
I start teaching first grade at a new school that Fall
And make new friends
I go to the new Cowboys stadium for the first time to watch Texas Tech take on Baylor
I finally get a new car after 9 years!
2012 Honda Civic
2013
I start blogging....You're welcome!
I went to NOLA in July 2013 for a work conference. It was my first time, and I had so much fun with these ladies.
When I came back, I found this:
Surprise! That moodiness over the NOLA trip had a reason!
OK, so it had 2 reasons...twins!
My last bump pic at 10 weeks...Sadly I miscarried on September 5, 2013.
That summer we vacationed in Austin and went to Schilliterbaun, but didn't enjoy much since I was newly pregnant.
I always have fun with this little man!
We celebrated our 3rd anniversary
2014
Mr. B drove me all the way to Tishomingo, OK to visit Miranda Lambert's store, The Pink Pistol!
That summer I decided I wanted to lounge in a pool, so I bought an inflatable pool. #imcheap
We went to Del Rio that June with my family and had a blast!
I went to my first painting class with Mr. B's mom. I've been addicted ever since!
We celebrated our 4th anniversary in Punta Cana, Domican Republic
We started our love of couple's painting classes
We went to an Eli Young Band concert in Ranger's Ballpark
We finally said goodbye to my cavalier after 11 years together. We bought another 2012 Honda Civic
Mr. B took me to see the Nutcracker for my 29th bday!
We started a new tradition of Christmas Light Cruising with Starbucks' caramel apple spices
We spent a white Christmas in LBK with my family
2015
We went to our first murder mystery party in January: 80's prom theme
Adrian was the first to turn 30 in February....
We celebrated the first baby in our group: Kingston Cole Mendez. He was with us for such a short time, but he was loved for every hour he spent on this earth.
We had many snow days this year. I enjoyed the extra time off of work. I played in the snow, binge watched Netflix, and cuddled up with my hubby and my pups!
In February, Baby Jude was born!
I shot a gun for the first time!
We met baby Jude in April!
More painting took place!
I had so much fun with my team that school year!
I went to the Sellers Reunion for the first time in 7 years
Mr. B and I went on a mini trip to New Mexico with my parents
Jude came to spend a whole week with his Aunt Lee Lee and Uncle C
We had an outing with my friends, Tiffany and Leigh Anne, and their babies: Gabby and Caroline (still kickin it in the womb)
We celebrated our 5th anniversary in Riviera Maya, Mexico
We had game nights with Ben and Vanessa. We had game nights with other couples we knew from church, too!
Baby Caroline was born in August!
I became the first grade team leader and decided I wanted to show off my Texas Tech pride in my classroom!
Jude came to help decorate
We went to a murder mystery dinner with Kelli and James
I started my journey to health in September with Beach Body and Shakeology.
By December, I'd lost almost 30 pounds!
We celebrated Mr. B's 30th bday in October!
My family came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us! More baby Jude time!
I went back to my short hair right before my 30th birthday. It felt so good to return to my short hair!
We had our 2nd annual Christmas Light Cruising with Starbucks' caramel apples spices
We celebrated my 30th bday all that weekend!
30 year old me! I wish I could find a good photo of me at 20!
I am ready to embrace my 30's with an open mind and heart. I know this next stage in my life is going to be great. In 10 years when I look back at this post I want to feel just as amazed at how awesome my 30's were! I hope my 30's bring me children and new job opportunities closer to home. I also hope to live a healthier life style. I bid you farewell 20's! You were kind to me and taught me so much about life and myself. I'll look back fondly on our memories together, but I won't long for you because I know this next decade is going to rock!
Some things I'm proud of in my 20's:
-I still have the same 2 best friends that I had 10 years ago
-I received 2 college degrees
-I married the love of my life
-I bought my first house
-I increased my faith
-I started my career
-I made many new friends
-I made many attempts to live a healthy lifestyle
-I traveled to 3 different countries
-I embraced my artistic side with painting
-I read many, many books
-I carried 2 babies inside of me
-I took on a leadership role
-I have lived a great life these past 10 years!
Here's to 10 more awesome years!!!!
