It's Finally Fall

Everyone who knows me, knows that I absolutely love Fall. Who wouldn't love the changing colors of the season, falling leaves, crisp Fall air, boots & scarves, pumpkin patch visits, hot coffee, lots of family time, and of course Pumpkin Spice (PS)!!

About this time of year I start going on the look out for new PS goodies and luckily I've already found a few. Here's some that I recommend to any fellow PS lovers...

Fall In Love Pumpkin Spice Coffee from Paramount Coffee is so delicious. It has just the right amount of spice but doesn't over do it like other PS coffee blends I've tried. I was gifted another bag of Sweetie Pie: Pumpkin Pie that I can't wait to try. Thanks for the great gifts Caroline!

Speaking of Caroline, she got me the most wonderful PS themed birthday gift last week. Here we have PS coffee syrup, soap, a wonderful smelling candle and cookie mix! My friends know me all too well!

I  was lucky enough to find this loot at Target, I swear I find all the good stuff there. I mean really who doesn't love Target?! The Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer from International Delight pairs wonderfully with the PS coffee and makes me feel like I've gotten a Starbucks PSL. The yogurt was delicious and the Eggo waffles were to die for. Seriously not sure what I'll do with my life once they're put back in the PS vault until next year.

My latest find while grocery shopping this weekend were these PS english muffins. Toasted with a little bit of butter makes a great breakfast! I have a few other PS things left in my pantry to try and I am sure I'll find more throughout the coming weeks. For example, I don't think I can move onto the Winter season until I try these:

Photo Cred: cookiesandsangria.com

Our Fall is already off to a busy start, I leave for a much anticipated girls' trip to Iowa on Thursday, followed by a flight to North Caroline for a work event, then come home to a busy first weekend in October, and more travel. We literally have every weekend except one booked, but I'm super excited for the adventures coming our way. During some of our down time I want to finally get pictures up in our home, do fall/winter meal prep, try some recipes in my new dutch oven, carve pumpkins, decorate for the season, have a cozy movie night in, go to a scary movie, and just enjoy all that Fall has to bring.

First Generation Grad

Yesterday was a big day for me. Not only did I turn 26, but it marked the official last day of my two and a half year journey to finish my Bachelor's degree. It was a long road that I thought I'd never see the end of, but just like most things in life, it flew by. I'm proud to say I am the first person in my family to attend and finish a degree, even if it took me a LONG time and even if it wasn't at a traditional four year university. That's the beauty of innovation in education!

I started my college education in high school by participating in Running Start. I graduated high school just a couple of credits short of my associates degree. I took some time off after I graduated high school and decided to work full time and do part time school to finish up. I ended up doing so many classes that I actually graduated with two associates degrees! Yeah I know you guys who have two masters degrees think that's soooo great but do you have to AAs?! :)

During the same time that I finished my AA my Grandma was very ill and on hospice. She was so excited that I finished and really wanted to see me walk with the other graduates from Pierce College. As silly as I thought it was to walk in a community college graduation, the excitement and pride my Grandma showed that day will be something I remember for ever.

Grandma made my promise that I'd keep going and I'd finish my degree, she told me I should start right away because its hard to go back when you stop. Well I didn't listen and decided to focus on work. Two years later I decided it was time, and signed up for Capella University's business program.

If you don't think you have time for to go back to school or start learning something new, you're making excuses. Here's a few things I did while going to school and still finished with a 4.0:

• Started a new relationship
• Moved twice
• Got engaged
• Planned a wedding
• Enjoyed all of those fun wedding activities that come along with getting married
• Went on two vacations
• Got married
• Moved twice
• Changed careers and traveled for work

You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to and I think I've finally proved that to myself.

"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." - Karim Seddiki 

I have to send big thanks to all of those that encouraged and supported me along the way. This was not something I could've done on my own and it means the world to know people have your back! To my husband, family, friends and coworkers- thank you for your constant support, I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my blog!

Caffeinated Happiness stands for two of my favorite things. Coffee (duh), and happiness. Not just my happiness, but creating happiness for others, finding happiness in the strangest of places/ways, and finding new ways to be happy, even on the darkest of days. I'm excited to share my memories, moments, DIY adventures, Pinterest successes (and most certainly fails), recipes and more.

Although I'm sure the only person reading this is my Mom and an occasional friend (because I'll make them feel obligated), here's a bit about me in case you're new here:

I'm a project coordinator with an amazing group of people at Getting Smart. I have learned so much about education, innovation and learning in the last year and am eager to keep learning more. I get to do work that truly matters, every single day. How awesome is that?

Last Summer I married the man I've dreamed about since I was a little girl. Here's a couple of my favorite pictures from our big day. Maybe if I upload them for all the world to see I'll actually hang some on our walls soon!

Scott is a wonderful husband and not a day goes by* that I don't ask myself how on earth I got so lucky. He's supportive in all my crazy adventures, makes me laugh every single day, and is the kindest man I have ever met. He also puts up with my goofy nature which can be quite out of control at times.

I am 110% in love with my family. There is nothing I'd rather do than spend the day with either of our families. Each one is equally crazy but so much fun and fill my heart with a love that is unexplainable. My best friend is my Mom (seriously, she's awesome and I hope to be the mother she is one day!) and my Aunts are second in line (they're so much fun they were at my bachelor party and even my 21st birthday).

Mom and I last year at the Tulip Festival

I became a "Tee-Tee" to THE sweetest little boy named Gunnar just over 2 years ago and when my husband and I got married I accumulated 11, count them 11 nieces and nephews (yeah 12 total, imagine how big our present pile is at Christmas)!

We're self proclaimed "goofy-goofies"

Here's a list of a few of my other favorites that you'll likely read more about in future posts.

• Our crazy dog, Lucy Lou
• Being organized (or thinking about it)
• Memories
• Bringing happiness to those around me
• Coffee, and lots of it
• Baseball and softball
• Football
• Fall 
• Target (if you don't enjoy Target, we can't be friends)
• Cooking & baking (not cleaning afterwards)
• Reading
• Home decorating
• Crafts and DIY projects
• Fitness (like the rest of you, I also need to workout more)
• Random adventures
• Travel

Here's to life, love and caffeinated happiness.