1999: I have to start here. I graduated from Daniel Boone High School in East Tennessee in the Appalachian mountains. I was #4, right below our 2 salutatorians, and I couldn't believe all that I had accomplished academically and how many friends I had, even though there were many ups and downs my senior year. On graduation day, moving vans were in my driveway, though, and we moved to the Houston, Texas area. That fall I began my freshman year of college at Houston Baptist University as music major (piano and voice) with business being either a minor or becoming a 2nd major. I struggled a lot with being in Texas and started becoming depressed and had a suppressed anger as I was in a world where the only people I knew were my immediate family.
2000: I decided I was going to transfer to ETSU (East Tennessee State University) to continue my music education and got all the way to Birmingham with my mom and we turned around and came back to Texas as I was an emotional mess. So I went back to HBU and continued my music education. I still wasn't happy. All I knew was HBU wasn't for me. So, I applied to King College in Bristol, TN. I returned to the beautiful mountains and E.TN to major in business at King. I was so happy to be back; however, at some point during the semester I realized I wasn't where God wanted me to be but I wasn't sure where. I had an amazing roommate, Jay, who helped me in ways she probably doesn't even know. I had my amazing best friend, Rachel, a floor up and others. I wasn't at peace. After discussions and prayer I knew God was calling me to come back to Texas, attend community college and look at colleges.
2001: I started off the year at Houston Community College getting more basics that I hadn't taken yet and was looking into schools. Mom and I went to visit Texas A&M. I did NOT want to go visit. However, God placed the right people in my path on that visit and made it obvious to me that I was to attend Texas A&M. They had a football team, which was something I missed! They had traditions, something I wanted! It was a HUGE school, something I was NOT sure about! I started at A&M during the fall and 2 weeks later sat in awe in from of the television as the events of 9/11 unfolded in front of my eyes on TV. I was in shock. I didn't have classes that day, so I studied and let what was happening on our soil sink in. I also joined a great Christian sorority and met some great girls who helped me get through a very rough semester as I was still struggling a lot with even being in TX.
2002: I was still at A&M and decided to apply to the PPA Program (Professional Program in the Department of Accounting), was accepted (totally God!), worked the summer again, and went back to A&M that fall. Dealt with some issues still with being in TX and family stuff but God saw me through it all.
2003: Began the recruiting semester and interviewed for internships with the Big 4 for the following spring. I enjoyed being wined and dined by all Big 4 accounting firms. I ended up making the decision to intern with KPMG and was very excited for what the next year would bring.
2004: I spent the first 10 weeks of the year after New Years interning at KPMG - Houston. I worked, worked, worked, and worked some more. I had intern happy hours and events. I met some great people from other schools and states. I learned that KPMG was where I wanted to start my career. I was taking not only the last of my undergraduate classes but graduate classes too! That fall I started full-time in graduate school, well actually more than full-time as I was taking 15 hours of graduate classes! That is a ton let me tell you! I had amazing girls' nights with Shelley, Lauren, and Kristin. Lauren, Kristin, and I just so happened to all intern together at KPMG! Shelley went with E&Y.
2005: Due to family finances not being so great I got a job and took out a bit more on the loan front and supported myself though my last semester of college. I graduated in May!! Whoop!! I had 2 degrees, my Aggie ring, and a job already! What more could a girls want. I still didn't know why God had me in Texas but here I was! In September I started my career in the real world with an apartment in Midtown Houston (very near downtown). I worked and worked!
2006: I worked, worked, studied, studied, worked, worked. That was my life. I worked and studied for the CPA exam. That's it! I tried to get involved in church but it was hard with how much I was working. In October I was offered anther job as a forensic accountant and it was too good to pass up. KPMG could not offer me what MD&D was offering me. So, on December 1st I began as a senior accountant at MD&D.
2007: I was still living in midtown, looking to buy a house, and studying. I sat for the remaining sections of the CPA exam. In December not only did I buy my first house, a townhouse, but I also found out I pass the 4th and final section of the CPA exam!! I think I woke up the entire hotel when I found out! I also had started attending Second Baptist Church in their singles ministry out West.
2008: I started realizing I was definitely in TX for reasons I may not know and knew God was in control. I was meeting wonderful people at church and enjoying my job. Late in the year work wasn't so fun due to a staff who is no longer with us and I did not handle it well. However, I learned from it and other events in my life and God saw me through. OH and I went to NEW YORK CITY with 3 of my girlfriends and will forever be thankful to Steph for making the trip possible! It was a dream come true!
2009: I started the year out knowing God had big plans for me and it would be a good year no matter what! I was still at MD&D and was promoted to Supervisor! Yay! I attended training again as we go every other year. I travelled to Waco to visit my fabulous and very close friend Courtney while she was finishing up grad school at Baylor. She and Steven got engaged and I screamed in the middle of the rodeo food place! She asked me to be a bridesmaid which will happen in almost 2 months! I continued to hang out with amazing friends. My sis got her Aggie ring! I started dating again my amazing boyfriend, Matt, and we are excited to see what else God has in store for us!
Sooo....that's the decade in review! I'm excited to see what is to happen in this next decade with God leading me all the way!
2003:
