Race Day

The first of January Marianna, Kera, Liz, and I were sitting around discussing our New Year's Resolutions. Liz and I said our resolution was to enjoy everyday in 2010. To help us do this we resolved to take a picture a day and create a photo journal. We convince Marianna and Kera to join us only by promising that we would do something they wanted to do in return. Marianna named running the Mesa Falls 1/2 Marathon in August. In January August seems forever away so I agreed even though it was reluctantly. I didn't have to worry about training until May right?? Well, May came quickly and I started to run a little bit. I'd run a little under a half mile and feel like I was going to die. Each week I'd try to do a bit more and the past two weeks I've run more than I have my whole life combined. I've discovered that running a 1/2 marathon is really more of a mental thing than anything else. On Saturday morning mentally I had no doubt I'd finish. So, I popped in my ear phones turned on Harry Potter and took off with the masses to run my first 1/2 marathon. The time passed really quickly - I think that has a lot to do with the fact I was getting to the climax of book seven. In case you're wondering it took from breaking into Gringott's to the inhabitants of Hogwarts getting ready for Voldermort's first attack for me to finish. Then I crossed the finish line and I felt so happy. Not happy it was just over - that's why I originally thought I'd be happy. My joy came instead in knowing I'd accomplished a big goal, that I have a healthy body that allows me to be active, and that there are many more adventures in my life yet to come. It was fun; not the same fun as riding a roller coaster but still fun. Liz and I are already looking forward to our next race... whose going to join us???

I was going to post some of the pictures but I keep getting an error so the slideshow will have to do.

It's Sunday and it's raining

I love a good raining day especially when I can put on comfy clothes and just enjoy the fact that the weather is dreary outside and I don't have to go out in it unless I choose to. We have been getting quite a bit of rain lately. Wednesday there was a spectacular storm and it was wonderful. I got lucky because I had computers so my class didn't get wet. (My class has to walk outside to get into the school.) Usually here in Utah if it rains you can count on it raining hard for 10 minutes max. Tuesday it rained like I was in Pennsylvania. It rained in sheets - and it rained hard for a good two hours. I loved it and the only thing that would have made it better would have been if I was home reading a book. I feel the same way when it is blizzarding. I'm not ready for that so I am loving the rain.

Here are a few pictures from the last few days enjoy! And if a storm comes your way I hope you're somewhere safe and warm where you can enjoy it while it lasts- They never last long do they? And the sun that comes after is always so bright and pleasant makes the storm worth it some how.

Tricia and I went to a demolition derby with a bunch of friends. We are both working on a list of 30 things to do in corresponding to turning thirty. I have a few things left to add to mine and then I'll post it so look for it in the future. This activity was on Tricia's list and we had a great time cheering for cars as they hit each other. I think the whole idea is a little odd - we had a good time.

Jonathan and Annie were in Utah to visit her family so I got to play with Lilly. I made a cake and made a little one just for her. She was excited to get to frost it with me.

I tried to get a better one but she didn't want to keep her eyes open. She said the flash was hurting her eyes. She looks like she is crying here but she isn't she was laughing and being really funny every time I clicked the picture. She's such a sweet heart and I love her to pieces!

Monday for home evening we had the classic picture scavenger hunt. I know what you're thinking I wish I could have as much excitement in my life as Olivia does. It's true I'm pretty exciting.

On Tuesday I had my hair cut. I love it this length. I'm always a little frustrated that I can't get it as straight as Emily my hairdresser gets it but I enjoy it this way for the day that it lasts.

Kara and I enjoyed an evening of dinner, catching up, and a session at the temple. I enjoyed it so much and am so grateful for good friends who help make life so wonderful!!

Saturday my ward had an activity at a local pool. I was excited there was a slide. It reminded me I need to plan a trip to a big fun water park next summer! Anyone want to join me???

Have a fantastic week!!! Stay tuned next week to find out if I survive my first half marathon... wish me luck!!!

I'll always be an Idaho Girl at Heart...

Saturday I took a quick trip to Idaho and I have decided something - No matter how long I live in the "Big City" (and I realize the Salt Lake valley isn't really that big of a city) I will always be small town at heart. I love a lot of things about Utah - there are still mountains and a hike is only a few miles up the canyon. I love that I live minutes from the airport, any store I could possibly need to visit and of course BYU football.

But...

I will always love the Teton mountains, endless potato fields, and cool summer nights after the dew has started to settle. While I was home we ate new potatoes freshly dug that morning. I may be a little weird but one of my ultimate comfort foods are potatoes. During the first 6 weeks of my mission when I was extremely homesick and wondering what in the world I gotten myself into a miracle occurred. Every dinner appointment we went to we were fed potatoes - mashed potatoes, twice baked, potatoes in a casserole, and numerous other ways all at different houses and all from people who hadn't learned the new sister missionary was from Idaho. It was a tender mercy from my Father in Heaven. I knew from that point on He was watching out for me, He loved me and would send me comfort in the smallest ways. Since then potatoes in any form have held a piece of home to me and they make me happy when I eat them.

Saturday I wanted to bring some of that taste of home with me to enjoy the rest of the week. So Jed and I went out to the field to dig some potatoes. That's another thing about Idaho in the fall that I love - there's always a potato field close with rows and rows of potatoes. While Jed was digging, I mostly watched, he mentioned that a neighboring farmer had a field of peas so I convinced Jed to call him and see if he minded that we pick a bag. - I knew the answer would be yes but it's good to have permission when you're tromping around in someone's field. With fresh peas and new potatoes I was all set up to make one of my favorites! New peas and potatoes.

Today as I ate leftovers of this delicious dish for lunch I thought fall can now begin. Growing up new peas and potatoes at Grandma's house signaled the end of summer and the beginning of fall. I think it is a dish I'll be making every August. Really there isn't anything that can make me feel more at home!