5.3 Miles

This is an old picture, but this is what I looked like while running yesterday. I was gleaming with pride. It was a break through run. The longest I have ever done.

So I know that just the other day I blogged about my goal of running a half marathon and I said I was going to increase my mileage soon. I looked up a route on google maps before I left for my run yesterday and I figured that I would do it next week, but while I was running I just felt the urge to go for the longer run. So I tried to remember the route as best I could and I made it home and every once in a while I would start smiling because I was so happy that I was doing something that I never thought I could do. If you had told me a year ago that I would run that long I would have told you you were crazy! When I looked up the map again when I got home I realized it was 5.3 miles! I was so proud of myself. SO there ya go... another update on my training.

4.4 Miles & Insanity

So I just wanted to give you an update on my big goal for the year: to run a half marathon. I am a third of the way there!!! I am up to 4.4 miles in my running. I have been doing it consistently for about a month now so I am thinking about increasing my mileage a little bit in the next couple weeks. And I also need to sign up for a 10k. Does anyone know of a fun course that wouldn't be super difficult? Running isn't easy for me, but I love it. I think I like it so much because I can do it now, even though it isn't easy. When I was in Junior High School I was overweight and NOT cute. I had no sense of style and I was awkward. Looking back at those 2 years makes me a little bit sad because I felt like my weight and my lack of physical activity really held me back, but I never did anything to change it. There was a "Coyote Run" that we had to complete (I think every week) and I could never do it without walking. I am pretty sure it was only 3/4 of a mile, but I couldn't do it (or that is what I thought, I wasn't into pushing myself to new limits). I remember the best grade I ever got for a Coyote Run was when my soccer player friend Nikki coached me the whole way and encouraged me to jog. I think someday soon I will have to go back there and run that coyote run and prove it to the fat awkward 8th grader inside me. I think I need to finally let go of that image that I have of myself because I am a different person now. I think I still feel like that girl because I am not the person that I want to be yet and my body isn't quite what I want it to be yet. I am getting there and I will never stop trying, but it is hard to change habits that I have had my whole life and it is hard to undo the damage that has been done due to my bad habits. But the whole point of being fit and healthy is so that I can move on and live a long healthy life instead of one that is filled with awkwardness and insecurity. When I talk to Tyler about this he is always very encouraging and tells me what a good job I am doing. He doesn't understand what it is like to be the fat girl in class, but he encourages me when I get too hard on myself. I keep repeating this quote by Albert Einstein in my head: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". It is time to start changing what I do if I want to get the results I want. I need to be more disciplined if I REALLY want to be the woman that I want to be. I will not subject myself to insanity any longer. I can't do it anymore.

BYU vs UCI

A couple weeks ago we went to the BYU vs UCI mens volleyball game and it was really fun. Shira and Devin invited us so we met up with them, got In n Out and headed to the game. It was fun to visit and we also got to see Janae and some other family and friends since Uncle Mark bought us the tickets. Thanks Uncle Mark! It was a really fun night! After the game we went back to the Dickson's place and made pizzookies and watched "This Is It" (the Michael Jackson movie). I know it might sound weird, but it made me sad that he is gone. He was such a great musician and I am sad that there will never be a new song. The whole time we were watching I realized that you could have a dance party for hours with only Michael's songs. He was amazing. But anyway... the night was fun and I am stoked that we have sweet family that lives close and likes to party with us!

Congratulations Tyler!!!

After many sleepness nights, worrying and wondering we have finally heard. Tyler got into Cal State Fullerton!!! Some of you may think it is easy to get in there, but these days, with crazy budget cuts, they are not admitting people as easily as they used to. I am so happy for him! Finally he can stop worrying! Congrats Tyler! I am so happy for you!!!

My Celebrity Look Alike

So today on facebook people were changing their profile pictures to their celebrity look alikes. My sister told me that I look like Zooey Deschanel, which I think is true because her hair color/style, complexion and face shape are all very similar to mine, but as far as style and personality (in her many movie roles) goes I don't think it gets much closer than Drew Barrymore. This picture is so me. It is weird that today I chose to wear dark jeans, my sixteen candles t-shirt and a red cardigan and yesterday I wore my steelwells t-shirt, dark jeans and gray cardigan. So weird. I think me and Drew were meant to be friends. What do you think?

Tyler's Birthday Celebrations

So we got to eat A LOT over the weekend in celebration of Tyler turning 25! We went out to eat with my family on thursday night at Wood Ranch. And he opened presents from my family and me. I got him a set of bbq sauces from Lucille's. By the look on his face in the picture below you may not be able to tell, but he is really excited!







On Friday we went to eat at Oggi's with our co-workers for some excellent pizza and that night we went to Lucille's and the rodeo with Mike and Jessica. It was a really fun night, even if there weren't any crazy rebel bulls.




The next day was his actual birthday and his day of snowboarding. To end the day we went to Bj's Pizza and played games with Danielle and Greg. I won. Boo ya!

On Sunday Tyler's mom made a HUGE dinner. She made Tyler's favorites... ribs, scones, broccoli and asparagus. It was a really yummy meal and a lot of fun to spend time with the family. Tyler's sister Jessica even made a brownie, mint chip, oreo ice cream cake. It was delicious. This is why I ran 4 miles yesterday. It was a carbo loading weekend.

Luke decided to like the plate that the cake was on. This is him after he was done. Kids are such a hoot.

Happy 25th Birthday Tyler

Tyler decided to take advantage of a free birthday lift ticket this year so he spent the day up in the beautiful mountains just an hour away from our home. We are pretty lucky to live in a place where you can go surfing in 70 degree weather and snowboarding in the same day. We are really lucky to live in such a great place.

Here is a video that I put together for Tyler-he is sleeping and didn't approve it, but I am thinking he is going to like it. He and my sister's boyfriend Greg went snowboarding (after a week of historic snowfall) and needless to say it was amazing. They both had a lot of fun. Here is some (not too great quality) footage of their day. Enjoy!



P.S. This is my first attempt at a snowboarding video so forgive me if it is not as cool as one might hope.

New Years Eve

So for new years we decided to do something a little different. Our best man Regan was in town so we decided to show him a little bit of so cal. We started the day by heading to the local high school's football field. The boys played soccer while I ran a couple miles around the track. Then we headed to the Getty Center the day after the rain. It was perfect. We could see for miles. It was such a clear day, the weather couldn't have been better. After we finished there we went to dinner at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. Regan approved. We love hanging out with Regan. He is such a great friend to us. We enjoyed his company so much that we kept him for a few days, but sadly he had to return to Utah. We will miss the situation.

Christmas 2009

Here are some photos of our christmas celebrations. On Christmas eve we went to the Glassman house to visit with my mom's side of the family as well as the Winter house to witness the traditional nativity. On Christmas Day we had our own Christmas at our place, headed to my parents, then went over to Tyler's parent's house. It was a really fun day. I even let Tyler watch the Laker game! We got to hang out at the Lumsdens. We love them! It was a great holiday. We are so grateful to have spent it with so many great people!











My favorite picture is the one of Mike and Tyler playing nerf tag with our nephew's guns. It really is true what they say... boys never really grow up. But at least they are entertaining! lol.

Pat and Ashley Lamb

So amidst the many Christmas happenings this year we had the privilege of going to the wedding of our wonderful friends Patrick and Ashley. We love them! They both looked amazing and we can't wait to go to their sealing at the end of the month!

We Love you!!




Below is a photo from Patrick's bachelor party... they went shooting. Tyler had a blast as you can tell.

Christmas Baking

I know this is late, but I wanted to post some pics of the christmas baking that I did this year. It was really fun, but Tyler and I both decided that next year we shouldn't make any extras for ourselves. We were all good-ied out for quite a while after all the goodie plates from friends.

Greatness?

Lately I have had this recurring thought about what I am doing with my life. Like a "what are you doing that is so great?" kind of a thing. It is not the best feeling in the world to think that I am not doing something important with my life. But I also know that it is normal to be critical of oneself so I am trying to use this as a modivator as opposed to letting it ruin me. I have set some goals for this year and of course, like always, there has been a slight "hitch in my giddy up" for the last couple weeks. I have been sick on and off and then right when I start to feel better my monthly bill arrives and totally debilitates me (sorry to be graphic, but sometimes cramps/back aches REALLY mess me up!). So needless to say I haven't been as modivated as I could be because of my lack of normal health/sleep/energy. But I have been trying to stick to it and have a good attitude. Tyler helps me a lot because he always believes in me, even when I don't. So today while bored at work I decided to read an ensign article and heaven knew it was what I needed. I love it when that happens. It totally re-affirms my faith in the Lord that he knows me. Below is an exerpt from the article. I love it when Elder Holland puts me in my place..it is always my favorite part of his talk.


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, The Best is yet to Be, Ensign January 2010

"Some of you may wonder: Is there any future for me? What does a new year or a new semester, a new major or a new romance, a new job or a new home hold for me? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to stay in the past?

To all such of every generation, I call out, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11).

Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year’s resolution I ask you to keep."


So here are a few of my "dreams" for the year. I am posting them here in hopes that it will keep me accountable and really try harder.

-train for a half marathon
-run a half marathon
-graduate college with honors
-save money
-lose 20 more lbs
-build my photography portfolio (let me know if you need a photo sesh!)

I am really determined to accomplish these things and I don't think it is asking too much of myself. I figure that if I keep thinking about how un-great my accomplishments are then I better start working on doing some great things. So here's to a year of greatness!

2 Years

Today is our two year anniversary and I cannot believe how fast it has gone! I am so grateful for the life that we have. Tyler is truly my best friend and I cannot imagine what my life would be like without him. I cannot really even remember what life was like before him. I am so excited about the years to come and I am anxious to see the path that we take together. I am so blessed to have him by my side supporting me, loving me and making me laugh. We are pretty lucky to have found each other. I remember our wedding day like it was yesterday... it was the most amazing day of my life and I would live it over and over if I could. What I remember most is the love that I felt that day. The love between Tyler and I and the love from all of our family and friends. I remember kneeling across the altar in the Newport Beach Temple and looking into the eyes of the most wonderful man I have ever known. I will never forget that day.