Janae's Baby Shower 4.17.10

So I apologize that this post is so terribly late, but I needed to post about my lovely cousin's baby shower. Janae Holland (Previously Dalton) is having a baby girl and my cousin Shira and her mom Sharla put on a lovely shower for her on April 17th. It was a great shower. Very intimate with most of our family there. She got such cute stuff... I always go home from baby showers with an ache in my uterus. One day I will get to take home all those cute little clothes, but for now I am happy to share these wonderful experiences with my family members. It is especially fun to share these experiences with my cousins because we all grew up being so close to each other. Janae and I shared a good few years of being very close before we got married and I am so happy to see her and Taylor bring this sweet girl into the world. She is actually being induced today so in a few days I will get to post baby girl's welcome to the world photos! Baby Holland doesn't have a name yet, but she is loved very much. I can't wait to meet her!







All the Decorations were super cute! Great job Shira and Sharla! You are welcome to throw me a baby shower when that time comes! :)

Good Friday

So I'm sitting in my office listening to A Fine Frenzy and my Dad comes in. He searches around in the filing cabinets and then asks: "What are you listening to?" and I reply "A Fine Frenzy". As he walks out he casually says "I like it". For some reason this gives me satisfaction. It might seem lame, but it brightened my day a bit. For some reason I am happy when my dad (a very picky man when it comes to music) approves my choice of music.


P.S. I am alive... finals just finished so I will be catching up on blogs as soon as I catch my breath.

Purely Amazing

I saw this video on a friend of a friend's blog. I had no idea what it was about when I hit play, but I am so glad that I watched it. Watch it and you will see what I mean. Watch it and you will feel a surge of gratitude for the Savior. Watch it and you will be inspired to be grateful for every challenge you face.

OC Half Marathon

I finally crossed that finish line. Yesterday I did something that I never thought I could do. I ran a half marathon. Me, Amy Rex, I ran 13.1 miles. Sometimes when I think about it I don't really believe that it happened. I kept a good pace throughout the whole race and I didn't have to walk at all. I jogged that whole thing. I was really emotional the first couple miles and the last couple miles. I think it was the realization that I was finally completing this goal. It made me so happy. I gave up on a lot of things when I was younger. I played soccer and quit, played piano and quit, took horse back riding lessons and quit, took dance classes and quit. So it hit me hard. You are doing this and you are finishing strong.
The first couple miles felt really good, I feel like I was running at a good pace and I was passing a lot of people. After 5 miles I slowed down a little bit, but never gave up. There were cheerleaders all along the way. Tyler and his parents even stopped at a few different spots and cheered me on. It was awesome! There were also some really great quotes that people wore on their shirts that totally motivated me! When we ran through the neighborhoods there were cute home owners sipping their morning coffee watching us run. It felt like the whole community was cheering us on. It made it a really meaningful experience. The last mile I felt a surge of energy and I passed a bunch of people. There were a lot of people walking, which surprised me because the finish line was so close! I wanted to shout "Let's go people! We're almost there!" but instead I just focused on making it to that finish line. I was starting to cry as soon as I saw other people walking around with their medals... I knew I was close. I turned the corner and saw the crowds of people cheering and amidst the sea of people I saw my little sister wave at me. Then I lost it. She was training for the LA Marathon when her knee gave out, but not until after she ran two half marathons. I got her into running, then I gave it up for a while, but she kept going until her body wouldn't let her run anymore. I wish she had been there on that course with me, but I am so grateful she was there to cheer me on. After I saw her in the crowd, along with my family, I sprinted across the finish line. It was the best feeling in the world. When I felt like I had nothing left I saw that 13 mile marker and realized I had made it. I had to go to a place deep inside myself (a place I never knew existed) to push myself harder than I ever had before and I pushed until I crossed that line. It is like this phenomenon occurs where your mind and soul just take over your body.
After walking through all of the other runners I reached my family. I embraced them all as tears streamed down my face. They were tears of happiness, relief, satisfaction and of gratitude for the support system that was there with me in body and spirit. Ten years ago or even ten months ago I would have never thought that I could do something worthwhile, but now I do. Now I know that a goal, no matter how far out of reach, can be attained if time, effort and faith are all applied.
After the race all of us went back to the apartment and ate a great breakfast. Cindy brought me roses and they made a beautiful centerpiece for our table. As I sat there taking in the events of the day and looking around my humble apartment I realized just how great life is. I wanted to take a mental snap shot and remember the love and happiness that I felt. I thought, "all of these wonderful people love me... I am so blessed". And to all of the friends and family who constantly encouraged me - you know who you are - Thank You. From the bottom of my heart... Thank you for being so wonderfully kind to me. You have inspired me more than you know.

Also, my blogging friends, I want to let you know that this is not it for the details about race day. I will be making a video of all the pics and video so that you can see how the day went!

A little sneak peak until the video is finished - a pic of me and my little broskie after the race...

Ten (10) ...

... the number of miles I ran on Saturday

... the number of days until my race


I am nervous. I am excited. I can hardly believe that I have come this far. I am going to run a half marathon and now I am thinking that someday I could maybe run a full marathon. Sometimes I have to stare at myself in the mirror just to remember that I am not that same chubby awkward teenager that I once was. I am a runner. I am an athlete. I am the type of person I always wanted to be, but never tried hard enough to become. I am living proof that anything can be done if enough effort is put forth. I am living proof that you can be anyone you want to be no matter how busy you are, how much homework you have, how much money you have or where you live. I don't pay for a gym pass and I have lost about 30 lbs since I started working out and eating right. It is pretty amazing what a little bit of discipline can do for your body, mind and spirit. I feel like a new person. Take for example the photo below.



The photo on the left is me in high school. I looked happy on the outside, but I was very insecure and self conscious. The photo on the right is me last Saturday... I am happy, fit and loving life.

Sure I could lose a few more pounds if I wanted to be cut and maybe I will get there someday. But today I am in my healthy weight range for my height and age and I am stoked about it.

I will be running a half marathon in the OC Marathon on Sunday May 2nd. Finish line is at the OC Fair Grounds for anyone who wants to be there. The starting line is near fashion island and the race starts at 6:30 AM. I will be meeting my fans at the finish line with a big huge smile on my face about two and a half hours later. I can't wait.

Happy April Fools Birthday Grandma Beth!

My dear Grandma Beth Stout is in town from Arizona for the easter holiday so all of us Stout girls decided to go out to lunch at Cheesecake Factory to celebrate her birthday! It was really fun to see everyone and since I had spring break I didn't have to worry about any school work... it was really nice! It was a fun day out and it was great to spend some extra time with Grandma. I love that lady so much. She is such a strong example to me of service, kindness and love. I cannot imagine what my life will be like when she is no longer here with me, but I am so blessed to have her here now and I will cherish the times that I get to spend with her as she gets older. She gives the best hugs and kisses and she has such a sweet heart. I hope that I can always remember the love she makes me feel and share it with others.
My Grandma Sue, my dad's mom, passed away when I was 15 and I didn't get to know her as much as I would have liked. Sometimes I lay in bed at night and think of her and cry because I wish I had been given more time to have known her as well as I know my Grandma Beth. But I know that she loves me and I can often feel of her love as I think of the memories I have of her. She was a very giving lady who served those who were less fortunate and she loved her family and her Heavenly Father and Savior. I am grateful that Grandma Beth was there with Grandma Sue when she passed away and I will always be grateful for the friendship that they shared. What a blessing Grandmothers can be in our lives. I am grateful for Heavenly Father's plan and for the wonderful women that I have been blessed to know and love.

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

Happy Birthday Jessica Jane!

Tyler's sister Jessica had her 35th birthday on March 28th and to celebrate she invited all of the family over for amazing desserts. She even went big and got out the chocolate fountain and two ice cream makers. Owen ate WAY too much cake, but everyone loved watching him walk around with chocolate all over his sweet little face. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening. We spent the day visiting with family members and friends from far and near... some even came from Seattle. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people who love us and share time with us. Thanks for inviting us to your birthday party Jessica! We love you for so many reasons. Here are some of my reasons... Jessica is: kind, funny, giving, a master seamstress, creative, hard working, she likes home improvement projects, she likes to get her nails done with me, she and I can joke about how crazy our family is, she has really cute kids, she likes to eat, she is a GREAT friend and sister.....to name a few.

Here are some photos that I took of the day...

Wonderful

This song is amazing. I am loving it right now. It is a great pick me up song. Take a listen.


The video isn't anything super special, but the song is currently on repeat in my head! I LOVE a good song that can lift me up when I need a boost. Hope you like it!

7 miles

Hooray! I ran 7 miles last saturday! I did it again this past weekend and Tyler decided to do it with me! He did really well. My foot was a little sore, but it wasn't too bad. Next Saturday I will move up to 8 miles. Wish me luck!

P.S. As for the last bummer post... I am feeling much better. I am trying to have a better attitude and be excited about what a great life I have because I really don't have anything to complain about. Summer is coming and the weather is more cheery. I think the sunshine makes it easier for me to feel smiley and happy.

I Wish...

I was taking a nap on a hammock instead of sitting here at my desk at work.

I was done with school.

I could afford to quit my job and take photography classes.

I wish I had enough money to buy a house.

I could open all the windows in my nonexistent house to feel the breeze as I rock my nonexistent baby to sleep...

All very good wishes, but all in the future. I do not particularly enjoy feeling discontent and lately I have been dreaming of better days instead of these days. I have been praying a lot for a better attitude because I know I have some more climbing to do before I reach the top of this mountain that I am on. I'm sure I am not the only one who feels this way, but it sure stinks.

Love Is In The Air

This summer Tyler and I both have sisters that are getting married in the Newport Beach Temple! We are so excited for Danielle and Julia who will be getting married one week apart! Danielle and Greg have set their date for July 2, 2010 and Julia and Aaron will be getting hitched on June 26, 2010. We may go a little crazy, but were are so excited for the fun parties, friends, family and of course the happy couples! We love both of our soon to be brother in laws and can't wait for the big days! Congrats you love birds! We love you!


Aaron Smith & Julia Rex (Tyler's big sister) were engaged on March 13th

I made them a "Love" cake for an engagment celebration/family dinner last weekend. It was yummy! It was my first attempt at home made butter cream frosting! Everyone really liked it... or they were just being really nice even though it didn't taste good because they know I worked so hard on it! :)


Greg Irwin & Danielle Pitts (my baby sister) were engaged on February 27th

Vision

This is my new screen saver at work. I am hoping that it will keep me pumped up until race day. I had some pretty bad pain in my right foot on tuesday night after my 6.1 mile run and off and on all day wednesday. Thursday and today have been pain free so I am going to move up to 7 miles tomorrow. I am going to try to walk for one minute intervals every 10 minutes or so in hopes that I can spare my ankles for a bit. I was feeling really sad when I was in pain. I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to reach my goal. But I have tried to get some more information on how I can be pain free and I have prayed a lot and I really feel like I can still do this, I just need to be careful. While I was reading the ensign yesterday a certain sentence stuck out at me "If I put Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ at the center of my life then I will be able to accomplish all of my goals" and so I am going to try harder to do that. I am so thankful for eye opening moments like that. I know that faith can change the impossible to possible.

P.S. If any of you amazing runners have any advice for me that would be awesome!

It's Official

I am running the OC Half Marathon on Sunday, May 2, 2010. I am excited. I am nervous. My hands even got a little clammy while I was registering online this morning. But I am totally ready for this. I want to do this so bad. I have dreams about crossing the finish line and I am going to do it. In the words of the late great MJ "This is It"...

Good Times

So earlier in the year I posted the following as my goals for the year and I am pleased to let you know of my progress!

-train for a half marathon
I am almost half way into my training for a half marathon. I can hardly believe it! I ran 6.1 miles yesterday and I am ecstatic! I have amped up my running mix and I bought some new running shoes with custom insoles to help my lame "flexible" arches. I have a little bit of soreness in my right foot, but that is normal for me and I am hoping and praying that I will not suffer any injuries so that I can continue my training.


This is a picture of me after my first 10k! Since my training schedule didn't line up with any real 10k races, Tyler let me wear his metal so that we could remember this as a momentous occasion. :)

-run a half marathon

Since my training is going so well and I am on track... I am pretty much set on running the OC Half Marathon on May 2nd. I still need to sign up, but I am planning on it.

-graduate college with honors

So far I am doing well in my classes this semester and I have only 5 classes left after this semester. I applied to graduate in December 2010 and just got a letter in the mail on monday saying that I made it onto the Dean's Honor Roll for last semester! So let's just hope that senioritis doesn't wreck my plans!

-save money

We saved enough money to pay off the Tahoe! We are now a car payment free family!

-lose 20 more lbs

So far I have lost 8 pounds!

-build my photography portfolio (let me know if you need a photo sesh!)

I have some pending photo sessions and when the weather clears up I will be setting dates for those. My sister announced her engagment and I will be taking their engagement photos and her bridals! Also, I applied for my business name... Amy Rex Photography and was approved! P.S. My email is amymrex@gmail.com if you want to set something up!

Thanks so much to everyone who keeps me going and encourages me to be better!!! I couldn't do all of this without my cheerleaders! I have had so many good examples of hard work paying off and hopefully my progress will motivate someone else the way others have motivated me.

Murder Mystery Dinner Party

A couple weeks ago we attended a sweet murder mystery dinner hosted by the Rummlers. It was at Amanda's granparent's home (which is super duper nice and HUGE) and it was really fun! There was a really good plot, everyone had different parts, which were hilarious, and the food was really good too! We had so much fun! Thanks Amanda and Jared for putting on such a fun night!!!