random thought

I was starting to go to bed and this thought entered in my head. I wanted to make sure I remembered it, so I emailed it to myself on my blackberry...

"I'm realizing tobight that eating badly really just doesn't make me feel good. That should be motivation enough to make me eat right, right? Then why is it so hard to stop. Just the thought of eating bad makes me sick. I need to have this thought with me all the time so I remember next time I want that hamburger and fries. Is it going to make me feel good afterwards? If not, then don't eat it. I'm realizing that fuel for the body is so important. When I eat bad I end up feeling yuck, tired, groggy, and can't focus. When I eat healthy I'm alert, I'm happier, I can keep going. How do I want to live?"...

Healthy all the way...

7 days...

I should say more like...7 {working}days.

I can hardly contain myself, really. Each day I announce to the office how many days I have left. It's fun to countdown but at the same time It's going by sloooow. This week already is going slow. Shouldn't it be Wednesday by now? I'll take Thursday too - either one.

Last weekend was nice.

(pictures of the running trail)

After finishing the week with a good run I headed to Runner's Corner to get a new pair of running shoes. It's been about 6 years since my last pair, and there is no room in them (they say your running shoes should be at least half a size to a full size larger than what you normally wear - feet expand).

So, I told Ryan the night before - as we discussed our plans for Saturday - that I was heading down to Orem to use up my $50 gift card (thank you XANGO).

I never realized all that is involved in picking a good pair of running shoes. I mean you can't just go to the shelf and see one that has cool colors and pick it. You have to try it on, compare it with about 8 other shoes to find which ones are the most comfortable. They you take it outside to run a little in them - a different shoe on each foot to narrow down the comfy-ness (that's a word, right?)

I tried on some Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Mizuno, and another pair I don't remember the name of - they were kind of funky shoes. 

I finally narrowed it down to two Brooks shoes, and I decided on the Brooks Launch shoes in blue and white. They're cute...but most importantly...they're comfortable. And they're a whole size bigger. 12's to be exact. Dang I've got big feet.

Today was the first day I really ran in them (4 miles of running/walking), and I gotta say it really does make a difference having good shoes. It was cushiony, roomy, breathable, and comfy. I'm happy.

Wednesday is the Freedom 5k run. I'm looking forward to it. I think the fun part of it all is the energy there with the couple thousand people also running it. Good times ahead.

But the BEST thing coming up...even better than my sabbatical...is that my little sissy Caiti and her family will be here next week. YAY!!!

Her 8 year old Ryan will be getting baptized. I'm so excited to see those boys. It's hard having them live so far away. I sure have missed them.

 (my oldest brother Quinn with the nephews)

Happy Tuesday!

Sabbatical count down

20 days until Sabbatical. YAY!

As I may have mentioned before, once you hit 7 years at XANGO you are eligible for a 6 week paid sabbatical. You have 18 months to take your sabbatical.

I chose to take it right away. My eligibility starts July 6th, so I decided to start my sabbatical on July 9th. This goes through to August 20th.

For the first time since High School I will have a SUMMER VACATION! I am thrilled about that idea.

So, what are my plans?

1. Prepare for a half marathon in October. Lots of running.
2. Visit family. My sister Caiti and her family will be in town the first 3 weeks of July. SO happy to see them!
3. Girls Camp. Yep, I figured I'd take my sabbatical during this time so I can relax after camp and not get right back to work.
4. Visit more family. We may head up to Wyoming to visit Ryan's family, as long as Ryan can get work off.
5. Juicing. Lots of juicing.
6. Swimming. I bought a swim suit and I plan on wearing it this summer. Either in my parents hot tub, or at my SIL's pool. I guess I better ask her first. :)
7. WICKED! Ryan got us tickets to see WICKED on my birthday in August. I'm going to get all fancy for this one. so fun!
8. Decorate my sisters soon to be baby room.
9. Maybe take a trip down to Vegas
10. RELAX
11. Read a book or two. Like "Killing Lincoln", or "Unbroken".
12. Do some organizing in the house, like my closet.
13. Play the piano
14. Make healthy dinners for Ryan and I.
15. Make healthy breakfasts for Ryan and I.
16. Ride my bike
17. Run the Freedom Run 5k (oh wait...that happens right before my sabbatical starts.
18. Get my hair done and do my hair each day.
19. BE IN NO RUSH
20. HEALTHY LIVING

I may add more...not sure.

Besties

I've posted a few times about my dear friend Kristine here, and here, and here...there may be more as well. She came into town Memorial Day weekend and we were able to hang out.

She lives in Vegas and works as a PA. However, she was in town interviewing for a position in Ogden. Praying she gets it so she can move closer!!

We've been friends since High School days in Orchestra. She plays the Cello I played the Violin. We were in the same Singles ward after High School and had so much fun!

We've been besties ever since.

Anyway, so that weekend we decided to have Dinner at Rumbi and Red Mango for desert. YUM! It's always fun catching up with her. :)

While we were ordering at Red Mango (by the way my SIL, Brianna is the Manager at the Orem one - where we were) my parents walk in the door. Totally not planned. So funny!

So we chatted with my parents for a while until it was time to go - then we took some funny pictures. We're funny like that.

It's fun having a BFF like Kris. We realized we've been friends for about 19 years now, wow! She's fabulous!

Here are some pics of us over the years...  

After Rumbi and Red Mango...2012

 Friends in my apartment - 2002. (gosh I was so dang skinny back then). 

The dude in the middle of all these girls is her younger brother Jon. 

 I took this picture of her for my photography class while we were up in Park City one day shopping. 2002

HAHAHA! Oh my this one makes me laugh! We were doing our best flirty pose. I think Kris took it a little too far, and Michelle looks more disgusted than anything...LOL!

L-R: Brooke, Michelle, Kris, Me. 2003

All dressed up for our Singles Ward Halloween Dance. 1997. I had gotten back from China the year before, so we wore the dresses Erin and I had custom made over there.

Girls night out...I think 2007 or 2008...not sure.

L-R Top: Erin, Michelle, Brooke, Adrienne

L-R bottom: Mindy, Kris, me

 Memorial Day pedicure. Kris is wearing the cute flip flops with polka dots. 2008

 High School friends reunited for Jenn's wedding reception.

L-R: Jaimi, Wendy, Jenn, Marin, Me, Kris.

January 2010

 Kris and I after seeing Brian Stokes Mitchell sing with the Mo-Tab at the Christmas Concert. 2008

ColdPlay came to town and Kris bought me a ticket to go. So fun! 2008?

Memorial Day 1 mile Fun Run

Memorial Day sure was fun this year. Sharon convinced me just days before to do the 'Run of Remembrance' 1 mile fun run in AF. She was going to do the 10k and then run the 1 mile with my brother and their cute kids. She's a maniac runner, that Sharon. She amazes me!

It was actually a really fun run - hence the name 1 mile "fun run"...imagine that.

I got to push Bubbs (my niece Elizabeth) in the stroller while I ran. And I tell ya what? It was much for fun to push her in the stroller. As Sharon says, "Bubbs is good luck". And that she is. I ran the mile in 13:18. I was very happy with that. When I did my 5k the first mile I did it in 16 minutes. So yes, Bubbs is a little lucky charm. I'm thinking I should take her on each race I do.

Sharon and their oldest boy Owen did the 1 mile in 8 min. Amazingness!

Later on that day we had a get together with the family, and had a little bbq.

Here are some pictures of the race.

Oh! And I found out after the race was over a dear friend of mine, Melanie, had ran the 5k and the 1 mile with her daughter. As she saw the pictures of the 1 mile she noticed I was behind her. We had no idea either of us was there. So funny!

 My 'Run of Remembrance' t-shirt.

Sharon and I just before her 10k start.

 At the starting line for the 1 mile run. Some random boy in the front covering Owen's face...hahah! 

Just kidding...I think that's his friend.

 The pictures Melanie's husband took of her...and there I am not too far behind her.

GO MEL and TAYLOR!

 Enjoying a little Bubbsy time at the bbq. She wasn't interested in a picture.

Swimsuit

For the past few weeks, more like months, I have been on the hunt for a good swim suit. One that would hold everything in, and look cute at the same time.

I had been on the look for something that had rouching, halter-ish, modest, and cute, kind of with a vintage feel to it.

At the beginning of Spring Old Navy came out with their line of Swim wear for 2012. I had found the perfect one...but me being stingy with my money (I never pay full price for anything) I decided to wait until it went on sale, or until I could get a 30% off coupon or something. Again, I HATE paying full price for anything.

Well, just my luck that swimsuit was out of stock within a week. OUT OF STOCK! What?!?! I was so bummed!

Oh well, on to my search for a different one. My sister recommended Land's End for great swimwear. But again I couldn't stomach paying THAT much for a suit. So, I checked ebay. Found a few that I really liked but didn't want to take the plunge just yet.

Good thing I didn't!

I check Old Navy again today just for fun and looked at their swimsuits.

LO AND BEHOLD the one I wanted so badly was back on, and on sale, but only in one size. I quickly read the reviews and they say it runs small. Great! The size available is one size too big for me...but if it runs small it'll probably fit perfectly.

I add it to my cart, and realize I was $1 away from free shipping. So, I bought a pair of cheap $2 flip flops, because really you can never have too many of those. I got the green ones this time.

And checkout. Done.

That suit was going to be mine baby!

The crazy thing was that after I purchased it I went back to look at it again, and it says, "this suit is currently out of stock".

I BOUGHT THE LAST ONE!  HALLELUJAH!!!

I'm so excited to get it!

I told Ryan I was on the lookout for a new suit and he said, "but when do you ever go swimming?"

Umm hello??? My sabbatical is coming up. I can swim whenever or wherever I want to! Maybe I'll go to my SIL Brianna's pool everyday. Who knows. But now I don't have to worry about not having a suit.

So you wanna see it? It's cute right?

Wedneseday

I have a wonderful husband.

He helps me to see that I should believe in myself.

I struggle to see past the "now" part of life. That's where he and I are different. It's good that we're different like that.

I want to accomplish so much, but I tend to think things like, "but realistically...realistically can I do this?", or "I want to do a half marathon, but realistically I probably won't run the whole thing". Or, "I'd like to do a half marathon, and 10k this year...but realistically this will probably be just a 5k kind of year."...

That's when he stops me and says, "but realistically YOU CAN run the whole thing, YOU CAN run a half marathon or 10k, I believe you can do all those things...but you need to see it too."

As much as I don't like having someone tell me that I lack in a certain area or two or three, etc... I am grateful that he believes in me. I am grateful that he sees me for what I am and what I can do.

........


On another note I found this sprint triathlon for women, in California, that I would LOVE to do! It's in September. You swim 400 meters, bike 12 miles, and then run 3 miles.

Sounds like a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to me but how cool would it be to finish it. That's what I look forward to...the finish line. Completing something difficult.

Fun right?!