Showing posts with label College. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College. Show all posts

Monday, January 22, 2018

*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   
 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!


dear monday, today was a holiday (MLK day) and so McKay was home.  Yay!  Taylor went snowboarding.  Not sure how, because we haven't had hardly any snow this year! I am so grateful for that!  Makes running much easier!  It was really chilly this morning  and so I waited a bit before running.  I headed to the track and found 93 cents in the parking lot.  Much easier when there are no cars there. I only got in four miles, but I was still a bit sore.  I should have probably pushed it more. 
I counted the money left in my Pennies From Heaven jar and got about $16.  I wish I could remember how many times I filled it up this year.  Next year I am going to keep better track. 
I have been waiting for this ↑ Boston jacket to go on clearance but it never has.  When I was looking, I found some Boston Marathon 2017 shirts on Ebay and so I ordered one.  The seller messaged me and told me they had another shirt in a different color (that I really liked) and they also had the exact jacket I wanted (even though they had no idea I was looking for one) and they told me if I was interested they would sell those to me as well as the other shirt for $52 total.  Considering the jacket alone is still going for $100 online, I jumped at the offer.  And all were in my size!  I scored big time!  Best part is I can run in the jacket as well as wear it normally.  I love it when I get good deals!  You would think 2017 stuff would be on clearance by now, but nope!
I practiced the harp for quite a while.  My goal for the day was to get my Mom's calendar done.  No. Matter. What.  Karen called me when I was running and invited me to Rainbow Garden's to eat lunch with her and Mickey.  I was so tempted.  If McKay hadn't been home, I am sure I would have gone.  Lunch will always be there, he won't.  Taylor also showed up after snowboarding.  He brought me a Swig cookie.  Ahhh!  He gets Son of the Year award!  Love those things! 
I worked on my Mom's calendar like my life depended on it.  Dave went and got Golden Spike for dinner so I could keep working on it.  I just got a salad and realized after trying Taylor's and Dave's burgers that I should have got one of those because those things are good unbelievable!  I would never eat a whole one (they are huge!), but heck, I would have at least ate half.  Next time.  Gotta love the aging metabolism. Not!  I feel like the amount of running I do, I should be able to eat whatever I want.  Who said life was fair?  Sigh...  I kept on working on the calendar and hit publish at 12:30 am.  I had until 1:00 a.m. our time to get the discount. What a relief!  Feels like I lost 50 lbs just knowing that is done!  I ended up paying twice as much as I would have if I had got it done around Christmas when shipping was free.  They charged me $25 for shipping!  The calendars were 50% off and I ordered two but ended up paying more than if they weren't on sale and had free shipping.  Ticks me off.  $25 to ship two calendars?  Hmm....  BUT....it's worth it to have it done!  Celebrate!  I did that by going to bed! I was beat.
 I got two free gifts (guess that's how they justify $25 in shipping!) so I ordered some coasters and two 8x10's.  Sorry so blurry.

dear tuesday, I got up about 5:30 a.m. after only four hours sleep.  I need to figure out how to go back to sleep if I wake up.  I try lavender oil but it hasn't been working as well as it used to. Sigh....   I practiced the harp and then headed to my lesson.  I was a bit late, but got to listen to the announcement of the new President of the Church press conference on the way.  President Russell M. Nelson is our new prophet.  He will be great.  Elder Oaks and Pres. Eyring are his counselors. I will miss Pres. Uchtdorf as a counselor.  I have learned so much about Pres. Nelson.  He may be the most amazing man I have ever known.  He speaks five languages, has 9 daughters and one son, is 93 but acts like he's 60, his daughter's all say he is perfect, he is a world renowned heart surgeon, he helped invent the artificial heart, he eats very healthy, he takes the stairs instead of elevator, etc. etc.  He is amazing.  I look so forward to this presidency.  They are all going to be great. And he is going to be a go getter.  
My lesson was okay.  I feel like I need to really focus on my technique so I can move forward faster.  I went to Downeast and to some stores in Ogden. I was trying to find two baby shower gifts and two birthday presents.  Dave had meetings tonight and I went visiting teaching.  I was so excited I got my new partner Megan to come this time.  She is darling.  We visited Brenda. Her house is so cute.  They bought Sister Hepworth's but have remodeled the kitchen and painted the house in 50's colors.  She loves retro 50's and it does not look anything like it did before.  We will catch Kim next week.  We also tried to get another lady I have never been able to meet after only stopping by 100 times so far.  I've met the husband, mother, child, and dog, but not her.  And tonight she still was not home.  

dear wednesday, I did hill repeats today.  
 The shadow...  the one below looks like some kind of super hero.  Batman or something with a long cape.  It was really just my jacket tied around my waist.  I know, I know.... but I need some kind of photo so my running posts don't completely put you to Zzzzzz.....
In the middle of my hill repeats I realized that I forgot to sign my boys up for the Boston 5K.  Luckily, Taylor had text me about it or I would never have remembered!  I got them signed up (with a little persuasion for Bryce) and I was so excited!  I was thinking that they get to cross the actual Boston Marathon finish line, but now I think that info is wrong.  Either way, it will be an experience they will not forget!  And, of course, they get a medal and a shirt.  It will be a once in a lifetime experience for them.  
Dave was off.  Carson came while Sarah was at the dentist. Dave watched him while I finished my run.  Then we played in the playroom.  I checked out a bit of Boston lodging rates and it's so frustrating. I can't hardly make myself do it but I need to get it done asap!  When Sarah got back we went to lunch at the new Chinese place.  It was really good.  We then said goodbye and ran some errands.  Dave had meetings as usual.  I practiced the harp for a good 90 minutes or more, made lemon bars,  and then tried to catch up this blog! I am so behind!  I do this, WHY?  
I am going to add my lemon bar recipe because it truly is TO DIE FOR!  Well, that is only if you like your lemon bars deliciously gooey!  Seriously, go make some!  You will thank me with each bite you take!  And, just a warning... be aware it's VERY HARD to not eat a bite here and a bite there and before you know it, you have eaten half the pan!  You have been warned!

Lemon Bars

2 c. flour
1 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. powdered sugar
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
4 T. lemon juice
1 t. baking powder

Heat oven to 350°.  Mix flour, butter, and powdered sugar.  Press into sprayed 9x13 pan, building up 1/2" edges. Bake 20 minutes.  Beat remaining ingredients until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.   Pour over slightly cooled crust.  Bake 25 minutes.

dear thursday, I got in my long run today. A 10 miler.  Thankfully, it was the cut back week.  I am tending Carson all weekend and so I knew I couldn't do it tomorrow and Saturday's out because I have a women's conference.  The run wasn't too bad.  I found some cute cowies and coins which always helps!  Hah  
I headed to Ogden to get some gifts and then to pick up Carson. I met Sarah at Hobby Lobby in Layton.  I also had to pick up a leather jacket for Dave that Sarah found online but the lady wasn't home so I had to stall and wait for her to respond.  After I got Carson, we went to Hooper to get it. I had to hurry because I had Stake YW basketball. I was late and I still had to make the medals.  I took Carson and he was so cute. I think he had fun but after two games he wanted Dave to come get him, luckily he was done with his church stuff, so he rescued him.  
We had a hoop shoot after the games were over for the 24th ward, who couldn't make it last week but only two girls showed up.  Oh well.  I got home and played with Carson for awhile.  He made Grammy a card.  We watched Dalmatians and he fell asleep about 10:30. Way past my bedtime!  haha 

dear friday, I got up and headed out on my run at 7:30 a.m.  It was about 45-48 degrees while I was out!  Yep, in January.  In Utah!  Felt so good!  No jacket. No gloves. No hat.  No ear muffs.  Loved it!  I saw Linda and Tanae walking but they were bundled up like it was 20 below. Hah  I told them they were going to be sweating up a storm soon.  I had to get home before McKay left so Carson wouldn't be alone.  After he woke up I practiced the harp while he played in the playroom.   Grammy came and we headed to see Tyson's friend Brooke's new baby.  He is adorbs!  
She now has four kids and has already gone back to work.  The baby is only 8 weeks old.  Not sure how she stands that. It would rip my heart out to leave him.  We joked around that Tyson had something to do with all these babies she didn't plan on.  She only wanted two.  Maybe she will have more if Tyson has anything to do with it.  She said Lincoln (the baby) sometimes just looks up and grins and smiles. She said she is sure he is communicating with Tyson. I have no doubt.  Tyson would love him and all her cute kids.  He LOVED little kids so much and they loved him back. Carson was having so much fun playing with Zion her two year old.  We then met my Dad at the new Brigham House Restaurant.  I had lasagna. Yum.  They got the turkey and pot roast and loved it too.  I think it will do well.  We also shared a piece of chocolate cake. Yummy!  
It was raining and started to get much colder.  We said goodbye to my parents and came home and played in the playroom.  We also put together a puzzle.  Carson amazes me!  He was better at it (or at least as good) than I was!  
McKay was still here but still very sick.  I feel like I have neglected him because I have been so busy.  Carson wanted to watch Star Wars. We watched it in the family room.  Dave was working until after 8 tonight.  Troy invited us to dinner and to a movie in his new theater room.  We had to pass on the dinner because Dave was too late.   We headed to Troy's about 8:45 pm.  We were going to cancel because it was so late, but Carson wanted to go.  He loved Troy's amazing aquarium and fish.  
The theater room is unreal!  It's so cool!  Stadium seating with theater chairs that recline.  Popcorn. Treats. Blankets. You name it.  A bed for Carson.  We loved it so much!  The Moyle's were also there.  I just love them.  They are such an asset to our ward.  We watched Les Miz.  We had to fast forward through a few parts cause of Carson.  He was not tired at all!  He finally came and climbed on my lap and fell asleep about 10:00.   It was snowing when we left. And cold!  What a difference 12 hours make.    

dear saturday, I got up and played with Carson for a bit.  Taylor showed up to tend him.  How nice is that?  Seriously.  He is the best kid.  Robin picked me up and we grabbed Julie and then I got a text from Taylor saying Carson was sad I didn't hug him goodbye.  Broke my heart!  I was in a rush to leave and he was busy playing and so I didn't even think about it.  Crushed me!  I sent him lots of panda GIFS hugging.  The conference was amazing.  The speakers for the first half were Brother Hipp and Brother and Sister Lemon.  The best part for me was the musical number by a young woman who sang I Know that My Redeemer Lives. Wow!  Just WOW!  She was incredible!  She couldn't keep her emotions in check and so she cried while she sang which was also amazing.  The spirit was so strong.  Just beautiful.  We then broke for brunch and it was fun chatting with everyone.  We had yummy breakfast burritos.  I was starving.  My stomach had been churning in the meeting and so I was grateful for some food to shut it up!  Dave came and sat by us and then had to make the rounds, of course.  The second half was also very good.  Jen spoke about meekness and she did an amazing job.  I was taking notes so fast because she said a lot of things I hadn't thought about before considering humility and pride and self esteem etc.  Then Janica E. spoke.  Her husband was the police officer that was killed a year ago who is in our stake.  He was hit by a car while directing traffic at night.  She has since remarried his brother.  Her story was heart wrenching but she did an excellent job. It was very touching.  She had everyone in tears. We then watched a video that had everyone in tears as well. Then Dave had to get up after all that and somehow pull it altogether.  He did a great job until he told them I said that all the sisters are sad Pres. Uchtdorph is no longer in the presidency and that all of them are now old and bald.  Gee thanks!  Even though it's true, he should have stopped with the Uchtdorph comment because I know they all agreed with that.  Yeah.  Hmm...   Lovely.  Problem is I can't defend myself.  He gets the last word. 
My snowmen decors.  I found the missing snowmen!  Well, Dave did actually.  But he's the one who lost them, so he should have been the one to find them!
When I got home Carson was very happy to see me.  Taylor had left because he had a basketball tourney but McKay was here. I tried to keep Carson away from him though because McKay has been so sick.  We played and then did a few things and then when I told him it was time for him to go home, he was the saddest little thing ever. I felt so bad.  I wish he could have just stayed.  
His sad face when he had to go home.  He kinda likes me! ☺
I met Sarah in Roy.  On the way I had on the video "Can't Stop the Feeling" and we both sang it.  He sings it so cute.  He was really tired and so I think he will feel better after he gets a nap.  I ran to Big Lots because Sarah gave me a coupon for 20% off the whole store.  I didn't need anything really but grabbed some things like extra toothbrushes, Dave's cookies, etc.  I practiced the piano and then we headed to the new restaurant to meet the Singletons.  There were a ton of peeps we knew...small town perks.  I got the ribs and Dave got the lasagna.  It is really one of the best lasagnas I've had.  The manager lady waited on us because she is Dave's patient.  We got really good service.  When I got on FB the next day, I saw this:
Yep, that is us.  Haha. Too funny.  

dear sunday, I woke up at 2:30 a.m. feeling sick.  I had body aches and a killer headache and head congestion.  Great.  I guess I am going to get what McKay had after all. I really hope Carson doesn't get it.  I laid in bed but could not go back to sleep.  So frustrating! I finally took some Tylenol Sinus and started to feel a bit more human again. My cute Boston friend Mitra sent me a long FB message. She just went through a divorce. She also has adrenal fatigue and so can't train hard for Boston.  She is going to try to just finish it this year.  Her doc said to not run it but she has invested too much money in it already to not to she said.  I was always in awe of her speed (she's my age) and ran it last year in a 3:30 or something crazy!  Found out she has this illness because of over training.  She said it was because she was dealing with the divorce by running (literally) it out of her.  But it took it's toll and now she has to stop running for a while.  I am glad I didn't follow her lead in her crazy training because she sent me her plan and after reading it I felt like a slacker!  She would train for over three hours a day!  She would run and then go to the gym for a couple hours.  No wonder.  I'm too old for that. hah  But I sure do love her.  She is one of the most sweetest kindest persons I have ever met.  I need to get on my Boston lodging.  Stressing me out!


dear random, a picture of McKay and his roomies.  They are all such good kids!



An oldie of Taylor with Kilo - so cute how he is sleeping on him.

I love this quote:

dear throwback, (way back!),I am adding some really oldies on here because I have had some serious PC issues and I fear I am going to lose my pix.  Sky has been working on backing it up, but I would never be able to retrieve these I am afraid.  Also, WHEN I get around to publishing this into a book form, it will be fun to have these there.  
Girl's camp (I think we were either in Jr. High or barely in high school).
(Lisa Elmer, Robin Christiansen, Jody Briggs, Me)
Trip to Lake Louise and the Calgary Stampede with the high school.
(Me, Jody Briggs, Pat Bryant, Barbara Piper) 
Same trip ↓ at a Cockroach Inn in Canada or maybe Montana with some of the other peeps from the Lakettes or band.


Trip to Park City in high school
Lisa Hales, Jody, Pam Rippon, Tarbie Trimble, Me
Tarbie, Lisa, Me, Pam

A Friday night girl's night at Pam's.
Lisa Hales (Liza McGurk the Bizurk), Pam Rippon (Ella), Me (VD), Barbara Piper, Jody Briggs (JB)


Senior Trip to Bear Lake
Patti Clatterbuck, Gina Talbot (she has since passed away a couple of years ago from breast cancer), Pat Bryant, Bonzo, some boy, me, Carla Shreck, some other boy, Jody Briggs
 Bear Lake Senior trip in condo
Me, Jody, and Lisa

 At an Institute stomp.  We were his wives.  ;)

College trip to St. George.
 Kirk Bitton, Robin, me, Lori Moore, ?, Jody, Teri, Sherrie Havertz
 Jody Briggs, me, Teri Taylor, Lori Moore, ? , Sherrie Havertz, Bonzo

 At my new house after we moved right after graduation. I was actually doing the splits but I cropped it off. 
Robin, me, Pam, Lisa, Jody

Me and Jody in our high school marching uniforms.

At a wedding...Shauna's I think.  
Sandy Gailey, me, Jody Briggs, Robin, Lisa.

 Me and Jody performing our rifle routine at Weber State College right before we left to compete in an international competition in London. 1981 I'm on the left.

Trip to London with the Weber State Marching Band. 1981
I was the majorette and Jody was in the rifleguard.
At BIG BEN
At the Heathrow Airport in London.  We were snowed in.  There was just a skiff of snow.  Hah
Can you see me (in purple sequins) twirling my baton across the Tames River Bridge in London.  It was literally below freezing and my costume was like a swimsuit!!!  Brrr....

 Robin, Jody, and me in London at our hotel in London.  We also toured Paris, Belgium (Brussels), Amsterdam, and other parts of France.

Me and Jody before our performance at Royal Albert Hall in London!
You can see my purple sequin baton costume underneath my rifle uniform.  I did double duty for the trip (rifle and majorette) and after the rifle routine I had about 10 seconds to get it off to perform my solo baton routine.  We won FIRST PLACE in the International competition we competed in while there!!!  Pretty exciting!




Monday, August 28, 2017

*Monday Memos* (Total Solar Eclipse Version)

*MONDAY MEMOS*

   
 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge) 
Weekly recap of my rather crazy, insane, but fun and rewarding life!


dear TOTAL solar eclipse! OH. MY. HEAVENS!  WOW! WOW! and a million more WOWS!  What a great thing to experience!  It was one of the coolest things I have EVER witnessed in my entire life! So much better than I ever imagined!  Totally worth all the traffic, stress, and time to see it!  It is something I will never ever forget!  Having almost two full minutes of a Celestial light show!  Every once in a while things in this world line right up to help us see and REMEMBER what it's really all about.   What an amazing world we live in!  And to think I almost didn't go!  I am SO grateful Dave talked me into going and SO grateful he had the foresight to know we needed to witness this. Normally it would be me who would have to talk him into something like this, but he took off the time even though he is swamped at the clinic because he knew it would probably be a once in a lifetime thing.  I had NO idea it was going to be this amazing. I totally didn't expect the thrill it was.  I am so happy ALL my boys were able to see it with us as well.  I feel bad for those who only got to see the partial eclipse because they really have no idea what they missed.  You HAD to be there to feel it.  And I mean "feel" it.  It was tangible.  It was almost a spiritual, magical feeling. We drove 25 miles to Swan Valley in Idaho to see it because in Alpine there was only going to be 37 seconds of totality, but in Swan Valley there was almost a full two minutes.  We drove there without any traffic problems whatsoever.  We went to the top of a hill on private property that Dave's Dad and his Uncle Bob found for us.  It was the perfect spot because we could see all around us in every direction. The family parked and gathered and set up a table of treats and then we just waited for about an hour or so. The eclipse began about 10:30 a.m. and we all put on our glasses and started to view it slowly. Bryce made it up just in time.   [WARNING: Massive picture overload - but it WAS a ONCE in a lifetime event right? At least for many of us.]♥

It was Dave's Dad's birthday today too!  The nurses made him this shirt.  How cute is that? (The first part of this trip is HERE).

Then all of a sudden it started to get cold and windy.  The temperature dropped significantly. I grabbed a blanket.  
Our shadows were extremely precise and intense.  You could see each individual strand of my hair. Then the crickets started to chirp.  We could see a panoramic sunset all around us.  I was told this would happen, but I couldn't imagine. 
It started to get dark.  Then darker and darker.  And then all at once the sun was gone!It was dark.  Not pitch black but pretty dark.  
We took our glasses off and witnessed the most amazing sight!  TOTALITY!
McKay's Snapchat
Bryce's snapchat
It got pretty dark!
It was BEAUTIFUL!   We could even see Venus!  Everyone kept saying how gorgeous it was.  You could feel the energy in the air.  Everyone seemed to be so happy and almost on a high, yet there was a reverence you could feel as well.  I was just in complete awe!   It was so much more than I expected! I was so grateful we drove to that point so we could witness it for almost two full minutes.  

And then suddenly the sun was back beaming brighter than I have ever seen it even though only a sliver was showing.  We had to put our glasses back on.  I honestly had chills.  There really are no words to describe the excitement I felt.  
TOTAL ECLIPSE HIGH!
Here are few more shots of the event:
What a way to spend your 81st birthday!
We did have to pay the price for the full two minute Celestial Show however because it took us TWO HOURS to drive back only 25 miles to the cabin. But...it was STILL TOTALLY WORTH IT! 
ALL THE FEELS! 
The hype was at least correct on the traffic jams they predicted.  It was a bit crazy!  But exciting at the same time!
Here's some cool pictures from the internet taken by peeps with much better cameras than ours. Some are photo shopped, but still amazing:
Now that the eclipse has passed, I have been thinking of all the symbolism that is represents.   One that has stuck with me is how much we need and depend on the sun.  When the temperature dropped so quickly because the sun was being blocked by the moon, I was amazed at how dependent we are on the sun. Without it's light and warmth we would not survive.  But how much more dependent are we on The Son? He provides us with His light so we can see more clearly.  Without Him we would have nothing but darkness and despair.  He alone provides that light of hope that we all need.  We depend on that light for everything.  HIS light.  There are times in my life when I have allowed my own will to supersede or eclipse that light and get in the way of it as I tried to block it out and not fully receive it.  But He is always there with that light shining brightly waiting for me to accept it.  We are told that when our eyes are single to the glory of God, our whole bodies will be full of lightThe light in each of us is the light of Christ which shines in us.  If we refuse to accept that light then we will live in darkness because our light is His light.  We will all go through periods of darkness, but if we embrace those times we can emerge from them even brighter than before because of the depth, richness and meaning they can add to our lives.  We grow in unexpected ways when we are eclipsed from the light.  And when the light returns, as it always will, it is even brighter and more meaningful than before.

Here's a video Scott took.  I hope it works.  It helps you feel the excitement.  
Bryce and Sky left from the eclipse viewing spot to go home.  It took them six hours instead of three.  Once they passed the cabin, it took them four hours and that was mainly because they were stuck on I-15 in Tremonton (20 miles away from home) for an hour.  It was expected though.

It was kind of cool on my run this morning before we headed to the eclipse because cars were lined up  bumper to bumper on the main road. I should have taken a picture of it.  Not something you see everyday, that's for sure.  SO. MANY. PEEPS.  Kind of exciting!  I do think everything was bit over hyped because they didn't have gas or food trucks or porta potties on the freeway like we heard they were going to.  And the shelves in Alpine still had food on them.  At least the most important food group was well stocked. Chocolate! I did hear that Rexburg's store shelves were empty though.  
I saw Sky as I ran through the store parking lot.  He had to go there to get service because the U dropped all his classes due to some computer glitch and he was a bit concerned.  There were cars there from all across the nation. 
When we all got back to the cabin, I made a Hawaiian Wedding cake for Dad W's birthday.  Linda brought a pie.  We had a  little party for him.  Bob and Moira came over for it. 

The Garrett's left.  I drove to the store to get service so I could post and when I got back Nat and Zeke had left as well.   We played Code Names and I made grilled cheese sandwiches.  I everyone is still on a high from the eclipse!  


dear tuesday, I ran six miles before breakfast.  It felt good.  Dave actually came with me for about half of it.  We went up the Grey's River road.  He said he has always wanted to run with me and so today was his chance.  Since his knees won't allow him to run, he drove along side of me.  I didn't have my music and so he cranked up the radio pretty loud.  It probably scared all the wild animals away.  :)  
Dave, McKay, Taylor, and Uncle Bob floated the river.  I didn't go because they needed two people to drop off and drive the trailer.  Dave's Dad and I did that.  His Dad and I watched them go through Lunch Counter.  They barely got wet.  It was much milder now since we were here for the family reunion.  
We came back and made BLT's and hamburgers.  Bob and Moira joined us.  We then cleaned the cabin and headed for home.  The traffic was heavier but nothing like yesterday.  We made good time getting home.
Boy's posts...

dear wednesday, I was not looking forward to it but I did my hill repeats today.  I only had time for 13.  :(   I had an ortho appointment after.  Clark got hit by a car on his bike a week or so ago, but he was looking like he was healing pretty well.  Poor guy. I am getting close to being done with my treatment!  I can't wait!  I baked some Amish bread for Taylor.  Made dinner.  I was so tired.  I tried to catch up on the bloggy a bit. 


dear BYU ED WEEK!, I was so happy I could find a day that I could head to Provo and spend the entire day learning and absorbing information.  I absolutely love learning new things!  Or re-learning old things.  And being spiritually uplifted.  It was a great day!  Hard to drive home so late.  Almost fell asleep!


Best part of the day was eating one of these!!!
I may or may not go to Ed Week for those!

 I only took one break to eat.  I planned it so it could be lunch and dinner.  I counted the brownie for breakfast!  Mmmm.......  As I was walking to one class suddenly I heard the Star Spangled Banner being played over some speaker and some youth were taking down the flag. Everyone stopped and put their hand over their heart.  Kinda cool.
In the Clyde Bldg, I saw the Russian and Brazil flag.  I remember when McKay left for his mission two years ago and I walked in to a classroom with the Russian flag above it, I almost started to cry because he had just left.  This year it felt much better knowing he was home safe and sound!

I didn't see one single person I knew with the exception of the group Heartbound who spoke (and sang).  That is a first.  I love going to Ed Week.  I love learning. I have this unquenchable thirst for knowledge and I wish I could go every single day to every single class, but I know my brain wouldn't be able to handle all that.  Hehe
Here are some of the pix I took of a few of the classes:
(If I have time I will come back and add some of the notes I took, but for now this is all I have time to add).  I attended quite a variety of different topics this year. 


dear friday, I ran pretty easy today because I have the race tomorrow and I wanted to save my legs. I ran some errands and stopped in at Maurices to pick up an online order.  Bad idea. The store is loaded with purple everything!  I ended up buying a couple things. :(  I met McKay at Walmart so I could buy him some school supplies cause I'm nice like that.  Then Dave, Taylor and I headed to Logan to get my race packet and check out Taylor's apartment options.  We had to go to Lowes first and Dave loaded the car with ceiling tiles leaving Taylor NO where to sit. Hmm...   Really? We met CJ and checked out a nice apartment and then the scariest rat hole in the universe they have actually considered moving into.  No.  Just no.  There were spiders on the walls, pipes exposed with black fur on them, no microwave or stove (they had to go upstairs for that) and the ceiling was less than 7 feet tall.  Dave had to duck. Umm...no.  And it was more expensive than the nice apartment.  The plus is it's closer to campus.  But that's it. Taylor had to ride in the back with ceiling tiles.  Totally squished.  Poor kid!
We went to Rumbi so I could carb load.  I was so so so tired.  It was a long day.  I just wanted to get in bed.  I had to get up at 4:00 a.m. and so it made me even more tired just thinking about it. :(

dear top of utah half marathon, this was my 8th.  I got up at 4 a.m. and picked up Jen. I was surprised that I was nervous.  I still get nervous when I feel a bit of pressure in a race.  The only pressure I feel is from myself though. Mainly hoping I won't get a really bad time and also because I know it's going to hurt at some point and I always worry about that.  You just never know in long distance running what is in store for you.  It was HOT!  That also always worries me.  I did have on my jacket for the first three miles which is typical, but the rest of the race was a scorcher.  I was a bit frustrated because I forgot to look at what my PR was for this course and what I ran it in last year and so I was trying to do the math while I was running to figure out what my pace should be.  Bad idea.  Running and doing math do not mix.  I kept thinking I had to save it in the first half or I would be dead in the second half, but I should have just gone out how I was feeling I could.  Instead I held back.  It showed in my time.  I finished with a 1:54 which is a good time...I wanted a sub two.  But last year was when I got my PR for the course with a 1:48.  Six minutes? Ugh!  I was very disappointed I held back.  I will now wonder if I could have matched that time or better it. I highly doubt it because that is a fast time for that course.  Two years ago I got a 1:52.  I am sure I could have done that this year if I had done the math before.  Oh well. I 'm not going to dwell on it.  I do have to take the heat into consideration as well.  I get a little stressed wondering if my time on this race will reflect my time on St. George which will mean a  BQ or not.  
I actually ran a negative split.  That is not common for this race because the first half is downhill.  Yeah, I held back.  However, I talked to a lot of peeps that said the same thing. They said they struggled the first half.  I had juice left even at the finish line. That is not normal either.  I passed a lady in my age division during the last couple of miles. I wasn't sure if she was in it or not, but I wasn't taking any chances when trophies are involved. Hah.  I am glad I did because she was in my AD.  Not sure how well trained I am this year.   Oh well.  
This is from the TOU website. ↑
I ran into Terese, Diane, and Rendi.  I have some cute running friends. I tried to pass Rendi the first nine miles.  She was in front of me about an eighth of a mile and then at mile 9 aid station I passed her and she never caught up because she wasn't feeling it at that point she told me.  I need something to motivate me though and so I was happy I was always trying to catch her.  And then when you do pass someone, that also motivates you because you don't want them to pass you back.  Hah  Oh, the joys of racing! Looks like we all got the memo to wear coral/orange!  :)
I ended up winning THIRD PLACE in my age division!  I was very happy even though my time was slower than last year when I won 4th place and the year before when I won 5th. I look back at how hard I worked over the years for one of those trophies never thinking I would get one.  And now I have three.  I was just happy I passed the lady in my AD when I did or I would have got 4th again.  She wasn't too far behind me. 
This one is also from their website. Pix were free.
Cute little guy!
 When they announced the winners names, the guy slaughtered my name.  I really have no idea what he said but it was not even close. Not even my first name. 
Jen won shoes in the door prize awards.  Lucky!  It was fun to do something together with her.  We chatted for quite awhile when I dropped her off.  I'm so grateful things are like old times.  I was so happy she ran it even though she's not doing much road running.  This was her 10th in a row!
I loved the medals, the bibs, and the shirts this year.
I'm glad I'm going the right direction!  

I got home and talked to all the boys.  They had all been working on a building Dave owns that he is fixing up to sell.  They had to strip paint and put in ceiling tiles.  One thing is for sure, ALL my boys are VERY hard workers.
The aftermath of Bryce's leg from the paint mess.
Oh man, my shower felt amazing!  I rested a bit and then ran to Old Grist for some bread for gifts and then cut Taylor's hair.  I was beyond beat.  I was so happy to hit the sack and just after I fell asleep around midnight, McKay turned on the light and announced he was heading to college.  Meaning, moving out right then.  What?  I though he was going to wait until tomorrow.  He had been with his roommates watching the fight on TV and I guess they all decided to head up.  We both got up and Dave gave him a Father's blessing and he loaded up his stuff and we bid him farewell.  He had lots of cereal but forgot milk.  Dave had to remind him.  Hah

He packed up his things and off he went. Just. Like. That.  
My baby is gone to college!!!  Oh man, WHERE did the time go?  

This was taken in Kindergarten and then his Junior year.  Who pushed the fast forward button? Now today, his first day of college!  And no porch picture because he's too grown up for that now.  :( I guess this is what we've prepared for since Kindergarten. I must say I'm glad he wears his backpack on his back now.  :)
Here's Taylor's back to school picture.  Hah   This was actually next week's Monday morning, but I'm posting here since it's the back to school theme.
More nostalgia. I really should still do this, but it's not quite as fun with just the lunch lady and principal these days.

dear sunday, I got up and practiced the piano.  Taylor came with me to church.  We were a bit late so we sat in the back.  I kind of liked it because I am a people watcher and I loved watching the little funny kids.  Holli came and ushered me to Sunday School.  She is so sweet.  I totally slaughtered the opening song in RS.  Ugh!  Dave made us a great dinner of pork roast and potatoes.  I am so glad he is back to fixing Sunday dinner.  When he was Bishop there was no way, but as SP he actually has more time home on Sundays.  It's nice.  I love the break.  I was SO tired. I almost fell asleep in sacrament meeting.  I tried to take a nap but had a hard time falling asleep. Not sure why, even when I am totally exhausted, but I do.  Taylor finally got to open his birthday presents.  Just the three of us.  Only a month late.

We drove to Kaysville to Karen's for Dave's Dad bday party.  It was so good to see Sky!  I have missed him so much!  None of the other boys came because they were all busy.
 Linda was sneakily trying to get a picture of us with Sky.  Hah

dear random, 
I love this baby!  Aka Mr. Cat, Chili, Chills, Pecial, Dash, Mr. Chat.  
Bryce took these pix of him.

I ordered this and I LOVE IT!

Registration is coming up soon!
Bryce's snapchat

Throw back to our reunion 8 years ago.  A lot has happened since then.  Jani (in yellow) lost her husband this summer as well as her mama.  She also fell off a ladder a few years ago and is mostly immobile and spends a lot of time in bed due to that.  Robin (on right) was divorced and became a grandma of three.  Kendall lives in California and so I am not sure what life changes have happened to her, but in eight years, I'm sure there's been some.  
I may or may not agree with this. ;)

dear quotes

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